Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday and averaging 16 reported volcanoes, this is not a comprehensive list of all eruptions this week, but rather a summary of activity that meet criteria discussed in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section below.

Volcanic activity reported here is preliminary and subject to change. Carefully reviewed, detailed narratives over longer time periods are published as reports of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network available through volcano profile pages.

Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for the week of 4 July-10 July 2012
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Hierro	Spain	Canary Volcanic Province	—	New
Witori	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	New
Aira	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Bagana	Papua New Guinea	Solomon Volcanic Arc	2000 Feb 28 (in or before)	Continuing
Batu Tara	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Cleveland	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Fuego	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	2002 Jan 4	Continuing
Galeras	Colombia	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Karymsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	2024 Jun 20	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	2024 Sep 15	Continuing
Nevado del Ruiz	Colombia	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	2014 Nov 18	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Sangay	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	2019 Mar 26	Continuing
Santa Maria	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	1922 Jun 22	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Tungurahua	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Hierro (Spain) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Hierro
Canary Volcanic Province

On 11 July Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) reported that seismic activity and deformation at Hierro had decreased since the previous week. During 4-10 July there were 650 seismic events located, most of them offshore SW of El Hierro Island at 20 km depth. The maximum magnitude recorded was 3.8, which occurred on 10 July at 0504, and 77 earthquakes were M 2.7 or higher. The total number of located events had reached more than 2,200 since the anomalous activity began on 24 June. The deformation during this period had maximum values of about 1.5 cm in the horizontal component and 1.5 cm of vertical displacement.

Source: Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN)

Witori (Papua New Guinea) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Witori
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 July an ash plume from Pago rose to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 275 km SW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Aira (Japan) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that during 2-6 July explosions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra as far as 1,300 m from the crater. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported multiple explosions during 4-10 July; plumes rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.7 km (6,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, SE, and N. A pilot observed an ash plume on 4 July that rose to an altitude of 2.4 (8,000 ft) a.s.l.

Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Bagana (Papua New Guinea) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bagana
Solomon Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 4 July ash plumes from Bagana rose to altitudes of 2.4-3 km (8,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km W.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Batu Tara (Indonesia) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Batu Tara
Sunda Volcanic Arc

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that on 8 July an ash plume from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 95 km SW.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Cleveland (United States) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Cleveland
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that cloudy conditions at Cleveland often prevented observations during 4-9 July. Clear views of the volcano by the web camera on the morning of 6 July revealed a distinct plume, likely containing water vapor and volcanic gas, drifting several tens of miles downwind from the summit. Elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images on 10 July. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Fuego (Guatemala) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that during 4-6 July explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose 400-800 m above the crater and drifted W. Rumbling sounds were reported and tephra avalanches descended the S flank. During 7-8 July rumbling and degassing sounds were reported. Although cloud cover mostly prevented observations, a weak plume was noted rising 200-300 m above the crater and drifting NE. Ash fell in Yepocapa (8 km WNW), and on the La Conchita and Monteclaro ranches. Small tephra avalanchas descended the Taniluyá (SW) and Ceniza (SSW) drainages. During 8-9 July a series of seven explosions produced ash plumes that rose 300-900 m above the crater and drifted 10 km W, again causing ashfall in Yepocapa, La Conchita, Monte llano, and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). Explosions on 10 July produced ash plumes that rose 300-600 m above the crater and drifted W. Incandescence rose above the crater during 8-10 July.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

Galeras (Colombia) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Galeras
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

INGEOMINAS reported that during 4-10 July seismicity at Galeras indicated continuing gas emissions; sulfur dioxide levels were moderate. The emissions, observed by a network of video cameras, contained some ash during 4-5 July. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; "changes in the behavior of volcanic activity").

