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 7 January-13 January 2015
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Chirpoi	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	—	New
Colima	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	—	New
Etna	Italy	Sicily Volcanic Province	2022 Nov 27	New
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai	Tonga	Tofua Volcanic Arc	—	New
Klyuchevskoy	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	New
Aira	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Asosan	Japan	Nankai Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Bardarbunga	Iceland	Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province	—	Continuing
Chirinkotan	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Fogo	Cabo Verde	Cape Verde Hotspot Volcano Group	—	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
Nevado del Ruiz	Colombia	Northern Andean Volcanic Arc	2014 Nov 18	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	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
Sinabung	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Sinarka	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Zhupanovsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Chirpoi (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Chirpoi
Kuril Volcanic Arc

SVERT reported that satellite images over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, showed a thermal anomaly during 10-11 January. Cloud cover obscured views on other days during 5-12 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

Colima (Mexico) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Colima
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

Based on news articles, an explosion from Colima at about 0900 on 3 January generated an ash plume that rose 3 km. Ash fell in the municipalities of Zapotlán El Grande (26 km NE), Gómez Farías (34 km NNE), Concepción de Buenos Aires (63 km NE), Manzanilla de la Paz (72 km NE), Toliman (31 km WNW), Tuxpan (25 km ENE), Zapotiltic (23 km NE), Tamazula de Gordian (42 km NE), Valle de Juárez (85 km NE), Mazamitla (78 km NE), and Tonila (150 km NE). An explosion on 8 January generated an ash plume that rose 2 km and caused ashfall in Tuxpan, Tonila, and Zapotiltic. Another explosion on 11 January generated an ash plume that rose 1 km and caused ashfall in Tuxpan. An ash plume rose 500 m on 12 January and drifted ENE.

Sources: Informador, Informador, Informador

Etna (Italy) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Etna
Sicily Volcanic Province

INGV reported that at night during 6-7 January the frequency of Strombolian explosions at Etna's Voragine Crater decreased; however, some of the explosions ejected incandescent pyroclastic material outside of the crater and onto the W and SW flanks. On 7 January many of the small explosions generated brown ash plumes that rose a few hundred meters above Etna's summit and quickly dissipated. Strombolian activity increased on 8 January, possibly from two vents within the crater. Pyroclastic material continued to be ejected out of the crater. Early on 9 January Strombolian activity again decreased and gave way to ash emissions that rose several hundred meters. Ash emissions continued the next morning, decreased, and had almost completely ceased by late morning. Ash emissions resumed in the afternoon and were sometimes accompanied by Strombolian explosions. Ash emissions on 13 January were continuous in the morning but then decreased in frequency by the afternoon.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (Tonga) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai
Tofua Volcanic Arc

Based on a pilot observation, the Wellington VAAC reported that a dark ash plume from Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l. on 12 January.

Source: Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Klyuchevskoy
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a Strombolian eruption began at Klyuchevskoy on 1 January; bombs were ejected 300-400 m above the crater. On 10 January strong gas-and-steam emissions containing ash were recorded by the webcam. Video images also indicated a possible lava flow on the S flank. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange. Strombolian and Vulcanian activity continued during 11-12 January, and explosions generated ash plumes that rose 5-7 km (16,400-23,000 ft) a.s.l. Satellite images on 11 January showed a 12.5-km-wide, 36.8-km-long ash plume drifting at an altitude of 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. On 12 January an ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.5 km (18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35 km.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Aira (Japan) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that four explosions from Showa Crater at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano ejected tephra as far as 1,300 m during 5-9 January. Incandescence from the crater was visible at night during 7-8 January. Inflation continued to be detected. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). The Tokyo VAAC reported that during 7-8, 10, and 12-13 January plumes rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, SW, and NW. On 8 and 10 January pilots observed ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

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

Asosan (Japan) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Asosan
Nankai Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that, based on seismicity and infrasound data, the eruption from Asosan’s Nakadake Crater that began on 25 November continued intermittently during 5-9 January. On 5 and 7 January incandescent material was sometimes ejected onto the crater rim. On 7 January plumes rose 1 km above the crater. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Bardarbunga (Iceland) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Bardarbunga
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province

During 7-13 January, IMO maintained Aviation Colour Code Orange due to continued activity at Bárdarbunga’s Holuhraun eruptive fissure. The lava field expanded the N and NE margins. Seismicity remained strong and local air pollution from gas emissions persisted. GPS measurements showed that subsidence continued. The lava field covered 84.1 square kilometers on 10 January.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

Chirinkotan (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Chirinkotan
Kuril Volcanic Arc

SVERT reported that steam-and-gas emissions detected in satellite images rose 3 km above Chirinkotan and drifted SE on 5 January. A thermal anomaly was visible during 8 and 10-11 January. Cloud cover obscured views on the other days during 6-12 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

Fogo (Cabo Verde) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fogo
Cape Verde Hotspot Volcano Group

