Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 11-17 September 2019

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5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5


From: "Kuhn, Sally" <KUHNS@xxxxxx>


Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

11-17 September 2019



Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor (kuhns@xxxxxx)

URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm





New Activity/Unrest: Alaid, Kuril Islands (Russia)  | Copahue, Central
Chile-Argentina border  | Nevados de Chillan, Chile  | Villarrica, Chile



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Asosan, Kyushu (Japan)  | Dukono,
Halmahera (Indonesia)  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  | Etna, Sicily
(Italy)  | Karangetang, Siau Island (Indonesia)  | Karymsky, Eastern
Kamchatka (Russia)  | Krakatau, Indonesia  | Merapi, Central Java
(Indonesia)  | Pacaya, Guatemala  | Sangeang Api, Indonesia  | Sheveluch,
Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Shishaldin, Fox Islands (USA)  |
Tangkubanparahu, Western Java (Indonesia)  | Ubinas, Peru





The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the
Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's
Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, these reports
are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail.
This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting
during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet
criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section.
Carefully reviewed, detailed reports about recent activity are published in
issues of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.



Note that many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the
Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To
obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on
the Internet contact the source.







New Activity/Unrest





Alaid  | Kuril Islands (Russia)  | 50.861°N, 155.565°E  | Summit elev. 2285
m



The Tokyo VAAC reported that on 11 September an ash plume from Alaid
identified in satellite images rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft)
a.s.l. and drifted SE.



Geologic Summary. The highest and northernmost volcano of the Kuril
Islands, 2285-m-high Alaid is a symmetrical stratovolcano when viewed from
the north, but has a 1.5-km-wide summit crater that is breached widely to
the south. Alaid is the northernmost of a chain of volcanoes constructed
west of the main Kuril archipelago. Numerous pyroclastic cones dot the
lower flanks of this basaltic to basaltic-andesite volcano, particularly on
the NW and SE sides, including an offshore cone formed during the 1933-34
eruption. Strong explosive eruptions have occurred from the summit crater
beginning in the 18th century. Reports of eruptions in 1770, 1789, 1821,
1829, 1843, 1848, and 1858 were considered incorrect by Gorshkov (1970).
Explosive eruptions in 1790 and 1981 were among the largest in the Kuril
Islands during historical time.



Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
http://ds.data.jma.go.jp/svd/vaac/data/vaac_list.html





Copahue  | Central Chile-Argentina border  | 37.856°S, 71.183°W  | Summit
elev. 2953 m



OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported that a long-period (LP) earthquake at Copahue
recorded at 1657 on 11 September correlated with an infrasound signal from
an explosion; a gas-and-ash emission rose to low heights. A larger
explosion, recorded at 2245 along with an LP earthquake, produced a plume
that rose 250 m above the crater rim. Incandescent deposits around the vent
were visible at night, and a 3-km-long ash deposit, covering an area of 3.4
square kilometers, was visible on the ESE flank. The Alert Level remained
at Yellow (second lowest level on a four-color scale); SERNAGEOMIN
recommended no entry into a restricted area within 500 m of the crater.
ONEMI maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the middle level on a
three-color scale) for the municipality of Alto Biobío.



Geologic Summary. Volcán Copahue is an elongated composite cone constructed
along the Chile-Argentina border within the 6.5 x 8.5 km wide Trapa-Trapa
caldera that formed between 0.6 and 0.4 million years ago near the NW
margin of the 20 x 15 km Pliocene Caviahue (Del Agrio) caldera. The eastern
summit crater, part of a 2-km-long, ENE-WSW line of nine craters, contains
a briny, acidic 300-m-wide crater lake (also referred to as El Agrio or Del
Agrio) and displays intense fumarolic activity. Acidic hot springs occur
below the eastern outlet of the crater lake, contributing to the acidity of
the Río Agrio, and another geothermal zone is located within Caviahue
caldera about 7 km NE of the summit. Infrequent mild-to-moderate explosive
eruptions have been recorded since the 18th century. Twentieth-century
eruptions from the crater lake have ejected pyroclastic rocks and chilled
liquid sulfur fragments.



Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/;

Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/





Nevados de Chillan  | Chile  | 36.868°S, 71.378°W  | Summit elev. 3180 m



ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 10-17 September white-to-gray
gas plumes from Nevados de Chillánâ??s Nicanor Crater rose 400-800 m above
the rim and drifted NE, E, and SE. Explosions sometimes ejected
incandescent material onto the E and SE flanks. A lava flow on the NNE
flank was 100 m wide, 5 m thick, and had advanced 600 m by 14 September.
The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a
four-color scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level
on a three-color scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San
Fabián, and stated that the public should stay at least 3 km away from the
crater on the SW flank and 5 km away on the ENE flank.



Geologic Summary. The compound volcano of Nevados de Chillán is one of the
most active of the Central Andes. Three late-Pleistocene to Holocene
stratovolcanoes were constructed along a NNW-SSE line within three nested
Pleistocene calderas, which produced ignimbrite sheets extending more than
100 km into the Central Depression of Chile. The largest stratovolcano,
dominantly andesitic, Cerro Blanco (Volcán Nevado), is located at the NW
end of the group. Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán), which was the main active
vent during the 17th-19th centuries, occupies the SE end. The new Volcán
Nuevo lava-dome complex formed between 1906 and 1945 between the two
volcanoes and grew to exceed Volcán Viejo in elevation. The Volcán Arrau
dome complex was constructed SE of Volcán Nuevo between 1973 and 1986 and
eventually exceeded its height.



Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/;

Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/





Villarrica  | Chile  | 39.42°S, 71.93°W  | Summit elev. 2847 m



Video from an 11 September overflight of Villarrica, conducted by the
Carabineros Región de La Araucanía, showed an active cone on the crater
floor. ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN noted that the activity was consistent with
the elevated seismicity detected by the seismic network during the previous
few days. Seismicity and explosive activity in the crater both began
decreasing on 12 September and continued a downward trend at least through
16 September. Discrete tremor signals disappeared during 15-16 September,
with moderate levels of continuous tremor dominating the signal. No
explosions were detected. SERNAGEOMIN lowered the Alert Level to Yellow,
the second lowest level on a four-color scale. ONEMI maintained an Alert
Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the
municipalities of Villarrica, Pucón (16 km N), Curarrehue, and the commune
of Panguipulli, and changed the exclusion zone for the public to a radius
of 1 km around the crater.



Geologic Summary. Glacier-clad Villarrica, one of Chile's most active
volcanoes, rises above the lake and town of the same name. It is the
westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes that trend perpendicular to the
Andean chain. A 6-km-wide caldera formed during the late Pleistocene. A
2-km-wide caldera that formed about 3500 years ago is located at the base
of the presently active, dominantly basaltic to basaltic-andesitic cone at
the NW margin of the Pleistocene caldera. More than 30 scoria cones and
fissure vents dot the flanks. Plinian eruptions and pyroclastic flows that
have extended up to 20 km from the volcano were produced during the
Holocene. Lava flows up to 18 km long have issued from summit and flank
vents. Historical eruptions, documented since 1558, have consisted largely
of mild-to-moderate explosive activity with occasional lava effusion.
Glaciers cover 40 km2 of the volcano, and lahars have damaged towns on its
flanks.



Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/;

Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/;

Carabineros de Chile (Región de La Araucanía)
https://www.carabineros.cl/index.php





Ongoing Activity





Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.593°N, 130.657°E  | Summit elev. 1117 m



JMA reported that inflation at Minamidake crater (at Aira Calderaâ??s
Sakurajima volcano) began to be detected on 9 September and was similar to
the deformation recorded just before a notable eruption on 16 June 2018. An
eruption recorded at 0746 on 16 September produced an ash plume that rose
2.8 km above the crater rim and drifted SW. A series of eruptive events
were recorded during 0830-1110. Deformation ceased after the events. An
explosion at 0927 on 17 September generated an ash plume that rose 1 km and
ejected blocks as far as 1.1 km. Two eruptive events later than day
produced ash plumes that rose 1.6 km. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a
5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay
contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active.
Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of
the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera
was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera,
along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began
about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an
island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major
explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit
cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at
Minamidake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century,
have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located
across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical
eruption took place during 1471-76.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Asosan  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 32.884°N, 131.104°E  | Summit elev. 1592 m



JMA reported that during 10-13 September ash plumes rose 1.6 km above
Asosanâ??s summit crater rim. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was 1,600 tons
per day on 11 September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-5).



Geologic Summary. The 24-km-wide Asosan caldera was formed during four
major explosive eruptions from 300,000 to 90,000 years ago. These produced
voluminous pyroclastic flows that covered much of Kyushu. The last of
these, the Aso-4 eruption, produced more than 600 km3 of airfall tephra and
pyroclastic-flow deposits. A group of 17 central cones was constructed in
the middle of the caldera, one of which, Nakadake, is one of Japan's most
active volcanoes. It was the location of Japan's first documented
historical eruption in 553 CE. The Nakadake complex has remained active
throughout the Holocene. Several other cones have been active during the
Holocene, including the Kometsuka scoria cone as recently as about 210 CE.
Historical eruptions have largely consisted of basaltic to
basaltic-andesite ash emission with periodic strombolian and
phreatomagmatic activity. The summit crater of Nakadake is accessible by
toll road and cable car, and is one of Kyushu's most popular tourist
destinations.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Dukono  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.693°N, 127.894°E  | Summit elev. 1229 m



Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the
Darwin VAAC reported that during 11-17 September ash plumes from Dukono
rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NNE,
and NE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public
was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.



Geologic Summary. Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost
Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active
volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes
accompanied by lava flows, occurred from 1933 until at least the mid-1990s,
when routine observations were curtailed. During a major eruption in 1550,
a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the north-flank cone
of Gunung Mamuya. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with
multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of
the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been
active during historical time.



Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml;

Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Ebeko  | Paramushir Island (Russia)  | 50.686°N, 156.014°E  | Summit elev.
1103 m



Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of
Ebeko, observed explosions during 7-13 September that sent ash plumes up to
3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SE, and N. Ash fell in
Severo-Kurilsk on 6 September. A thermal anomaly was identified in
satellite images on 8 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange
(the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko
volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern
end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line
form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five
volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the
neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater
contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater
is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming
solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the
central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical
activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to
small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense
fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the
cone, and in lateral explosion craters.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Etna  | Sicily (Italy)  | 37.748°N, 14.999°E  | Summit elev. 3295 m



INGV reported that Strombolian activity at Etnaâ??s Northeast Crater (NEC)
likely began on 8 September. Continuous Strombolian activity recorded
between 2000 on 9 September and 0700 on 10 September produced diffuse ash
emissions which quickly dissipated. The most intense part of the eruptive
period occurred during 2000-2200. Minor ashfall was reported in Piedimonte
Etneo, Giarre-Riposto, and Rifugio Citelli. Incandescence from the activity
had significantly subsided by 0300 on 10 September, coincident with the
ejection of lava fragments outside of the crater. Dilute ash puffs were
continuously observed at dawn the next day. Strombolian activity ceased
around 0540 and then resumed around 0800. Weather conditions hindered
observations at times on 11 September but clear observations after 2000
allowed for the confirmation of continuing explosive activity at varying
intensity at NEC.



Ash emission from Voragine Crater began during the morning of 12 September
and gradually increased in frequency. Activity further intensified at 1200
as Strombolian activity commenced and tephra ejected out of the crater was
deposited at the base of Bocca Nuova Crater. Strong Strombolian explosions
were felt in Zafferana Etnea, Aci S. Antonio, Pedara, and neighboring areas.



