Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 17 July - 23 July 2019

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 19-22 July as many as four explosions at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) generated ash plumes that rose at least to 1.5 km above the crater rim and ejected material 1.1 km from the vent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-22 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly W, NW, and N. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Ebeko was identified in satellite images during 13-16 and 18 July. Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E, observed explosions during 15-16 July that sent ash plumes up to 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. The plumes drifted S and SE. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that during 15-17 July sporadic explosions at Etna’s New Southeast Crater (NSEC) were accompanied by small ash puffs that quickly dissipated. Strombolian activity at NSEC increased during the morning of 18 July with explosions occurring at a rate of one every 1-2 minutes. In the following hours the rate of explosions increased, and by the evening Strombolian activity was almost continuous. The activity continued to intensify until 2300 when a sharp decrease occurred. At 0009 on 19 July lava flowed from a new vent that opened on the lower NE flank of NSEC, and traveled towards the Valle del Leone. Within a few hours explosive activity again increased at NSEC; ash emissions occasionally rose from the Northeast Crater (NEC) and Bocca Nuova Crater. Explosive activity decreased and had ceased by noon. A sudden increase in explosive activity was recorded that afternoon and by the evening three vents within NSEC were producing Strombolian activity and sporadic ash emissions. Ashfall was reported in areas on the S flank. Explosive activity at NSEC again declined in the late evening. NEC produced abundant ash emissions until the morning of 20 July. Just before 0800 on 20 July a new phase of explosive activity began at NSEC and lava effusion at the new vent on the NE flank increased. Later that morning explosive activity completely ceased; by evening the lava flow was only weakly fed.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that ash plumes from Karymsky drifted 60 km in multiple directions during 13-17 July. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 14 and 16-18 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a weak thermal anomaly over Klyuchevskoy was visible in satellite images on 15 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 15-21 July the lava-dome volume at Merapi did not change and was an estimated 475,000 cubic meters, based on analyses of drone images. Extruded lava fell into the upper parts of the SE-flank, generating three block-and-ash flows that traveled 1.2 km down the Gendol drainage on 21 July. White plumes rose as high as 50 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Pacaya | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 17-23 July Strombolian explosions at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 25 m above the crater rim. As many as four lava flows traveled down the NW and N flanks; two of the flows were 300 m long. Minor avalanches of material from the lava flow fronts descended the flanks.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 17-18 and 20-22 July ash plumes from Sangeang Api were identified by pilots and in satellite images rising to 2.1-4.6 km (7,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting NW, W, and SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch’s lava dome was identified daily in satellite images during 13-18 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Tengger Caldera | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that rain triggered a lahar at 1700 on 19 July that originated on the SW flank of Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and visitors were warned to stay outside of a 1-km radius of the crater.

Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported a high level of incandescence from Villarrica’s summit crater on 22 July and lava bombs on the flanks just below the crater rim. Strombolian explosions intensified on 23 July, with material continuing to be ejected onto the flanks.