Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - Ongoing Activity for the week 23 November - 29 November 2022

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) and nighttime crater incandescence during 21-28 November. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 700 tons per day on 21 November. An explosion on 21 November produced an ash plume that rose as high as 2.2 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks as far as 500 m from the vent. Small eruptive events were recorded during 25-28 November.

Alaid ; Kuril Islands (Russia) : KVERT lowered the Aviation Color Code for Alaid to Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale) on 24 November noting that activity had been gradually decreasing since the last ash plume was recorded on 26 October. The temperature of the thermal anomaly began decreasing on 29 October and reached background levels by 20 November. At 1025 on 26 November (local time) ash plumes from explosions were visible in satellite images drifting 38 km SE at altitudes of 4.5-4.7 km 14,800-15,400 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange. Explosions continued through the day; by 1521 (local time) ash plumes were rising to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and ash plumes had drifted as far as 220 km SE.

Ebeko - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Ebeko was identified in satellite images on 20 November. Weather clouds prevented views of the volcano on the other days during 17-24 November.

Great Sitkin - Andreanof Islands (USA) : AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued at Great Sitkin during 23-29 November and the flow field continued to grow. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 27-29 November.

Kerinci - Central Sumatra : PVMBG reported that white steam-and-gas plumes rose as high as 150 m above Kerinci’s summit and drifted NE during 25-26 November. Gray plumes of variable densities rose 100-500 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and NW. At 0830 on 27 November a gray ash plume rose about 400 m above the summit and drifted E.

Kilauea - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that lava continued to effuse from a vent in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater during 23-29 November entering the lava lake and flowing onto the crater floor. The active part of the lake remained at a steady level all week.

Merapi - Central Java : BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi continued during 18-24 November and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced 13 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.6 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Kali Bebeng drainage). No significant morphological changes to the central and SW lava domes were evident. According to the Darwin VAAC an ash plume rose to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW on 25 November.

Pavlof - Alaska Peninsula, Alaska : AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 23-29 November and nearly continuous seismic tremor was recorded. Vent incandescence was visible in webcam images on most days, suggesting ongoing lava effusion. Elevated surface temperatures were occasionally identified in satellite images. Minor ash emissions were observed in webcam images during 26-27 November. A seismic signal at 1748 on 28 November indicated a flowage event. Webcam images from 29 November confirmed that a flowage event had occurred, and a resulting gas cloud possibly containing ash rose as high as 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions; five were recorded during 19-25 November. A notable variability in sulfur dioxide emissions was first observed on 18 November and continued through the week, with a peak measurement as high as 1,500 tons per day. A phreatic explosion at 1432 on 25 November produced a steam-rich plume that rose 2 km and drifted SW.

Sangay - Ecuador : IG reported a high level of activity at Sangay during 22-29 November, which included daily explosions, volcanic tremor, and gas-and-steam emissions. The daily count of explosions ranged from 920-1,320, though seismic data transmission was sometimes interrupted. Daily ash-and-gas plumes were identified in either or both IG webcam images and satellite images according to the Washington VAAC. Plumes rose as high as 2.1 km above the volcano and drifted in various directions. Sulfur dioxide emissions were measured daily and ranged from 491.2 tons per day to 3,693.5 tons per day. During 22-29 November crater incandescence was visible at night and early mornings. Pyroclastic flows descended the flanks during 24-29 November. Lava flows, incandescent blocks, and incandescent material descended the SE flank during 25-29 November.

Semeru - Eastern Java : PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 23-29 November. Daily explosions at the summit produced ash plumes that varied in color and density, which generally rose 500-700 m above the summit and drifted in various directions. A dense gray ash plume at 0002 on 23 November rose 700 m and drifted SE and S, at 0507 and 0540 on 24 November white-to-gray and dense gray ash plumes, respectively, rose 500 m and drifted N, at 0702 on 25 November a dense gray ash plume rose 500 m and drifted NE, at 0444 on 26 November an ash plume rose 700 m and drifted S, at 0552 on 27 November a white-to-gray ash plume rose 500 m and drifted S, at 0556 on 28 November a dense gray ash plume rose 500 m and drifted N, that same day at 0611 a dense gray ash plume rose possibly higher than 1 km, and at 0509 on 29 November a white-and-gray ash plume rose 600 m and drifted N.

Semisopochnoi - Aleutian Islands (USA) : No ash emissions or explosive activity had been detected since 7 November. Seismicity had decreased, though remained at elevated levels. Steam emissions from the active vent in the N crater of Mount Cerberus persisted.

Sheveluch - Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch during 17-24 November was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Collapses generated hot avalanches and ash plumes that drifted 80 km E during 17-18 and 20 November.

Stromboli - Aeolian Islands (Italy) : INGV reported that during 21-27 November activity at Stromboli was characterized by ongoing explosions at three vents in Area N (North Crater area) and two vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area); weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of activity during 21-23 November. Low-intensity explosions from the N1 vent (Area N) ejected course material (bombs and lapilli) less than 80 m high at a rate of 3-7 explosions per hour. Spattering and occasional low-intensity explosive activity was visible at the N2 vent (Area N). Explosions from at least two vents in S2 (Area C-S) ejected ash and coarse material over 250 m above the vent at a rate of 6 events per hour.

Suwanosejima - Ryukyu Islands (Japan) : JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 21-28 November and crater incandescence was visible nightly. Eruption plumes rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater rim and blocks were ejected as far as 300 m from the vent. Ashfall was occasionally reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW).

Villarrica - Central Chile : POVI reported minor gas-and-steam emissions at Villarrica on 24 November; one circular emission (“vortex ring”) was also visible. During an overflight on 25 November, SERNAGEOMIN scientists observed the small cone on the crater floor with an incandescent lava lake at its center. The lake temperature was 1,043 degrees Celsius.

Yasur - Vanuatu : On 24 November Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that activity at Yasur continued at a high level of “major unrest,” as defined by the Alert Level 2 status (the middle level on a scale of 0-4). Recent observations confirmed continuing low-to-moderate explosions that ejected bombs within the crater and produced ash, gas, and steam emissions.