Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 24 July - 30 July 2019

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that on 22 July an explosion at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) generated an ash plume that rose to 1.5 km above the crater rim. At 1725 and 1754 on 28 July ash plumes rose 3.5-3.8 km above the crater rim and causing ashfall in areas N of the crater including Kirishima (20 km NE), Shimizu Town, and parts of the Kumamoto Prefecture. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Asosan | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at 0757 on 26 July a small eruption at Asosan’s Nakadake Crater generated grayish-white ash plumes that rose 1.6 km above the crater rim and drifted NW. Webcam images showed incandescent material in the vent. Minor ashfall was reported in areas downwind including Minamioguni-cho (Kumamoto Prefecture, N) and Kuze-cho (Oita Prefecture, NE). Plumes continued to be emitted during 0900-1300, rising to 400 m. Activity increased at 0442 on 28 July and remained elevated at least through 1500 on 29 July. Grayish-white plumes rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted NE and N. Sulfur dioxide emissions were very high on 29 July, at 4,300 tons per day. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 24-30 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, N, NE, and E. 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) : Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 20-26 July that sent ash plumes up to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. The plumes drifted in multiple directions. A thermal anomaly was visible in satellite images on 18, 20, and 25 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 18-19 and 25 July. An ash plume drifted 134 km SE on 25 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 during 18-19 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 22-28 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 two block-and-ash flows that traveled 1,000 m and 950 m down the Gendol drainage on 24 and 27 July, respectively. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 50 m above the summit on some days. 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.

Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia : Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 23-30 July small plumes of gas and ash rose from Nevado del Ruiz based on webcam images. A weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at 3 (Yellow; the second lowest level on a four-colour scale).

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 24-30 July multiple ash plumes from Sangeang Api were identified by pilots and in satellite images rising to 2.4-3 km (8,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and quickly dissipating N, 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 19-26 July. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Tengger Caldera | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 28 July ash plumes from Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW based on webcam images, satellite data, and weather models. 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.

Tengger Caldera | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 28 July ash plumes from Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW based on webcam images, satellite data, and weather models. 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.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive event at Turrialba was detected at 1441 on 28 July, though inclement weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. Ashfall was reported in La Picada (N) and El Retiro farms.

Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported that during 24-25 July multiple Strombolian explosions in Villarrica’s summit crater were detected in seismic data and ejected incandescent material onto the flanks.