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 25 October-31 October 2023
Name	Country	Volcanic Province	Eruption Start Date	Report Status
Bezymianny	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	2022 Mar 15	New
Bogoslof	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	—	New
Bulusan	Philippines	Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc	—	New
Home Reef	Tonga	Tofua Volcanic Arc	—	New
Ioto	Japan	Ogasawara Volcanic Arc	—	New
Klyuchevskoy	Russia	Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc	—	New
Reykjanes	Iceland	Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province	—	New
Slamet	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	New
Aira	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2017 Mar 25	Continuing
Ambrym	Vanuatu	Vanuatu Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Aniakchak	United States	Alaska Peninsula Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
East Epi	Vanuatu	Vanuatu Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Ebeko	Russia	Kuril Volcanic Arc	2022 Jun 11	Continuing
Erta Ale	Ethiopia	Afar Rift Volcanic Province	1967 Jul 2 (in or before) ± 182 days	Continuing
Fuego	Guatemala	Central America Volcanic Arc	2002 Jan 4	Continuing
Great Sitkin	United States	Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc	2021 May 25	Continuing
Ibu	Indonesia	Halmahera Volcanic Arc	2008 Apr 5	Continuing
Krakatau	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Lewotolok	Indonesia	Sunda Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Mayon	Philippines	Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc	—	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
Suwanosejima	Japan	Ryukyu Volcanic Arc	2004 Oct 23	Continuing
Ubinas	Peru	Central Andean Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Ulawun	Papua New Guinea	Bismarck Volcanic Arc	—	Continuing
Villarrica	Chile	Southern Andean Volcanic Arc	2014 Dec 2 ± 7 days	Continuing
Yasur	Vanuatu	Vanuatu Volcanic Arc	1270 ± 110 years	Continuing

All times are local unless otherwise stated.

Bezymianny (Russia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Bezymianny
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 20-26 October. Dates are UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Bogoslof (United States) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Bogoslof
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

Unrest continued at Bogoslof during 25-31 October with numerous daily earthquakes recorded in seismic data. No additional signs of unrest were recorded in satellite data. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second color on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Bulusan (Philippines) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Bulusan
Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc

PHIVOLCS reported that increased seismicity at Bulusan that began on 14 October continued. The seismic network recorded a total of 121 volcanic earthquakes from 0500 on 14 October to 1500 on 25 October. Out of those, 37 were volcano-tectonic events associated with rock fracturing and were located at depths of 1-9 km beneath the NW and SE flanks of the volcano. Ground deformation data from electronic tiltmeter stations continued to record inflation at the S flank, first detected in February, and at the NE flank since September. The Alert Level was raised to 1 (the second level on a scale of 0-5) and PHIVOLCS reminded the public not to enter the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to be vigilant within the 2-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the SE flank.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Home Reef (Tonga) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Home Reef
Tofua Volcanic Arc

The Tonga Geological Services reported that the eruption at Home Reef was ongoing. A total of nine eruptive events were detected in satellite data during 21-30 October. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-color scale) and mariners were advised to stay 4 km away from the island.

Source: Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga

Ioto (Japan) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Ioto
Ogasawara Volcanic Arc

According to a news source, an eruption at Ioto (Iwo-jima) occurred at a vent located about 1 km off the coast of Okinahama, on the SE side the island. During an overflight on 30 October observers recorded explosions every few minutes that ejected dark material about 20 m above the ocean. Ejecta from the vent built a black-colored island and floating pumice was present around the island.

Source: The Mainichi Daily News

Klyuchevskoy (Russia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Klyuchevskoy
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that the Strombolian eruption at Klyuchevskoy continued during 20-29 October and a daily bright thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. Lava fountains sometimes rose as high as 500 m above the summit and fed lava flows that descended the Apakhonchichsky and Kozyrevsky drainages on the SE and S flanks. Phreatic explosions were sometimes generated from the interaction with lava and glaciers on the flanks and caused collapses of older deposits in the drainages. Plumes of the previously deposited ash generally rose as high as 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 280 km NE, E, and SE during 22-29 October, though on 23 and 29 October plumes rose as high as 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. Scientists at the Kamchatka Volcanological Station visited the volcano on 28 October and noted that the cinder cone at the summit had grown. They also observed advancing lava on the E flank that extended about 2 km from the summit to 2,700 m elevation, incandescent material being ejected 500 m above the crater, and avalanches in the Apakhonchichsky drainage. Ash plumes rose more than 2 km.

