Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity:

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Weather has remained mostly bad for direct visual observations, but some strombolian activity has been occurring, at least intermittently, from one of the summit craters, likely Voragine. The latest seismic signal seems more agitated than normal, probably corresponding to another such phase (if not a precursor to a paroxysm).

Manam (Papua New Guinea): A volcanic ash plume was observed on satellite images at 20,000 ft (6 km) altitude extending 80 nautical miles to the ESE earlier today (VAAC Darwin). This suggest a moderately large vulcanian explosion has taken place at the volcano.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): A phase of increased, near-constant steam-gas-minor ash emissions has taken place this morning, accompanied by a small swarm of quakes and volcanic tremor. Yesterday, CENAPRED reported 29 exhalations, with some producing ash puffs reaching 500 m above the crater. Incandescence at the summit remains a visible indicator of continuing slow magma supply.

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Light ash fall occurred during the night in the ranches Faro and Florida. The dome continues to show both relatively strong explosive and effusive activity. Explosions at intervals of 20-30 minutes on average produce ash plumes of 400-800 m height, and contains many incandescent blocks visible at night. Block lava avalanches accompany the effusion of the lava flows on the flanks of the dome.

Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reports continuing steaming/degassing and weak ash venting. Bluish gas and seismic activity suggest that magma is near the surface.

Fuego (Guatemala): An increase in explosions has been observed recently. INSIVUMEH reported 16 events, out of which 9 were characterized as "moderate" with shock waves that rattled windows and roofs, and incandescent tephra reaching 100-150 m height. Ash plumes reached up to 800 m above the crater and drifted 12 km W and SW. Fine ash fall occurred in Panimache 1 and 2.

Reventador (Ecuador): The volcano's activity is considered moderate. In the afternoon of 12 March, IG staff and observers noted incandescent material rolling down the slopes of the volcano (mainly on the southern side). A column of steam and ash occasionally reaches 1km height, but most of the time, emissions have been weaker than that.

Ambrym (Vanuatu): A strong SO2 plume is visible from Anbrym today, indicating the presence of lots of fresh lava.

Tungurahua (Ecuador): Seismic activity has decreased a bit today. In its yesterday's report, IG mentions that glow was visible at the summit where small to medium explosions occurred frequently, and generated an eruption column rising about 1 km. Ash fall occurred over the areas of Choglontus, Palitahua and Mapayacu.