Webcam and field observations on 13 September confirmed continuing activity
at NEC and Voragine craters. Diffuse ash plumes rose from NEC and dispersed
near the summit area. Strombolian activity at Voragine Crater ejected
coarse tephra as high as 20 m above the crater rim and produced diffuse ash
emissions. Impact craters from the ejected tephra were distributed mostly
in the W part of the area between Bocca Nuova and Voragine craters down to
3,000 m elevation. Activity continued on 14 September. During an overflight
on 15 September observers noted that a scoria cone had formed in Voragine
Crater, and diffuse ash emissions continued to rise from NEC.



Geologic Summary. Mount Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily's second
largest city, has one of the world's longest documented records of
historical volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE. Historical lava flows of
basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano,
whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello
stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during
the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most
prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km
horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity
typically occur, sometimes simultaneously. Persistent explosive eruptions,
sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more summit
craters. Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less
frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively
downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions
at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of
lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all
sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.



Source: Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV)
http://www.ct.ingv.it/





Karangetang  | Siau Island (Indonesia)  | 2.781°N, 125.407°E  | Summit
elev. 1797 m



PVMBG reported that during 9-15 September lava continued to effuse from
Karangetangâ??s Main Crater (S) and Dua Crater (N), traveling as far as 1.5
km down the Nanitu, Pangi, and Sense drainages on the SW flank. Sometimes
dense white plumes rose to 100 m above the summit. According to the Darwin
VAAC an ash plume rose almost 650 m above the summit and drifted E on 11
September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).



Geologic Summary. Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end
of the island of Siau, about 125 km NNE of the NE-most point of Sulawesi
island. The stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. It
is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions
recorded since 1675 and many additional small eruptions that were not
documented in the historical record (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the
World: Neumann van Padang, 1951). Twentieth-century eruptions have included
frequent explosive activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and
lahars. Lava dome growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of
lava flow fronts have produced pyroclastic flows.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Karymsky  | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | 54.049°N, 159.443°E  | Summit
elev. 1513 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was visible in
satellite images on 10 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at
Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern
volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a
5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts
the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the
north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains
the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding
Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located
immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700
radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000
years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago,
following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows
less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or
vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava
flows from the summit crater.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Krakatau  | Indonesia  | 6.102°S, 105.423°E  | Summit elev. 813 m



PVMBG reported that Anak Krakatauâ??s seismic network recorded five eruptive
events during 9-15 September. A webcam at the summit recorded diffuse white
plumes rising 150 m from the bottom of the crater, and dense gray-and-white
ash plumes rising 300 m. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4),
and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km-radius hazard zone
from the crater.



Geologic Summary. The renowned volcano Krakatau (frequently misstated as
Krakatoa) lies in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra. Collapse of
the ancestral Krakatau edifice, perhaps in 416 or 535 CE, formed a
7-km-wide caldera. Remnants of this ancestral volcano are preserved in
Verlaten and Lang Islands; subsequently Rakata, Danan, and Perbuwatan
volcanoes were formed, coalescing to create the pre-1883 Krakatau Island.
Caldera collapse during the catastrophic 1883 eruption destroyed Danan and
Perbuwatan, and left only a remnant of Rakata. This eruption, the 2nd
largest in Indonesia during historical time, caused more than 36,000
fatalities, most as a result of devastating tsunamis that swept the
adjacent coastlines of Sumatra and Java. Pyroclastic surges traveled 40 km
across the Sunda Strait and reached the Sumatra coast. After a quiescence
of less than a half century, the post-collapse cone of Anak Krakatau (Child
of Krakatau) was constructed within the 1883 caldera at a point between the
former cones of Danan and Perbuwatan. Anak Krakatau has been the site of
frequent eruptions since 1927.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Merapi  | Central Java (Indonesia)  | 7.54°S, 110.446°E  | Summit elev.
2910 m



PVMBG reported that during 9-15 September the lava-dome volume at Merapi
did not change and was an estimated 461,000 cubic meters, based on analyses
of drone images on 8 August. Extruded lava fell into the upper parts of the
SE flank, generating block-and-ash flows that traveled as far as 1.1 km
down the Gendol drainage. Diffuse white plumes rose as high as 100 m above
the summit. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and
residents were warned to stay outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.



