Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New activity for the week 15 February - 21 February 2023

Aira - Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 13-20 February and crater incandescence was visible nightly. Five explosions and five eruptive events were recorded during the week. One of the explosions, at 1448 on 14 February, produced an ash plume that rose 2.4 km above the crater rim and ejected large blocks 1.1 km from the vent. Blocks 3 cm in diameter fell near the Arimura Lava Observatory in Arimura-cho, Kagoshima City, about 3 km SE. An explosion on 19 February produced an eruption plume that rose 1.2 km and ejected blocks that fell 1.1 km away. A very small eruptive event occurred at Showa Crater on 20 February.

Ambae - Vanuatu : Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that on 20 February a steam-and-ash plume rose from the active vent at Ambae and drifted SSW.

Chikurachki - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that moderate eruptive activity at Chikurachki had ended, with explosions and ash plumes last recorded on 8 February. Steam-and-gas emissions persisted.

Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : According to PVMBG the eruption at Karangetang’s Main Crater (S crater) continued during 14-21 February. Multiple nighttime webcam images posted with daily reports showed three main incandescent lava flows of different lengths descending the S, SW, and W flanks; a webcam image from 2156 on 17 February possibly showed incandescent material descending the SE flank. Incandescent rocks dotted the upper flanks, possibly from ejected or collapsed material from the crater; the incandescence was often most intense at the summit. Based on analyses of satellite imagery and weather models, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 16-20 February daily ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NNE, E, and SE. BNPB reported that as of 16 February there were as many as 77 people that had been displaced by the eruption and were in the East Siau Museum which was designated as a temporary evacuation shelter.

Lascar - Northern Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 15-21 February seismicity at Láscar continued to be dominated by volcano-tectonic signals with smaller numbers of both long-period and tornillo-type events. Daily whitish gas emissions were mostly diffuse, rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim, and drifted mainly E, SE, and W. Sulfur dioxide emissions were low, no notable deformation was detected, and no thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images.