Volcanos

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

Ahyi - Mariana Islands (USA) : Unrest at Ahyi Seamount possibly continued during 13-20 June. A few small hydroacoustic signals coming from the direction of the seamount were detected by pressure sensors on Wake Island (2,270 km E) during 16-17 June. No surface activity was visible in satellite images.

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing activity at both Minamidake Crater and Showa Crater during 13-19 June. Ash plumes from Showa were recorded at 1412 on 16 June that rose 1.3 km above the rim and drifted S, with another at 0710 on 17 June that rose up to 1 km and drifted E. Crater incandescence was observed at Minamidake crater during the night of 18 June.

Cotopaxi - Ecuador : IG reported that moderate eruptive activity continued at Cotopaxi during 13-20 June. Small gas-and-steam emissions rose as high as 200 m above the crater rim and drifted W and SW during 13-14 and 17 June. Several gas emissions with minor ash content rose 100 m on 15 June, and several seismic signals possibly indicating similar emissions were detected on 16 June. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 500-700 m on 18 June. Gas-and-steam plumes with minor ash content rose 100-700 m and drifted W and SW during 19-20 June.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 8-15 June. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images throughout the week. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E), explosions during 8-9 and 11-13 June generated ash plumes that rose as high as 4 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted both NE and SE.

Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 1-6 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 14-20 June, generating daily ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim. The explosions were often accompanied by avalanches, shock waves, and minor rumbling sounds. The ash plumes drifted 10-30 km W and SW, causing daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Ceylon, El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), Yepocapa (8 km NW), La Rochela, San Andrés Osuna, and Finca Palo Verde.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 14-20 June. The thick lava flow remained confined to the summit crater, and several small earthquakes were recorded daily. Elevated surface temperatures were observed during periods of clear satellite views during 16-17 June; weather clouds obscured webcam and satellite views on the other days.

Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : PVMBG reported that dense white gas-and-steam plumes from Karangetang were visible rising as high as 75 m and drifting in multiple directions during 14-20 June. Weather clouds obscured views at times on 14, 16, and 18 June. Webcam images published in the reports showed incandescence at Main Crater (S crater) and from material on the flanks of Main Crater at 0007 on 17 June and 0440 on 18 June.

Krakatau - Sunda Strait : PVMBG reported that daily white gas-and-steam plumes rose as high as 200 m above Krakatau’s summit during 14-20 June. At 0822 on 19 June a dense white-to-gray ash plume rose 1.5 km and drifted SE.

Lewotolok - Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 14-20 June. White-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted W and NW during 15 and 17-18 June; white steam-and-gas emissions were visible on the other days. Strombolian explosions at the summit crater were visible in webcam images at 2242 on 14 June, 2137 on 17 June, and 2213 on 18 June.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 9-15 June and seismicity remained at elevated levels. The SW lava dome produced 119 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 2 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Bebeng drainage). Morphological changes to the SW lava dome were due to continuing collapses of material.

Popocatepetl - Mexico : CENAPRED reported that ongoing activity at Popocatépetl during 14-20 June included 39-180 daily steam-and-gas emissions, sometimes containing minor amounts of ash. According to the Washington VAAC, daily ash plumes rose to maximum altitudes of 5.8-6.7 km (19,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l., or up to 1.3 km above the summit, and drifted generally drifted S, SW, and W, causing ashfall in local communities. At 0337 on 17 June CENAPRED noted a moderate explosion that ejected ballistic material as far as 2.5 km from the crater. Minor ashfall was reported in Hueyapan (16 km SSW), Tetela del Volcán (18 km SW), Yecapixtla (29 km SW) and Ayala (47 km SW) in Morelos, as well as Amecameca (18 km NW) and Atlautla (16 km W) in the State of Mexico during 14-15 June. Minor ashfall during 15-16 June was reported in Amecameca, Ayapango (21 km NW), Chalco (37 km NW), Ecatzingo (15 km SW), Temamatla (30 km NW), Tepetlixpa (20 km W), Tlalmanalco (26 km NW) and Tenango del Aire (28 km NW) in the State of Mexico. Reports of minor ashfall came from Ixtapaluca (42 km NW), Valle de Chalco (44 km NW), La Paz (50 km NW), Nezahualcóyotl (56 km NW), Amecameca, Atlautla, Ayapango, Cocotitlan (34 km NW), Chalco, Ecatzingo, Temamatla, Tenango del Aire, Tepetlixpa and Tlalmanalco in the State of Mexico during 16-17 June. Minor ashfall during 18-19 June was again reported in Tepoztlan (49 km W), Cuernavaca (63 km WSW), Ocuituco (24 km SW), Cuautla (43 km SW), Atlatlahucan (30 km SW), Jiutepec (59 km SW) and Emiliano Zapata (62 km SW), Morelos; Ixtapaluca, La Paz, Valle de Chalco, Nezahualcóyotl (54 km NW), Chicoloapan (48 km NW), Atlautla, Ecatzingo, Tonatico in the State of Mexico. Seismicity included periods of low-to-moderate amplitude, high-frequency tremor for 274-567 minutes each day, three volcano-tectonic earthquakes of M 1.2-1.5 were recorded during 15-16 June, and 19 minutes of low-amplitude, harmonic tremor during 16-17 June.

