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 2 March-8 March 2022
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Fuego	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	2002 Jan 4	New
Kirishimayama	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	—	New
Langila	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2015 Oct 22 (?)	New
Manam	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	2018 May 10 ± 10 days	New
Davidof	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Descabezado Grande	Chile	Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Great Sitkin	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	2021 May 25	Continuing
Karymsky	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	2024 Jun 20	Continuing
Kilauea	United States	Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group	2024 Sep 15	Continuing
Merapi	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	2020 Dec 31	Continuing
Pavlof	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt	2005 Jan 9	Continuing
Santa Maria	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	1922 Jun 22	Continuing
Semeru	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	2017 Jun 6	Continuing
Semisopochnoi	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Sheveluch	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	1999 Aug 15	Continuing
Suwanosejima	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2004 Oct 23	Continuing
Wolf	Ecuador	Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group	—	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Fuego (Guatemala) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

In a series of special bulletins, INSIVUMEH summarized increased activity at Fuego during 6-8 March that culminated in multiple pyroclastic flows and evacuations. A new period of effusion had begun on 5 March, resulting in a 300-m-long lava flow in the Ceniza drainage on the SSW flank. Explosions were weak to moderate in intensity, incandescent pulses were visible, and avalanches descended the Ceniza valley. Staff at the Observatorio Vulcanológico del Volcán de Fuego (OVFGO) in Panimaché I (8 km SW) noted that Strombolian activity intensified at around 1800 on 6 March. Incandescent material was ejected 200 m high and ash plumes rose along avalanches that traveled down the Ceniza and Trinidad (S) drainages. Rumbling sounds became more intense and frequent. By around 0930 on 7 March lava flows were 400 and 200 m long in the Ceniza and Santa Teresa (W) ravines, respectively. Incandescent material was ejected 100-200 m high and avalanches descended the Ceniza, Trinidad, and Santa Teresa.

By the afternoon activity again significantly increased based on both seismic and acoustic data as well as reports from observers at OVFGO and Observatorio Vulcanológico del Volcán de Agua (OVAGU). RSAM values increased just after 1200, peaking at a value just under 8,000, and notable pyroclastic flows were observed from OVFGO descending the Ceniza drainage at 1300. According to CONRED about 370 people were evacuated from Panimaché I and San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW). During the next hour larger, and more significant and frequent pyroclastic flows descended the Ceniza, sometimes spilling over the banks of the drainage. Ash fell in San Pedro Yepocapa and in other areas downwind. RSAM values decreased around 1400 but remained high. Pyroclastic flows continued to descend the drainage into the evening, and rumbling sounds, weak to moderate in intensity, were constantly audible. Weather clouds prevented clear views of the upper flanks. Ashfall was reported in Panimaché I and II, Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Yucales, El Porvenir 8 km ENE), and Sangré de Cristo (8 km WSW). Between 1900-2200 RSAM values significantly increased and reached a peak value of around 14,000. Weather clouds cleared allowing for observations of the summit and upper flanks; pyroclastic flows continued to descend the Ceniza and avalanches and possible smaller pyroclastic flows traveled towards the Las Lajas drainage on the SE flank. A sulfur odor was reported in areas near the volcano and ash plumes drifted as far as 100 km NW and 40 km W and SW. Activity progressively declined during the morning of 8 March, with decreased effusion and eruption sounds; RSAM values declined by 0300 and remained low though 0735.

Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED)

Kirishimayama (Japan) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Kirishimayama
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported an increase in volcanic earthquakes just below Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak, a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group). A total of 17 events were recorded during 1-2 March, prompting JMA to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) on 2 March. No changes were seen at the volcano during a field visit that same day. Volcanic earthquakes persisted, with 5-12 events per day recorded through 7 March. Emissions had risen no higher than 30 m above the crater rim since 1 January, and fumarolic plumes continued to rise no higher than 100 m from a fissure on the W flank. During a field survey conducted on 4 March at the base of the volcano, sulfur dioxide emissions were below the detectable limit and no changes to area hot springs were observed.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Langila (Papua New Guinea) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Langila
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

The Darwin VAAC reported that on 6 March an ash plume from Langila rose 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. The plume had dissipated within an hour. On 8 March an ash plume rose to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. Ash was no longer visible in satellite images within three hours.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Manam (Papua New Guinea) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Manam
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

RVO reported that a small pyroclastic flow descending Manam’s flank was visually observed and recorded in webcam images at 0911 on 8 March. Minor ash emissions drifting NW were occasionally visible throughout the day. RSAM values sharply increased at 1900 coincident with escalating activity. An intense Strombolian phase at Southern Crater was observed during 1910-2030, characterized by loud roaring and rumbling heard on the mainland (22 km SW), bright summit incandescence, and ash emissions. The Alert Level was raised to Stage 3. The Darwin VAAC estimated that by 1950 the ash plume had risen as high as 15.2 km (50,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. The plume had detached from the summit by 2050 and dissipated by 0050 on 9 March. Following the more intense eruptive phase, activity at Southern Crater was quiet and only white vapor emissions were visible. Observatory staff conducted a field visit the next day and noted no reports of roof collapses nor casualties in areas to the NW; vegetation including food crops were covered with ash.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Davidof (United States) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Davidof
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