Source: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC)

Karymsky (Russia) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that moderate seismic activity from Karymsky continued to be detected during 29 June-10 July, and indicated that possible ash plumes rose to altitudes of 2.1-3.3 km (6,900-10,800 ft) a.s.l. during 29 June-7 July. Satellite imagery showed a weak thermal anomaly on the volcano on 29 June and 1 July. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Kilauea (United States) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

During 4-10 July HVO reported that the circulating lava lake periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. Measurements indicated that the gas plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of spatter and Pele's hair onto nearby areas. The lava pond in a small pit on the E edge of the Pu'u 'O'o crater floor and two vents along the S edge of the floor were visible with the web cameras. On most days lava flows were active on the pali, at the base of the pali and onto the coastal plain, and farther out on the coastal plain near the Royal Gardens/Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park boundary.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Nevado del Ruiz
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

According to INGEOMINAS, the Observatorio Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Manizales reported that during 5-9 July seismic signals at Nevado del Ruiz indicated continuing gas and ash emissions. On 6 July a gas-and-ash plume rose 400 m above the crater and drifted SW. On 8 July gas-and-ash plumes rose 400-500 m above the crater and drifted NW and W. The Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) reported that a gas-and-ash plume was observed in satellite imagery drifting 65 km. On 9 July INGEOMINAS noted that a gas-and-ash plume, observed with a web camera, rose around 400 m above the crater. On 10 July satellite imagery and ground-based observations showed sulfur dioxide emissions. The Alert Level remained at II (Orange; "eruption likely within days or weeks").

Sources: Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

CENAPRED reported that during 4-10 July seismicity at Popocatépetl indicated continuing gas-and-ash emissions. Incandescence from the crater was often observed at night. On 4 July a gas-and-steam plume drifted W. The next day a steam-and-gas plume that likely contained ash rose 2 km above the crater and drifted WSW. Some emissions were accompanied by increased incandescence from the crater. During 6-10 July steam-and-gas plumes rose from the crater. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Three.

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Sangay (Ecuador) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sangay
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

According to the Washington VAAC, a thermal anomaly on Sangay was detected in satellite imagery during 4-6 July.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that during 4-6 and 9-10 July an explosion from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex produced an ash plume that rose 300-800 m above Caliente dome and drifted SW. Ashfall was reported in La Florida (5 km S), Monte Claro (S), and Palajunoj (SW). Tephra avalanches from the lava dome traveled down the SE and SW flanks. During 7-8 July fumarolic plumes rose 200 m above the crater and drifted SW. One explosion generated an ash plume that rose 300 m and drifted SW. During 8-9 July gas plumes rose from the crater and avalanches descended the SE and SW flanks. Active lava flows were observed at night during 9-10 July; incandescent material traveled down the SE and SW flanks.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

Sheveluch (Russia) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 29 June-6 July explosive activity at Shiveluch continued and seismic data indicated that possible ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.7 km (15,400 ft) a.s.l. Observers noted ash plumes rising to an altitude of 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. on 29 June; weather conditions prevented observations of the volcano on the other days. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly on the lava dome during 28-30 June and 7-10 July. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 4 July-10 July 2012 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Tungurahua
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

IG reported that during 4-10 July visual observations of Tungurahua were limited due to cloud cover. An explosion on 5 July produced "cannon shot" sounds, along with sounds resembling blocks rolling down the flanks. Ashfall was reported in Manzano (8 km SW) and Chacuaco. On 6 July a satellite image showed a steam-and gas plume drifting W. On 7 and 9 July steam plumes rose 100 m above the crater.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)

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.

Search by Date

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

Search by Volcano

Puyehue-Cordon Caulle

Dieng Volcanic Complex

Antillanca Volcanic Complex

Atka Volcanic Complex

Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group]

Fournaise, Piton de la

Moyorodake [Medvezhia]

Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker

Krysuvik-Trolladyngja

Whakaari/White Island

Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia

Palena Volcanic Group

Soufriere St. Vincent

South Sarigan Seamount

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai

News Feeds and Google Placemarks

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network RSS Feed

The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is identical to the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report minus some features including the header information (latitude and longitude and summit elevation), the Geologic Summary, and a link to the volcano's page from the Global Volcanism Program. At the end of each report is a list of the sources used. Each volcano report includes a link from the volcano's name back to the more complete information in the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report on the Smithsonian website. This feature was first made available on 5 March 2008.

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network CAP Feed

The CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) feeds are XML files specifically formatted for disaster management. They are similar in content to the RSS feed, but contain no active links.

Download Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Network Link

A Google Earth network link for the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report can be loaded into the free Google Earth software, and in turn will load placemarks for volcanoes in the current weekly report. Placemark balloons include the volcano name, report date, report text, sources, and links back to the GVP volcano profile page and to the complete Weekly Report for that week. This feature was first made available on 1 April 2009.

Criteria & Disclaimers

Criteria

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.

Disclaimers

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