All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Cleveland (United States) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Cleveland Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	On 23 May, AVO reported that an astronaut aboard the International Space Station observed an ash plume from Cleveland at 1500. A plume was visible on satellite imagery at 1507 that drifted SW and reached a height of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. At 1700, an image showed the detached ash plume 130 km SW of Cleveland. The Concern Color Code was raised to Yellow. No precursory or current seismic information is available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network. Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	The Alert Level at Merapi remained at 4, the highest level, during 17-22 May. Incandescence and sulfur-dioxide plumes were observed. Pyroclastic flows to the SW and SE reached 4 km on 19 May and 3 km on 20 May. On 22 May, the lava dome volume was estimated at ~ 2.3 million cubic meters. The Darwin VAAC reported that low-level emissions continued during 18-19 and 23 May. CVGHM recommended that residents who live in valleys on the NNW flanks near Sat, Lamat, Senowo, Trising, and Apu Rivers and on the SE flank near Woro River be allowed to return to their homes. Residents remained evacuated from villages within a 7 km radius from the volcano's summit and within 300 m of the banks of the Krasak/Bebeng, Bedog, and Boyong Rivers to the SW, and the Gendol River to the SE. According to news reports, an eruption producing a cloud of hot gas and ash was witnessed on 17 May. Witnesses said the size of the plume was smaller than ash-and-gas plumes on 15 May. On 18 May, a representative for Merapi from the Center for Volcanological Research and Technology Development (part of CVGHM), reported new ashfall. Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Agence France-Presse (AFP), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Associated Press, Reuters
Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	MVO reported that on the morning of 20 May a major lava-dome collapse at Soufriére Hills occurred over a time period of less than three hours. Approximately 90 million cubic meters of the lava dome material was shed from the summit leaving a broad, deep, eastward-sloping crater. Pyroclastic flows traveled E down the Tar River Valley and were estimated to extend out to 3 km over the sea. Lahars due to excessive rain were produced NW in the Belham River Valley, N in the Trants area, and to the NE. An ash cloud reached 16.8 km (55,000 ft) a.s.l. by 0740, the highest reported ash cloud during the 10 years of the eruption, and traveled NW. Lithics (average size of 3.5 cm across) fell NW of the volcano. On 21 May, ash and mud fell on the northern parts of the island. Prior to the lava-dome collapse, during 12 May and 19 May, lava extrusion had continued. The Washington VAAC reported that the ash plume from the 20 May dome collapse initiated at approximately 0700. On 21 May, the remnant ash cloud from 20 May was at a height of ~11.3 km (37,000 ft) a.s.l. along the northern coast of South America and the Southern Caribbean. An ash cloud at a height of ~7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. extended S of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. According to news reports, the ash cloud on 20 May forced the suspension of some international flights in areas of the Caribbean through 21 May. On 22 May, multi-spectral imagery indicated that an ash plume at a height of ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. extended over the islands of Anguilla, St. Martin, and St. Kitts. On 23 May, a thin ash plume was visible on satellite imagery and moved WNW. Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Associated Press, Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)

Fuego (Guatemala) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	On 17 May, INSIVUMEH reported that fumarolic emissions reached ~600 m above the volcano (14,300 ft a.s.l.). and drifted E and W. Active lava flows reached ~100 m SW toward the Taniluyá River and ~500 m SW toward the Ceniza River. Avalanches occurred from lava-flow fronts. The Washington VAAC reported a short low-level plume on 18 May that drifted N from the volcano. Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Galeras (Colombia) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Galeras Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	INGEOMINAS reported that during 15-22 May, a partially solidified lava dome remained in the main crater of Galeras. Seismicity and the sulfur-dioxide flux continued at very low levels. Galeras remained at Alert Level 2 (likely eruption in days or weeks). Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)
Karymsky (Russia) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	During 12-19 May, eruptive activity continued at Karymsky. Based on interpretations of seismic and satellite data, ash plumes rose to a height of 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes extended for about 50 km to the S and NE. KVERT warned that activity from the volcano could affect nearby low-flying aircraft. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kelud (Indonesia) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kelud Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 May an ash plume from Kelut reached a height of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. The report was not verified by ground observations. [Correction: VAAC report did not mention ash in the plume] Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Kilauea (United States) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	Small lava flows were visible on 19 May and minor incandescence was observed on 21-22 May at Kilauea's East Lae`apuki lava delta. Seismicity levels were low at the summit and moderate at Pu`u `O`o. After 16 May, there was very little change in deformation. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Lopevi (Vanuatu) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Lopevi Vanuatu Volcanic Arc	According to Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, Lopevi volcano remains at Alert Level 2. An official spokesperson reported no new ashfall during 17-22 May. The last report of an ash plume was on 15 May. Source: Shanghai Daily
St. Helens (United States) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
St. Helens High Cascades Volcanic Arc	During 17-22 May, the lava spine continued to grow inside the crater of Mt. St. Helens producing minor rockfalls and moderately-sized rock avalanches that generated small ash plumes. On 17 May, lava extrusion continued to deform the W part of the lava dome and night-time incandescence from rockfalls was observed. Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tungurahua Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	During 17-20 May, ash emissions from Tungurahua increased. On 18 May, an ash plume reached a height of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and extended NW, according to Washington VAAC reports. The Washington VAAC also noted that on 19 May, the Instituto Geofísico observed an ash plume that reached a height of 12 km (40,000 ft) a.s.l. On satellite imagery, ash plumes were visible on 20 and 23 May and extended SW. Hotspots were visible on satellite imagery 19-20 and 23 May. The ash plume and incandescence on 23 May were also observed by Instituto Geofísico staff. Sources: Reuters, Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Ubinas (Peru) | 17 May-23 May 2006 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ubinas Central Andean Volcanic Arc	Based on information from significant meteorological advisories (SIGMET) and pilot reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that ash emitted from Ubinas during 20-23 May rose to a maximum height of 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l. Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,627 individual reports over 1,243 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 338 different volcanoes.

