Volcanos

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

Davidof – Aleutian Islands (USA) : According to AVO the earthquake swarm that began on 24 January in the vicinity at Davidof continued at least through 15 March with a few small earthquakes recorded each day by seismometers on Little Sitkin (15 km E). The rate was variable, though the total number of events was similar to the previous week.

Fuego – South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH and CONRED confirmed that pyroclastic flows at Fuego descended multiple flanks on 7 March, though those that traveled SW, S, and SE went as far as 7 km. Vegetation and crops were impacted by the farther-traveling, high-temperature pyroclastic flows as well as ashfall, based on satellite data and field reports from staff at the Observatorio Vulcanológico del Volcán de Fuego (OVFGO). A large amount of ash also fell on homes and structures. As many as 10 explosions per hour were recorded during 8-15 March. Multiple daily ash plumes rose up to 1.3 km above the summit and drifted as far as 20 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported almost daily 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), finca Palo Verde, Yepocapa (8 km NW). Shock waves from the explosions and rumbling sounds rattled local structures. Block avalanches mainly descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), and Las Lajas (SE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material up to 200-400 m above the summit during 11-14 March.

Great Sitkin – Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin continued during 8-15 March and very low seismicity persisted. The rate of effusion slightly increased from 28 February to 11 March, based on radar data collected on those two dates; lava was extruded in all direction from the vent and the southern lobe advanced 20 m. Snow covered most of the flow except for the advancing fronts of the lava lobes and around the vent area. Elevated surface temperatures were periodically identified in satellite images. Minor steaming was visible in webcam images on 12 March. The steaming was dense and also visible in satellite images during 12-13 March.

Ibu – Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 9-15 March. Gray-and-white ash plumes rose 200-1,000 m above the summit and drifted N and NE. Avalanches traveled 100-400 m N and NW during 14-15 March.

Kilauea – Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava effusion from vents in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued at variable rates during 8-15 March. Throughout February the main cone had broken down and by 4 March lava was effusing from multiple vents, including the tallest cone (19 m high); by 11 March lava was supplied from an embayment just N of the cone which had grown to 27 m high. Lava continued to feed the western active lava lake. Lava breakouts along the SE, NE, and NW lake margins were visible on a few of the days. Minor and slow crustal overturning occurred on the NW and SE parts of the lake’s margins during 13-14 March.

Lewotolok – Lembata Island : The eruption at Lewotolok continued during 8-15 March according to PVMBG. Daily white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted E, W, and NW. Crater incandescence, lava effusion, and rumbling sounds were reported during 7-10 March.

Merapi – Central Java : BPPTKG reported that parts of Merapi’s summit lava dome collapsed during 9-10 March, sending pyroclastic flows as far as 5 km SE down the Gendol drainage. At around 2318 on 9 March ash plumes rose at least 3 km above the summit and drifted SE. Ashfall was reported in several villages downwind, including in the Kemalang, Sawangan, Dukun, and Selo sub-districts, and 50 people from Bale Rante Village evacuated. The total volume that collapsed was an estimated 646,000 cubic meters, making the volume of the remaining dome material about 2,582,000 cubic meters. Overall, during 4-10 March, there was a total of 101 lava avalanches and one pyroclastic flow that descended the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank a maximum distance of 2 km. Extrusion at the SW lava dome continued; the volume of the dome was an estimated 1.58 million cubic meters, similar to the previous few weeks. Pyroclastic flows in the Gendol drainage totaled 18 during the week, and there were 17 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.5 km. Seismicity remained at high levels with an increase in the intensity of signals.

Pavlof – Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that the eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 8-15 March, and small explosions were detected in local seismic and infrasound data on most days. Tremor levels was characterized as strong during 8-10 March and moderate during the rest of the week. A satellite image acquired on 7 March showed highly elevated surface temperatures near the vent (likely due to an accumulation of lava spatter), and a dark lahar deposit extending 750 m down the SE flank. Minor ash deposits were visible around the vent. Elevated surface temperatures were visible on most days of the week, though cloud cover sometimes prevented observations, consistent with continued activity. On 14 March satellite images showed minor lava effusion at the vent.

Rincon de la Vieja – Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0956 on 15 March. No plumes were visible due to weather conditions.

Semeru – Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 8-15 March, though weather conditions sometimes hindered views. Almost daily eruptive events produced white-and-gray plumes that rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted S, SW, and W. Avalanches were detected but not visually confirmed during 12-13 March. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 500 m away from Kobokan drainages within 17 km of the summit, along with other drainages originating on Semeru, including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.

Semisopochnoi – Aleutian Islands (USA) : AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi’s North Cerberus cone continued during 8-15 March. Seismic tremor and sometimes numerous daily explosions were detected in seismic and regional infrasound data. Minor ash emissions were visible in webcam images during 8-9 and 14-15 March; likely plumes on other days may have been hidden due to clouds.

Suwanosejima – Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that eruptive activity continued to be recorded at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 7-14 March. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1.7 km above the crater rim and ejected blocks 400 m away from the crater. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW) during 7-11 March.

Taal – Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that unrest at Taal continued during 7-15 March. Hot volcanic fluids circulated and upwelled in the crater lake, and daily gas-and-steam plumes that rose as high as 2.4 km above the lake drifted SW and NNW. Sulfur dioxide emissions continued to be elevated, averaging 7,695-15,306 tonnes/day during 7, 11, and 13-14 March. There were 8-49 daily volcanic earthquakes recorded during 10-14 March, including as many as 45 daily periods of volcanic tremor, each lasting 2-90 minutes. One hybrid event was recorded during 11-12 March.

Wolf – Isla Isabela (Galapagos) : IG reported that the eruption at Wolf continued during 8-15 March. Daily thermal alert counts, as many as around 230, indicated active and advancing lava flows on the SSE flank. Diffuse sulfur dioxide gas plumes were detected in satellite data almost daily.

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