Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week 16 February – 22 February 2022

Aira – Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that at 1540 on 15 February an eruption at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) produced plumes that rose 1.3 km above the crater rim and into weather clouds. Sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high at 1,200 tons per day on 17 February. A very small eruptive event was recorded on 20 February.

Ambae – Vanuatu : On 18 February the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that the cone in Ambae’s Lake Voui continued to grow and produce steam, gas, and ash emissions. Webcam images showed ash emissions rising to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting WSW the day before, according to the Wellington VAAC.

Davidof – Aleutian Islands (USA) : According to AVO the earthquake swarm that began on 24 January in the vicinity at Davidof continued at least through 22 February with a few small earthquakes recorded on most days. The swarm was either related to tectonic processes or volcanic unrest.

Etna – Sicily (Italy) : INGV reported that a thermal anomaly at Etna’s Southeast Crater (SEC) was first visible in webcam images at 0907 on 21 February, followed within an hour by weak Strombolian activity. Strombolian activity intensified and by noon lava fountaining was visible. An eruption plume had risen to 10 km above the summit and drifted SE. Lava overflowed the SEC at 1210 and traveled SW. The eruption plume reached a height of 12 km, drifted SSE, and caused ashfall in Viagrande (16 km SSE), Trecastagni (16 km SE), Milo (about 11 km ESE), Aci Castello (26 km SSE), and Zafferana (10 km SE). Sometime after 1300 lava fountaining ceased, though the lava flow continued to be fed. Another flow traveling E to an elevation of 2,900 m was visible in webcam images and by scientists observing the eruption in the field. Explosivity activity ceased in the afternoon. Weather conditions hindered views over the next day but by 1900 on 22 February webcam observations were again possible. Weak Strombolian activity at SEC was visible and the E lava flow had advanced.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin continued during 16-22 February, though cloudy conditions often prevented satellite and webcam views. Lava flows had continued to advance down the S, W, and N flanks, and were 1,050 m, 930 m, and 220 m long, respectively. Lava flows were also active on the SSW flank. Seismicity remained slightly above background levels, and a few, daily, small local earthquakes were recorded during 19-21 February.

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai – Tonga Ridge : Recovery efforts from the 14-15 January eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai continued in Tonga. According to a news article, the main undersea international fiber-optic communication cable that had been severed in multiple places due to the eruption had been repaired by 21 February, and internet connectivity was restored by 22 February. Repairs had begun on 3 February to rejoin 5-6 pieces and replace a 55 km section of the cable that was missing and likely buried in sediment. A domestic cable that was located closer to the volcano may take months to repair. Another news article noted that over 200 fishing boats had been destroyed by the tsunamis; dozens of new boats had been gifted by international donors.

Karymsky – Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 10-11 February. The volcano was either quiet or obscured by clouds on the other days through 18 February.

Kavachi – Solomon Islands : Satellite data showed discolored water around Kavachi in the month of February, on three of four image acquisition dates. Discolored water fanned out short distances (around 3 km) mainly to the E on 4 February and to the WSW on 14 February. Cloudy weather prevented views of the vent area on 9 February. On 19 February a relatively narrow plume of discolored water drifted E and then dispersed about 6 km away.

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 16-22 February. Effusion from the vent was very low or had paused from around 0000 on 16 February until about 0230 on 17 February. After another drop, the effusion rate was relatively stable at least through 22 February. The lake level fluctuated through the week, likely reflecting the lava supply along with periods of inflation and deflation. Short-lived lava ooze-outs were visible along the W margins of the lava lake and small flows from the W vent traveled S and W during 20-22 February.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 15-19 February. Daily white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 600 m above the summit and drifted E, W, and NW.

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 11-17 February. Seismicity remained at high levels. In the SW-flank Bebeng drainage there were as many as 105 lava avalanches that traveled a maximum of 2 km and three pyroclastic flows that extended 2.8 km.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at Pavlof was ongoing during 16-22 February with lava effusion from a vent on the upper SE flank feeding flows on the E flank. Seismicity was elevated with periods of tremor detected and elevated surface temperatures identified in satellite images; both were consistent with continuing lava effusion.

Reventador – Ecuador : IG reported that a high level of activity continued at Reventador during 15-22 February, though cloudy weather conditions prevented visual observations during 20-21 February. Steam-and-ash plumes, often observed multiple times a day with the webcam or reported by the Washington VAAC, rose higher than 1.3 km above the summit crater and drifted in multiple directions. Crater incandescence was visible most nights; incandescent material was visible descending the S flank during 17-18 February.

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that eruptions at Semeru recorded at 0554 and 0709 on 17 February, 0558 on 18 February, 0551 on 19 February, and 0701 on 20 February generated ash plumes that rose 500-700 m above the summit and drifted N, W, and SW. The

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 16-22 February. Seismicity was elevated with low-level tremor, and occasional explosions, detected almost daily in both seismic and infrasound data. Weather clouds prevented satellite and webcam views of the volcano. Low-level ash clouds from the summit were observed in webcam images drifting N during 21-22 February.

Sheveluch – Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 11-18 February.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that 102 explosions were recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 14-21 February. The explosions produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.8 km above the crater rim. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 14-18 February, and nighttime crater incandescence was visible during 18-21 February.

Turrialba – Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0412 on 19 February an eruption at Turrialba’s Cráter Oeste produced a small ash plume that rose 100 m above the summit and drifted W. Minor ashfall was reported by park rangers in Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú. An eruptive event was recorded later that day at 1624, though weather clouds prevented visual confirmation.

Wolf – Isla Isabela (Galapagos) : IG reported that the eruption at Wolf continued during 15-22 February. Daily thermal alert counts, as high as around 250, indicated active and advancing lava flows on the SE flank.

Yasur – Vanuatu : The Wellington VAAC reported that on 17 and 19 February ash emissions from Yasur were intermittently visible in webcam and satellite images rising as high as 1.2 km (4,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SW.

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