Use the dropdowns to choose the year and week for archived Weekly Reports.

 News Feeds and Google Placemarks

 Criteria & Disclaimers

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report does not necessarily include all volcanic activity that occurred on Earth during the week. More than a dozen volcanoes globally have displayed more-or-less continuous eruptive activity for decades or longer, and such routine activity is typically not reported here. Moreover, Earth's sea-floor volcanism is seldom reported even though in theory it represents the single most prolific source of erupted material. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report summarizes volcanic activity that meets one or more of the following criteria:

- A volcano observatory raises or lowers the alert level at the volcano.
- A volcanic ash advisory has been released by a volcanic ash advisory center (VAAC) stating that an ash cloud has been produced from the volcano.
- A verifiable news report of new activity or a change in activity at the volcano has been issued.
- Observers have reported a significant change in volcanic activity. Such activity can include, but is not restricted to, pyroclastic flows, lahars, lava flows, dome collapse, or increased unrest.

Volcanoes are included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report if the activity occurs after at least 3 months of quiescence. Once a volcano is included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section, updates will remain in that section unless the activity continues for more than 1 month without escalating, after which time updates will be listed in the "Continuing Activity" section. Volcanoes are also included in the "New Activity/Unrest" section if the volcano is undergoing a period of relatively high unrest, or increasing unrest. This is commonly equal to Alert Level Orange on a scale of Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, where Red is the highest alert. Or alert level 3 on a scale of 1-4 or 1-5.

It is important to note that volcanic activity meeting one or more of these criteria may occur during the week, but may not be included in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report because we did not receive a report.

1. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is intended to provide timely information about global volcanism on a weekly basis. Consequently, the report is generated rapidly by summarizing volcanic reports from various sources, with little time for fact checking. The accuracy of the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is dependent upon the quality of the volcanic activity reports we receive. Reports published in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network are cover longer time periods and are more carefully reviewed, although all of the volcanoes discussed in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report are not necessarily reported in the Bulletin. Because of our emphasis on rapid reporting on the web we have avoided diacritical marks. Reports are updated on the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report web page as they are received, therefore information may be included regarding events that occurred before the current report period.

2. Rapidly developing events lead to coverage that is often fragmentary. Volcanoes, their eruptions, and their plumes and associated atmospheric effects are complex phenomena that may require months to years of data analysis in order to create a comprehensive summary and interpretation of events.

3. Preliminary accounts sometimes contain exaggerations and "false alarms," and accordingly, this report may include some events ultimately found to be erroneous or misleading.

4. Many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on the Internet contact the source.

5. USGS Disclaimer Statement for this Website:

Information presented on this website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credit is requested. We strongly recommend that USGS data be acquired directly from a USGS server and not through other sources that may change the data in some way. While USGS makes every effort to provide accurate and complete information, various data such as names, telephone numbers, etc. may change prior to updating. USGS welcomes suggestions on how to improve our home page and correct errors. USGS provides no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of furnished data.

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For site security purposes and to ensure that this service remains available to all users, this government computer system employs software programs to monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage. Unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information on this website are strictly prohibited and may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information Infrastructure Protection Act. Information may also be used for authorized law enforcement investigations. (Last modified September 21, 1999.)

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA, USA
URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm

 Acronyms and Abbreviations

a.s.l. - above sea level

AVO - Alaska Volcano Observatory

AVHRR - Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer

CENAPRED - Centro Nacionale de Prevencion de Desastres (México)

CONRED - Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres

COSPEC - Correlation Spectrometer

CVGHM (formerly VSI) - Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation

CVO - Cascades Volcano Observatory (USGS)

GMS - Geostationary Meteorological Satellite

GOES - Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite

GVO - Goma Volcano Observatory

GVP - Global Volcanism Program (Smithsonian Institution)

HVO - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS)

ICE - Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (Costa Rica)

IG - Instituto Geofísico (Ecuador)

IGNS - Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (New Zealand) - now GNS Science

INETER - Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (Nicaragua)

INGEMMET - Instituto Geológical Minero y Metalúrgico (Peru)

INGEOMINAS - Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería (Colombia)

INGV-CT - Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - Sezione di Catania (Italy)

INSIVUMEH - Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia (Guatemala)

IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (France)

JMA - Japanese Meteorological Agency

KEMSD - Kamchatkan Experimental and Methodical Seismilogical Department

KVERT - Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team

M - magnitude

METEOSAT - Meteorological Satellite

MEVO - Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory

MODIS - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

MVO - Montserrat Volcano Observatory

MWO - Meteorological Watch Office

NEIC - National Earthquake Information Center

NIED - National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (Japan)

NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOTAM - Notice to Airmen

OVDAS - Observatorio Volcanologico de los Andes del Sur (Chile)

OFDA - Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance

ONEMI - Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Ministerio del Interior (Chile)

OVPDLF - Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (France)

OVSICORI-UNA - Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica)

PHIVOLCS - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philippines)

RSAM - Real-time Seismic Amplitude Measurement

RVO - Rabaul Volcano Observatory

SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geologia y Mineria (Chile)

SIGMET - Significant Meteorological Information

SNET - Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (El Salvador)

SVERT - Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (Russia)

USAID - US Agency for International Development

USGS - United States Geological Survey

UTC - Coordinated Universal Time

VAAC - Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

VAFTAD - Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion

VDAP - Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (USGS)

VHP - Volcano Hazards Program (USGS)

VRC - Volcano Research Center (Japan)