Geologic Summary. Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, lies in
one of the world's most densely populated areas and dominates the landscape
immediately north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and
southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth
of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse
perhaps about 2000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the
eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequently growth of the steep-sided
Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent eruptive
activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and
lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit
lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern
flanks and caused many fatalities during historical time.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Pacaya  | Guatemala  | 14.382°N, 90.601°W  | Summit elev. 2569 m



A special report from INSIVUMEH noted that seismic activity at Pacaya had
increased on 8 September, with RSAM values reaching 7,000 units by 13
September, coincident with increased explosive activity at Mackenney
Crater. Explosions from a growing cone in the crater ejected material as
high as 75 m above the cone. Lava effusion increased; lava flows advancing
on the N and NW flank towards Cerro Chino were about 500 m long. Avalanches
of blocks up to 1 m in diameter were produced by the flow front. Similar
activity was observed during 15-16 September.



Geologic Summary. Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active
volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's
capital. This complex basaltic volcano was constructed just outside the
southern topographic rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera. A
cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the southern caldera floor. The
post-caldera Pacaya massif includes the ancestral Pacaya Viejo and Cerro
Grande stratovolcanoes and the currently active Mackenney stratovolcano.
Collapse of Pacaya Viejo between 600 and 1500 years ago produced a
debris-avalanche deposit that extends 25 km onto the Pacific coastal plain
and left an arcuate somma rim inside which the modern Pacaya volcano
(Mackenney cone) grew. A subsidiary crater, Cerro Chino, was constructed on
the NW somma rim and was last active in the 19th century. During the past
several decades, activity has consisted of frequent strombolian eruptions
with intermittent lava flow extrusion that has partially filled in the
caldera moat and armored the flanks of Mackenney cone, punctuated by
occasional larger explosive eruptions that partially destroy the summit of
the growing young stratovolcano.



Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e
Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/





Sangeang Api  | Indonesia  | 8.2°S, 119.07°E  | Summit elev. 1912 m



The Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 September a diffuse ash plume from
Sangeang Api was identified in satellite images rising to 3 km (10,000 ft)
a.s.l. and drifting N. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).



Geologic Summary. Sangeang Api volcano, one of the most active in the
Lesser Sunda Islands, forms a small 13-km-wide island off the NE coast of
Sumbawa Island. Two large trachybasaltic-to-tranchyandesitic volcanic
cones, Doro Api and Doro Mantoi, were constructed in the center and on the
eastern rim, respectively, of an older, largely obscured caldera. Flank
vents occur on the south side of Doro Mantoi and near the northern coast.
Intermittent historical eruptions have been recorded since 1512, most of
them during in the 20th century.



Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Sheveluch  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.653°N, 161.36°E  | Summit
elev. 3283 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluchâ??s lava dome was
identified daily in satellite images during 6-9 and 12 September.
Resuspended ash formed plumes that drifted 250 km ESE during 11-12
September. Satellite and webcam data recorded ash emissions and a
gas-and-steam plume with some ash drifting 50 km ESE on 12 September. The
Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a
four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also
spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya
volcano group. The 1300 km3 volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most
active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary
Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera
breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy
Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the
large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took
place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions have
occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano
of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions
have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in
Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964,
have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of
the breached caldera.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Shishaldin  | Fox Islands (USA)  | 54.756°N, 163.97°W  | Summit elev. 2857 m



Low-level lava fountaining and minor explosive activity within Shishaldinâ??s
summit crater was last observed on 17 August and likely continued during
11-17 September; continuous tremor was recorded by the seismic network and
elevated surface temperatures were visible in satellite images. The webcam
possibly recorded a steam emission on 16 September. The Aviation Color Code
remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.



