Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

Cameroon (Cameroon) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

A news article stated that explosions from Mount Cameroon were observed by tourists who were in the area on 3 February. The tourists reported hearing strong explosions followed by observations of "flames" and ash.

Source: The Associated Press

Cleveland (United States) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

AVO reported that during 2-7 February cloud cover over Cleveland prevented views of the lava dome in the summit crater. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. No current seismic information was available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network.

Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Karkar (Papua New Guinea) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that a possible ash plume from Karkar rose to altitudes of 7.6-10.7 km (25,000-35,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and E on 1 February.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Papandayan (Indonesia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

CVGHM lowered the Alert Level for Papandayan from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 31 January. No eruption details or reasons for the change were given in the report.

Source: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

Semeru (Indonesia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

On 3 February, CVGHM reported that from 29 December 2011 to 2 February 2012 seismicity increased at Semeru, and dense white and gray plumes rose as high as 600 m above the Jonggring Seloko crater. During the month of January crater incandescence was observed and avalanches carried incandescent material 200-400 m away from the crater. On 2 February a large explosion was reported and incandescent material was ejected 2.5 km from the crater. Based on the seismic activity and visual observations, CVGHM raised the Alert Level from 2 to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) on 2 February.

Source: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM)

Tungurahua (Ecuador) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012 - NEW

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

IG reported a new episode of activity from Tungurahua on 4 February with an explosion that produced roaring heard 14 km NW in Palitahua and Guadalupe. On 4 February an ash plume rose to altitudes of 7-8 km above the crater and drifted NE; lapilli fall was reported in Ba�os (9 km N), Pillate (7 km W), and Juive (7 km NNW). IG staff aboard a commercial flight on 4 February observed an ash plume that rose to an altitude of 1 km above the crater and drifted W. Ashfall and roaring noises were reported in Ba�os, Pillate, Juive, Pondoa (8 km N), Pelileo ( about 7 km NW), Guadalupe, Cevallos (23 km NW), and Patate (NW). A pyroclastic flow descended into the Achupashal drainage (NW). At night incandescent blocks ejected by an explosion traveled 1 km down the flanks. On 5 February clouds prevented views of the volcano, though loud "cannon shots" were heard in Ba�os and Juive, and ashfall was reported in Manzano (8 km SW). Clouds prevented views of the volcano during 6-7 February.

Source: Instituto Geof�sico-Escuela Polit�cnica Nacional (IG)

Dukono (Indonesia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 1-4 February ash plumes from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. The plumes drifted 220 km SW on 1 February and 45 km SW and S during 2-4 February.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Etna (Italy) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo reported on 6 February that mild Strombolian activity and small ash emissions continued from Etna's New Southeast Crater (New SEC).

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo

Fuego (Guatemala) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

INSIVUMEH reported that during 1-3 and on 6 February explosions from Fuego generated ash plumes that rose 400-900 m above the crater; the plumes drifted about 12 km S and SW on 1 February and to the SSW during 2-3 February. On 1 February rumbling noises were heard, incandescence material rose as high as 100 m above the crater, and block avalanches descended the S flank. A new 200-m-long lava flow descended the SW flank into the Taniluya drainage and block avalanches reached vegetation during 2-3 February. On 6 February the lava flow descended towards the Ceniza drainage and block avalanches again reached vegetation. Strong winds caused re-suspended ash to rise 1 km high and drift several kilometers W and S during 1-3 February.

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

Hierro (Spain) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Instituto Geogr�fico Nacional (IGN) reported that during 1-7 February the submarine eruption continued S of El Hierro Island. The amplitude of the tremor signal started to increase on 1 February around 0700, maintaining significant values until 6 February, when it dropped again to almost no signal. On 7 February the amplitude values increased for a few hours. Scarce emissions of lava fragments were observed over the vent area. Fifty seismic events were registered during this period, most of them located in the central part of the island, with offshore events extending mainly to the S. Three of them were felt by residents, with a maximum intensity value of III (EMS-98). Depths of the hypocenters varied between 6 and 23 km, and magnitudes between 0.6 and 3.2.

