Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 5 October -11 October 2022

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported that nine eruptive events and one explosion at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were recorded during 3-10 October. Volcanic plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected 600-900 m from the vent. Incandescence at the crater was visible nightly.

Bulusan - Luzon (Philippines) : PHIVOLCS issued a special advisory for Bulusan on 7 October, noting that 29 volcanic earthquakes were recorded from 0500 on 6 October until the time the report was issued at 1500 on 7 October. Minor white steam emissions rose from vents in the crater and from NW vents. Data from continuous GPS and radial tilt measurements indicated short-term inflation on the S flanks since April 2022. The inflation and increased seismicity were likely caused by shallow hydrothermal processes.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate activity at Ebeko was ongoing. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E) explosions generated ash plumes that rose to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and NE during 29 September-6 October. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk on 29 September and 6 October.

Fuego - South-Central Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that 5-10 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 4-10 October, generating ash plumes that rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim. The ash plumes drifted as far as 20 km NW, W, SW, and SSW causing almost daily ashfall in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Los Yucales (12 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), Finca Palo Verde, La Rochela, and Ceilán. Daily shock waves rattled structures in communities around the volcano. Daily block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Honda, Las Lajas (SE), and El Jute (ESE) drainages, often reaching vegetated areas. Explosions ejected incandescent material as high as 350 m above the summit on some of the days. Lahars resulting from substantial rainfall descended the Las Lajas and El Jute drainages on the ESE flank on 11 October, carrying tree branches, trunks, and blocks as large as 1.5 m in diameter.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that continuing slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin was confirmed by a 5 October satellite image and likely continued during 6-11 October. Seismicity remained at low levels, though it slightly increased during 5-6 October. Elevated surface temperatures were identified during 4-8 October; weather clouds prevented webcam and satellite views during 8-11 October.

Home Reef - Tonga Ridge : The Tonga Geological Services reported that daily steam plumes from Home Reef were identified in satellite images during 4-11 October. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) on 5 October. At 0040 on 6 October an ash plume rose as high as 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 5 km SE. Satellite-based measurements showed that the island had not changed in size between 28 September and 10 October, remaining at 268 m N-S and 283 m E-W. The island reached 15-18 m above the water surface, and was steeper on the E half but more gently sloped on the W. The daily emission count variable with about 8-19 events per day during 4-9 October and about 1-3 per day during 10-11 October.

Ibu - Halmahera : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 4-11 October. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes of variable densities rose as high as 1 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions.

Karymsky - Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in satellite images on 30 September and during 1-2 and 5-6 October.

Katmai - Alaska : AVO reported that on 9 October strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE across Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912.

Kilauea - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that by 5 October about 111 million cubic meters of lava had been erupted from the vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater since the current eruption began on 29 September 2021, raising the crater floor by 143 m. Lava continued to enter the lake during 5-11 October. The active part of the lake stayed at a relatively steady level through the week, varying only slightly.

Lewotolok - Lembata Island : PVMBG reported that the Strombolian eruption at Lewotolok continued during 5-11 October. Daily white emissions rose as high as 500 m above the summit and drifted W, NW, and NE. White-and-gray plumes rose as high 200 m and drifted NW and W during 9-10 October. Webcam images posted with the daily observatory reports often showed incandescence above the crater rim.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 30 September-6 October and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced as many as five lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.8 km down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank, and one that traveled 800 m down the W flank upstream of upstream of Kali Putih. No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident in drone photographs, though both domes continued to grow.

Nevados de Chillan - Central Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported continuing activity at Nevados de Chillán during 16 September-11 October. Dome 4 in Nicanor Crater grew until mid-September, coincident with thermal anomalies seen in satellite images, which decreased and were not present during the second half of the month. Explosions during 16-30 September and into early October produced ash plumes that generally rose no higher than 1 km above the crater rim. Notably, an explosion on 19 September produced an ash plume that rose 1.1 km and drifted SE, and ejected blocks 500 m from the crater rim. An incandescent ash plume from a second explosion rose 1.7 km and drifted SE, causing ashfall on that flank. The explosions that day partially destroyed the dome. At 1906 on 8 October a long-period earthquake signal was followed by an ash plume that rose 1.7 km and drifted NNE. An explosion at 1926 on October generated a dense ash plume that rose 2.5 km and drifted NNW. Pyroclastic flows traveled short distances down the NNW flank.

Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 4-11 October. Seismic tremor continued. Strongly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 5-6 October and incandescence was visible in nighttime webcam images. Discolored snow near the vent was visible in webcam views during the morning of 7 October suggesting low-level explosive activity; a small explosion was recorded at 1503 that same day though cloudy conditions prevented visual confirmation. Two small explosions were detected during 8-11 October. Very small ash emissions and lava near the vent were visible in occasional clear webcam images during 10-11 October.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions. A small explosion at 1923 on 4 October lasted two minutes but was not visually observed due to darkness and weather conditions. Small gas-and-steam emissions were recorded at 1647 on 8 October and 0940 on 9 October; at least the first emission was seen rising above the crater rim.

Santa Maria - Southwestern Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 4-11 October. Effusion from Caliente cone fed lava flows that descended the San Isidro and El Tambor drainages on the W and SW flanks. Block avalanches from the dome, and from both the ends and sides of the flows, descended the S, SW, and W flanks. The avalanches sometimes generated minor ash plumes. Incandescence from the dome and the lava flows was often visible at night or during early mornings. Explosions during 6-7 October ejected incandescent material onto all flanks. A sulfur odor was reported in Mirador de Samriaguito. Small explosions were recorded during 9-10 October.

Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch was characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, and lava-dome extrusion during 29 September-6 October. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 3-10 October. A total of 55 explosions produced eruption plumes that rose as high as 2.4 km above the crater rim and occasionally merged into weather clouds. The explosions ejected large blocks as far as 700 m from the vent. Crater incandescence was visible nightly.

Villarrica - Central Chile : POVI reported increased activity at Villarrica on 10 October. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images and was the most intense anomaly recorded since January 2021. Incandescence above the crater rim was visible in a webcam image.

Whakaari/White Island - North Island (New Zealand) : On 10 October GeoNet reported continuing unrest at Whakaari/White Island during the previous week based on webcam views, overflights, and satellite images. Very vigorous steam-and-gas plumes were seen rising from the active vent in webcam images though the week. Sometimes minor amounts of ash were included in the plumes from collapses of the vent walls. On 5 October the temperature of the emissions was 165 degrees Celsius and sulfur dioxide gas flux was low at 200-234 tonnes per day, measured during an overflight. Sulfur dioxide emissions had not been detected in satellite images since 18 September.