Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New activity for the week 1 February - 7 February 2023

Chikurachki - Paramushir Island (Russia) : KVERT reported that the moderate explosive eruption at Chikurachki that began on 28 January continued through 2 February. Explosions during 28-29 and 31 January and 1-2 February produced ash plumes that rose to as high as 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 125 km SE, E, and NE based on satellite data. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 31 January.

Epi - Vanuatu : According to the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) an overflight of Epi was conducted during the afternoon of 31 January. Steam was observed rising from the ocean’s surface above Epi B, water around the eruption site was discolored, and rafts of pumice were floating on the surface following the currents. Several strands of pumice rafts to the SW, NW, and N of Epi B were visible in 2 February Sentinel B satellite images. During 0700-1030 on 7 February residents observed minor, low-level steaming above Epi B. The intensity of steam emissions varied, increasing and decreasing as new lava was erupted from Epi B. Steaming was again reported by residents starting around 0600 on 8 February. The seismic network recorded elevated seismicity during the previous few days.

Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : PVMBG reported a recent increase in activity at Karangetang. During 1-31 January white-and-gray plumes were occasionally seen rising as high as 150 m from Main Crater (the south crater) and incandescence emanated from the lava dome in Crater II (also called North Crater); weather conditions often prevented visual observations. The number of seismic signals indicating avalanches of material began increasing on 18 January, and then increased again in early February. The number of avalanches from Main Crater increased on 4 February, with material traveling as far as 800 m down the Batuawang (S) and Batang (W) drainages and as far as 1 km W down the Beha (W) drainage. During 1-7 February white plumes rose 50-100 m above both craters. An eruption began during the evening on 8 February at around 1700. Photos showed incandescent material at Main Crater and possible lava fountaining. Incandescent material had also descended the flank in at least two directions, and ash plumes rose along their paths. Eruption plumes rose from the summit.

Lascar - Northern Chile : SERNAGEOMIN reported that a dome-like structure was first visible on the floor of Láscar’s summit crater in 30 January satellite images, after a period of increased seismicity recorded during the previous few days. The structure was 81 m by 93 m in dimension and covered an area of about 5,332 square meters. Seismicity was low during 1-7 February, though levels increased towards the end of the week. The dome was bigger in a 2 February satellite image and covered an area of 6,290 square meters, suggesting an estimated extrusion rate of 308 square meters per day during 30 January-2 February. At 2053 on 4 February a low-level, reddish-colored gas emission rose 200-340 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.

Tengger Caldera - Eastern Java :PVMBG reported that activity at Tengger Caldera’s Bromo cone increased at 2114 on 3 February and was characterized by crater incandescence, rumbling sounds, and a strong sulfur dioxide odor. The report noted that sometimes-dense white plumes rose as high as 900 m above the summit during the previous week and through 7 February, and that vegetation on the E caldera wall was yellow and withered. The seismic network recorded continuous tremor and deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes.