Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the Week 26 May – 1 June 2021

Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that during 24-31 May incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Very small eruptive events were occasionally recorded. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and residents were warned to stay 2 km away from the crater.

Dukono – Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25-27 and 29 May ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 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 21 and 23 May that sent ash plumes to 3.2 km (10,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and S. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 23 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported almost daily episodes of Strombolian activity at Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) during 24-30 May continued the recent pattern of Strombolian explosions followed by lava flows to the SW and occasional lava fountains. Ash plumes were visible most days, rising to a maximum of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. Tephra was collected in Milo (10 km E) on 26 May and in Petrulli (12 km SE) on 30 May. The first episode of the week began at 2100 on 24 May, intensified during 2235-2345, and ended at 0010 on 25 May. Ash emissions at SEC began 1020 on 25 May, producing a plume that rose to 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ENE. Explosions were recorded at 1820 and within 30 minutes Strombolian activity was visible. Activity intensified during 2025-2100 and ended at 2215. Two eruptive episodes were recorded on 26 May, with peaks at 0350 and 1300. An eruptive episode on 27 May was not visually well-documented due to inclement weather, though it reportedly intensified at 1450. Tephra fell in Giarre (17 km ESE), Milo, and Fornazzo (10 km ESE). Another episode began around 0830 on 28 May, intensified around 0900, and then ended at 0930; ashfall was reported in Giarre. Two more eruptive events were recorded that day: during 1740-1815 and a more powerful one during 2115-2305. The last episode of the week began at 0545 on 30 May and lasted for two hours.

Gareloi – United States : On 27 May AVO changed the Aviation colour Code and Volcano Alert Level for Gareloi to Green and Normal, respectively, reflecting that communication with seismic stations had been re-established, allowing for the location of earthquakes and detection of unrest.

Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images on 22 and 24 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Kerinci – Indonesia : PVMBG reported that at 0614 on 31 May an ash plume from Kerinci rose 700 m above the summit and drifted NW, based on information from a ground observer. 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.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : On 27 May HVO reported that Kilauea was no longer erupting; the Aviation colour Code and the Volcano Alert Level were lowered to Yellow and Advisory, respectively. A decreasing rate of lava entering the lake caused the area of the active lava lake to shrink to two small ponds by 11 May. Lava had stopped flowing into the lake sometimes during 11-13 May, and it was completely crusted over by 20 May. Weak inflation and an increase in shallow volcano tectonic earthquakes at the summit that began on 11 May also suggested that magma was staying at depth.

Krysuvik-Trolladyngja – Iceland : The fissure eruption in the W part of the Krýsuvík-Trölladyngja volcanic system, close to Fagradalsfjall on the Reykjanes Peninsula, continued during 26 May-1 June. Cycles of lava fountaining followed by no activity persisted at the fifth vent. Lava fountains rose a few hundred meters above the vent and lava advanced in the Nátthaga and Geldingadalur valleys. Lava in Nátthaga continued to get closer to Highway 427 (Suðurstrandarvegur) to the S, and buried fiber optic communication cables. Seismic activity had been decreasing; during 21-28 May there were about 90 earthquakes, compared to the 200 events recorded the previous week. According to a news article, an estimated 31 hectares of vegetation had been scorched by fires set by lava and hot ejected material since early May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange due to the lack of ash and tephra emissions, though IMO warned of the potential for lapilli and scoria fallout within a 650 m radius of the active vent. Authorities warned of increased gas emissions hazards.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that white-and-gray plumes from Lewotolok rose as high as 1 km and drifted W and E during 27-28 and 30-31 May. Rumbling was sometimes heard. Crater incandescence was visible on 31 May. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 3 km away from the summit crater.

Merapi – Central Java (Indonesia) : BPPTKG reported that the lava dome just below Merapi’s SW rim and the lava dome in the summit crater both continued to be active during 21-27 May. The SW rim lava-dome volume was an estimated 1.265 million cubic meters, with a growth rate of about 11,600 cubic meters per day, and continued to shed material down the flank. A total of 15 pyroclastic flows traveled a maximum of 2 km down the SW flank. Incandescent avalanches, recorded 70 times, traveled as far as 1.8 km down the SW flank and once went 800 m SE. The summit lava dome had not changed since observations the previous week. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 21-28 May. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that 47 explosions at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 2.1 km above the crater rim during 21-28 May. Large volcanic bombs were ejected 700 m from the crater. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (4 km SSW). Crater incandescence was visible nightly. The Alert Level remained at 2 and the public was warned to stay 1 km away from the crater.

Yasur – Vanuatu : On 27 May the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that seismic data and recent visual observations at Yasur confirmed ongoing explosions and gas-and-ash emissions. 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 600-m-radius exclusion zone, and that volcanic ash and gas could reach areas impacted by trade winds.

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