Source: Instituto Geogr�fico Nacional (IGN)

Karymsky (Russia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

KVERT reported that seismic activity continued at a moderate level at Karymsky during 27 January-3 February and indicated that ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 2.6 km (8,530 ft) a.s.l. during 28 and 30-31 January. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly at the volcano all week and gas-and-steam plumes containing ash that were drifting as far as 80 km E during 30-31 January and on 1 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Kilauea (United States) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

During 1-7 February, HVO reported that the lava lake circulated and periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater, remaining below the inner ledge (75 m below the crater floor). On 1 February lava ejections on the S edge rebuilt a low spatter cone. On 3 February two large rockfalls into the lake originated from the Halema'uma'u Crater floor. The first collapse from the N rim induced secondary collapses of the inner ledge and ejected spatter onto nearby portions of the Halema'uma'u Crater floor. The second collapse deposited large amounts of debris into the NE side of the lava lake.At Pu'u 'O'o short lava flows issued from the SE vent during 1-2 February. Incandescence was visible on the NE and SE edges of the Pu'u 'O'o crater floor during 3-7 February and from a small cone on the NE edge during 5-7 February. The web camera showed incandescence reflected in the clouds above the pali on 2 and 4 February. During 1-7 February, thermal anomalies were seen in satellite imagery 4-5 km SE of Pu'u 'O'o cone.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Kizimen (Russia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

KVERT reported moderate seismic activity at Kizimen during 27 January-3 February and a large thermal anomaly that was detected daily in satellite images. Video and satellite observations indicated both continued effusion of a large lava flow on the E flank and accompanying hot avalanches. Video data showed strong gas-and-steam activity all week. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Popocat�petl (M�xico) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

CENAPRED reported that during 1-7 February steam-and-gas emissions rose from Popocat�petl; some of the emissions contained small amounts of ash during 1-4 February. Gas-and-steam plumes rose 200-800 m above the crater during 1-5 February. Crater incandescence was observed at night on 1 and 5 February. Clouds prevented views on 7 February.

Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)

Puyehue-Cord�n Caulle (Chile) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Based on seismicity detected during 1-7 February OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that the eruption from the Cord�n Caulle rift zone, part of the Puyehue-Cord�n Caulle volcanic complex, continued at a low level. During 1-7 February plumes observed with a web camera rose 1-4 km above the crater and satellite images showed ash plumes drifting 90-180 km NE, ENE, E, and SE. On 2 February a plume drifted 32 km NE and then dispersed 100 km N. The Alert Level remained at Red.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geolog�a y Miner�a (SERNAGEOMIN)

Sakura-jima (Japan) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 1-7 February explosions from Sakura-jima produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-3.7 km (4,000-12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE. On 5 and 6 February pilots observed ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. respectively.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Santa Mar�a (Guatemala) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

INSIVUMEH reported that active lava flows on the S and SE flanks of Santa Mar�a's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated block avalanches during 1-3 February. Explosions sent ash plumes 500-600 m above the complex that drifted S, SW, and WSW. Ashfall was reported in Monte Claro (S) and Palajunoj (SW) on 1 February, and in La Florida (5 km S), San Marcos (46 km NW), and Palajunoj during 2-3 February. Strong winds caused re-suspended ash to rise 1 km high and drift several kilometers W and S. Rumbling noises were heard 15 km away on the S and W flanks during 1-3 February. Gas plumes rose 500 m above the Caliente Cone and drifted S and SW during 2-3 February.

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

Shiveluch (Russia) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

KVERT reported that low levels of seismic activity were detected at Shiveluch during 26 January-3 February. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly over the lava dome. Ground-based observers noted that a viscous lava flow continued to effuse in the crater that was formed during a 2010 eruption. Moderate fumarolic activity at the lava dome and occasional hot avalanches were observed all week. Weak ash explosions from the lava dome were reported from the SE flank on 26 January. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Soufri�re Hills (United Kingdom) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

MVO reported that during 27 January-3 February activity at the Soufri�re Hills lava dome was at a low level. On 28 January a pyroclastic flow from the W side of the lava dome traveled 300 m. The Hazard Level remained at 2.

Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)

Suwanose-jima (Japan) - Report for 1 February-7 February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:27:40 -0500

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Suwanose-jima on 6 February. Details of a possible resulting plume were not reported.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)