Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 9 February – 15 February 2022

Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that nighttime crater incandescence at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible during 7-11 February. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 700 tons per day, slightly low. An eruptive event at 1620 on 13 February produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Davidof – Aleutian Islands (USA) : An earthquake swarm, either related to tectonic processes or volcanic unrest, began in the vicinity of Davidof on 24 January. The swarm continued at low levels during 9-13 February with small earthquakes recorded on most days. A shallow M 2.9 earthquake located 5 km N of the volcano was recorded on 11 February.

Dukono – Halmahera : Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 13 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.

Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that a notable eruption at Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) occurred during 9-10 February and changed the morphology of the cone. The eruption began with incandescence from explosive activity within SEC that was visible in webcam images at night during 9-10 February. Sporadic ash emissions rose above the crater. Lava began to effuse at 1520 on 10 February and flows descended WSW. Strombolian activity varied in intensity and frequency, though at 1700 there was a clear intensification. Lava flows continued to be fed and had descended S and SE to 2,900 m elevation. Strombolian activity transitioned to lava fountaining at around 2140, with fountains rising 1-1.5 km high, and ash plumes rising to 12 km (39,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifting W. Two pyroclastic flows, visible at 2140 and 2219, traveled a few hundred meters SE towards the Valle del Bove. At 2226 a larger pyroclastic flow expanded 1.6 km S and SE and covered the northernmost 2002-2003 craters, reaching 2,750 m elevation, and damaging a hut along the way. Lava fountaining ceased at 2300. The ash plume slowly dispersed W over the next few hours and the lava flow continued to be fed, reaching 2,850 m elevation. A new deep scarp opening to the SSW was formed during the eruption, overprinting the smaller breach that was on the SW crater rim. The new scarp was about 500 m long and had variable widths of 100-190 m. Weak and sporadic explosive activity continued from the lower part of the scarp. Tephra fell in areas to the NW (particularly at Maletto, 15 km NW) and as far as Sant’Agata di Militello (50 km NW) and Capo d’Orlando (50 km NNW), along the Tyrrhenian coast. At 1125 on 11 February a small vent opened at the SE base of the SEC, emitted ash, and produced a short, thick lava flow that traveled a few tens of meters SE.

Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : In a special bulletin, INSIVUMEH reported that an effusive period at Fuego began on 9 February, producing lava flows than descended the Ceniza drainage on the SSW flank. There were 2-9 explosions per hour recorded during 8-9 and 1-15 February, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes mainly drifted 10-15 km N, NE, S, SW, and W causing almost daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), and La Rochela. Periodic shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano. Block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), and Taniluyá (SW) drainages. Explosions ejected incandescent material up to 100-300 m above the summit. The effusive activity intensified by 14 February with periods of elevated activity lasting minutes to hours. Strombolian explosions increased in frequency and intensity, gas emissions increased, and incandescence from the crater was visible at night through the early morning of 15 February. Peaks in seismic RSAM data mirrored the peaks in activity. Lava flows traveled as far as 200 m down the Ceniza drainage and produced block avalanches from the flow front.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin continued during 9-15 February, though cloudy conditions often prevented satellite and webcam views. Seismicity remained slightly above background levels, and elevated surface temperatures were periodically identified in satellite images. A steam plume was occasionally visible in webcam images.

Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 9-15 January. Gray-and-white ash plumes rose 200-1,000 m above the summit and drifted W and E. Strong rumbling sounds were heard during 8-9 January and minor ashfall was reported in a populated area just W of the volcano.

Kanlaon – Philippines : PHIVOLCS issued a special notice for Kanlaon on 9 February, noting localized earthquake activity on the lower NW flank. There were 11 very shallow earthquakes, with local magnitudes of M 0.9-2.1, recorded by the seismic network between 2012 on 8 February and 0900 on 9 February. Ground deformation data from continuous GPS and tilt measurements indicated slight inflation of the middle and upper flanks of the volcano since mid-October 2021; EDM and electronic tilt data reflected short-term deflation on the SE flank since December 2021 and January 2022, respectively.

Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images on 10 February. The volcano was either quiet or obscured by clouds on the other days during 4-11 February.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava effusion at the vent of the main cone in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued at variable rates during 9-15 February. Effusion had paused, but restarted at 0120 on 9 February when lava again began entering the lava lake. The lake level fluctuated through the week, likely reflecting variable lava supply along with periods of inflation and deflation. Effusion from the W vent paused during around 0900-1100 on 11 February.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 8-15 February. Daily white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 1.2 km above the summit and drifted E and W. Incandescent material was ejected 300-350 m in multiple directions, and rumbling and weak banging noises were heard.

Manam – Northeast of New Guinea : The Darwin VAAC reported that on 14 February ash plumes from Manam rose to 2.4 (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported no significant morphological changes at Merapi’s lava domes, located just below the SW rim and in the summit crater, during 4-10 February. Seismicity remained at high levels. In the SW-flank Bebeng drainage there were as many as 133 lava avalanches that traveled a maximum of 2 km and three pyroclastic flows that extended 2 km. Ashfall was reported in multiple areas within about 20 km to the S, SE, and E including the Cangkringan, Sleman and Musuk districts.

Nevado del Ruiz – Colombia : On 15 February Servicio Geológico Colombiano’s (SGC) reported that during the previous week seismicity at Nevado del Ruiz was at similar levels to the weeks before, characterized by periods of continuous volcanic tremor, harmonic tremor, long-period events, and very-long-period earthquakes, indicating movement of fluids. These earthquakes occurred in the vicinity of Arenas Crater. Additional earthquake signals indicating rock fracturing were located at Arenas Crater and in areas to the SE and had decreased in size and frequency since the previous week. Two periods of “drumbeat” seismicity, indicting growth of the lava dome, were recorded on 10 February. Gas-and-ash emissions were periodically visible in webcam images. A small explosion on 11 February generated an ash plume that rose above the crater. According to the Washington VAAC an ash plume rose to 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N at 1130 that same day.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at Pavlof was ongoing during 8-15 February with lava effusion from a vent on the upper SE flank feeding lava flows on the E flank. Seismicity was elevated with periods of tremor and elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images; both were consistent was continuing lava effusion.

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 8-15 February, though weather conditions sometimes hindered views. Crater incandescence was visible during 8-9 February. Daily eruptive events produced white-and-gray plumes that rose as high as 500 m above the summit and sometimes drifted SE and N.

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 9-15 February. Seismicity was elevated with low-level tremor, and several small explosions were detected daily in both seismic and infrasound data, through 13 February. Steam and low-level ash emissions likely occurred daily, though due to weather clouds they were not confirmed in satellite and webcam images during 13-14 February.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 4-11 February.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that five explosions were recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 7-14 February. The explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks 300-400 m from the crater. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 11-14 February.

Whakaari/White Island – North Island (New Zealand) : On 15 February GeoNet reported that technicians recently repaired and upgraded equipment, improving the transmission of seismic and webcam data from Whakaari/White Island. The report noted that minor ash emissions from the active vents continued to be seen in webcam images. The lake had deepened due to recent wet weather conditions and mud geysering from one of the main craters was visible; mud geysering was common at the volcano during periods when the lake water was higher.

Wolf – Isla Isabela (Galapagos) : IG reported that the eruption at Wolf continued during 8-15 February. Daily thermal alert counts, anywhere from a few to over three hundred, indicated active and advancing lava flows on the SE flank.

Yasur – Vanuatu : The Wellington VAAC reported that during 12-13 February ash emissions from Yasur were visible in webcam and satellite images rising to 900 m (3,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting S and SW.

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