Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that a new eruption began at Ubinas on 22 June after three days of increased seismicity. The seismic network recorded a total of 315 volcano-tectonic earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 1.8 and 281 long-period earthquakes. The eruption began at 0011 on 22 June with a minor ash plume rising 1 km above the crater rim and drifted E based on seismicity and webcams.

During 23-25 June IGP reported a total of 402 volcano-tectonic earthquakes with a maximum magnitude of 1.9 and 865 long-period earthquakes. Sporadic diffuse ash emissions continued during this period that rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim. On 23 June the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that diffuse ash plumes were visible in satellite images rising to 6.4 km (21,000 ft) a.s.l., or about 700 m above the summit, and drifting NE and NW. At 1500 they noted that continuous steam emissions occasionally accompanied by diffuse ash puffs were visible in webcam images. On 24 June small diffuse ash puffs were visible in webcam and satellite images rising 6.4-7 km (21,000-23,000 ft) a.s.l., or 700-1,300 m above the summit, and drifting NW. On 25 June continuous gas emissions with sporadic diffuse ash puffs were visible in webcam images, though the ash was too diffuse to be detected in satellite images. IGP noted that no notable deformation nor thermal anomalies were detected. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-color scale).

Geological Summary. The truncated appearance of Ubinas, Perú's most active volcano, is a result of a 1.4-km-wide crater at the summit. It is the northernmost of three young volcanoes located along a regional structural lineament about 50 km behind the main volcanic front. The growth and destruction of Ubinas I was followed by construction of Ubinas II beginning in the mid-Pleistocene. The upper slopes of the andesitic-to-rhyolitic Ubinas II stratovolcano are composed primarily of andesitic and trachyandesitic lava flows and steepen to nearly 45°. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit crater contains an ash cone with a 500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200 m deep. Debris-avalanche deposits from the collapse of the SE flank about 3,700 years ago extend 10 km from the volcano. Widespread Plinian pumice-fall deposits include one from about 1,000 years ago. Holocene lava flows are visible on the flanks, but activity documented since the 16th century has consisted of intermittent minor-to-moderate explosive eruptions.

Sources: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP), Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)