Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – New Activity for the week of 10 October - 16 October 2018

Cuicocha | Ecuador : IG reported that, after an earthquake swarm consisting of 62 volcano-tectonic events during 2-3 October, seismicity at Cuicocha returned to background levels on 4 October. Carbon dioxide levels were normal, and deformation data did not show any anomalies.

Gamalama | Halmahera (Indonesia) : On 10 October PVMBG reported only gas emissions (mostly water vapor) from Gamalama; the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow. 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.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise continued during 10-16 October, though webcam images indicated that the lava-flow front had not significantly progressed since 8 October. The lava lake in the cone was at a low level. Strong gas emissions rose from the main vent as well as from the lava tube, just downstream from the vent.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : Based on a VONA from PVMBG an ash emission from Sangeang Api was generated at 1338 on 15 October; it rose 250 m above the summit and drifted SW, W, and NW. The VONA noted that the ash emission possibly rose higher than what a ground observer had estimated. Seismic data was dominated by signals indicating emissions as well as local tectonic earthquakes. The Aviation colour Code was changed from Yellow to Orange.

Sarychev Peak | Matua Island (Russia) : Based on Tokyo VAAC data and satellite images, KVERT reported that at 1330 on 10 October an ash plume from Sarychev Peak rose to 1.7-2 km (5,600-6,600 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 95 km E. SVERT reported that on 15 October an ash plume rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 65-70 km E. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange.

Semisopochnoi | United States : On 11 October AVO reported that satellite data of Semisopochnoi indicated partial erosion of a tephra cone in the crater of Cerberus’s N cone. A crater lake about 90 m in diameter filled the vent. The data also suggested that the vent had not erupted since 1 October. Seismicity remained elevated and above background levels. The next day AVO lowered the Aviation colour Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory, noting the recent satellite data results and lack of tremor recorded during the previous week.

Soputan | Sulawesi (Indonesia) : On 16 October PVMBG issued a VONA noting only white emissions at Soputan; the Aviation colour Code was lowered to Yellow.

Ulawun | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : RVO reported that during 1-12 October white and sometimes light gray emissions rose from Ulawun’s summit crater. Seismicity was low.