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 13 August-19 August 2014
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Bardarbunga	Iceland	Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province	—	New
Mayon	Philippines	Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc	—	New
Aira	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Etna	Italy	Sicily Volcanic Province	2022 Nov 27	Continuing
Fuego	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	2002 Jan 4	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	2024 Sep 15	Continuing
Kuchinoerabujima	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Kusatsu-Shiranesan	Japan	Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Pacaya	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Reventador	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	2008 Jul 27	Continuing
Sabancaya	Peru	Central Andean Volcanic Arc	2016 Nov 6	Continuing
San Miguel	El Salvador	Central America Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Santa Maria	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	1922 Jun 22	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Shishaldin	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Stromboli	Italy	Aeolian Volcanic Arc	1934 Feb 2	Continuing
Tungurahua	Ecuador	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Ubinas	Peru	Central Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Zhupanovsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Bardarbunga (Iceland) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Bardarbunga
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province

During 13-19 August the Icelandic Met Office reported increased seismic activity at Bárdarbunga volcano. On 16 August more than 200 earthquakes were reported under the NW Vatnajökull ice cap, and GPS stations have shown an increasing signal upward and away from the volcano since early June 2014. On 16 August the Aviation Color code was increased to Yellow. On 18 August the Icelandic Met Office reported an earthquake swarm to the E and another to the N of Bárdarbunga. A M4 earthquake was recorded that was the strongest in the region since 1996. By 18 August there had been 2,600 earthquakes detected at the volcano; earthquake locations from N and E swarms had been migrating NE, but in the evening activity of the N swarm had decreased significantly. That same day the Aviation Color code was raised to Orange.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

Mayon (Philippines) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Mayon
Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc

During 13-19 PHIVOLCS reported growth of the new summit dome, slight ground deformation, and increased volcanic gas emission at Mayon. On 16-17 August a few rockfalls and one earthquake were detected. On 16-18 August moderate emission of white steam plumes drifted SE, SW, NNE and NE. PHIVOLCS had raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 0-5) on 15 August.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Aira (Japan) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

During 11-15 August JMA reported 14 explosions from Showa Crater at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano that ejected ballistics 800-1300 m away. During 15-18 August were four more explosions with similar ballistic ejections. The explosions were accompanied by volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremor. On most days faint to clear incandescence was visible using a high-sensitivity camera at night. On 13-17 August the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions with plumes that rose to an altitude of 1.5-3 km (5,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and N, though volcanic ash could not be identified in satellite data. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

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

Etna (Italy) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

On 13 August INGV reported continued eruptive activity at New SE Crater of Etna, including Strombolian explosions accompanied by minor ash emissions. Lava continued to flow about 3 km NE towards Monte Simone. On 18 August INGV reported that the eruption at New SE Crater had ended on 15 August and lava flow activity had ceased as of 16 August.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Fuego (Guatemala) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

During 13-19 August, INSIVUMEH reported weak to moderate explosions at Fuego with incandescent blocks being expelled 500-800 m above the crater, activity accompanied on 14 and 16 August by white plumes that rose 200-300 m above the crater and drifted W. On 13 and 15 August INSIVUMEH reported rumbling from shock waves that rattled structures up to 8 km from the volcano in the villages of Panimaché I and II, Morelia, and others in this area, and on 17 August jet engine like sounds lasting 1-4 minutes. On most days incandescent blocks were expelled 50-400 m above the crater, and weak to moderate avalanches of blocks were channeled into the Las Lajas (SE), Trinidad (S), Ceniza (SSW), Taniluyá (SW), Santa Teresa and Barranca Honda canyons. Ash plumes rose 4.2-4.5 km (13,800-14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 8-15 km W and SW. Ashfall was reported in Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché (8 km SW), Panimaché II, Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), Yepocapa (8 km WNW), and Hagia Sophia. On 18 August the Washington VAAC reported several discrete ash emissions based on satellite and wind data.

Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Kilauea (United States) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

During 13-19 August HVO reported that the circulating lava lake occasionally rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. Gas emissions remained elevated. The plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash, spatter, and Pele's hair onto nearby areas; smaller particles may have been dropped several kilometers away. On 15-18 August glow was visible during the night above outgassing pits on the northeast, south, and southeast edges of Pu`u `O`o's crater floor and at skylights along the June 27th flow lava tube. On 12 August these pits at the edges of the crater floor were identified in an overflight. The June 27th flow continued to advance into forest NE of Pu`u `O`o. The tube-fed flow slowed and widened over several days, and its distal tip was 9.4 km from the vent (straight-line distance) on 18 August. The flow also hosted a broad area of lava flow breakouts mid-way along its length that reached the forest about 5 km NE of the vent, on the N side of the current flow.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Kuchinoerabujima (Japan) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kuchinoerabujima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that during 13-19 August tremor and quakes were accompanied by no explosions at Kuchinoerabujima. On 13 August a white plume rose 600 m and on 18 August rose 50 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Kusatsu-Shiranesan (Japan) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kusatsu-Shiranesan
Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that during 8-15 August volcanic earthquakes continued at Kusatsu-Shiranesan’s crater, although they had decreased from early August and tremor was absent. The Alert Level remains at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Pacaya (Guatemala) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Pacaya
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-19 August white and blueish white fumarolic plumes rose 50 m above Mackenney Crater at Pacaya and drifted 400-500 m NW, W, SW, and S.

