All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Lewotolok (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Lewotolok Sunda Volcanic Arc	According to PVMBG continuous tremor at Lewotolo began to be recorded at 1943 on 26 November, and a series of volcanic earthquakes began at 1947. A new eruption started at 0557 on 27 November, producing dense blackish gray ash plumes that rose 500 m above the summit and drifted W. Incandescence at the summit was visible, and the emissions turned white around 0630. Seismicity slightly decreased after the eruption, though continuous tremor persisted for a period of time. Dense white plumes rose as high as 400 m and nighttime incandescence was noted during 27-28 November. During the morning of 29 November seismicity again increased, characterized by six deep volcanic earthquakes; continuous tremor appeared around 0930. At 0945 a 10-minute eruption sent dense gray-to-black ash plumes 4 km above the summit that drifted W and NW at lower heights and SE and E near the top of the plume. Ashfall was reported in several surrounding villages and video posted on social media showed tephra falling on roofs in residential areas. According to BNPB, Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD) evacuated almost 4,500 residents from 26 villages to seven evacuation centers. At 1300, the Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the summer crater. Ash plumes continued to rise on at least six more occasions, and around 1900 Strombolian activity was visible. A pungent sulfur odor was noted at the Lewotolo observation post. Satellite data showed that a sulfur dioxide plume had drifted over the N half of Australia by 30 November. Ash plumes continued to be emitted during 30 November-1 December, with dense white-and-gray ash plumes rising 700-2,000 m above the summit. Lava flows near the summit were visible and incandescent material traveled down the flanks. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Advanced geospatial Data Management Platform (ADAM)
Merapi (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Merapi Sunda Volcanic Arc	BPPTKG reported that during 20-26 November white emissions from Merapi rose as high as 750 m above the summit. Avalanches of material traveled down the flanks, as far as 1 km in the Lamat drainage (W flank) at 0648 on 22 November. A comparison of photos taken on 19 and 26 November showed morphology changes in the summit area from a collapse of part of the 1954 dome. Seismicity was higher than the previous week. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data continued to measure a distance shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 11 cm per day. During overflights on 26 and 27 November BNPB and BPPTKG observers noted many new avalanche deposits on the NW, W, and SW flanks. As of 27 November, there were 2,318 people spread across 15 evacuation shelters, according to BNPB. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Sources: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG), Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB)
Semeru (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report
Semeru Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 1 October-30 November. White-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 500 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Rock avalanches were intermittently recorded starting on 19 October. A significant increase in the number rock avalanches was detected on 28 November. Pyroclastic flows originating from the ends of lava flows traveled 1 km down the SE flank. At 0123 on 1 December pyroclastic flows from the summit lava dome traveled 2-11 km down the Kobokan drainage on the SE flank. The Darwin VAAC initially reported ash plumes to 15 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. but after further analysis noted that plumes rose to a lower altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. BNPB reported that the pyroclastic flows destroyed some mining machinery and impacted livestock, agricultural fields, and businesses. Some residents had evacuated and then returned to their homes; one person was missing. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 1 km and extensions to 4 km in the SSE sector. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Aira (Japan) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Aira Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	JMA reported that during 23-30 November incandescence from Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Very small eruptive events were recorded. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale). Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Dukono (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Dukono Halmahera Volcanic Arc	Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 25 and 28-30 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE. 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)
Ebeko (Russia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ebeko Kuril Volcanic Arc	Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 21-24 November that sent ash plumes up to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE, E, and SE. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 23-24 November. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Erta Ale (Ethiopia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Erta Ale Afar Rift Volcanic Province	Satellite data periodically showed possible thermal anomalies in Erta Ale’s N pit crater during 5 September-10 October; the crater was sometimes obscured by fumes through 29 November. A weak thermal anomaly may have been present in the S pit crater during 5 September-24 November, but was notably larger on 29 November. Source: Sentinel Hub
Ibu (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Ibu Halmahera Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that at 1818 on 27 November a gray ash plume from Ibu rose 800 m and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side. Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Klyuchevskoy Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that Strombolian and Vulcanian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during 20-27 November and lava advanced down the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in satellite images. During 20-21 and 23-26 November ash plumes drifted 186 km N, E, and SE. The Aviation Color Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Nishinoshima (Japan) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Nishinoshima Ogasawara Volcanic Arc	The Japan Coast Guard reported that during an overflight of Nishinoshima on 24 November scientists observed white fumarolic plumes rising from multiple locations on the inner crater wall and the rim. The inner crater wall continued to be hot. The ocean water was brown around the W, S, and E parts of the island. Source: Japan Coast Guard
Raung (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Raung Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that during 1-3 October dense gray plumes rose 50-300 m above Raung’s summit; neither eruptions nor gas emissions were visible afterwards, through 26 November. Seismicity decreased and deflation was recorded. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 27 November, and the public was warned to stay away from the summer crater. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Sheveluch (Russia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sheveluch Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 20-27 November. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Sinabung (Indonesia) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Sinabung Sunda Volcanic Arc	PVMBG reported that white-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 500 m above Sinabung’s summit daily during 25 November-1 December. Block avalanches traveled 1 km down the flank on 1 December. 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 in the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector. Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Suwanosejima (Japan) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Suwanosejima Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	JMA reported nighttime incandescence and intermittent eruptive activity at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 20-27 November. A total of 34 explosions were recorded, ejecting bombs up to 700 m away from the crater and producing gray-and-white plumes that rose 1.4 km above the crater rim. The Tokyo VAAC noted that ash plumes drifted S and SE. Ashfall was reported in Toshima village (4 km SSW). Crater incandescence was visible from the morning of 20 November through 22 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale). Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Telica (Nicaragua) | 25 November-1 December 2020 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report
Telica Central America Volcanic Arc	INETER reported that ash-and-gas plumes rose from Telica on 30 November and drifted NE. Social media posts noted that around 50 ash-and-gas plumes rose 100-400 m above the crater rim during 30 November-1 December. Ash fell in Los Cocos (9 km SSW), El Panal (9 km SSW), Verónica Lacayo (10 km SW), Nuevo Belén, and pictures showed vegetation and buildings coated in ash. Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER), GeoTerra6, Radio 580 Nicaragua

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.

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.

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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)