Volcano World

The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that a strong thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 28 February-6 March. According to the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), incandescent debris avalanches descended the SE flanks daily and summit incandescence was visible during dark hours. Ash plumes generated from debris avalanches rose as high as 2.2 km above the summit and drifted mainly E, NE, and NW. Weather conditions occasionally obscured webcam and satellite views. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are reported in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.

Sources: Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS),Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

The Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported that lava effusion at the fissure on the upper S flank of Etna?s Bocca Nuova Crater ceased on 2 March and began cooling. During 3-9 March gas emissions were observed rising from the summit craters, though weather clouds often obscured views. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) at 1152 on 5 March and then to Green at 1839 that same day.

Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)

The Instituto Nacional de Sismologa, Vulcanologa, Meteorologa e Hidrologa (INSIVUMEH) reported that elevated eruptive activity at Fuego was characterized by explosions and ash plumes, incandescent material ejected above the summit, incandescent avalanches, and pyroclastic flows. The stronger activity began at around 0255 on 9 March with explosions detected in seismic and acoustic data and increasing thermal radiance at the summit detected in satellite data. Explosions ejected incandescent material onto the upper flanks on all directions and caused avalanches of incandescent material. Explosions and gas ejections were heard in areas several kilometers away. According to the Washington VAAC significant ash plumes rose about 1.1 km above the summit at 0350, but by 0930 the plumes were more sporadic and diffuse; the plumes drifted W and NW. INSIVUMEH noted that activity intensified in the early evening and became continuous. The VAAC reported that at 1620 ash plumes rose around 500 m above the summit and drifted W. At around 1800 air quality monitoring stations in Guatemala City recorded decreased quality conditions due to ash in the air, according to CONRED. The VAAC reported that at 2200 dense ash emissions rose 500 m and drifted 150 km SW while a second plume rose 1.1 km above the summit and drifted NW. Activity notably intensified again at 2100 on 9 March. Lava fountains rose 300 m above the summit, avalanches of incandescent blocks descended the flanks, and shockwaves from explosions rattled nearby houses and structures. Ash plumes rose 3.2 km above the summit and fanned out as far as 50 km SW, W, and NW. Continuous ashfall was reported in areas W and S. Just before 2330 pyroclastic flows descended the Seca (W) and Ceniza (SSW) drainages and about 25 minutes later pyroclastic flows descended the Las Lajas (SE) and El Jute (ESE) drainages. CONRED staff assisted 267 people from El Porvenir and 15 from Las Lajitas to an evacuation shelter in the Municipal Hall of San Juan Alotenango, Sacatepquez. A section of the RN-14, the national route connecting Escuintla and Sacatepquez, was temporarily closed as a preventative measure. Overnight during 9-10 March lava fountains rose 500 m high. Dense ash-and-gas plumes rose 6 km above the summit and drifted 100-120 km NW and E. Low-altitude plumes with ash remobilized from earlier pyroclastic flows drifted SW. On 10 March the Ministry of Education suspended classes in the municipalities of Alotenango, Sacatepquez; Escuintla and Siquinal in the department of Escuintla; and in San Pedro Yepocapa, Chimaltenango. Activity began to decrease and by 1130 on 10 March explosions were no longer continuous. Ash-and-gas plumes rose 1.1 km above the summit and drifted 100 km NW and SW. Minor ashfall continued to impact areas to the W and SW; ash remained suspended in the air and ashfall on crops was up to 1 mm thick. By 1230 the air quality monitoring station in Guatemala City recorded improved quality conditions due to less ash in the air. Activity continued to decline. INSIVUMEH issued a report at 1800 noting that activity had returned to ?baseline? levels; seismicity was at ?normal? levels and satellite data indicated that large amounts of ash were no longer suspended in the air. Thermal anomalies were also no longer detected in satellite data. Overnight during 10-11 March a few incandescent blocks in the crater were visible along with minor avalanches of incandescent material. Diffuse gas emissions rose form the crater. During 11-12 March gas emissions rose about 100 m above the summit and no incandescent explosions were observed.

