Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity – Ongoing Activity for the week of 7 June – 13 June 2017

Aira | Kyushu (Japan) : JMA reported four events at Showa Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 5-12 June, one of which was explosive. Material was ejected 800 m away the crater rim. Ash plumes rose as high as 3.2 km on 6 June and 1.9 km on 10 June. A very small event occurred at Minamidake summit crater on 5 June. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Asamayama | Honshu (Japan) : JMA stated that activity at Asama had been progressively increasing. During 2-5 June a plume rose less than 400 m above the active crater. Weak incandescence from the summit crater was recorded at night with a webcam. Sulfur dioxide flux was a little higher than 900 tons per day when measured on 2 June. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).

Bagana | Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 7-8 and 14 June ash plumes from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 65 km SW, W, and NW.

Cleveland | Chuginadak Island (USA) : AVO reported that on 6 June small low-frequency earthquakes at Cleveland were recorded by the seismic network. Elevated surface temperatures identified in satellite images during 6-7 June were consistent with lava effusion at the summit crater. No volcanic activity was detected in seismic, infrasound, or cloudy satellite images during 8-13 June, though AVO noted that lava effusion may have been occurring. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 12-13 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Dukono | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery, wind model data, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 7-14 June ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. Ash plumes drifted as far as 140 km E on 7 June.

Ebeko | Paramushir Island (Russia) : Based on observations by residents of Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island) about 7 km E of Ebeko, KVERT reported that explosive activity continued at the volcano during 2-9 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Fuego | Guatemala : INSIVUMEH reported that during 8-9 June explosions at Fuego generated ash plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted 15 km W, NW, and N. Rumbling was noted, and block avalanches descended multiple ravines. Lahars traveled down several ravines on the SE, S, and SW flanks, especially down the Pantaleón ravine. On 10 June at 1150 a lahar descended the Ceniza (SSW) drainage, carrying blocks 1 m in diameter. The lahar was 15-18 m wide and as deep as 3 m. During 10-11 June explosions produced ash plumes that rose 750-1,050 m and drifted 12-15 km W, NW, and N. Shock waves from some of the explosions were detected. Two hot lahars descended the flanks on 13 June. The first one traveled down the Pantaleón river and was 35 m wide and 2.5-3 m deep, and carried trees and blocks 2-3 m in diameter. The second lahar descended the Ceniza and was 25 m wide and 3 m deep, and carried blocks up to 2 m in diameter.

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-12 and 14 June ash plumes from Ibu rose 1.5-1.8 km (4,800-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, W, and SSW.

Kilauea | Hawaiian Islands (USA) : During 7-13 June HVO reported that the lava lake continued to rise, fall, and spatter in Kilauea’s Overlook crater. Webcams recorded incandescence from long-active sources within Pu’u ‘O’o Crater, from a vent high on the NE flank of the cone, and from a small lava pond (which had many small spattering sites along the margin) in a pit on the W side of the crater. The 61G lava flow, originating from a vent on Pu’u ‘O’o Crater’s E flank, continued to enter the ocean at Kamokuna. Field observations on 31 May revealed that the lava delta had grown to an area of approximately 0.01 square kilometers. A solidified lava ramp extended from the tube exit high on the sea cliff down to the delta, whose leading edge was about 100 m from the tube exit on the sea cliff.

Klyuchevskoy | Central Kamchatka (Russia) : KVERT reported that during 2-9 June explosions at Klyuchevskoy generated ash plumes that rose to 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 325 km NE, SE, and SW. A weak thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 4 and 8 June. The Aviation colour Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-colour scale).

Langila | New Britain (Papua New Guinea) : Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 7 June ash plumes from Langila rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 45 km NW. On 14 June ash plumes rose 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW.

Poas | Costa Rica :OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 7-13 June seismicity at Poás was characterized by low-amplitude tremor, discrete volcano-tectonic events, low-frequency events, and some periods of small long-period events with low amplitude. During 7-8 June the webcam recorded strong emissions of water vapor, magmatic gases, and particulates. A sulfur odor was reported in Alajuela, San Ramon, and Barva, and incandescence in the area of the crater was recorded at night. OVSICORI-UNA noted that during 8-9 June a plume of water vapor, magmatic gases, and particulates rose from two vents; the lake had evaporated and exposed the vents. A minor sulfur odor was reported on the campus of the Universidad Nacional in Heredia. Events at 1610 and 1750 on 11 June generated plumes that rose 300 and 600 m above the crater, respectively. Plumes from the vents rose 1 km during 12-13 June. A sulfur odor was noted in Quesada, Santa Ana, San José de Alajuela, and San Juanillo Naranjo.

Sabancaya | Peru : Observatorio Vulcanológico del Sur del IGP (OVS-IGP) and Observatorio Vulcanológico del INGEMMET (OVI) reported that explosive activity at Sabancaya slightly decreased from the previous week; there was an average of 31 explosions recorded per day during 5-11 June. The number and magnitude of long-period and hybrid events were moderate and low, respectively. Levels of long-period events were moderate and hybrid events were low. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.8 km above the crater rim and drifted more than 30 km E and SE. The MIROVA system detected four thermal anomalies, spread over the SE, N, and NW flanks. Sulfur dioxide flux was as high as 3,392 tons per day on 6 June.

Sinabung | Indonesia : Based on PVMBG observations, webcam and satellite images, and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 12-14 June ash plumes from Sinabung rose 3.4-5.5 km (11,000-18,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and S.

Turrialba | Costa Rica : OVSICORI-UNA reported that tremor amplitude at Turrialba fluctuated from low to medium levels during 7-13 June. Periods of small volcano-tectonic events and many small-amplitude long-period events were also recorded. Plumes of gas and water vapor rose as high as 1 km above the vent and drifted mainly NW, W, and SW.