Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 17 June-23 June 2020

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


Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

17 June-23 June 2020



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

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





New Activity/Unrest: Erta Ale, Ethiopia  | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
(Russia)  | Laguna del Maule, Central Chile-Argentina border  | Makushin,
Fox Islands (USA)  | Turrialba, Costa Rica  | Veniaminof, United States



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Cleveland, Chuginadak Island
(USA)  | Copahue, Central Chile-Argentina border  | Dukono, Halmahera
(Indonesia)  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  | Ibu, Halmahera
(Indonesia)  | Kanlaon, Philippines  | Kick 'em Jenny, North of Grenada  |
Klyuchevskoy, Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Merapi, Central Java
(Indonesia)  | Nishinoshima, Japan  | Pacaya, Guatemala  | Rincon de la
Vieja, Costa Rica  | Sangay, Ecuador  | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)  |
Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands
(Japan)  | Whakaari/White Island, North Island (New Zealand)





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





Erta Ale  | Ethiopia  | 13.6°N, 40.67°E  | Summit elev. 613 m



Satellite data showed a minor thermal anomaly in Erta Aleâ??s S pit crater on
12 June and a larger anomaly on 17 June at the site of the previous lava
lake.



Geologic Summary. Erta Ale is an isolated basaltic shield that is the most
active volcano in Ethiopia. The broad, 50-km-wide edifice rises more than
600 m from below sea level in the barren Danakil depression. Erta Ale is
the namesake and most prominent feature of the Erta Ale Range. The volcano
contains a 0.7 x 1.6 km, elliptical summit crater housing steep-sided pit
craters. Another larger 1.8 x 3.1 km wide depression elongated parallel to
the trend of the Erta Ale range is located SE of the summit and is bounded
by curvilinear fault scarps on the SE side. Fresh-looking basaltic lava
flows from these fissures have poured into the caldera and locally
overflowed its rim. The summit caldera is renowned for one, or sometimes
two long-term lava lakes that have been active since at least 1967, or
possibly since 1906. Recent fissure eruptions have occurred on the N flank.



Source: Sentinel Hub https://sentinel-hub.com/explore/sentinel-playground





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



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Karymsky was identified in
satellite images during 11-19 June, possibly due to ongoing Strombolian
activity. 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





Laguna del Maule  | Central Chile-Argentina border  | 36.058°S, 70.492°W  |
Summit elev. 2162 m



SERNAGEOMINâ??s Volcanological Observatory of the Southern Andes (OVDAS) of
Chile and SEGEMARâ??s Argentine Observatory of Volcanic Surveillance (OAVV)
reported anomalous activity at Laguna del Maule Volcanic Complex. Elevated
levels of carbon dioxide were detected in an area SW of the caldera lake,
along the lower part of the Cabecera de Troncoso River, about 5 km from the
lakeâ??s shore. Carbon dioxide emissions were measured in February 2020 and
notably elevated relative to March 2019 measurements. An impacted area
possibly stretched as far as 500 m from the point representing the highest
carbon dioxide emission rate; observers noted areas of discolored brown and
orange soil aonlg with dead or emaciated animals.



Three swarms of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes recorded in mid-June were
mainly located in the Las Nieblas area, SW of the lake, at depths of 2-8
km. The first began at 0340 on 11 June and totaled at least 400 events. The
second swarm began at 2338 on 12 June was characterized by 121 events,
located 8.8 km W of the crater. The third swarm began at 2334 on 15 June
and was characterized by 190 events located 10.4 km SW of the crater. All
of the earthquakes were small magnitudes; the largest event was a local M
2.5. On 18 June the Alert Level was raised to Yellow, the second lowest
color on a four-color scale; ONEMI recommended restricting access within a
radius of 2 km from the emission center. Seismic activity continued to be
recorded, though at lesser magnitudes.



