Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 14 August - 20 August 2019

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 13-16 August crater incandescence at Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was occasionally visible in webcams at night. A small eruptive event was recorded on 18 August. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Asosan | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that increased eruptive activity at Asosan that began on 28 July paused at 1110 on 16 August. An eruptive event was recorded at 1627 on 18 August; elevated eruptive activity continued at least through 19 August. The Tokyo VAAC reported that the eruptive event on 18 August produced an ash plume that rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes rose to 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N and NW during 19-20 August. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 14-20 August ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, 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 10-16 August that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 10 and 12 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 1107 on 14 August an ash plume from Ibu rose at least 800 m above the summit and drifted N. Seismicity was characterized by an explosion signal and earthquakes indicating rock avalanches. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.

Kadovar | Papua New Guinea : Based on satellite data and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 19 August an ash plume from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW.

Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 12-18 August lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main and Dua craters. Avalanches of material traveled 1-1.5 km SW down the Nanitu and Pangi drainages, as far as 1.4 km down a drainage W of Pangi, and as far as 1.8 km down the Sense drainage. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 500 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 11-12 and 15 August. Volcanologists doing fieldwork on 14 August observed explosions and ash plumes that rose to 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. Satellite images showed ash plumes drifting S and SE that same day. 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 13-14 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Merapi | Central Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 12-18 August the lava-dome volume at Merapi did not change and was an estimated 461,000 cubic meters, based on analyses of drone images. Extruded lava fell into the upper parts of the SE flank, generating a total of two block-and-ash flows that traveled as far as 950 m down the Gendol drainage on 13 and 14 August. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 100 m above the summit on some days. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to stay outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported multiple explosions at Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater during 14-20 August, each associated with long-period earthquakes. Two explosions on 14 August, at 0000 and 0029, produced gas emissions and ejected incandescent material onto the flanks. An explosion at 1200 on 16 August produced a grayish ash plume that rose 110 m. Another explosion was detected at 1625 on 17 August. A grayish gas plume from an explosion at 1343 on 18 August rose 400 m, and an explosion at 1938 on 20 August ejected incandescent material onto the flanks. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-colour scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián, and stated that the public should stay at least 3 km away from the crater on the SW flank and 5 km away on the ENE flank.

Piton de la Fournaise : OVPF reported that the eruption at Piton de la Fournaise that began on the E part of l’Enclos Fouqué at 1620 on 11 August paused for about four hours beginning around 0420 on 15 August; tremor and deep earthquakes indicating magma movement continued to be detected. Lava fountaining resumed at 0830 at two vents residing along the second fissure at 1,500 m elevation, producing flows that did not extend beyond 500 m in length. The lava-flow front from the main flow did not advance past 600-650 elevation. Activity ceased around 2200 on 15 August.

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive event from vent A (Boca Roja) at Poás generated a 1-km-high plume of steam, gas, and fine particulates at 0650 on 17 August. The event was preceded by an increase in tremor amplitude starting at 0500 that same day.

Sabancaya | Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that an average of 25 low-to-medium intensity explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during 12-18 August. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3 km above the summit and drifted SE, S, and SW. There were eight thermal anomalies identified in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of a 12-km radius.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that during 14-20 August intermittent ash plumes from Sangeang Api were identified in satellite images rising to 2.4-3 km (8,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and quickly dissipating to the 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 9-16 August. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).