Worldwide earthquakes above magnitude 3 during the past 24 hours on 31 Mar 2023
The explosive activity at the volcano continues.
Small to moderate near-frequent strombolian eruptions continue to be produced, ejecting lava bombs landing inside the crater. Besides that, constant passive emissions of steam and gas ("venting") continue.
A satellite image from 16 March shows the ongoing glowing inner summit area and gas emissions hinting rise of fresh juvenile magma in the conduit.
The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 2. The public was reminded not to enter the restricted area within 600 m around the cone, defined by Danger Zone A on the hazard map.
Source: Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department volcano activity update 30 March 2023
The extrusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues at high levels.
A visible night-time glow and near-constant emissions of gas and water vapor (so-called degassing) indicate the continuing rise of fresh viscous magma accumulating into the Caliente lava dome. Pilling lava material makes the dome partially prone to collapse, which in turn develop into rolling hot weak-to-moderate avalanches in the S direction and incandescent dome blocks in the W-SW direction along a steep ravine.
The explosive activity is characterized by near-constant weak-to-moderate vulcanian-sized eruptions at roughly regular intervals of about 1 to 2 per day. Viscous, but gas-poor magma squeezes through the main conduit in search for the fastest way up to the surface and is being fragmented into grey ash-rich eruption plumes, reaching an average height of about 14,000 ft-15,000 ft (4,3 km-4,6 km).
People are advised to avoid the sticky lava flow due to the strong heat which may cause burns and other serious injuries. The current hazards are also hot avalanches that can become mobilized into hot glowing currents (pyroclastic flows).
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología volcano activity update 30 March 2023
The activity at the volcano has been gradually increasing over the past few hours.
A new explosion appeared from the summit, starting early this morning, at about 06:25 local time, the local institute KVERT reported.
The eruption sent a grey ash column to nearly 13,000 ft (3,900 m) altitude that extended about 25 km towards the northeast.
Furthermore, according to the KVERT observatory, there is a likelihood of a new viscous lava block that is being squeezed out from the actively growing lava dome and appears forming a "dome on top of a dome".
Source: Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team volcano activity update 29 March 2023
Today's eruption from Bezymianny volcano (source: @CarolynnePries1/twitter)
Bezymianni (“unnamed”) erupting 29/4/23 #Bezymianni one of Kamchatka’s (#Russia) most active volcanoes. At just 4700yrs old it is relatively young & known for its lava dome growth, large explosions, pyroclastic flows with ash columns up to 15km high. And it’s pretty… pic.twitter.com/LSy67Bk5DX
— Volcaholic (@CarolynnePries1) March 29, 2023
The eruption at Villarrica was ongoing during 21-28 March. POVI reported that on 21 March Strombolian explosions ejected material 100 m above the crater rim. SERNAGEOMIN reported that at 0551 on 24 March a long-period earthquake was associated with low-intensity crater incandescence.
According to POVI a cone with a vent that was about 13 m in diameter had formed on the crater floor and was visible during a recent overflight. Sometimes lava fountains rose over 100 m. At 2249 on 26 March Strombolian explosions ejected incandescent material more than 110 m above the crater rim.
The Volcanic Alert level remained at Yellow (the second highest on a four-level scale) according to SERNAGEOMIN. SENAPRED maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of Villarrica, Pucón (16 km N), Curarrehue, and Panguipulli, and SINAPRED maintained an exclusion zone of 1 km from the crater.
Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN), Proyecto Observación Villarrica Internet (POVI), Sistema y Servicio Nacional de Prevención y Repuesta Ante Desastres (SENAPRED)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Villarrica. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 20-27 March. Eruptive activity including three explosions sent ash plumes as high as 2 km above the rim and ejecting large blocks as far as 300 m from the vent. Crater incandescence was visible nightly.
Occasional ashfall was reported in Toshima village (3.5 km SSW). The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale) and residents were warned to stay 1 km away from the crater.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Suwanosejima. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
INGV reported that both explosive and effusive activity at Stromboli occurred during 20-26 March, though inclement weather conditions prevented views on most days. Activity was centered at three vents in Area N within the upper part of the Sciara del Fuoco, and from four vents in Area C-S (South-Central Crater) on the crater terrace. Explosions at two vents in the N1 crater and one vent in the N2 crater in Area N were low to medium intensity and ejected coarse material (bombs and lapilli) 80-150 m at a rate of 6-12 explosions per hour.
Explosive activity at three active vents at the S2 sector in Area C-S ejected coarse material generally as high as 150 m above the vent at a rate of 5-7 explosions per hour; material was ejected as high as 300 m on 23 March. Sector C was characterized by occasional low-intensity explosive activity through the week and intense spattering on 22 March. No activity was recorded at sector S1.
