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Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

Weekly Volcanic Activity Map

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 8 September-14 September 2020
Name Country Volcanic Province Eruption Start Date Report Status
Sinabung Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc New
Aira Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2017 Mar 25 Continuing
Bezymianny Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 2022 Mar 15 Continuing
Dukono Indonesia Halmahera Volcanic Arc 1933 Aug 13 Continuing
Ebeko Russia Kuril Volcanic Arc 2022 Jun 11 Continuing
Fuego Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc 2002 Jan 4 Continuing
Kadovar Papua New Guinea Bismarck Volcanic Arc Continuing
Kikai Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc Continuing
Manam Papua New Guinea Bismarck Volcanic Arc 2018 May 10 ± 10 days Continuing
Pacaya Guatemala Central America Volcanic Arc Continuing
Reventador Ecuador Northern Andean Volcanic Arc 2008 Jul 27 Continuing
Semeru Indonesia Sunda Volcanic Arc 2017 Jun 6 Continuing
Sheveluch Russia Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc 1999 Aug 15 Continuing
Suwanosejima Japan Ryukyu Volcanic Arc 2004 Oct 23 Continuing
Whakaari/White Island New Zealand Taupo Volcanic Zone 2024 May 24 Continuing
All times are local unless otherwise stated.
Weekly Reports Archive

Since the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report began in November 2000, there have been 20,627 individual reports over 1,243 weeks (average of 17 per week) on 338 different volcanoes.

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

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Adams Cotopaxi Iliwerung Llaima Popocatepetl Sumisujima
Agung Cuicocha Inielika Lokon-Empung Purace Sundoro
Ahyi Cumbal Ioto Lonquimay Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Suoh
Aira Dabbahu Irazu Lopevi Rabaul Suretamatai
Akan Davidof Iwatesan Machin Raikoke Suwanosejima
Alaid Dempo Iya Makushin Ranakah Taal
Alu-Dalafilla Descabezado Grande Izu-Torishima Maly Semyachik Raoul Island Tair, Jebel at
Ambae Dieng Volcanic Complex Jackson Segment Manam Rasshua Takawangha
Ambang Dukono Kaba Manda Hararo Raung Talang
Ambrym East Epi Kadovar Marapi Redoubt Tambora
Anatahan Ebeko Kaitoku Seamount Maroa Reventador Tanaga
Aniakchak Ebulobo Kama'ehuakanaloa Martin Reykjanes Tandikat-Singgalang
Antillanca Volcanic Complex Edgecumbe Kambalny Masaya Rincon de la Vieja Tangkoko-Duasudara
Antuco Egon Kanaga Matthew Island Rinjani Tangkuban Parahu
Apoyeque Ekarma Kanlaon Maule, Laguna del Ritter Island Tara, Batu
Arenal Eldey Karangetang Mauna Loa Rotorua Ta'u
Asamayama Erebus Karkar Mayon Ruang Taupo
Askja Erta Ale Karthala McDonald Islands Ruapehu Telica
Asosan Etna Karymsky Melebingoy Ruby Tenerife
Atka Volcanic Complex Etorofu-Yakeyama [Grozny Group] Kasatochi Melimoyu Ruiz, Nevado del Tengger Caldera
Augustine Eyjafjallajokull Katla Merapi Sabancaya Three Sisters
Avachinsky Fagradalsfjall Katmai Midagahara Sakar Tinakula
Awu Fernandina Kavachi Misti, El Salak Tofua
Axial Seamount Fogo Kelimutu Miyakejima San Cristobal Tokachidake
Azul, Cerro Fonualei Kelud Momotombo San Miguel Tolbachik
Azumayama Fournaise, Piton de la Kerinci Monowai San Vicente Toliman
Bagana Fourpeaked Ketoi Montagu Island Sangay Tongariro
Balbi Fuego Kharimkotan Moyorodake [Medvezhia] Sangeang Api Trident
Bamus Fujisan Kick 'em Jenny Mutnovsky Santa Ana Tungurahua
Banda Api Fukutoku-Oka-no-Ba Kie Besi Myojinsho Santa Maria Turrialba
Bardarbunga Galeras Kikai Nabro Sao Jorge Ubinas
Barren Island Galunggung Kilauea Negra, Sierra Sarigan Ugashik-Peulik
Batur Gamalama Kirishimayama Negro, Cerro Sarychev Peak Ukinrek Maars
Bezymianny Gamkonora Kita-Ioto Nightingale Island Saunders Ulawun
Bogoslof Gareloi Kizimen Nishinoshima Savo Unnamed
Brava Gaua Klyuchevskoy Nisyros Semeru Unnamed
Bristol Island Gorely Kolokol Group Novarupta Semisopochnoi Veniaminof
Bulusan Great Sitkin Koryaksky NW Rota-1 Seulawah Agam Villarrica
Calbuco Grimsvotn Krakatau Nyamulagira Sheveluch Vulcano
Callaqui Guagua Pichincha Krummel-Garbuna-Welcker Nyiragongo Shishaldin West Mata
Cameroon Guallatiri Krysuvik-Trolladyngja Ofu-Olosega Simbo Westdahl
Campi Flegrei Guntur Kuchinoerabujima Okataina Sinabung Whakaari/White Island
Campi Flegrei del Mar di Sicilia Hachijojima Kurikomayama Okmok Sinarka Witori
Cayambe Hakoneyama Kusatsu-Shiranesan Ontakesan Siple Wolf
Chachadake [Tiatia] Heard Kverkfjoll Oraefajokull Sirung Wrangell
Chaiten Hekla La Palma Osorno Slamet Yakedake
Chiginagak Helgrindur Lamington Pacaya Snaefellsjokull Yasur
Chikurachki Hierro Lamongan Pagan Soputan Yellowstone
Chiles-Cerro Negro Hokkaido-Komagatake Langila Palena Volcanic Group Sorikmarapi Yufu-Tsurumi
Chillan, Nevados de Home Reef Lanin Paluweh Sotara Zaozan [Zaosan]
Chirinkotan Hood Lascar Panarea Soufriere Hills Zavodovski
Chirpoi Huaynaputina Late Papandayan Soufriere St. Vincent Zhupanovsky
Ciremai Hudson, Cerro Lateiki Pavlof South Sarigan Seamount Zubair Group
Cleveland Huila, Nevado del Lengai, Ol Doinyo Pelee Spurr
Colima Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Leroboleng Peuet Sague St. Helens
Colo Ibu Lewotobi Pinatubo Stromboli
Concepcion Ijen Lewotolok Planchon-Peteroa Sulu Range
Copahue Iliamna Little Sitkin Poas Sumbing
 News Feeds and Google Placemarks


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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.



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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

 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)

Report for Sinabung
PVMBG reported that white plumes rose as high as 500 m above Sinabung’s summit and drifted in multiple directions during 9-15 September. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km on the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Aira
JMA reported that very small eruptive events at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were occasionally recorded during 7-14 September. Nighttime crater incandescence was noted during 9-10 and 12-13 September. The daily sulfur dioxide emission rate was elevated at 1,300 tons/day on 11 September. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Bezymianny
KVERT reported that a new lava dome began growing in the summit crater of Bezymianny around 26 August. A thermal anomaly over the summit was visible during 28-31 August and on 4, 8, and 10 September. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views of the volcano. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Dukono
Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-14 September ash plumes from Dukono rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Ebeko
Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 4-5 and 10 September that sent ash plumes up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and E. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Fuego
INSIVUMEH reported that there were 6-12 explosions per hour at Fuego recorded during 26 August-1 September, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim that generally drifted 10-20 km in multiple directions. Shock waves rattled buildings within a 20-km radius. Incandescent material ejected 100-300 m high caused avalanches of blocks in the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas, and Honda drainages; avalanches sometimes reached vegetated areas. Ashfall was reported daily in several areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW).

During 10-11 September a lava flow traveled 200 m down the Ceniza and lengthened to 700 m by 12 September; the front of the lava flow generated block avalanches. Strong Vulcanian explosions generated ash plumes that rose over 1.1 km above the crater rim during 11-12 September. Shorter portions of the lava flow were active through 14 September, and by 15 September the flow was 100 m long.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Kadovar
Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 September an ash plume from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Kikai
JMA reported that during 7-14 September white plumes from Satsuma Iwo-jima, a subaerial part of Kikai’s NW caldera rim, rose as high as 1 km above the Iodake crater rim. Incandescence from the crater was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Manam
The Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 September ash plumes from Manam rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, based on satellite data and weather models.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Report for Pacaya
On 13 September INSIVUMEH reported that during the previous week activity at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater was characterized by lava-flow effusion and Strombolian explosions that ejected material as high as 200 m above the vent. Ejected material landed within 50 m of the cone. An active lava flow that had traveled NE was 1,250 m long; another on the N flank was as long as 300 m. Explosive activity rattled houses within a 4-km radius. Lava flows continued to be active during 13-15 September; reaching 600 m long on the NE flank, 300 m long on the N flank, and 400-425 m long (and most active) on the S flank. Strombolian explosions continued to ejected material as high as 200 m.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Report for Reventador
IG reported that a high level of activity continued to be recorded at Reventador. In a special report, IG reviewed the activity had started in mid-June, characterized by strong explosions, the ejection of blocks that rolled down the flanks, and pyroclastic flows that descended the N, NE, and W flanks less than 1 km. Additionally, at the beginning of August, a small lava flow effused at the summit and traveled 400-500 m down the NE flank. Formation of a summit lava dome was also noted on 17 August. The number of thermal alerts was the highest in August compared to the rest of the year. The cone destroyed during a 2002 eruption had been rebuilt and was as tall or slightly taller by 11 September.

During 9-15 September gas, steam, and ash emissions observed with the webcam or reported by the Washington VAAC, sometimes multiple times a day, rose as high as 1 km above the summit crater and drifted N, NW, and W. Incandescent blocks rolled down the N flank during 9-10 September and as far as 600 m down the S and SW flanks during 13-15 September. The lava flow on the NE flank had not lengthened.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
Report for Semeru
According to PVMBG ground-based observers noted ash plumes from Semeru rising 400 m above the summit and drifting S on 14 September. An ash plume rose 500 m and drifted NE the next day. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Report for Sheveluch
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 4-5 and 8-10 September; weather clouds prevented views during 6-7 and 11 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Report for Suwanosejima
JMA reported periodic nighttime incandescence and three explosions at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 4-11 September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Report for Whakaari/White Island
On 15 September GeoNet reported continuing but low levels of activity at Whakaari/White Island. Over the previous six weeks the team conducted three flights to measure gas emissions and one for visual observations. The data show that shallow magma was degassing at a high rate through an open, unobstructed system. Temperatures at the gas vents remained high (around 440 degrees Celsius), though that is 100 degrees less than when measured in July. Some of the gas vents had become larger and water had ponded on the crater floor. Continuing subsidence of the active vent areas and the S and W parts of Main Crater wall was indicated by deformation measurements. Volcanic tremor had been generally low, except for a short period in early August. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 1 and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
Source: GeoNet