Volcanic activity is the most powerful force in nature. Some volcanic eruptions are much more powerful than the largest nuclear explosion. Volcanoes have killed thousands of people and caused some of the most frightening events in human history.
This site includes information about volcanoes, their activity, and how they form and erupt.
Several plumes of discolored water surrounding Ahyi Seamount were identified in satellite images during 30 November-6 December, indicating continued low-level unrest. No significant signals were identified in data from underwater pressure sensors near Wake Island (about 2,270 km E of Ahyi), though submarine plumes are sometimes observed without clear hydroacoustic evidence of eruptive activity. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).
Source: US Geological Survey
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that there were four eruptive events at Dempo during 2024, on 27 and 31 May, then later in the year on 23 and 26 November. The event on 26 November occurred at 2031 and produced a white emissions containing ash that drifted N and NW. No additional eruptive events were recorded through 10 December. Weather conditions often prevented visual observations. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public were reminded to stay 1 km away from the crater and as far as 2 km on the N flank.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 4-10 December. Gray-and-white ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose as high as 3.5 km above the summit and drifted in multiple directions on 4, 6, and 10 December. Dense white, gray, and black ash plumes rose up to 4.8 km above the summit and drifted NW on 7 December and rose 500-1,000 m above the summit and drifted E on 9 December. Emissions were not observed on 5 December, but white plumes rose 100 m and drifted N on 8 December. On 11 December the hazard exclusion zone was increased to 4 km from the Malupang Warirang Crater. The Alert Level remained at Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 4-10 December. Daily gray or white-and-gray ash plumes that were often dense rose as high as 1.2 km above the summit and drifted NE, SE, and SW. Webcam images posted with the reports showed incandescence at the summit of the inner active cone. the public was advised to stay 4 km away from the active crater in all other directions. The Alert Level remained at 3 (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the public was advised to stay 4 km away from the active crater and 5.5 km away from the N crater wall opening.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported a continuing eruption at Kanlaon during 3-10 December and an escalation in activity on 9 December. The seismic network recorded 6-22 daily volcanic earthquakes, and sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 1,669 to 6,432 tonnes per day. Gas-and-steam emissions that were mostly continuous and often voluminous rose 200-500 m above the summit and drifted mainly W, WSW, and SW. There were 1-6 ash emission events during 3-5 and 7-8 December, with each lasting 3-40 minutes. An explosive eruption occurred at 1503 on 9 December and lasted three minutes and 55 seconds. A voluminous ash plume rapidly rose 4 km above the crater rim and drifted WSW. Pyroclastic flows traveled 2-3.4 km down the SE flanks. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 0-5) and local governments were advised to evacuate residents within a 6 km radius. According to news articles ashfall was reported in 30 cities and towns across the municipalities of Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Antique. A sulfur odor was noted in several barangays and in Bago City (20 km NW). Several schools in those areas suspended classes. The Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) report issued on 10 December stated that 12,172 people (3,616 families) had evacuated mainly from Bago City, La Carlota City (14 km W), and La Castellana (16 km SW), with fewer people from Moises Padilla (17 km SSW), Magalion (14 km SSW), Murcia, Pontevedra, and Canlaon City (10 km ESE). There were 12,010 evacuees spread across 24 evacuation centers and 162 people were staying with friends or relatives.
Sources: Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC),Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) ,Philippine News Agency (PNA)
Read full story.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the number of shallow volcanic earthquakes increased beneath Kuchinoerabujima?s Furudake Crater with 30 earthquakes recorded during 5-6 December. No changes to geothermal areas located in and around both Shindake and Furudake craters were observed during field surveys conducted on 20 and 23 November as well as 3 and 5 December. Sulfur dioxide emissions were low, fluctuating between 30 and 60 tons per day in December, and no ground deformation had been detected since November 2023. The Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) at 0800 on 6 December and the public was warned to be cautious within a 1 km radius of both craters and within 2 km on the W flank of Shindake Crater.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Read full story.The Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) reported that the eruption that began on 20 November at the Sundhnkur crater row in a location between Stra-Skgfell and Slingarfell, within the Reykjanes volcanic system, likely ended on 8 December. Activity at the main cone had slowly decreased over the previous days along with tremor levels. The comparison of InSAR images acquired on 30 November and 4 December, as well as deformation data from several GPS stations, indicated that inflation had resumed at Svartsengi from the accumulation of magma beneath the region. Air pollution from volcanic gases persisted at least through 6 December even though activity at the crater was declining. Incandescence at the cone was last observed in webcam images at around 0700 on 8 December and no activity was observed during a drone overflight at 1400 on 9 December. The eruption lasted for 18 days. On 9 December the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO)
Read full story.The Servicio Nacional de Geologa y Minera (SERNAGEOMIN) reported lower levels of activity at Copahue during 16-30 November. Sulfur dioxide emissions were low, averaging 529 79 tons per day (t/d) with a maximum value of 907 t/d detected on 24 November. No thermal anomalies were identified in satellite images. Gas plumes rose 280 m above the crater rim and did not contain ash. No crater incandescence was observed at night. Deformation data showed a minor change from deflation to inflation. Seismic data indicated a more stable pattern. The water lake in the summit crater had returned and grown to 9,340 square meters by 30 November. In general activity levels were low. On 6 December the Alert Level was lowered to Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Servicio Nacional de Geologa y Minera (SERNAGEOMIN)
Read full story.The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that moderate activity was ongoing at Ebeko during 28 November-5 December. A weak thermal anomaly over the volcano was identified in satellite images on 5 December; weather conditions prevented views on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale). Dates are UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Read full story.The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that slow lava effusion continued to feed a thick lava flow in Great Sitkin?s summit crater during 3-10 December. Minor lava flow advancement along the N margins has gradually filled the summit crater. The local seismic network continued to detect small earthquakes associated with the ongoing eruption. Weather clouds obscured webcam and satellite views of the summit most of the week, though elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images during 3-4 December and minor steaming was visible in webcam images during 9-10 December. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).
Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
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