Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy): There are no signs the effusive eruption is slowing down. A lava flow is being erupted from the vent at 650 m elevation and currently feeds two active branches on the upper Sciara del Fuoco. Intense degassing and sporadic small explosions occur from the summit vents.

Etna (Sicily, Italy): Occasional explosions from the New SE crater seem to continue. Small ash emissions could be observed on the morning of 22 Oct when clear weather allowed clear views of the crater. Tremor remains low at the moment.

Bardarbunga (Iceland): The volcanic eruption in Holuhraun continues at similar rate, and has now been going on for more than 50 days. The erupted lava flow volume approaches 1 cubic kilometers and the lava flows now cover over 63 square km.

Ontake-san (Honshu): The volcano continues to produce white steam plumes rising a few 100 m above the crater. According to press articles, 7 people are still missing from the 27 Sep eruption, but search and rescue operations are being suspended until springtime because of the winterly conditions. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Following a week of relatively low activity, the volcano has become more active again during the past days. A particularly strong vulcanian explosion occurred this morning and produced an ash plume that rose to 15,000 ft (4.5 km) altitude.

Mayon (Luzon Island): PHIVOLCS reported that during 14-21 October white plumes rose from Mayon's crater and drifted NW, W, WSW, SW, and SE. On 14 October a seismic signal indicating a rockfall was recorded and a brief period of incandescence from the crater was observed. A few volcanic earthquakes were recorded during 18-21 October. On 19 October weak incandescence from the crater was noted. A new lava flow first observed that same day was 300-400 m long on 20 October based on an aerial survey. Weak crater incandescence from the lava dome was again seen on 21 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 0-5 scale). (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 15-21 October 2014)

Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe Islands, Indonesia): A volcanic ash plume at 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude and extending 40 nautical miles to the NW was repoerted by Darwin VAAC Monday morning based on satellite data. This could suggest a small eruption occurred at the volcano.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Pyroclastic flows have decreased in size and frequency, but continued to occur at least until yesterday. Cloudy weather prevents detailed observations most of the time.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): The lava flow continues to advance towards Pahoa and might cut the first road very soon. During an overflight on 22 Oct, the most advanced front of the 27 June flow, a narrow lobe, was only approx. 480 m away from the Apa'a road. The rate of advance of the flow, now at 21 km distance from its vent, has been highly variable, from an average rate of about 80 m/day during the previous week to rates as high as 300 m/day (330 yd/day) at times from Monday to Wednesday.

Copahue (Chile/Argentina): Although activity has decreased a bit, intense degassing and sporadic small ash emissions as well as crater glow continue at the volcano. SERNAGEOMIN warns of the possibility of sudden explosions and recommends an exclusion zone of 3 km radius around the volcano's crater.