Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 14 June - 20 June 2023

Kilauea - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that the eruption on the floor of Kilauea’s Halema'uma'u Crater continued during 14-20 June. Activity was characterized by effusion primarily from the vent on the SW wall of the crater, circulation within the crater lakes, slow rise of the crater floor, eruptive tremor, and elevated sulfur dioxide levels (4,500-6,300 tonnes per day). Lava flows from vents at the base and top of a cone on the SW wall of Halema'uma'u entered the lava lake in the far SW portion of the crater; intermittent spattering from the cone was visible at night. Other eruptive vents within the SW lava lake (previously dome fountains) had ceased by 13 June. The surface of the SW lava lake slowly rose about 0.5 m per day during 13-15 June. Additionally, lava circulation continued within the central basin. At 0800 on 15 June the top of the SW wall cone collapsed, leading to nearly constant spattering from the top vent and a change in activity from the base vent. The central basin level has been dropping relative to the rising crater floor (due to lava accumulation underneath), allowing several flows from the SW lava lake to cascade into the basin. By 16 June, renewed activity on the SW wall was producing vigorous fountaining to at least 10 m high with some higher spatters, with lava flowing into the SW lake. This activity continued into 19 June as the crater floor continued to rise, circulation in central basin slowed, and flows from the base of the SW wall cone changed paths. Around 1600 on 19 June activity rapidly declined, shown by a drop in the SW lake surface, decreased seismicity, and a transition to inflationary tilt from the deflationary trend of the previous two days. Seismic activity remained low and on 20 June HVO reported that the eruption had paused.

Lokon-Empung - Sulawesi : In a press release PVMBG reported increased emissions at Lokon-Empung on 13 June with dense white plumes rising 400 m above the rim of Tompaluan Crater and drifting S; a total of 12 earthquakes indicating emissions were recorded by the seismic network. The emissions were followed by a period of continuous tremor during 1835-2100. White steam-and-gas emissions of variable densities rose as high as 500 m and drifted N, W, and S during 14-20 June. During 2023 white emissions generally rose 20-150 m above the crater rim and seismicity was generally dominated by 1-2 daily shallow volcanic earthquakes.

Mayon - Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported that lava-dome extrusion at Mayon’s summit crater continued during 14-20 June, generating frequent lava flows and pyroclastic density currents (PDCs, or pyroclastic flows), and additional evacuations. Sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 149-193 tonnes per day (t/d) during 13-14 June, rising to 826-1,004 t/d during 15-18 June (above normal baseline values of 500 t/d), and then dropping to 389 t/d on 19 June. The total number of rockfalls ranged from 265-309 events per day, resulting from partial collapses of the growing lava dome and lava flows. PDCs were recorded during 13-14 June (7), 14-15 June (3), 15-16 June (13), 16-17 June (9), 17-18 June (11), 18-19 June (5), and 19-20 June (2); each event lasted 2-6 minutes based on seismic signals. Lava flows remained active, with debris collapses throughout the week sending material into the Mi-Isi (S) and Bonga (SE) drainages. By 20 June lava flows reached 2.5 km down the Mi-Isi and 1.8 km down the Bonga drainages, and debris flows extended 3.3 km from the crater. Ashfall during 15-16 June was reported in the communities of Buga (36 km W), Nabonton (9 km W), Ligao (16 km W), Purok 7 (12 km S), and San Francisco (11 km SW). The Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reported that by 20 June there had been 38,975 people affected, 20,139 displaced, and 18,749 taking shelter in 28 evacuation centers across Albay.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 14-19 June and gas-and-steam emissions were sometimes continuous. There were 1-3 daily events during 14-16 and 18 June; most were not observed due to darkness. A small event at 1804 on 18 June produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim.

Ubinas - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that seismicity at Ubinas had been increasing since mid-May, and that during 1-18 June fumarolic plumes rose 500 m above the crater rim.