Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): The volcano's activity is currently elevated. At least 3 explosions yesterday produced ash plumes that rose to more than 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): Growth of the viscous lava dome and lava lobe on the southeastern flank continues. Several pyroclastic flows, mostly smaller ones, have occurred from time to time during the past days. At least some of them seem now to affect the previously untouched western flank, perhaps as the result of the changed topography at the summit due to the accumulated lava.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): USGS staff from HVO measured the lava flow yesterday and reported that "the leading edge of the flow has not advanced since last Thursday, October 30, but the flow continued to inflate, and minor breakouts were scattered across the flow interior behind the flow front. The most significant (although still minor) breakouts were occurring about 370 meters (405 yards) above Apaʻa Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): The volcano's activity remains essentially unchanged. A new lava dome is slowly growing in the inner summit crater and produces glow at night and occasional small explosions. During the past 24 hours, activity has been a bit more intense. An explosion 20 minutes ago sent incandescent material to approx. 600 m distance outside the crater rim.

Copahue (Chile/Argentina): Light ash emissions occurred yesterday from the volcano. Glow continues to be visible from the crater at night. SERNAGEOMIN keeps the volcano's alert status unchanged at yellow.

Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): There are signs that a new eruption could be on its way: an increasing number of shallow earthquakes has been registered under the volcano recently. The volcano observatory (OVPF) and the prefecture raised the alert level to 1 (on a scale of 0-3), which includes some access restrictions to the enclos (the caldera of the volcano).