Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 6 May 2020 – 12 May 2020

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 4-11 May incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. There were four eruptive events with plumes rising as high as 2.3 km above the crater rim. Three explosions were recorded; an explosion at 0531 on 9 May produced an ash plume that rose 4.2 km and ejected material 600-900 m away from the crater. JMA noted that ash plumes had not risen higher than 4 km since 8 November 2019. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Asosan | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity at Asosan was recorded during 4-11 May. Volcanic plumes rose 700-900 m above the crater rim and caused ashfall in areas downwind. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high at 3,000-4,800 tons per day during 7-8 May. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO lowered both the Volcano Alert Level and the Aviation colour Code for Cleveland to Unassigned on 7 May, noting that explosive activity on 9 January 2019 (and subsequent lava extrusion in the summit crater) was followed by an overall decrease in detected surface temperature and no further surface changes.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 6-12 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 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.

Etna | Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that on 5 May increasing and pulsating ash emissions at Etna’s New Southeast Crater (NSEC) formed a plume that drifted SSE. The activity may have concurrently occurred with the enlargement of vent number 3. Explosive activity at Voragine Crater (VOR), with minor ash emissions and occasional visible shreds of incandescent material, was relatively mild and discontinuous. During a field inspection on 8 May, volcanologists observed that the main cone was almost unchanged and produced modest ash emissions. Strong explosive activity at a cone located E of the main cone produced a lot of ash, and ejected coarse material that fell on the W edge of VOR as well as on the S terrace of Bocca Nuova Crater. Activity at NSEC again increased; on 10 May Strombolian explosions ejected material out of the crater and onto the flanks. Concurrently, increased activity in VOR was characterized by the ejection of ballistics beyond its crater rim. After a few hours Strombolian activity in NSEC significantly decreased and explosive activity in VOR was both less intense and less frequent.

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 9 May an ash plume from Ibu rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE based on satellite images and weather models. On 12 May an ash plume rose to 2.1 km a.s.l. and drifted 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.

Popocatepetl | Mexico : CENAPRED reported that each day during 5-12 May there were 94-157 steam-and-gas emissions from Popocatépetl, some of which contained minor amounts of ash. Minor explosions were recorded at 1534 and 1609 on 7 May, at 1648 on 10 May, at 1723 and 2351 on 11 May, and at 0302 and 0604 on 12 May. Crater incandescence was visible some nights. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (middle level on a three-colour scale).

Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 6-12 May. Phreatic explosions were recorded at 1624 on 6 May and 0343 on 8 May, though inclement weather conditions hindered visual confirmation. Two small emissions were noted at 1850 on 8 May and at 0020 on 9 May. An event at 1925 on 9 May generated a gas-and-steam plume that rose almost 2 km above the crater rim.

Sangeang Api | Indonesia : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 10 May a discrete ash emission from Sangeang Api rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Semeru | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 4-10 May. Eruptive events produced dense white-gray ash plumes that rose 200-500 m above the summit. Incandescent material from the ends of lava flows descended 500-1,000 m in the Kembar and Kobokan drainages (on the S flank), reaching a maximum distance of 2 km from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was reminded to stay outside of the general 1-km radius from the summit and 4 km on the SSE flank.

Suwanosejima | Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that during 1-8 May explosions occurred twice a day at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater and produced plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim. Material was ejected 400 m from the crater. Crater incandescence was visible nightly. Rumbling sounds were noted in a village 4 km SSW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

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