Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week of 30 October - 5 November 2019

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible at night during 28 October-5 November. There were 32 explosions and 16 non-explosive eruptive events detected by the seismic network. Eruption plumes rose as high as 2.8 km above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected as far as 1.3 km away. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 30 October-5 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. 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 25-26 and 29-30 October that sent ash plumes up to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes drifted E and NE. A weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 29 October. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 1-5 November white-and-gray plumes from Ibu rose 200-800 m above the summit and drifted E and N. 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.

Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 1-5 November lava continued to effuse from Karangetang’s Main Crater (S), traveling as far as 1.5 km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW and W flanks. Sometimes dense white plumes rose to 200 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Kerinci | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that at 0614 on 30 October a brownish-white ash emission from Kerinci rose around 800 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE. Brownish ash emissions rose 800 m and drifted WSW at 1721 on 30 October and to 500 m and drifted ESE at 0543 on 1 November. An eruptive event at 0553 on 2 November generated a brown ash emission that rose 500 m and drifted ESE. During 3-5 November brown ash plumes rose 100-500 m. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Sabancaya | Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that an average of 28 low-to-medium intensity explosions per day occurred at Sabancaya during 28 October-3 November. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2 km above the summit and drifted W, SW, and S. There were nine 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 30-31 October and 3-4 November discrete and short-lived ash emissions from Sangeang Api rose 2.7-3.5 km (9,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, W, and SW. Thermal anomalies were visible on 3 and 5 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 30 October an ash plume from Semeru rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and S based on satellite images and weather models. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Sheveluch | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 25 October-1 November. 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 October-5 November activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing Strombolian activity and degassing from multiple vents within the crater terrace. Explosions originated at a rate of 2-13 per hour from vents in Area N (north crater area) and at a rate of 7-16 per hour from vents in Area C-S (south central crater area). Explosions from Area N ejected lapilli and bombs no more than 175 m high, while explosions at Area C-S ejected tephra to heights under 250 m.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that at 1225 on 19 October a very small eruptive event at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater generated a gray plume that rose 300 m above the crater rim. A small amount of ash fell in Toshima, 4 km SW. Very small eruptions during 29-30 October generated grayish-white plumes that rose 800 m. Ashfall was reported in Toshima on 29 October. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

Yasur | Vanuatu : On 31 October 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.