All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Aira (Japan) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	JMA reported that an explosive eruption at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) began at 1856 on 5 February and generated an ash plume that rose 1.3-1.8 km above the crater rim. Lightning was observed in the ash cloud, and incandescent tephra was ejected as far as 1.8 km onto the flanks. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a 5-level scale); it had previously been lowered to 2 on 25 November 2015. During an overflight the next day scientists did not see any significant changes to the crater; a plume obscured views of Minamidake summit crater. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 100 tons/day, which was the same level measured on 3 February. Explosions were detected on 8 February. Based on JMA reports and satellite data, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 8-9 February ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.5-3.3 km (5,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE. Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Santa Maria Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that strong explosions at Caliente cone, part of Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, began at 1023 on 7 February and generated rumbling sounds and shock waves detected as far as 25 km away. Pyroclastic flows descended the E and SE flanks. A dense mushroom-shaped ash cloud obscured the E, SW, and S parts of the volcano, and then rose 6 km above the crater. It drifted in multiple directions NW to SW. During 8-9 February white gas plumes rose 300 m above the lava dome and drifted E and SW. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Soputan (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Soputan Sangihe Volcanic Arc	BNPB reported that explosions at Soputan were detected at 1300, 1437, and 2008 on 6 February; observers 10 km away saw dense reddish gray ash plumes rising 3 km above the crater. At 0106, 0204, 0311, and 0320 on 7 February Strombolian activity ejected tephra as high as 1 km above the crater. A pyroclastic flow traveled 2 km down the E flank. Thunderous sounds were reported, and dense ash plumes rose 2.5 km and drifted W. Constant tremor was detected. Ashfall was reported in multiple districts including Pasan (5 km SSE), Tombatu (16 km SSW), Belang (17 km SSE), and Ratatotok (20 km S). The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and tourists were advised not to approach the craters within a radius of 4 km, or 6.5 km on the WSW flank. [Correction; the Alert Level remained at 3.] Source: Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB)
Turrialba (Costa Rica) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Turrialba Central America Volcanic Arc	OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1240 on 5 February passive gas-and-ash emissions rose from Turrialba; foggy conditions prevented estimates of ash-cloud height and drift direction, although the plume likely drifted SW. Residents of La Silvia, 2 km NW, reported a sulfur odor and ashfall. For a period of 15 minutes, starting at 1350 on 6 February, passive gas-and-ash emissions rose about 500 m above West Crater and drifted NW. According to the Washington VAAC the webcam recorded gray emissions on 8 February. Sources: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Zhupanovsky (Russia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Zhupanovsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that moderate steam-and-gas activity at Zhupanovsky continued during 29 January-5 February. A thermal anomaly was detected in satellite images on 30 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Colima (Mexico) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Colima Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	Based on satellite images, wind data, webcam images, and notices from the Mexico City MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that during 3-8 February ash plumes from Colima rose to altitudes of 4.9-6.7 km (16,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 75-140 km in multiple directions. Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Copahue (Chile-Argentina) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Copahue Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	Based on satellite and webcam views, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 3-9 February Copahue generated almost continuous steam plumes containing minor amounts of ash that rose to altitudes of 3-3.6 km (10,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted as far as 150 km ENE, ESE, SE, and S. Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Dukono (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Dukono Halmahera Volcanic Arc	Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 3-9 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.7 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-270 km NW, W, WSW, SW, and S. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Fuego (Guatemala) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Fuego Central America Volcanic Arc	INSIVUMEH reported that during 6-9 February explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose 150-950 m above the crater and drifted as far as 15 km SE, SW and W. Incandescent material was ejected 200 m high, producing avalanches within the crater and down the Trinidad (S), Ceniza (SSW), Taniluyá (SW), and Santa Teresa (W) drainages. A 1-km-long lava flow was active in the Las Lajas (S) drainage. Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Karangetang (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karangetang Sangihe Volcanic Arc	Based on observations conducted at the Karangetang Volcano Observation Post in the village of Salili, PVMBG reported that during 27 Janaury-3 February the lava dome was incandescent at night. Variable amounts of white and blue emissions rose as high as 100 m above Main Crater. RSAM values doubled in January due to an increase in the number of shallow volcanic earthquakes. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4); visitors and residents were warned not to approach Karangetang within a 4-km radius. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Karymsky (Russia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Karymsky Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity at Karymsky continued during 29 January-5 February. Satellite images detected a daily thermal anomaly, and ash plumes that drifted about 270 km E and SE on 31 January and during 1-2 and 4 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Kilauea Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	HVO reported that seismicity beneath Kilauea's summit, upper East Rift Zone, and Southwest Rift Zone was at background levels during 3-9 February. The lava lake continued to circulate and spatter in the Overlook vent. Webcams recorded multiple incandescent outgassing vents within Pu'u 'O'o Crater and high on the NE rim. On 8 February a small lava flow erupted from the E vent. The June 27th NE-trending lava flow continued to be active within 6 km NE of Pu'u 'O'o Crater, burning some areas of forest. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Lokon-Empung (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Lokon-Empung Sangihe Volcanic Arc	Although inclement weather sometimes obscured views of Lokon-Empung's Tompaluan Crater, PVMBG reported that during 1 December 2015-4 February 2016 observers at the post in Kakaskasen Tomohon (North Sulawesi, 4 km from the crater) saw white plumes rising as high as 400 m above the crater. Seismicity fluctuated but decreased overall. No deformation was detected. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 5 February. Residents and tourists were reminded not to approach the crater within a radius of 1.5 km. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Masaya (Nicaragua) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Masaya Central America Volcanic Arc	INETER reported that during 4-5 and 7-8 February volcanic tremor at Masaya was at high levels. On 8 February the lava lake in the vent on the SE part of the Santiago crater floor was partially visible. Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)
Momotombo (Nicaragua) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Momotombo Central America Volcanic Arc	INETER reported that during 4-5 and 7-8 February both RSAM values at Momotombo were low to moderate and emissions were at moderate levels. Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)
Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Popocatepetl Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	CENAPRED reported that during 2-9 February the seismic network at Popocatépetl recorded 17-83 daily emissions consisting of water vapor, gas, and ash, and as many as nine explosions per day. Ash plumes during 6-7 February rose 700-800 m above the crater and drifted E. Crater incandescence was noted most nights and increased in intensity with some emissions. Explosions at 1630 and 1709 on 8 February generated ash plumes that rose 1 km and drifted ENE. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two. Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that during 29 January-5 February lava-dome extrusion onto Sheveluch’s N flank was accompanied by fumarolic activity, dome incandescence, ash explosions, and hot avalanches. Satellite images detected a daily and intense thermal anomaly over the dome. Ash plumes drifted about 60 km SW on 29 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Sinabung (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sinabung Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on satellite images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 9 February ash plumes from Sinabung rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 40 km NW. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Tengger Caldera (Indonesia) | 3 February-9 February 2016 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Tengger Caldera Sunda Volcanic Arc	Based on satellite images and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 6 and 9 February ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 35-45 km NE and W. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

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.

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)