Activity intensified on 31 October. Ash plumes were identified in satellite images rising as high as 10 km (32,800 ft) a.s.l., prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation Color Code to Red (the highest level on a four-color scale). Ash plumes had drifted as far as 1,300 km SSE. Dates and times are in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Kamchatka Volcanological Station

Reykjanes (Iceland) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Reykjanes
Iceland Neovolcanic Rift Volcanic Province

IMO reported that an intense earthquake swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula began on 24 October. By 1700 on 26 October more than 4,000 earthquakes had been located at depths of 2-6 km. A total of 14 earthquakes had a magnitude over M 3; the largest event, a M 4.5, was recorded at 0818 on 25 October. Most of the activity occurred between Stóra-Skogafell and an area NE of Eldvörp. No ground deformation was recorded, though a single GPS station (FEFC), E of Festarfjall, recorded localized movement to the SE. During 25-26 October the displacement recorded by the FEFC station totaled about 2 cm and movement was also detected at a station in Selatangar. The swarm continued and by 1400 on 27 October more than 5,800 earthquakes had been recorded; a M 4 earthquake occurred at 0402 on 27 October and was located about 2 km N of Grindavík.

Seismicity decreased considerably by 1330 on 28 October, though the swarm was ongoing with a total of more than 7,000 earthquakes. Uplift centered around Svartsengi, 1.5 km NW of Mt. Thorbjorn, was clearly evident in satellite radar and GPS data. The uplift had begun at some point the previous day and likely signified a magmatic intrusion at depth. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code for Reykjanes to Yellow (the second level on a four-color scale) at 1518 on 28 October. During 1130 on 29 October to 1130 on 30 October about 1,300 earthquakes occurred at depths of 2-4 km. The largest event was a M 2.7 at 1140 on 29 October. Uplift continued during 28-31 October, though the rates began to decrease. Modeling suggested that magma was accumulating at a depth of about 4 km. An earthquake swarm began at 0840 on 31 October and lasted about two hours. The events were located at depths of 1.5-5 km and indicted that magma was moving.

Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)

Slamet (Indonesia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | New Activity / Unrest Cite this Report

Slamet
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that daily white emissions rose 50-100 m above Slamet’s summit and drifted S and W during 25-30 October. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 30 October and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the summit crater.

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

Aira (Japan) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aira
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported ongoing activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 23-30 October, with incandescence at the crater observed nightly. An eruptive period was recorded during 0346-0430 on 24 October; at 0346 a notable ash plume rose as high as 3.4 km above the crater rim and drifted E and ejected large blocks 1-1.3 km from the crater rim. At 0416 an ash plume rose 2.1 km above the crater rim and drifted E. A large amount of ashfall, likely from those events, was observed in Kurokami Town during a field survey later that day. Sulfur dioxide emissions were high on 25 October, averaging 2,200 tons per day. During an aerial observation on 25 October scientists noted that the N side of Showa Crater had slightly enlarged compared to the previous observations on 8 March. A high-temperature geothermal area on the Minamidake Crater floor was also visible. Periods of inflation were recorded in deformation data during 0000-1400 on 26 October and 0100-1600 on 28 October. An eruptive event at 0116 on 30 October produced an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim and drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from both craters.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Ambrym (Vanuatu) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ambrym
Vanuatu Volcanic Arc

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported ongoing volcanic earthquakes and tremors at Ambrym during October. Volcanic activity increased for a few hours during 22-23 October and diffuse gas emissions were detected in satellite data on 23 October. The Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 0-5) on 28 April. VMGD warned the public to stay outside of Permanent Danger Zone A, defined as a 1-km radius around Benbow Crater and a 2-km radius around Marum Crater, and additionally to stay 500 m away from the ground cracks created by the December 2018 eruption.

Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD)

Aniakchak (United States) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Aniakchak
Alaska Peninsula Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that on 26 October strong winds in areas NW of Aniakchak and E of Port Heiden dispersed unconsolidated ash up to 0.9 km (3,000 ft) a.s.l. to the NW. The ash cloud was visible in satellite images and in Port Heiden webcam views. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale). Equipment failed on 30 October, so AVO could no longer seismically monitor the volcano at an adequate level and determine if activity was at a typical background level. Both the Volcano Alert Level and the Aviation Color Code were changed to Unassigned.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

East Epi (Vanuatu) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

East Epi
Vanuatu Volcanic Arc

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) reported that minor unrest continued at Epi during October. Volcanic seismicity was sustained, though no surficial activity was observed. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5) and the public was warned to stay outside of the Danger Zone, defined as a 2-km radius around the active submarine vent.

Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD)

Ebeko (Russia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ebeko
Kuril Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity at Ebeko was ongoing during 19-26 October. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E), explosions generated ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l and drifted NE. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale). Dates are UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Erta Ale (Ethiopia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Erta Ale
Afar Rift Volcanic Province

Eruptive activity at Erta Ale continued during 20-25 October based on satellite data. The four thermal anomalies, located in the N and S pit craters and aligned in a NW-SE direction, were less bright on 25 October relative to the 20 October image.

Source: Sentinel Hub

Fuego (Guatemala) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Fuego
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that, in general, 2-7 explosions per hour were recorded at Fuego during 24-31 October, though the rate of explosions was not noted on some of the days. The explosions generated ash-and-gas plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted as far as 30 km mainly SW and W. Ashfall was reported on most of the days in areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Sangre de Cristo (8 km W), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), and Palo Verde (10 km WSW). Weak rumbling and shock waves were recorded daily. Explosions caused daily block avalanches that descended various drainages including the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Taniluyá (SW), El Jute (ESE), and Las Lajas (SE), sometimes reaching vegetated areas. The explosions ejected incandescent material 100-300 m above the summit on most of the days.

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

Great Sitkin (United States) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Great Sitkin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that slow lava effusion likely continued at Great Sitkin during 25-31 October, producing a thick flow in the summit crater that mainly expanded E. Seismicity was characterized as low with only a few daily earthquakes recorded by the seismic network. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data during 24-27 October, indicative of the eruption of lava. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Ibu (Indonesia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ibu
Halmahera Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that Ibu continued to erupt during 25-31 October. Daily white-and-gray ash emissions rose 200-1,000 m above the summit and drifted NW, NE, E, and SE. The Alert Level remained at a 2 (the second highest level on a four-level scale), with the public advised to stay outside of the 2 km hazard zone and 3.5 km away from the N area of the active crater.

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

Krakatau (Indonesia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Krakatau
Sunda Volcanic Arc

In a press release PVMBG reported that there was a significant increase in seismicity at Krakatau on 28 October, indicating the movement of magma towards the surface. Deformation measurements showed inflation at two of the stations since April and at one of the stations since September. White gas-and-steam plumes rose as high as 300 m above the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater.

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

Lewotolok (Indonesia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Lewotolok
Sunda Volcanic Arc

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 25-31 October. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 350-500 m above the summit and W and NW during 26-27 and 29 October. White steam-and-gas plumes rose 300-400 m and drifted W and NW on the other days during the week. Webcam images captured at 2102 on 25 October and 2224 on 26 October showed incandescent material being ejected above the summit. 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 summit crater.

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

Mayon (Philippines) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Mayon
Eastern Philippine Volcanic Arc

PHIVOLCS reported that slow lava effusion at Mayon’s summit crater continued during 11-17 October. The lengths of the lava flow in the Mi-Isi (S), Bonga (SE), and Basud (E) drainages remained at 2.8 km, 3.4 km, and 1.1 km, respectively. Collapses at the lava dome produced incandescent rockfalls and occasional pyroclastic density currents (PDCs, or pyroclastic flows) that descended the flanks as far as 4 km. Each day the seismic network recorded 97-226 rockfall events and 40-137 volcanic earthquakes mostly characterized as tremor events that each lasted 1-72 minutes. There were 48-53 daily PDC events during 25-26 October and 1-4 daily PDC events during the rest of the week. Sulfur dioxide emissions, measured almost daily, averaged between 600 and 1,257 tonnes per day, with the highest value recorded on 29 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 0-5 scale) and residents were reminded to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ). PHIVOLCS recommended that civil aviation authorities advise pilots to avoid flying close to the summit.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Santa Maria (Guatemala) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Santa Maria
Central America Volcanic Arc

INSIVUMEH reported that eruptive activity continued at Santa Maria’s Santiaguito lava dome complex during 24-31 October with lava extrusion at Caliente dome. Incandescence from the dome was visible during most nights and early mornings, and occasionally from the lava flow on the upper WSW flank. Daily weak-to-moderate explosions occurring at a rate of 1-4 per hour generated gas-and-ash plumes that rose 700-1,000 m above the dome and drifted W and SW. Explosions produced block-and-ash flows that descended the SW, S, SE, and E flanks of Caliente dome and were occasionally accompanied by small pyroclastic flows.