Geologic Summary. The 15 x 25 km wide Laguna del Maule caldera contains a
cluster of small stratovolcanoes, lava domes, and pyroclastic cones of
Pleistocene-to-Holocene age. The caldera lies mostly on the Chilean side of
the border, but partially extends into Argentina. Fourteen Pleistocene
basaltic lava flows were erupted down the upper part of the Maule river
valley. A cluster of Pleistocene cinder cones was constructed on the NW
side of the Maule lake, which occupies part of the northern portion of the
caldera. The latest activity produced an explosion crater on the E side of
the lake and a series of Holocene rhyolitic lava domes and blocky lava
flows that surround it.



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

Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino (SEGEMAR) http://www.segemar.gov.ar/;

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





Makushin  | Fox Islands (USA)  | 53.891°N, 166.923°W  | Summit elev. 1800 m



AVO reported that numerous smaller earthquakes in an area about 12 km SE of
Makushinâ??s summit were recorded after two events greater than M 4 occurred
on 15 June. The earthquake activity continued during 16-23 June, though at
a declining rate and magnitudes. No surficial activity was visible in
satellite or webcam images; only typical minor steaming from summit
fumaroles was visible. The Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level
remained at Yellow and Advisory, respectively.



Geologic Summary. The ice-covered, 1800-m-high Makushin volcano on northern
Unalaska Island west of the town of Dutch Harbor is capped by a 2.5-km-wide
caldera. The broad, domical structure of Makushin contrasts with the
steep-sided profiles of most other Aleutian stratovolcanoes. Much of the
volcano was formed during the Pleistocene, but the caldera (which formed
about 8000 years ago), Sugarloaf cone on the ENE flank, and a cluster of
about a dozen explosion pits and cinder cones at Point Kadin on the WNW
flank, are of Holocene age. A broad band of NE-SW-trending satellitic vents
cuts across the volcano. The composite Pakushin cone, with multiple summit
craters, lies 8 km to the SW of Makushin. Frequent explosive eruptions have
occurred during the past 4000 years, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic
flows and surges. Geothermal areas are found in the summit caldera of
Makushin and on the SE and eastern flanks of the volcano. They represent
the largest and most investigated high-temperature geothermal resources in
Alaska. Small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at
Makushin since 1786.



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





Turrialba  | Costa Rica  | 10.025°N, 83.767°W  | Summit elev. 3340 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that ash emissions at Turrialba rose no higher
than100 m above the crater rim from events recorded at 1714, 1723, and 1818
on 18 June and at 1023 and 1039 on 19 June. A small ash emission was
visible at 1715 on 22 June.



Geologic Summary. Turrialba, the easternmost of Costa Rica's Holocene
volcanoes, is a large vegetated basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano located
across a broad saddle NE of Irazú volcano overlooking the city of Cartago.
The massive edifice covers an area of 500 km2. Three well-defined craters
occur at the upper SW end of a broad 800 x 2200 m summit depression that is
breached to the NE. Most activity originated from the summit vent complex,
but two pyroclastic cones are located on the SW flank. Five major explosive
eruptions have occurred during the past 3500 years. A series of explosive
eruptions during the 19th century were sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic
flows. Fumarolic activity continues at the central and SW summit craters.



Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad
Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/





Veniaminof  | United States  | 56.17°N, 159.38°W  | Summit elev. 2507 m



On 18 June AVO stated that periods of seismic tremor and occasional
earthquakes had been recorded at Veniaminof over the past few days. The
increase above background levels prompted AVO to raise the Volcano Alert
Level to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow. Periods of
low-amplitude seismic tremor decreased in frequency during 19-20 June, and
were not detected at all by 21 June.



Geologic Summary. Veniaminof, on the Alaska Peninsula, is truncated by a
steep-walled, 8 x 11 km, glacier-filled caldera that formed around 3,700
years ago. The caldera rim is up to 520 m high on the north, is deeply
notched on the west by Cone Glacier, and is covered by an ice sheet on the
south. Post-caldera vents are located along a NW-SE zone bisecting the
caldera that extends 55 km from near the Bering Sea coast, across the
caldera, and down the Pacific flank. Historical eruptions probably all
originated from the westernmost and most prominent of two intra-caldera
cones, which rises about 300 m above the surrounding icefield. The other
cone is larger, and has a summit crater or caldera that may reach 2.5 km in
diameter, but is more subdued and barely rises above the glacier surface.