A strong explosion at 1549 on 25 March at Area C-S and was followed by two minor explosions; the sequence lasted about three minutes.
A lava overflow event at one of the N1 vents began at 2242 on 23 March and was preceded by spattering activity in Area N. After about an hour lava flowed along the Sciara del Fuoco in the ravine that had formed in October 2022. The flow rate notably increased during 0200-0400 on 26 March and caused avalanches of material from collapses at the advancing flow front.
By that afternoon the flow was cooling down and no longer being fed. It was unknown due to weather conditions if material reached the coastline.
Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Stromboli. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
KVERT reported that the ongoing eruption at Sheveluch was generally characterized by explosions, hot avalanches, lava-dome extrusion, and strong fumarolic activity. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images during 16-23 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Sheveluch. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
AVO reported that low-level unrest continued at Semisopochnoi during 22-28 March. Steam emissions from the N crater of Mount Young were visible during 22 and 26-27 March. No explosive activity was detected in seismic or infrasound data.
The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest color on a four-color scale).
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Semisopochnoi. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
PVMBG reported that the eruption at Semeru continued during 22-28 March, with daily emissions of dense ash plumes. At 0605 and 0810 on 23 March gray and white-to-gray ash plumes rose 800 m above the summit and drifted NW and SW. At 0548 on 24 March a white-to-gray ash plume rose 1 km and drifted S.
On 25 March at 0600 a white-to-gray ash plume rose 500 m and drifted S and SW, at 0705 a gray ash plume rose 700 m and drifted SE and S, and at 0738 a gray-to-brown ash plume rose 1.2 km and drifted SE. At 0619 and 0659 on 26 March dense white-to-gray ash plumes rose 1 km and drifted SE. At 0756 on 27 March a white-to-gray ash plume rose 800 m and drifted S.
At 0130 on 28 March a dense gray ash plume drifted NE and at 0759 a somewhat dense white-to-gray plume rose 800 m and drifted N. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit in all directions, 13 km from the summit to the SE, 100 m away from the banks of the Kobokan drainage as far as 17 km from the summit, and to avoid other drainages originating on Semeru, including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Semeru. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
INSIVUMEH reported that the Santa Maria-Santiaguito lava dome complex remained highly active during 22-28 March. On most days steady degassing from the dome produced gas plumes that drifted S and SW. Incandescence from the dome and along lava flow margins was visible most nights or early mornings.
The lava flow that extended 4.3 km down the SW flank in the San Isidro and Zanjón Seco drainages was active. Activity from the lava dome included explosions and avalanches, and small pyroclastic flows during 22-23 March. Daily weak to moderate explosions generated ash plumes up to 1 km above the crater that drifted SW and W, and avalanches traveled down multiple flanks.
Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Santa Maria. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 17-23 March and seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced 160 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.8 km down the SW flank (upstream in the Bebeng and Boyong drainages). Two pyroclastic flows traveled 1.3 km down the SW flank, upstream of the Bebeng/Krasak drainage.
Morphological changes to the SW lava dome were evident in webcam images due to continuing collapses of material, though the volume remained unchanged at 1,686,200 cubic meters. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit based on location.
Source: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Merapi. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok was ongoing during 22-28 March. Daily ash plumes, sometimes dense, were visible rising as high as 800 m above the summit and drifting mainly W and NW. VONAs issued on most days described dense gray or gray-to-white ash plumes at 0517, 1623, and 2016 on 22 March, at 1744 on 24 March, at 0103 on 26 March, at 0845 and 1604 on 27 March, and at 0538 on 28 March.
A webcam image at 2220 on 22 March showed incandescent material around the summit area and being ejected above the summit. Another webcam images at 0103 on 26 March captured a Strombolian explosion at the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the summit crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Lewotolok. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
PVMBG reported that the eruption at Anak Krakatau continued during 22-29 March and multiple ash plumes were visible rising from the vent during 28-29 March. Ash plumes recorded at 0412, 0743, 1221, 1513, and 1935 on 28 March were dense and dark gray and rose as high has 2.5 km above the summit. The ash plumes drifted NE and W.
Webcam images captured incandescent material being ejected above the vent at 0415 and around the summit area at 2003. At 0041 on 29 March a dense dark ash plume rose 600 m and drifted W. A webcam image from 0047 showed incandescent material at the vent.
The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Krakatau. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Webcam images of Karangetang posted in PVMBG daily reports during 23-28 March showed incandescent material at the summit Main Crater (S crater) and on the flanks. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public were advised to stay 2.5 km away from Main Crater with an extension to 3.5 km on the S and SE flanks.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
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From: Global Volcanism Program, 2023. Report on Karangetang. In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22 March-28 March 2023. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.