Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity:

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): After a short phase of weaker activity, the volcano began to erupt more violently yesterday with a series of powerful explosions that sent ash plumes up to 15,000 ft (4,5 km). Near-constant ash emissions have been taking place from the Showa crater.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The activity of the volcano continues to increase. More vulcanian-type explosions have occurred over the past days. Since yesterday evening alone, at least 8 explosions have been registered, the biggest one being probably one this morning that produced an ash plume rising to 25,000 ft (7.5 km) and drifting 60 nautical miles to the NW. The frequent eruptions have been causing severe ash fall in villages nearby where lapilli of up to 0.5-1 cm in size have fallen. In Medan city 50 km to the NE, ash fall caused disruptions of traffic as visibility was reduced to 20 meters. The aviation colour code (red) and alert status (4 out of 1-4) of the volcano are now on their highest levels. The exclusion zone was extended from 3 to 5 km, which implies that about 10,000 additional people should be evacuated.

Colima (Western Mexico): Lava avalanches and flows continue to spill down the upper flanks.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The rate of emissions has dropped to less than 10 per day. Glow remains visible from the summit crater at night, indicating that magma continues to arrive (slowly). A small volcanic-tectonic quake of magnitude 2.0 occurred yesterday morning (CENAPRED).

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): No significant changes in activity occurred. Explosions generate ash plumes as high as 900 m above the dome and effusive activity continues to produce small lava avalanches mainly from the NE flank of the dome. A felt earthquake occurred yesterday night at 00:32 local time.

Pacaya (Guatemala): INSIVUMEH reports ongoing, but relatively weak strombolian activity.

Fuego (Guatemala): Activity has returned to normal levels, with weak explosions (ash plumes of 500-600 m height drifting W and NW). The lava flow towards the Ceniza canyon remains weakly alimented and had a length of 200 m yesterday.