Sources: Coordinadora Nacional para la Reduccin de Desastres (CONRED),Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

The Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Langila was identified in a satellite image at 0700 on 6 March rising to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SW. The ash had dissipated within two hours.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

The Observatorio Vulcanolgico y Sismolgico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that eruptive activity at Pos intensified during 1-2 March and continued at a high level through 11 March. Frequent phreatic eruptions during 4-7 March ejected material as high as 50 m above the crater floor. The phreatic eruptions were almost continuous at Boca C and sporadic and Boca A. Radial deformation and inflation was detected in and around the crater, and the rate of deformation was increasing. The lake level had dropped, and the water was separated into two small ponds. An analysis of monitoring data suggested that there were disturbances of the magmatic system at depth which increased the probability of dangerous eruptions within the Parque Nacional Volcn Pos within the next few days or weeks. At 1330 on 7 March the Alert Level was raised to 3 (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second highest color on a four-color scale). Small frequent phreatic eruptions, mostly at Boca C, continued during 8-9 March. In a special report issued at 1000 on 9 March OVSICORI-UNA reported that two shock waves identified in infrasound data signified an eruptive event. Steam plumes rose several hundred meters and material was likely ejected as high as 200 m above the vent, though visual confirmation was obscured by the plumes. Phreatic eruptions at 1053, 1236, and 1821 on 9 March generated gas-and-steam plumes that rose as high as 1 km; the plumes obscured views of the crater. Sulfur dioxide emissions detected in satellite data averaged 538 tons per day. Notably, during the evening, eight volcano-tectonic events associated with rock fracturing were recorded in both seismic and infrasound data. Activity continued during 9-10 March mainly from Boca C and some from Boca A. The phreatic eruptions ejected material 200-400 m above the crater floor and generated steam-and-gas plumes that rose as high as 1 km. The ponds continued to shrink and the water had a high sediment content. Blocks up to 1 m in diameter were ejected from the vents onto the crater floor and sediments rich in native sulfur were deposited around the edges of the small ponds. Eruptive activity continued on 11 March at similar levels, moderate- to high-level tremor was recorded, and inflation continued.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

The Observatorio Vulcanolgico y Sismolgico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that the seismic network at Turrialba recorded signals during 9-10 March that were likely related to small landslides of material within West Crater. Gas emissions remained at low levels.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

Unrest at Ahyi Seamount continued during 28 February-7 March. A plume of discolored water in the vicinity of the seamount was identified in a satellite image on 3 March, indicating possible submarine activity. Weather clouds obscured views during the rest of the week. No signals coming from the direction of Ahyi were identified in data from underwater pressure sensors near Wake Island (about 2,270 km E of Ahyi). 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

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) during 3-10 March. Nightly crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. An explosion at 0523 on 4 March generated an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim, drifted NE, and merged into weather clouds. The explosion ejected large blocks 600-900 m from the vent. Eruptive events at 0851 on 6 March, at 1640, 1704, 1808, and 2003 on 7 March, at 0031 on 8 March, and at 1525, 1645, and 1714 on 9 March generated ash plumes that rose 1-1.2 km above the crater rim and sometimes drifted NE or SE. Explosions at 1502 on 9 March and at 1124, 1604, and 2206 on 10 March produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.3 km above the crate rim and drifted S and N. The explosion at 2206 on 10 March ejected blocks 600-900 m from the vent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 1 km away from both craters.

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 26 February-4 March. Daily white-and-gray or gray-to-black ash plumes that were often dense rose as high as 1.2 km above the crater rim and drifted NE, NW, W, and S. Booming sounds were reported during 6-7 March. An explosion on 9 March was heard as far as the Dukono observation post (11 km N). 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)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that slow lava effusion continued to feed a thick flow in Great Sitkin?s summit crater during 5-11 March, confirmed by a 6 March radar image. Small daily earthquakes were detected by the seismic network. Weather clouds often obscured satellite and webcam views of the volcano. 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)