Eruptions

News about eruptions and volcanoes can be found in this category. It is updated frequently. Volcano expert and journalist Marc Szeglat reports live from his expeditions to volcanoes.

Ruapehu (New Zealand) – Report for 24 April-30 April 2019

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GeoNet reported that the period of high water temperatures at Ruapehu?s summit Crater Lake along with elevated tremor levels was over. Tremor levels began to decline on 16 April and by 29 April was described as weak. The lake water reached a peak temperature of 44 degrees Celsius on 19 April and then began cooling; the temperature was 39 degrees Celsius by 29 April. The report noted that the probability of an eruption during a heating cycle had decreased with the decreasing activity. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at 1 (minor volcanic unrest) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: GeoNet

Sheveluch (Russia) – Report for 24 April-30 April 2019

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KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch?s lava dome was identified daily in satellite images during 18-26 April. Ash plumes were visible drifting 300 km NE during 22-23 April. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Turrialba (Costa Rica) – Report for 24 April-30 April 2019

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OVSICORI-UNA reported that a diffuse ash emission rose from Turrialba on 24 April, and an emission with low ash content drifted N on 26 April. At 0722 on 27 April a small, short-duration eruption generated an ash plume that rose less than 100 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

Veniaminof (United States) – Report for 24 April-30 April 2019

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On 30 April AVO lowered the Aviation Color Code for Veniaminof to Green and the Volcano Alert Level to Normal, noting that signs of unrest had continued to decline over the previous four months since the eruption ended in early January. Low-level tremor, slightly elevated surface temperatures, and minor steam emissions continued and considered typical activity for a post-eruptive period.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Bezymianny (Russia) – Report for 6 March-12 March 2019

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KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 1-12 March. Strong gas-end-steam emissions continued to rise from the crater. Hot avalanches originating from the top of the lava dome were visible at night. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Karymsky (Russia) – Report for 6 March-12 March 2019

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KVERT reported that ash plumes from Karymsky were identified in satellite images during 1 and 4-5 March rising as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifting 90 km E. A thermal anomaly was also visible on those same days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Mayon (Philippines) – Report for 6 March-12 March 2019

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PHIVOLCS reported that during 6-11 March white steam plumes periodically emitted from Mayon drifted WNW, WSW, and SW, and crater incandescence was visible each night. As many as six volcanic earthquakes and two rockfalls per day were recorded by the seismic network. Phreatic events recorded at 0811 on 7 March and 0627 on 8 March generated grayish ash plumes that rose 500 and 300 m above the crater, respectively, and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale) and PHIVOLCS reminded residents to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.

Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)

Piton de la Fournaise (France) – Report for 6 March-12 March 2019

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During an overflight between 0700 and 0800 on 6 March tourists observed a new active fissure on the NW flank of Piton de la Fournaise?s Piton Madoré, 150 m upstream of the main vent. The fissure likely opened the day before during 0900 and 1900. The tourist report noted that a small cone had formed, and a lava flow was traveling N. In the morning of 7 March at least six new vents were visible, although weather conditions prevented OVPF volcanologists from confirming if they were along a new fissure. During fieldwork on 8 March volcanologists inspected the 5 March fissure and observed a small cone ejecting material up to 10 m above the rim. Lava from the W side flowed a few tens of meters, and a flow from the N side progressed E. The new vents that opened on 7 March were confirmed to be along an E-W trending fissure. The vents were active, each producing 50-m-high lava fountains. The report also noted that samples from the 5 March and 7 March vents had different compositions, though no other details were noted. Lava flows traveled to around 1,000 m elevation.

Satellite images showed sulfur dioxide plumes drifting 450-550 km E on 8 March. Lava flows rapidly progressed during 8-9 March; the lava emission rate was variable, ranging up to 25 cubic meters per second (based on satellite data), although since the new fissures opened the highest values (over 50 cubic meters per second) measured the past few days were approximately 10 times higher than the average values recorded during the 2017-2018 eruptions. By 0800 on 9 March the flow front was at an estimated elevation of 650-700 m. After a phase of intense surficial activity during 9-10 March, with lava fountains rising as high as 100 m, lava-flow emissions ceased around 0628 on 10 March and seismicity significantly decreased.

Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)

Bromo with further ash emissions

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Mount Bromo continues to emit volcanic ash. According to the VAAC, the ash reaches a height of 3700 m above sea level. Compared to yesterday, this is an increase in activity. Access to the crater rim was already closed at the end of February. There is a 1 km exclusion zone around the crater. This is not only a popular destination for tourists, but also for religious pilgrims. In the crater of Bromos, the Hindu god Brahma is supposed to reside. The god is often sacrificed, mostly in the form of crops. But even living animals like to be pushed into the crater. The most important festival is the Kasada, which is celebrated once a year.