Volcanos

Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 13 February - 19 February 2019

Karangetang | Siau Island (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 13-19 February sometimes-dense white plumes rose as high as 400 m above the rim of Karangetang’s Main Crater. White emissions that were occasionally bluish rose mostly 50-150 m above Kawah Dua’s (North Crater) crater rim, though on 18 February the plumes were grayish and rose 200-300 m. Roaring sounds from the volcano were occasionally noted at an observation post. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 2.5-km exclusion zone around the N and S craters, and additionally within 3 km WNW and 4 km NW.

Karymsky | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that at 1427 on 16 February a satellite image captured an ash plume from Karymsky drifting 55 km SE at altitudes of 2.5-3 km (8,200-10,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation colour Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale). According to the Tokyo VAAC a possible ash plume on 17 February rose to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. A weak ash plume drifting 117 km ESE was visible in satellite images on 18 February.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that a seismic crisis began at Piton de la Fournaise at 1521 on 16 February accompanied by rapid deformation. The number of earthquakes sharply decreased at 1618 and deformation stopped at 1630. A second seismic crisis began at 0916 on 18 February, again accompanied by rapid deformation. Tremor commenced at 0948, coincident with at least eruptive fissures opening on the E flank of Dolomieu crater. Weather conditions prevented good views of the eruption site. Lava fountains rose less than 30 m above the vents, and after about an hour the longest lava flow reached 1,900 m elevation. Lava effusion ceased at 2200 on 18 February. A seismic crisis began at 1500 on 19 February, and tremor began to be recorded at 1700. Gas emissions were recorded by webcams for about an hour. During an overflight on 20 February the OVPF team observed a new eruption site located at 1,800 m elevation at the foot of Piton Madoré. One fissure opened and at 0620 only one lava fountain was active. The front of a lava flow reached 1,300 m elevation.

Poas | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that since 8 February almost continuous emissions of gas has been recorded at Poás, with plumes rising as high as 1 km and drifting mainly SW. During 13-14 February the emissions contained ash; gas-and-ash plumes drifted SW, impacting areas downwind including Naranjo, Zarcero, and Grecia (16 km SW). Gas-and-ash emissions rose from the crater on 15 February, and gas emissions were recorded on 18 February.

Tengger Caldera | Eastern Java (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that at 0600 on 18 February an eruption at Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone generated a dense white-and-brown ash plume that rose 600 m and drifted WSW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).