Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 26 June - 2 July 2019

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 26 June-2 July ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. 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 on 23 June; weather clouds obscured views of the volcano on the other days during 21-28 June. 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 23 and 26 June, and a gas-and-steam plume with some ash content drifted E on 26 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that Anak Krakatau’s seismic network recorded periods of increased activity with three eruptive events detected during 25-26 June, four events detected on 1 July, and one event on 2 July. The event was not followed by visible ash emissions, though observations were hindered by weather conditions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2 km radius hazard zone from the crater.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 27 June ash plumes from Sangeang Api rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. A thermal anomaly was also visible. On 29 June a discrete ash puff that rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. drifted NW, and steam emissions were ongoing.

Santa Maria | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported increased activity at Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex in a special bulletin posted on 2 July. They note that during the previous two years activity was characterized as low, with 10-15 weak explosions per day, and emissions composed mainly of water vapor with minor ash content. Beginning on 28 June the seismic network recorded a gradual increase of the number and intensity of explosions, with 35-40 events per day. These explosions were weak-to-moderate intensity and produced ash plumes that rose 1-1.3 km above the complex and drifted S and SW. Ashfall was recorded in areas downwind including Patzulín, El Faro, Horizontes, Las Marías, Loma Linda, and San Marcos Palajunoj. Block avalanches descended the SE, S, and SW flanks and sometimes generated ash plumes.

Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0830 on 26 June an eruption at Semeru produced an ash plume that rose around 600 m above the summit and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale from 1-4); the public was warned to stay 1 km away from the active crater and 4 km away on the SSE flank.

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch’s lava dome was identified daily in satellite images during 21-28 June. Explosions on 24 and 27 June generated ash plumes that rose to 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SW, respectively. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Stromboli | Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 30 June-2 July activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing low-to-medium intensity Strombolian explosions and degassing from multiple vents within the crater terrace. A high-energy explosion from vent C in Area C-S (South Central crater area) was recorded at 2303 on 25 June. The event lasted for about 28 seconds, ejected material that fell onto most of the crater terrace and into the Valle della Luna, and widened the vent.

White Island | North Island (New Zealand) : GeoNet reported that earthquake swarms at White Island were recorded in May and beginning on 20 June. Even though both swarms were interpreted as fault activity and no unusual volcanic activity was observed, GeoNet increased monitoring of the volcano. Earthquake swarms can increase the likelihood of landslides. A gas flight was conducted on 26 June because of the heightened monitoring and measurements were found to be 1,886 tons per day, three times the previous values measured in May. This was also the highest value recorded since 2013 and the second highest since regular measurements began in 2003. The Volcanic Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and the Aviation colour Code was raised to Yellow. Two more gas flights found lower emissions values; sulfur dioxide flux was 880 tons per day on 28 June and 693 tons per day on 29 June. In addition, new measurements found no changes to fumarolic temperatures and modeling of ground deformation suggested the ongoing earthquake swarm was tectonic and did not reflect increased volcanic activity. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered back to 1, with no change to the Aviation colour Code.

Yasur | Vanuatu : On 27 June the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that recent observations and data from Yasur’s seismic network confirmed ongoing sometimes strong explosions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-4). VMGD reminded residents and tourists that hazardous areas were near and around the volcanic crater, within a 395-m-radius permanent exclusion zone, and that volcanic ash and gas could reach areas impacted by trade winds.

Rare Lake of Bubbling Lava Discovered on Remote Antarctic Island

A huge lake of sizzling hot lava has been discovered in a volcano on a remote sub-Antarctic island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It's only the eighth lake of molten rock ever discovered on Earth.

Scientists from University College London (UCL) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) discovered this rare lava lake on Mount Michale volcano on Saunders Island in the South Sandwich Islands, about 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) north of the eastern edge of Antarctica's Weddell Sea.