All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Soufriere Hills (United Kingdom) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Soufriere Hills Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc	MVO reported that during 15-22 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was variable as dome growth continued. Cycles of vigorous ash venting, rockfalls, and pyroclastic flows occurred every six to eight hours. Light ashfall occasionally occurred in NW Montserrat. On 18 January, a small lava-dome collapse from the W side of the volcano generated a large pyroclastic flow that traveled 4 km down Gages Valley into Spring Ghaut, and into Aymer's Ghaut, reaching the sea at Kinsale to the S of Plymouth. Ash clouds associated with the pyroclastic flows rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Several houses in Kinsale seen from a helicopter on 22 January had been buried or were burning. The Hazard Level remained at 4. Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Tungurahua Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	The IG reported that during 20-26 January explosions from Tungurahua were detected by the seismic network. Inclement weather often prevented observations of the volcano; occasionally ash plumes were seen rising to altitudes of 5.3-8 km (17,400-26,200 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was noted almost daily in areas to the SW and sometimes to the W and NW. Roaring noises, sounds resembling "cannon shots," and vibrating windows were reported. During 20-23 January lava fountains and explosions ejected incandescent blocks that fell onto and rolled down the flanks. Blocks were also seen rolling down the flanks on 24 and 25 January. On 26 January, an explosion generated an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 9 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in areas to the NW, W, and WSW. Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

Aira (Japan) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	During 26 December 2009-9 January 2010, a visitor to Sakura-jima observed and photographed Strombolian and Vulcanian explosions from Showa crater. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 20-26 January multiple explosions often produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-2.4 km (4,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, SE, and S. On 23 January, a pilot reported that an ash plume drifted SE at an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Richard Roscoe, Photo Volcanica
Barren Island (India) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Barren Island Andaman Volcanic Province	Based on a pilot observation, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 23 January an ash plume from Barren Island rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not identified in satellite imagery. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Batu Tara (Indonesia) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Batu Tara Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 23 January an ash plume from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25 km E. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Chaiten (Chile) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Chaiten Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 5-19 January Chaitén's lava-dome complex continued to grow, although possibly at rates lower than during previous weeks. The magnitude and number of hybrid earthquakes decreased. The Alert Level remained at Red. Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	On 22 January, INSIVUMEH reported that explosions from Fuego produced gray plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.4-4.8 km (14,400-15,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 5-12 km SW. Incandescent material was ejected to heights of 75 m and avalanches descended the flanks. Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 25 January a dense ash cloud drifted 15 km NW. The next day an ash cloud drifted 11 km W. Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Gaua (Vanuatu) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Gaua Vanuatu Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and pilot observations, the Wellington VAAC reported that on 21 January an ash plume from Gaua rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S. An ash cloud was seen in satellite imagery on 26 January. Source: Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Karymsky (Russia) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 15-22 January seismic activity from Karymsky was above background levels, possibly indicating that ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Analyses of satellite imagery revealed a daily thermal anomaly over the volcano. The Level of Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	During 20-26 January, HVO reported an active lava surface about 200 m below a vent in the floor of Kilauea's Halema'uma'u crater. The lava surface occasionally spattered, and both rose and drained through a hole in the cavity floor. A plume from the vent drifted multiple directions, dropping small amounts of ash, and occasionally fresh spatter, downwind. Lava from beneath the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex flowed SE through a lava tube system. Thermal anomalies detected by satellite and visual observations revealed active lava flows on top of the pali from lava-tube breakouts. During an overflight of Pu'u 'O'o crater on 19 January scientists saw a recent but inactive lava flow across the bottom of the crater. On 22 January a small part of the crater rim collapsed in front of the web camera, revealing an incandescent vent at the base of the E wall. During 23-26 January, incandescence was seen from the vent, as well as from high on the E wall, the crater floor, and low on the S wall. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Klyuchevskoy Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 15-22 January seismic activity from Kliuchevskoi was above background levels and lava continued to flow down the NW flank. Strombolian activity periodically ejected material 300 m above the crater. Phreatic explosions from the front of the lava flow ejected material that rose to altitudes of 4.5-8 km (14,800-26,200 ft) a.s.l. Satellite imagery also revealed a large daily thermal anomaly at the volcano. The Level of Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Based on information from the Yelizovo Airport (UHPP) and analyses of satellite imagery, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 22-23 January ash plumes rose to altitudes of 7-10.1 km (23,000-33,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Llaima (Chile) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Llaima Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	On 22 January, SERNAGEOMIN reported that seismicity from Llaima had decreased during the previous few weeks to background levels. The Alert Level was lowered to Green, (Level 2) on a three-color scale. Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Santa Maria Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that on 21 January ashfall was reported in areas near Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex. The next day an explosion produced an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 3.2 km (10,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. The Washington VAAC reported that an ash plume seen on satellite imagery drifted less than 10 km. Sources: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 15-22 January seismic activity from Shiveluch was above background levels, possibly indicating ash plumes rising to an altitude of 4.7 km (15,400 ft) a.s.l. Analyses of satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly from the lava dome. The Level of Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Based on information from KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 23-24 and 26 January eruptions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 3-4.6 km (10,000-15,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Suwanosejima (Japan) | 20 January-26 January 2010 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	During 29-30 December 2009, a visitor to Suwanose-jima observed and photographed multiple Strombolian explosions and ash eruptions from Otake crater. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions during 22-26 January. On 24 and 26 January, plumes rose to altitudes of 1.2-1.5 km (4,000-5,000 ft) a.s.l. Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Richard Roscoe, Photo Volcanica

Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,652 individual reports over 1,244 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)