Sabancaya - Peru : Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported moderate levels of activity at Sabancaya during 12-18 June with a daily average of 18 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted SE, E, and NE. Five thermal anomalies originating from the lava dome in the summit crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation continued to be detected near Hualca Hualca (4 km N).

Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 13-20 June and the seismic network recorded 327-2,190 daily explosions. Gas, steam, and ash plumes were occasionally observed in IG webcam images or described in Washington VAAC volcanic activity notifications, though weather clouds sometimes prevented observations. Ash-and-gas plumes rose as high as 1.8 km above the summit and drifted W during 13-15 June. Gas-and-steam plumes rose less than 1 km during 16-17 June. Ash plumes rose as high as 1.2 km and drifted W on 18 June. Incandescence at the summit was visible in webcam images. Overnight during 18-19 June the lava flow on the SE flank was incandescent and pyroclastic material descended the SE flank as far as 500 m several times. During 19-20 June several ash-and-gas emissions rose as high as 550 m above the summit and drifted SW. Incandescence at the summit was visible multiple times. Minor ashfall was reported in Llagos parish, Chunchi (73 km SW) on 20 June.

Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 14-20 June. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 100-700 m and drifted N, NW, W, and S during 16 and 18-20 June; emissions were not observed on the other days.

Stromboli - Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported ongoing activity at Stromboli during 12-18 June. The Strombolian activity was centered at two vents in Area N (one each at craters N1 and N2), within the upper part of the Sciara del Fuoco, and from four vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater) in the crater terrace. Low- and medium-intensity explosions at a rate of 3-7 per hour from Area N2 ejected mainly coarse material (bombs and lapilli), sometimes mixed with ash, up to 150 m above the vents. Sporadic explosive activity at N1 ejected mainly ash mixed with smaller amounts of coarse material. Low- to high-intensity explosions averaged 8-14 per hour from the three vents in sector S2 (Area C-S), ejecting a mix of coarse material and ash; weak spattering was sometimes observed. Weak emission of gas sometimes accompanied explosive events.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 14-19 June. A total of 526 volcanic earthquakes, 26 explosions, and 18 eruptive events were recorded by seismic monitoring stations throughout the week; activity was most notable during 15-16 June with totals of 164 volcanic earthquakes and 10 explosions. Ash plumes were observed daily; the tallest plumes rose 2 km above the crater rim on 15 and 16 June. Continuous emissions during 0936-1355 on 16 June rose as high as 2 km and drifted SE and SW. Some events ejected large volcanic blocks up to 400 m from the crater during 14-18 June. Incandescent ejecta from explosions during the nights of 18-19 June were sometimes visible in webcam images. Occasional ashfall and rumbling noises were reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW).

Taal - Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS reported continuing low-level unrest at Taal during 13-20 June characterized by elevated seismicity, upwelling in the lake, and sulfur dioxide gas emissions. There were 20-38 daily volcanic earthquakes recorded during 13-17 June and a total of 11 recorded during 19-20 June. There were 2-46 daily periods of tremor, each lasting 2-67 minutes long. Daily white steam-and-gas plumes (sometimes voluminous) rose as high as 3 km above the lake and drifted NE, NW, and SW; voggy conditions were reported during 16-17 June. Upwelling gasses and hot fluids in the lake were visible during 14-17 June. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 7,643 and 2,177 tonnes per day on 15 June and 19 June, respectively.