Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity - New Activity for the week of 31 May - 6 June 2023

Ahyi - Mariana Islands (USA) : Unrest at Ahyi Seamount continued during 30 May-7 June. A possible hydroacoustic signal was detected by pressure sensors on Wake Island (2,270 km E) during 2-3 June. No activity was visible in cloudy satellite images.

Karangetang - Sangihe Islands : Webcam images of Karangetang published in PVMBG daily reports periodically showed incandescence at Main Crater (S crater) and from material on the flanks of Main Crater during 31 May-6 June. Daily white gas-and-steam plumes were visible rising as high as 150 m above the summit and drifting in various directions. According to the Darwin VAAC ash plumes rose as high as 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and E during 2-4 June. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public were advised to stay 2.5 km away from Main Crater with an extension to 3.5 km on the S and SE flanks.

Kilauea - Hawaiian Islands (USA) : HVO reported that earthquake activity and changes in the patterns of ground deformation beneath Kilauea’s summit began to be detected during the evening of 6 June. The data indicated magma movement towards the surface. At about 0444 on 7 June incandescence in Halema’uma’u Crater was visible in webcam images indicting that a new eruption had begun.

Mayon - Luzon (Philippines) : Daily visual and webcam observations of Mayon’s summit crater revealed more frequent rockfalls at the summit lava dome starting in the last week of April, indicating aseismic dome growth. The lava dome increased in volume by about 83,000 cubic meters during 3 February-9 May, with a total addition of nearly 164,000 cubic meters since 20 August 2022. Sulfur dioxide emission averages were as high as 576 tons per day on 29 April and 162 tons per day on 23 May. A total of 26 volcanic earthquakes had been recorded since 1 April. Electronic Distance Measuring (EDM), precise leveling, continuous GPS, and electronic tilt monitoring data showed that the volcano had been slightly inflated, especially on the NW and SE flanks, since 2020. Short-term inflation on the upper flanks had been detected since February. From 0500 on 4 June to 0500 on 5 June the number of rockfalls increased from an average of 5 events per day to 49 events per day.

Nyamulagira - DR Congo : On 1 June the Observatoire Volcanologique de Goma (OVG) reported that seismicity at Nyamulagira remained at lower levels, similar to those recorded before the 17 May increase in activity. Incandescence above the crater had been absent for the past three days, but satellite imagery showed continuing lava effusion within the summit crater. The recent flows on the flanks covered an estimated 0.6 square kilometers.

Popocatepetl - Mexico : CENAPRED reported that during 30 May-6 June activity at Popocatépetl consisted of seismic tremor, a few explosions, emissions of steam and gas, with occasional ash, and ejections of incandescent material. There were 67-315 daily steam-and-gas emissions, sometimes containing minor amounts of ash, with the highest number recorded during 30-31 May. Overall activity decreased during the week. Explosions at 1423 and 1708 on 30 May produced gray ash plumes. During 30-31 May incandescent material was ejected from the vent short distances onto the flank. High-frequency tremor was recorded by the seismic network for around eight and a half hours, and was associated with nearly continuous emissions of steam, gas, and ash. Ashfall was reported in Ayapeango (22 km NW) and Acatzingo (100 km W), in the State of Mexico. A M1.6 volcano tectonic (VT) earthquake was recorded at 0952 on 31 May. The Washington VAAC stated that although ash emissions continued to be visible in satellite and webcam images drifting SSE, the intensity of the emissions had decreased. CENAPRED stated on 1 June that tremor signals had significantly decreased during the previous few days, and on 2 June that overall activity had also decreased. Periods of high-frequency, low-amplitude tremor continued to be detected during the rest of the week. A period of tremor recorded during 1635-1850 on 3 June was associated with diffuse ash emissions that drifted SE. According to the Washington VAAC ash plumes during 1-3 June rose 5.5-6.7 km (18,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l., or as high as 1.3 km above the summit, and drifted SW, SSW, and SE. A minor explosion occurred at 0739 on 4 June. A minor explosion occurred at 1211 on 5 June and a M1.2 VT earthquake was recorded at 1818.

Rincon de la Vieja - Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that increased eruptive activity continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 30 May-6 June. Seismic instruments continued to record low-magnitude volcano-tectonic earthquakes located S of the Pailas sector of Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja. Reports describing phreatic eruption events were issued almost daily. A phreatic event at 2215 on 30 May ejected incandescent material within the vicinity of the crater. A small phreatic eruption at 1753 on 31 May generated a small pyroclastic flow that traveled a short distance from the crater. Moderate phreatic eruptions were recorded during 1-2 June; the most energetic event occurred at 0902 and generated a plume of steam, gas, and ash that rose to 1.5 km above the crater and drifted N. Eruptive events were recorded during 3-4 June. The most energetic event occurred at 0624 on 3 June and generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose 1.5 km and drifted W. An eruptive event at 0526 on 4 June first generated emissions that rose to 500 m, followed at 0529 by a second plume of steam-and-gas rose to 3.5 km above the crater and drifted N. Steam-and-gas plumes with low ash content were generated from eruptive events during the nights of 4-5 June; the plumes rose 1-1.5 km above the crater and drifted W. At 0259 on 6 June a small phreatic eruption generated a plume that rose to 3 km and drifted NW.