Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 3 October - 9 October 2018

Barren Island | Andaman Islands (India) : According to a news article, the Geological Survey of India reported a new eruption at Barren Island. Satellite data on 25 September confirmed ash emissions, and either lava flows or ejected tephra on the N flank.

Cuicocha | Ecuador : IG reported an increase in seismic activity at Cuicocha during 2-3 October, characterized by a total of 60 volcano-tectonic events recorded at the time of the report posting. The largest of these events, a M 2.5 at 1058 on 2 October, was reportedly slightly felt by a resident of Quiroga.

Gamalama | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that an explosion from Gamalama at 1152 on 4 October was likely phreatic; it generated an ash plume that rose about 250 m above the summit and drifted NW. Eight volcanic earthquakes were recorded about an hour before the event. Based on satellite data and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 5-6 October ash plumes rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); visitors and residents were warned not to approach the crater within a 1.5-km radius.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : On 5 October HVO reported that lava at Kilauea had not been active at the surface for 30 days. Seismicity was low, steady, relatively low rates of deformation across the volcano were recorded, and the summit and East Rift Zone (ERZ) produced only minor gas emissions. These data indicated that near-term resumption of activity at the summit or at the lower ERZ was unlikely; the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Advisory and the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise continued during 2-9 October, though only weak and periodic surficial activity was observed. A lava lake in the cone continued to be active, and very minor amounts of lava were ejected above the cone’s rim. A few minor lava flows broke out from the main tube. The front of the N lava flow was 120 m from the S wall of the Enclos Fouqué.

Semisopochnoi | United States : AVO reported that during 3-9 October seismicity at Semisopochnoi remained elevated, with intermittent bursts of tremor. No volcanic activity was detected in infrasound or satellite data. The Aviation colour Code (ACC) remained at Yellow and Volcano Alert Level (VAL) remained at Advisory.

Soputan | Sulawesi (Indonesia) : Based on satellite images, information from PVMBG, and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 4 October ash plumes from Soputan rose to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and tourists were advised not to approach the craters within a radius of 4 km, with an additional expansion to 6.5 km in WSW direction due to increased risk from a breach in the crater rim.

Ulawun | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : According to the Darwin VACC, a steam-and-ash emission from Ulawun was identified in satellite images and reported by ground observers on 5 October, rising to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting WSW.