Volcanoes information monitoring page on HEWS

HEWS: humanitarian early warning service

A global multi-hazard watch service to support Humanitarian Preparedness

Developed and maintained by the World Food Programme

Volcanoes Monitoring Page

Data source: Smithsonian Institution - Global Volcanism Program

New volcanoes activities

16
May
2012
Ijen CVGHM reported that during 1-30 April white plumes from Ijen rose 100-200 m above the crater; during 1-11 May diffuse white plumes rose 50-100 m. From the beginning of April until 13 May the amplitude and number of earthquakes gradually decreased and the crater lake water temperature decreased by eight degrees Celsius. The Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 13 May.
16
May
2012
Ijen Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 14 May an ash plume from Karangetang rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 130 km SE. On 16 May an ash plume again rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. then drifted about 110 km SE.
16
May
2012
Karthala Observers in the villages of Mde and Mkazi, on the W flank of Karthala, reported increased incandescence from the summit during the night of 9-10 May.
16
May
2012
Popocat�petl CENAPRED reported that during 8-10 May multiple gas-and-ash plumes rose 1.5 km above Popocat�petl's crater and drifted NE. Incandescent fragments ejected from the crater landed on the N and E flanks as far as 500 m away. According to a news article an airport in Puebla was closed due to ash plumes on 8 and 10 May. Seismicity increased on 11 May. Ash plumes rose 3 km above the crater and drifted NE and incandescent fragments ejected from the crater rolled 1 km down the flanks. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 2.5 km and drifted ENE. On 12 May gas-and-ash plumes rose 4 km above the crater. Incandescent tephra was ejected 2 km above the crater and again rolled 1 km down the flanks. Ashfall was reported in most municipalities within the state of Tlaxcala (50 km NE of the volcano), in addition to smaller towns nearer to the volcano such as Santiago Xalitzintla (15 km NE) and San Nicol�s de los Ranchos (16 km ENE). An airport in Puebla was again closed due to ash. During 13-15 May gas-and-ash plumes rose from the crater and drifted NE, and incandescent tephra was ejected from the crater. The Alert Level remained at Yellow Phase Three.
16
May
2012
Sirung CVGHM reported that on 8 May a three-hour long ash eruption from Sirung was accompanied by loud sounds and incandescence that reached 10 m above the crater. An ash plume rose 3.5 km above the crater and drifted N, producing ashfall up to 4 mm thick near the crater. During 9-12 May white plumes rose 30-50 m above the crater. A sulfur odor was reported in areas up to 3 km away on 12 May. That same day CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and recommended that visitors not approach the volcano within a 2.5 km radius. Based on a report from a ground-based observer and analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC noted that on 12 May an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 95 km SW.

Ongoing volcanoes activities

16
May
2012
Cleveland AVO reported that during 9-12 and 15 May cloudy weather conditions prevented satellite observations of Cleveland's summit crater. Elevated surface temperatures were detected in images on 13 May and possibly the next day. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
16
May
2012
Karymsky KVERT reported that moderate seismic activity from Karymsky continued to be detected during 4-11 May, and indicated that possible ash plumes rose to an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. during 7-8 May. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly on the volcano. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
16
May
2012
Kilauea During 9-15 May HVO reported that the circulating lava lake periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. On 14 May laser measurements indicated that the lava-lake surface was about 67 m below the Halema'uma'u Crater floor. Almost daily measurements indicated that the gas plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash, and occasionally fresh spatter from an active source at the SE edge of the lava lake, onto nearby areas. Incandescence was visible from both a lava pond in a small pit on the E edge and a small spatter cone on the SE edge of the Pu'u 'O'o crater floor, and from two skylights on the uppermost part of the lava-tube system. Geologists observed slowly advancing lava flows on 13 May that were about 1.4 km from the coast. A short lava flow issued from an incandescent vent on the S part of Pu'u 'O'o's crater floor.
16
May
2012
Pagan According to NASA's Earth Observatory, a satellite image of Pagan acquired on 7 May showed a gas-and-steam plume drifting W. The plume's blue tint suggested the presence of sulfur dioxide; elevated levels of sulfur dioxide to the W of the volcano were detected in satellite images later that day. The USGS reported that minor steam-and-gas plumes were observed in partly cloudy satellite images during 4-11 May. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.
16
May
2012
Sakura-jima JMA reported that during 11-15 May explosive eruptions from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater occurred nine times and ejected tephra as far as 1.3 km from the crater. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 9 and 11-15 May explosions produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.7 km (6,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, S, SE, E, and N. A pilot observed an ash plume on 12 May that rose to an altitude of 2.1 (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.
16
May
2012
Sakura-jima INSIVUMEH reported that during 13-14 May incandescent explosions from Santa Mar�a's Caliente dome produced ash plumes that rose 700 m above the crater and drifted WSW. Avalanches from the dome and lava-flow fronts descended the flanks.
16
May
2012
Shiveluch KVERT reported that explosive activity at Shiveluch continued during 4-11 May. Ground-based observers and satellite imagery indicated that a viscous lava flow continued to effuse in the active crater and was accompanied by fumarolic activity. Seismic data and visual observations showed that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 10 and 5 km (32,800 and 16,400 ft) a.s.l. on 5 May and during 6-8 May, respectively. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly on the lava dome during 4-5 and 8-10 May. Ash plumes drifted 800 km SE on 5 May, and an ash cloud 95 km SE of the volcano was observed on 7 May.
16
May
2012
Shiveluch MVO reported that during 4-11 May activity at the Soufri�re Hills lava dome was at a low level. Multiple areas of incandescence on the lava dome, at temperatures greater that 500 degrees Celsius, were visible on 5 May. Heavy rains on 10 May generated a small lahar in the Belham Valley (NW). The Hazard Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).
16
May
2012
Tungurahua IG reported that during 9-15 May visual observations of Tungurahua were often limited due to cloud cover. On 10 May a steam plume with low ash content rose 200 m above the crater and drifted W. Seismicity increased on 12 May. Explosions caused windows to vibrate in areas near the volcano. Sounds resembling blocks rolling down the flanks as well as roaring noises were reported. A plume with low ash content rose 2-3 km above the crater and drifted W and NW. The next day a plume rose 200 m above the crater and drifted W.

Volcanoes maps more on maps repository

published the 16 Feb 2012
	Indonesia, Lokon Volcano, Areas at Risk, February 2012 Source: WFP file type: JPG, file size: 0.77MB
published the 05 Aug 2011
	Ash Deposit Patterns from Puyehue-Cord�n Caulle Volcano (22 June) Source: UNOSAT file type: PDF, file size: n.a.
published the 27 Apr 2011
	ECUADOR, VOLCANO TUNGURAHUA, ORANGE ALERT, 27 APRIL 2011 Source: WFP file type: JPG, file size: 0.81MB
published the 12 Nov 2010
	Indonesia, Java Island, Active Volcanoes as of 9th November 2010, 12 November 2010 Source: GLCSC file type: PDF, file size: 2.63MB
published the 10 Aug 2010
	Philippines, Volcano Mayon Areas of Concern, Population at Risk, 25 December 2009 Source: WFP file type: JPG, file size: 1.43MB
published the 16 Feb 2009
	Colombia, Galeras Volcano Eruption, 16 February 2009 Source: WFP file type: PDF, file size: 2.68MB