Geologic Summary. The beautifully symmetrical volcano of Shishaldin is the
highest and one of the most active volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands. The
2857-m-high, glacier-covered volcano is the westernmost of three large
stratovolcanoes along an E-W line in the eastern half of Unimak Island. The
Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points the way
when I am lost." A steady steam plume rises from its small summit crater.
Constructed atop an older glacially dissected volcano, it is Holocene in
age and largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older ancestral
volcano are exposed on the west and NE sides at 1500-1800 m elevation.
There are over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank, which is
blanketed by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity, primarily
consisting of strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit crater, but
sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the 18th century.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://avo.alaska.edu/





Tangkubanparahu  | Western Java (Indonesia)  | 6.77°S, 107.6°E  | Summit
elev. 2084 m



PVMBG reported that phreatic events, accompanied by roaring, continued at
Tangkubanparahu's Ratu Crater during 9-15 September, though no larger
eruptions were recorded. Ash-and-steam emissions rose as high as 20 m above
the vent and steam plumes rose as high as 200 m. The seismic network
recorded continuous tremor. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of
1-4), and the public was warned to stay 1.5 km away from the active crater.



Geologic Summary. Tangkubanparahu (also known as Tangkuban Perahu) is a
broad shield-like stratovolcano overlooking Indonesia's former capital city
of Bandung. The volcano was constructed within the 6 x 8 km Pleistocene
Sunda caldera, which formed about 190,000 years ago. The volcano's low
profile is the subject of legends referring to the mountain of the
"upturned boat." The rim of Sunda caldera forms a prominent ridge on the
western side; elsewhere the caldera rim is largely buried by deposits of
Tangkubanparahu volcano. The dominantly small phreatic historical eruptions
recorded since the 19th century have originated from several nested craters
within an elliptical 1 x 1.5 km summit depression.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Ubinas  | Peru  | 16.355°S, 70.903°W  | Summit elev. 5672 m



During 10-15 September the number of seismic events at Ubinas totaled
4,093, with volcano-tectonic (VT) signals being the most numerous,
averaging 572 events per day, and all having magnitudes under M 2.5. Hybrid
events averaged 299 events per day. Continuous emissions of blueish gas and
water vapor were recorded by the webcam rising to heights less than 1.5 km
above the summit. Two thermal anomalies were recorded by the MIROVA system.
An explosion at 0725 on 12 September produced a gas-and-ash plume that rose
1.5 km and affected several districts S and SE in the Moquegua region. The
Alert Level remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color
scale) and the public were warned to stay outside of a 10-km radius.



Geologic Summary. A small, 1.4-km-wide caldera cuts the top of Ubinas,
Peru's most active volcano, giving it a truncated appearance. It is the
northernmost of three young volcanoes located along a regional structural
lineament about 50 km behind the main volcanic front of Perú. The growth
and destruction of Ubinas I was followed by construction of Ubinas II
beginning in the mid-Pleistocene. The upper slopes of the
andesitic-to-rhyolitic Ubinas II stratovolcano are composed primarily of
andesitic and trachyandesitic lava flows and steepen to nearly 45 degrees.
The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit caldera contains an ash cone with a
500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200 m deep. Debris-avalanche deposits
from the collapse of the SE flank about 3700 years ago extend 10 km from
the volcano. Widespread plinian pumice-fall deposits include one of
Holocene age about 1000 years ago. Holocene lava flows are visible on the
flanks, but historical activity, documented since the 16th century, has
consisted of intermittent minor-to-moderate explosive eruptions.



Source: Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) http://www.igp.gob.pe/


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