All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Chaiten (Chile) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Chaiten Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	Based on observations of satellite imagery and SIGMET reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 14-19 May ash plumes from Chaitén rose to altitudes of 5.5-9.1 km (18,000-30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, and E. Cloudy conditions often inhibited observations. A thermal anomaly was present in the crater on 19 May. Based on estimates made during an overflight of the area, ONEMI reported on 14 May that about 90 percent of the town of Chaitén was flooded. SERNAGEOMIN reported that on 15 May ashfall accumulated up to 1 mm thick on a ship and an island to the W, and several areas inland were white due to ash cover. Lahars continued to cause the Chaitén and Blanco-Rayas rivers to overflow, affecting new areas in Chaitén town. The Alert Level remained at Red. According to news articles, the military evacuated small groups of mostly journalists and troops remaining in areas near Chaitén on 19 May. A court ordered police to use force if necessary to move the few remaining people that refused to evacuate to areas outside of the 50 km high-risk zone. Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI), Reuters
Etna (Italy) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Etna Sicily Volcanic Province	INGV-CT reported continuous ash emission and periodic Strombolian activity from multiple vents, possibly along an E-trending fissure E of Etna's summit craters, during 10-19 May. Observations were limited due to cloud cover. Ash plumes rose to approximate attitudes of 3.5-7.3 km (11,500-24,000 ft) a.s.l. and sulfur dioxide emissions were elevated. Lava flows that issued from the fissure and another fissure to the N traveled about 6 km E into the Valle del Bove during 13-15 May. Ash-and-gas explosions were occasionally accompanied by roaring noises on 14 May. Explosions and roaring noises were audible on 20 May. [Correction: Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l.] Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on a pilot observation, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Merapi rose to an altitude of 11.6 km (38,000 ft) a.s.l. on 19 May. Ash was not identified on satellite imagery. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Aira (Japan) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 15-21 May eruption plumes from Sakura-jima rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.4 km (6,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. The plumes drifted N, NE, SE, S, and SW. Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Karymsky (Russia) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that seismic activity at Karymsky was above background levels on 11 and 12 May and at background levels the other days during 9-16 May. Gas-and-ash explosions that produced plumes to an altitude of 3.1 km (10,200 ft) a.s.l. may have occurred on 11 and 12 May. Observations of satellite imagery revealed that on 13 May a thermal anomaly was present in the crater and a steam plume drifted 7 km ESE. An ash plume at an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. was spotted on 15 May and drifted E. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Based on observations of sateliite imagery, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 20 May an eruption plume rose to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	Based on visual observations from HVO and National Park Service (NPS) crews and web camera views, HVO reported that during 14-20 May lava flowed SE through a lava tube system underneath Kilauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. Incandescence was occasionally noted from the TEB vent area. Spatter at the Waikupanaha ocean entry built a second littoral cone. During the reporting period, Kilauea summit earthquakes were located beneath the Halema'uma'u crater, W of the summit, along the S-flank faults, and along the SW rift zone. The eruption from the vent in Halema'uma'u Crater continued to produce white plumes with minor ash content that drifted mainly NE and occasionally SW. During most nights incandescence was seen at the base of the plume. Seismic tremor was elevated. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high and fluctuated between 1,320 and 680 tonnes per day when measured on 17 and 18 May, respectively. The background rate was 150-200 tonnes per day. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Pacaya (Guatemala) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Pacaya Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that during 19-20 May white fumarolic plumes from Pacaya's MacKenney cone drifted W. Lava flows from the base of the NW flank traveled 100 m NW in the area between MacKenney cone and Cerro Chino crater to the N. The seismic network recorded small explosions and occasional tremor. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Planchon-Peteroa (Chile) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Planchon-Peteroa Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	On 14 May, ONEMI reported that increased fumarolic activity at Planchón-Peteroa was normal and likely caused by atmospheric changes that made the plumes more visible from greater distances. Increased fumarolic activity is common when snow melts in the crater and more steam is produced. Source: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Rabaul Bismarck Volcanic Arc	RVO reported that during 13-15 May gas plumes from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone produced a haze to the W and NE. During 15-21 May, ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.7-2.7 km (5,600-8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, N, and NW. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind, including Rabaul Town (3-5 km NW). Occasional roaring noises and incandescence at the base of the plume was noted. Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was above background levels on 12 and 14 May and at background levels the other days during 9-16 May; gas-and-ash explosions may have occurred on 14 May. During 9 and 11-15 May, hot avalanches descended the lava dome and fumarolic activity was noted. Observations of satellite imagery revealed that a thermal anomaly was present in the crater daily. During 11-13 May, ash and steam plumes drifted SE, SW, and NW. An ash plume at an altitude of 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. was spotted on 14 May. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Based on information from the KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 20 May an eruption plume rose to an altitude of 5.8 km (19,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	MVO reported that activity at Soufrière Hills increased during 9-19 May. The seismic network recorded 17 rockfalls. An eruptive event on 13 May produced an ash plume to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and was accompanied by a single long-period earthquake. A blue sulfur dioxide plume was also noted. Ash emissions from two areas in the Gages vent to the W were observed on 15 May, but may have started on 14 May. The resultant ash plume rose about 200 m above the lava dome and drifted W. A small rockfall was noted and gentle roaring noises were reported. A new fumarolic area was seen on the SE side of Chances Peak. Ash emissions from Gages vent continued on 16 May. The Alert Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5). Based on information from MVO and observations of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that steam plumes with small amounts of ash continued during 17-19 May and drifted N and WNW. Sources: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tungurahua Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	The IG reported that although visual observations were occasionally limited due to cloud cover during 14-20 May, ash and steam plumes from Tungurahua were spotted most days and rose to altitudes of 6-8 km (19,700-26,200 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in areas within 8 km to the SW and W during 14-15 and 17-18 May. On 15 May, Strombolian activity was observed and blocks rolled down the flanks. On 17 and 18 May, "cannon shots" and explosions vibrated large windows in areas to the SW and W. Roaring noises were occasionally heard. On 18 May, a lahar possibly descended a drainage to the W. On 19 May, numerous incandescent blocks rolled about 1.6 km down the flanks following a large explosion. Roaring and "cannon shot" noises were audible and windows vibrated in nearby areas after the large explosion and several others that followed throughout the night. Ashfall was reported in areas W and NW during 19-20 May. Based on information from IG, the Washington VAAC reported that on 20 May an ash plume rose to an altitude of 7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Ubinas (Peru) | 14 May-20 May 2008 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ubinas Central Andean Volcanic Arc	Based on SIGMET reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that ash plumes from Ubinas rose to an altitude of 5.5 and 8.5 km (18,000 and 28,000 ft) a.s.l. on 15 and 19 May, respectively. The plumes drifted E and SW. 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.

Some of the documents on this server may contain live references (or pointers) to information created and maintained by other organizations. Please note that USGS does not control and cannot guarantee the relevance, timeliness, or accuracy of these outside materials.

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)