Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Chirpoi (Kurile Islands, Russia): Thermal hot spots continue to be detected at the summit of Snow volcano. SVERT thinks that a new phase of effusive activity could have been going on since September.

Medvezhia (Kurile Islands, Russia): The Moyorodake-Kudryavy and Chirinkotan volcanoes were placed on yellow alert by SVERT on 27 Nov, as an increase in degassing was observed at both. Recent satellite image shows steam plumes drifting from the volcanoes. At the moment, 4 of the Kuriles volcanoes are on yellow alert. The other two are Chirpoi since September, Sinarka since 12 Nov.

Raung (East Java): Mild, probably strombolian activity seems to be in progress at the volcano. Since mid November, local observers reported steam plumes and the volcano observatory reported increased seismic activity, typical of mild strombolian activity in the crater. A hot spot visible on MODIS satellite data fits well into this picture.

Santiaguito (Guatemala): The recently active, viscous lava flow on the southeastern side of the dome might have stopped being alimented, a recent satellite image suggests, showing that the lava flow has not advanced recently, although is still hot. INSIVUMEH no longer reports observed movements at the flow fronts. Degassing and occasional small explosions continue to occur from the Caliente lava dome.

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): According to the latest report of the Manizales observatory, the volcano's activity recently changed and is showing increased signs of unrest, which could announce a new eruption to come. A recent aerial survey by the Colombian air force revealed a deposit of fresh ash on the southern flank, indicating that at least sporadic explosions or ash emissions - presumably phreatic in nature - do indeed occur.