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

Sheveluch (Russia) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Sheveluch
Eastern Kamchatka Volcanic Arc

KVERT reported that the eruption at Sheveluch continued during 19-26 October. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 20, 23-24, and 26 October; weather clouds obscured views on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third 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)

Shishaldin (United States) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Shishaldin
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

AVO reported that unrest at Shishaldin continued during 25-31 October with observations suggesting ongoing degassing of magma at shallow levels beneath the summit. Seismicity was elevated, consisting of seismic tremor and small, low-frequency earthquakes, though activity had begun to slowly decline after the last explosive event on 3 October. Minor steam emissions were visible in webcam images during 24-25 October. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite data during 28-29 October, though they did not indicate lava at the surface. On 31 October the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Advisory (the second level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow (the second color on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Suwanosejima (Japan) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Suwanosejima
Ryukyu Volcanic Arc

JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 23-30 October. Eruptive events during 25-27 and 29-30 October generated plumes that rose as high as 1.9 km above the crater rim and drifted SE, S, and SW and ejected large blocks as far as 400 m from the vent. Ash fell in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW). The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale) and the public was warned to stay at least 1 km away from the crater.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Ubinas (Peru) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ubinas
Central Andean Volcanic Arc

Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that the eruption at Ubinas continued during 23-29 October at low-to-moderate levels. There were daily averages of 175 volcano-tectonic earthquakes indicating rock fracturing and 17 long-period earthquakes signifying the movement of gas and magma. Daily gas-and-steam plumes rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim and drifted in multiple directions. At 0043 on 27 October an ash, gas, and steam emission rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted SE and E. A minor thermal anomaly on the crater floor was visible. The Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the crater.

Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP)

Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Ulawun
Bismarck Volcanic Arc

Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that variable amounts of white steam emissions rose from Ulawun’s summit crater during 1-28 October and drifted SE; small volumes of blue vapor were visible on 18 October. Low-level seismicity, characterized by small continuous volcanic tremors recorded during the last week of September, continued through the first week of October. Small, discrete, low-frequency volcanic earthquakes and short-duration sub-continuous volcanic tremors emerged on 8 October and fluctuated at low-to-moderate levels through 28 October. The pattern of seismicity again changed on 28 October when both low-frequency and high-frequency earthquakes were detected. Though activity was forecasted to remain low, RVO noted that some of the seismic patterns were similar to those observed before the 14 and 25 September eruptions; RVO recommended that the Alert Level be raised to Stage 2 (on the four-level scale).

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Villarrica (Chile) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Villarrica
Southern Andean Volcanic Arc

SERNAGEOMIN reported that at 0700 on 31 October an ash-and-gas plume rose 260 m above Villarrica’s crater rim. The Volcanic Alert level remained at Yellow (the third level on a four-level scale) according to SERNAGEOMIN and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the crater. SENAPRED maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of Villarrica, Pucón (16 km N), Curarrehue, and Panguipulli.

Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), Sistema y Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Repuesta Ante Desastres (SENAPRED)

Yasur (Vanuatu) | 25 October-31 October 2023 | Continuing ActivityCite this Report

Yasur
Vanuatu Volcanic Arc

The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD) reported that activity at Yasur continued at a high level of “major unrest,” as defined by the Alert Level 2 status (the middle level on a scale of 0-4) during October. Recent satellite observations indicated an increase in steam, gas, and ash emissions from the summit crater. Explosions continued, with some ejecting bombs that landed back in and around the crater. A significant landslide occurred inside the vent on 10 October. The public was reminded to not enter the restricted area within 600 m around the boundaries of the Permanent Exclusion Zone, defined by Danger Zone A on the hazard map.

Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department (VMGD)

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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.

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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