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.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that eruptive activity continued at Shinmoedake (Shinmoe peak, a stratovolcano of the Kirishimayama volcano group) during 2-8 July. The number of volcanic earthquakes with epicenters directly beneath Shinmoedake had been fluctuating since late October 2024, though the rates continue to be high. Beginning at 1025 on 27 June continuous gas-and-ash plumes with variable densities rose to various heights above the vents on the crater floor, at least through 9 July. The plumes generally rose 300-2,800 m above the crater rim, and occasionally higher, and drifted in various directions, causing periodic ashfall in areas downwind. On 2 July a large amount of ash fell in Makizonocho (14 km SW), Kirishima City, obscuring the white lines on the roads. At 1349 on 3 July the plumes rose 5 km above the crater rim and drifted S; the taller plume was associated with rumbling sounds. During a field survey in Kobayashi City that same day observers heard loud rumbling, and a notable amount of ash again fell in Makizonocho. At 1640 on 4 July plumes rose 3.3 km above the crater rim. Ashfall during 3-4 July was confirmed in Kagoshima City, Kirishima City, Yusui (16 km WNW), Aira City 931 km SW), Minamisatsuma City, and Hioki City (55 km SW) in Kagoshima Prefecture. On 7 July sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 900 tons per day. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale) and the public was warned to exercise caution within 3 km from Shinmoedake Crater.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that an explosive eruption from Lewotobi Laki-laki at 1105 on 7 July was accompanied by loud booming sounds. A dense gray-to-black ash plume rose to around 18 km above the summit and drifted NE, N. and NW. Photos of the eruption showed pyroclastic flows descending the N and NE flanks as far as 5 km. The eruption lasted about six and a half minutes based on seismic data. According to the Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) ashfall was reported in several villages in the Wulanggitang District including Nawakote, Klatanlo, Hokeng Jaya, Boru, and Pululera. A smaller explosion at 1519 generated a dense gray ash plume that rose around 1 km above the summit and drifted W. Another significant event at 1932 produced a dense gray-to-black ash plume that rose about 13 km above the summit and drifted W and NW. Incandescent material descending multiple flanks was visible in a webcam image starting at 1944. News outlets reported that some flights from the El Tari Kupang Airport to Frans Seda Maumere Airport, along with a few dozen international flights, were cancelled. The Komodo International Airport, around 300 km W, was closed during 7-8 July. The Alert Level remained at 4 (on a scale of 1-4) and on 25 June the exclusion zone was reduced to 6 km from the center of Laki-laki and 7 km in a semicircle clockwise from the SW to the NE.
Sources: Antara News,Antara News,Antara News,Antara News,Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) ,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 Lewotolok intensified during 27 June-2 July, with activity that included taller white, gray, and black ash plumes that rose 1.2 km above the summit. Incandescent material was ejected in all directions, as far as 1.5 km N and ENE, and caused vegetation fires on the N and NE flanks. Rumbling and booming sounds were reported. At 2000 on 2 July the Alert Level as raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 3 km away from the summit. Daily gray, white-to-gray, or gray-to-black ash plumes rose 400-700 m above the summit of the cone and drifted NW, W, and SW during 2-8 July. Clear nighttime webcam images showed incandescent material both at the summit cone and being ejected above the cone. Lava flows on the flanks of the main volcano edifice were also incandescent.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 30 June-7 July. Nightly crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. One small eruptive event was recorded on 30 June. On 2 July sulfur dioxide emissions were slightly high, averaging 1,500 tons per day. Eruptive events during 6-7 July produced ash plumes that rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim. Plumes were continuously emitted during 1346-2310 on 6 July and during 0224-0840 on 7 July. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to be cautious within 2 km of both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Read full story.The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that the amplitude of volcanic tremors at Asosan began to increase at around 1150 on 4 July, signaling an increasing unrest. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were low, averaging 300-600 tons per day. White plumes rose 300 m above the crater rim. At 1300 the Alert Level was raised to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) and the public was warned to stay at least 1 km away from Nakadake Crater.
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity at Dukono continued during 2-8 July. Daily white-and-gray or gray-to-black gas-and-ash plumes rose 600-1,600 m above the summit and drifted NW and E. Faint booming and rumbling was heard by residents and at the observation post, 10-11 km N, during 4-5 July. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind including at the Mamuya Village Observation post and in Tobelo City (15 km ENE); more ash fell in areas of Tobelo City during 6-7 July. The Alert Level remained at Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the Malupang Warirang Crater.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that slow lava effusion continued to feed a thick flow in Great Sitkin?s summit crater during 2-8 July. Lava-flow advancement was concentrated at the SW and SE margins based on a 3 July radar image. Small daily earthquakes were detected by the seismic network, including signals probably caused by small rockfalls from the steep flanks. Slightly elevated surface temperatures consistent with lava effusion were observed in clear satellite views during 1-2 and 4-5 July. Diffuse steaming from the known active portions of the lava flow was observed in satellite images during 7-8 July. 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)
Read full story.The Tonga Geological Services reported that activity at Home Reef continued during 21 June-5 July. Discolored water around the island was visible in clear satellite images on 26 June and 1 July. The crater was about 210 m N-S and 120 m E-W. Fresh dark deposits surrounded the vent in the first image and lighter deposits around the same area were visible in the second image. The activity could not be accurately characterized due to the images being low resolution. No thermal anomalies nor ash emissions were detected in satellite data. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-level scale, the Maritime Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale) with advice to stay at least 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) from the island, and the Alert Level for residents of Vava?u and Ha?apai remained at Green (the first level on a four-level scale).
Source: Tonga Geological Services, Government of Tonga
Read full story.The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 2-8 July. Daily dense gray or white-to-gray ash plumes rose 300-700 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Nighttime crater incandescence was visible in some webcam images. 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 km away from the N crater wall opening.
Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
Read full story.The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that the eruption within Kilauea?s Kaluapele summit caldera, characterized by episodic fountaining and intermittent spatter at two vents along the SW margin of Halema?uma?u Crater, continued at variable levels during 2-8 July. Nighttime incandescence at the N vent was visible every night, with intermittent lava spattering and jetting at the same vent visible during 3-7 July. Rockfalls from spatter deposits on the crater wall exposed areas of incandescence. Two short overflows of lava at the N vent occurred at around 1830 on 7 July. Cycles of minor lava spattering, lava jetting, and gas flames were visible during 7-8 July. 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 Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
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