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

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

CENAPRED reported that during 13-19 August steam-and-gas emissions with minor ash rose 300-1500 m above Popocatépetl’s crater and drifted NW, W, SW, and N. On most nights incandescence was observed, increasing in intensity with larger emissions. On 14-18 August heavy clouds were reported. The Alert Level remained at to Yellow, Phase Two.

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Reventador (Ecuador) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Reventador
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

IG reported moderate volcanic activity including explosions, long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and tremor at Reventador on 13, 14, 18, and 19 August. On 13 August continuous steam with minor ash plumes rose 500 m above the summit and drifted NE. On 14 August clear views of the volcano showed no surface activity, and on 18-19 August the volcano was obscured by clouds.

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

Sabancaya (Peru) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sabancaya
Central Andean Volcanic Arc

On 13, 17, and 18 August the Buenos Aires VAAC reported volcanic ash at Sabancaya based on satellite, remote camera, and pilot reports.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

San Miguel (El Salvador) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

San Miguel
Central America Volcanic Arc

On 13-19 August SNET reported low seismic activity at San Miguel. On most days white and whitish gray gas plumes rose 100-300 m above the crater. On 14 August field work was completed that assessed damage to the town of San Jorge affected by debris flows caused by heavy rainfall on 10-11 August.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Estudios Territoriales (SNET)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

On 13-19 August INSIVUMEH reported that fumarolic columns rose to 2.7-2.8 km (8,800-9,200 ft) a.s.l. above Santiaguito, drifting to the S and SW. On most days the lava flow (2.5 km in length) moved towards and into Nima Canyon I. Collapse avalanches from the lava flow front generated columns of fine ash that rose 1.2-2 km (3,900-6,600 ft) a.s.l. , drifting over the Palajunoj area on 15 August. On 13-16 and 19 August INSIVUMEH reported white degassing plumes rising 200-400 above the crater and drifting SW, and noted decreased incandescence at the crater.

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

Sheveluch (Russia) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 8-14 August lava-dome extrusion onto Shiveluch’s SE flank was accompanied by moderate ash explosions, incandescence of the dome summit, hot avalanches, and fumarolic activity. On 11-14 August satellite data showed a thermal anomaly over the lava dome, and the volcano was obscured by clouds the other days of week. On 9 August the Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume rose to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Shishaldin (United States) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Shishaldin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that during 13-19 August eruptive activity continued at Shishaldin volcano. Infrasound sensors located at Dillingham and on Akutan Island detected sound waves from the direction of Shishaldin that are consistent with low-level activity at the volcano. On 13 August a pilot reported a low-level plume from Shishaldin. On the evening of 16 August web camera views showed a steam and gas plume. On 17-19 August elevated surface temperatures were detected in partly cloudy satellite views. Other days satellite and web camera views were obscured by weather. No significant activity was noted in seismic data. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Stromboli (Italy) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Stromboli
Aeolian Volcanic Arc

On 13 August INGV reported that at Stromboli lava continued to flow along the E edge of the Sciara del Fuoco with a consistent effusion rate and reached the coast in the early morning.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Tungurahua (Ecuador) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Tungurahua
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

During 13-19 August IG reported that moderate to high eruptive activity continued at Tungurahua, including volcanic tremor, blasts, and long-period and volcano-tectonic earthquakes. On most days cloudy conditions allowed only intermittent views of the volcano. On 14 August a “canon blast” sound shook structures in the town of Baños, followed by an ash plume that rose 1.5 km (4,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. On 13 August a lahar was reported in the Chontapamba sector that moved blocks 50 cm in size. On 15 August during the early morning an explosion and rockfall was heard and a light ashfall was reported in Choglontus. On 17 August glow was observed in the crater. On 18-19 August a fine black ashfall was reported in the areas of Pillate, Chontapamba, Bilbao, Mocha, Motilones, Quero, and Tisaleo. On 19 August a plume rose 2-3 km (6,600-9,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW. During 13-19 August the Washington VAAC reported ongoing emissions, including volcanic ash and steam-and-gas plumes. On 14 August a short duration explosion and volcanic ash was reported.

Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Ubinas (Peru) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ubinas
Central Andean Volcanic Arc

During 13-17 August INGEMMET reported that seismicity has decreased and the eruption of Ubinas continued. Mild steam-and-gas emissions rose 200-400 m above the summit and drifted SE and NE.

Source: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET)

Zhupanovsky (Russia) | 13 August-19 August 2014 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Zhupanovsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 8-14 August the moderate explosive eruption continued at Zhupanovsky. On 8 August staff of Volcanoes of Kamchatka Natural Park observed ash explosions twice an hour, with ash plumes rising up to 4 km (13,100 ft)a.s.l. drifting E. On 8 and 11-13 August satellite data showed that ash plumes rose to 4-4.5 km (13,100-14,800 ft)a.s.l. and drifted 80-100 km SE and NE Other days satellite data showed the volcano was obscured by clouds. On 12-13 August the Tokyo VAAC reported ash plumes to 3-4.9 km (10,000-16,000 ft) a.s.l that drifted SE, NE, and ESE.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

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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.

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