According to AVO the earthquake swarm that began on 24 January in the vicinity at Davidof continued at least through 8 March with a few small earthquakes recorded each day by seismometers on Little Sitkin (15 km E). The earthquakes were shallow (less than 10 km deep) and the largest recorded during the last 7-10 days was a M 3.9. The swarm was either related to tectonic processes or volcanic unrest. The volcano is also monitored by satellite and remote infrasound and lightning networks. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Descabezado Grande (Chile) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Descabezado Grande
Southern Andean Volcanic Arc

According to the Buenos Aires VAAC a diffuse cloud of resuspended ash from Descabezado Grande was visible in a satellite data on 8 March.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Great Sitkin (United States) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Great Sitkin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that slow lava effusion at Great Sitkin likely continued during 2-8 March and very low seismicity persisted. Elevated surface temperatures were periodically identified in satellite images. A possible steam plume rising above the weather clouds was visible during 4-5 March. The Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Orange and Watch, respectively.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Karymsky (Russia) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Karymsky
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in satellite images during 25-28 February. The volcano was obscured by clouds on the other days during 1-4 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Kilauea (United States) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Kilauea
Hawaiian-Emperor Hotspot Volcano Group

HVO reported that lava effusion at the vent of the main cone in the lower W wall of Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater continued at variable rates during 2-8 March. After a brief pause effusion from the W vent resumed at about 0100 on 2 March and continued through 7 March. Lava from the vent traveled S and W, into the western active lava lake. Lava occasionally oozed out from the margins of the lake during 3-6 March, particularly along the E and N margins. A pause in effusion began in the evening of 7 March. The Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Orange and Watch, respectively.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Merapi (Indonesia) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Merapi
Sunda Volcanic Arc

BPPTKG reported no significant morphological changes at Merapi’s summit lava dome during 25 February-3 March but there had been collapses at the SW dome, located just below the SW rim. Seismicity remained at high levels. As many as 73 lava avalanches traveled a maximum of 2 km down the Bebeng drainage on the SW flank. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-5 km away from the summit based on location.

Source: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG)

Pavlof (United States) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Pavlof
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that the eruption at Pavlof was ongoing during 2-8 March. Small explosions were detected on most days. Lava effusion likely continued from a vent just E of the summit, possibly sending lava flows a short distance down the NE flank, though weather clouds often obscured views. Elevated surface temperatures were often identified in satellite images. A high-resolution satellite image acquired during 5-6 March showed a developing spatter cone in the E crater, as well as no active lava flows nor widespread ash deposits on the flanks. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Popocatepetl (Mexico) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Popocatepetl
Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

During an overflight of Popocatépetl on 23 February, Instituto de Geofísica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and CENAPRED scientists noted that the inner crater dimensions were similar to those recorded in November 2021. The inner crater was 390-410 m in diameter and 160-200 m deep; the crater floor was covered in tephra and the remains of recent lava domes. Each day during 1-8 March there were 9-50 steam-and-gas emissions with diffuse ash rising from the crater and drifting W and NE. An explosion was recorded at 0959 on 4 March. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (the middle level on a three-color scale).

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that the eruption at Santa María’s Santiaguito lava-dome complex continued during 1-8 March. Incandescence from Caliente crater and the lava flows on the W and SW flanks was visible nightly. Avalanches generated by both lava effusion and collapsing material descended the W, SW, and S flanks, often reaching the base of the dome. Periodically the avalanches produced ash along their paths that fell on to the flanks or dissipated near the volcano.

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

Semeru (Indonesia) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Semeru
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 2-8 March, causing the observatory to issue several VONAs mostly for ash plumes. Ground observers noted an ash plume at 0540 on 3 March that rose vertically 4.2 km above the summit. At 2004 later that day a pyroclastic flow originating from the end of a lava flow descended the Kobokan drainage on the SE flank; an ash plume was not visible. Ash plumes at 0742 on 5 March, and at 0603 and 0734 on 6 March, rose 400-500 m above the summit and drifted N and NW. Ash plumes at 0534 and 0735 on 7 March rose 1 km and drifted SSE and NW, respectively. More ash plumes at 0541 and 0758 on 8 March rose 400 m and drifted SW and S. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 500 m away from Kobokan drainages within 17 km of the summit, along with other drainages originating on Semeru, including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.

Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)

Semisopochnoi (United States) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Semisopochnoi
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that low-level eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi's North Cerberus cone continued during 1-8 March. Local seismic and infrasound instruments recorded daily small explosions. Weather clouds often prevented satellite and webcam views of the volcano, though explosions likely produced low ash clouds from the summit and they were visually confirmed during 4-8 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Sheveluch (Russia) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 25 February-4 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Suwanosejima (Japan) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that eruption plumes at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater rose as high as 2.4 km during 28 February-7 March and blocks were ejected as far as 800 m from the crater. Three explosions were recorded and crater incandescence was visible nightly. Ashfall was reported in areas as far as 5 km from the vent including in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW). The Alert Level remained at 3 and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Wolf (Ecuador) | 2 March-8 March 2022 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Wolf
Galapagos Hotspot Volcano Group

IG reported that the eruption at Wolf continued during 1-8 March. Daily thermal alert counts, as many as 125, indicated active and advancing lava flows on the SSE flank.

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

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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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