The Observatório Vulcanológico de Cabo Verde (OVCV) reported that on 8 January the eruption at Fogo decreased in intensity; a small light-colored gas plume rose at most 100 m from the craters. Some explosions, following banging noises, were felt in areas 1 km away. Periodic explosions continued the next day and at 1530 a dark gas-and-ash plume rose 1.2 km and drifted SE. On 10 January light-colored, dense plumes rose at 800-1,200 m. Explosions on 11 January produced light-colored gas plumes that rose as high as1.5 km. On 12 January gas-and-ash plumes rose 800-1,000 m. In the afternoon a strong explosion was followed by smaller explosions and accompanying crashing noises that lasted for 2 hours. A very dense and dark-gray ash plume rose 2 km and drifted E, and was observed by people in S Philip and other parts of the island. At 1900 tephra was ejected 50 m above the crater. The lava-flow fronts to the N and S of Ilhéu de Losna were stagnant, while a few outbreaks were observed in Portela and Bangaeira.

Source: Universidade of Cabo Verde

Fuego (Guatemala) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

During 8-13 January INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Fuego continued at a high rate; explosions generated ash plumes that rose 550-950 m above the crater and drifted 10-15 km W and SW. Incandescent blocks traveled mainly down the Ceniza (SSW), Santa Teresa (W), and Las Lajas (SE) drainages and reached vegetated areas, generating small fires. Ashfall was reported in Panimache I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), and areas in the municipality of San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW). During 10-13 January explosions ejected incandescent tephra 100-200 m above the crater causing avalanches in the Taniluya (SSW), Ceniza, and Trinidad (S) drainages.

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

Kilauea (United States) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

During 7-13 January HVO reported that Kilauea’s 27 June NE-trending lava flow continued to be active with breakout lava flows upslope of the leading front. On 13 January scientists conducted an overflight of the flow field and observed scattered breakouts along the distal part of the flow between 0.5 and 1 km upslope of the stalled flow front; a narrow lobe that had been advancing NNE was 700 m upslope of the stalled front. Additional breakouts were scattered from 1.7 to 3 km upslope of the flow tip and near the crack system.

The circulating lava lake occasionally rose and fell in the deep pit within Halema'uma'u Crater. Gas emissions remained elevated. The plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts tephra onto nearby areas; smaller particles may have been dropped several kilometers away.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Kuchinoerabujima (Japan) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kuchinoerabujima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that no eruptions occurred from Kuchinoerabujima during 5-9 January, although the level of activity remained elevated. White plumes rose 500 m above the crater. Low-level seismicity continued and tremor was absent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Nevado del Ruiz
Northern Andean Volcanic Arc

According to a news article, increased ash emissions at Nevado del Ruiz prompted the closure of the La Nubia airport on 7 January.

Source: Prensa Latina

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

CENAPRED reported that during 7-10 and 13 January seismicity at Popocatépetl indicated continuing emissions of water vapor and gas, which occasionally contained ash; steam-and-gas plumes were visible during 11-12 January. Cloud cover sometimes prevented views of the crater. Incandescence from the crater was visible nightly. Small explosions on 8 January at 1959 and on 9 January at 0149 produced ash plumes that rose 500 and 800 m, respectively. Three ash plumes recorded during 9-10 January rose 500-800 m and drifted E. An explosion on 12 January generated an ash plume that rose 800 m and drifted NE. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that an explosion from Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, generated an ash plume that rose 600 m and drifted SW, causing ashfall in Monte Claro (S) and the Palajunoj area. On 11 January the lava-flow front was incandescent and produced avalanches that descended the flank. An explosion on 13 January generated an ash plume that rose 700 m and drifted SW.

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

Sheveluch (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that during 2-9 January lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by incandescence, hot avalanches, and fumarolic activity. A strong explosion on 7 January generated an ash plume that rose to altitudes of 8-9 km (26,200-29,500 ft) a.s.l. A small pyroclastic flow descended the SE flank of the dome. Satellite images detected an ash plume drifting 350 km NW on 7 January, and a thermal anomaly over the dome during 7-8 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Shishaldin (United States) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Shishaldin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin continued to be slightly elevated over background levels during 7-13 January. Nothing significant was observed in clear-to-partly cloudy satellite and web camera images. In a report from 9 January AVO noted that a small number of air-pressure waves from minor explosions within the summit crater were detected in seismic data intermittently during the previous week; there was no evidence of ash emissions outside of the crater. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Sinabung (Indonesia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sinabung
Sunda Volcanic Arc

Based on satellite images, weather models, and ground observations, the Darwin VAAC reported an eruption from Sinabung on 10 January with an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in nearby areas at night on 11 January. During 12-13 January ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Sinarka (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sinarka
Kuril Volcanic Arc

SVERT reported that steam-and-gas emissions detected in satellite images rose 3 km above Sinarka and drifted SE on 5 January. Cloud cover obscured views on the other days during 6-12 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

Zhupanovsky (Russia) | 7 January-13 January 2015 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Zhupanovsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a moderate eruption at Zhupanovsky continued during 2-9 January. Satellite images detected ash plumes drifting 50 km E on 6 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

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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.

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