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





Ongoing Activity





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



JMA reported that very small eruptive events were recorded at Minamidake
Crater (at Aira Calderaâ??s Sakurajima volcano) during 19-22 June. 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/





Cleveland  | Chuginadak Island (USA)  | 52.825°N, 169.944°W  | Summit elev.
1730 m



AVO reported that no additional volcanic activity was detected at Cleveland
after the short-lived explosion recorded on 1 June. The Volcano Alert Level
was lowered to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow.



Geologic Summary. The beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano
is situated at the western end of the uninhabited Chuginadak Island. It
lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across
Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Joined to the rest of
Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus, Cleveland is the highest of the Islands
of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian
Islands. The native name, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire,
who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend
the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century
eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et
al., 1998). In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an
Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived
explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava
flows down the flanks.



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





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



On 17 June OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN reported increased activity at Copahue during
the previous days, characterized by low-altitude gas emissions containing
particulate matter. A period of increased seismicity was recorded in the
afternoon on 16 June accompanied by crater incandescence and emissions
visible in webcam images.



The report noted that very-long-period earthquakes had been recorded in
previous months, and a series of volcano-related seismic events were
detected in an area SSW of the volcano on 20 March. Additionally, satellite
images showed a reduction in the size of the crater lake. These recent
changes coupled with increased seismicity prompted SERNAGEOMIN to raise the
Alert Level to Yellow (second lowest level on a four-color scale) and
restrict access to an area within 1 km of El Agrio Crater. ONEMI raised a
Yellow Alert (the middle level on a three-color scale) for residents of the
Alto Biobío municipality.



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/





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 16-23 June ash plumes from Dukono rose to
1.8-2.1 km (6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W. 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



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Ebeko was identified in
satellite images on 14, 16, and 18 June. Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk
(Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions on 17 June
that sent ash plumes up to 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. 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





Ibu  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.488°N, 127.63°E  | Summit elev. 1325 m



The Darwin VAAC reported that during 20-21 June ash plumes from Ibu rose to
1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW and W based on satellite images and
weather models. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the
public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and
3.5 km away on the N side.



Geologic Summary. The truncated summit of Gunung Ibu stratovolcano along
the NW coast of Halmahera Island has large nested summit craters. The inner
crater, 1 km wide and 400 m deep, contained several small crater lakes
through much of historical time. The outer crater, 1.2 km wide, is breached
on the north side, creating a steep-walled valley. A large parasitic cone
is located ENE of the summit. A smaller one to the WSW has fed a lava flow
down the W flank. A group of maars is located below the N and W flanks.
Only a few eruptions have been recorded in historical time, the first a
small explosive eruption from the summit crater in 1911. An eruption
producing a lava dome that eventually covered much of the floor of the
inner summit crater began in December 1998.



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/





Kanlaon  | Philippines  | 10.412°N, 123.132°E  | Summit elev. 2435 m



PHIVOLCS reported that ground deformation data from continuous GPS
measurements at Kanlaon indicated slight deflation of the lower and middle
flanks since January. Tilt data from instruments on the SE flank recorded
continuing deflation on the lower flanks and inflation of the mid-flank
since April 2020. White steam plumes rose 100-200 m above the summit and
drifted NW and SW.



The seismic network recorded as many as 10 volcanic earthquakes per day
during 17-21 June. A series of earthquakes beneath the lower W flank began
at 1603 on 21 June, and by 0800 the next morning there were a total of 136
events recorded. Five of the earthquakes (recorded at 0101, 0104, 0134,
0206, and 0507 on 22 June) were M 3-4.7, and were felt at Intensities II to
IV in La Carlota City and Bago City, Negros Occidental, and Canlaon City,
Negros Oriental. During 22-23 June there were a total of 104
volcano-tectonic earthquakes beneath the W flank. The Alert Level remained
at 1 (on a scale of 0-5) and PHIVOLCS reminded the public to remain outside
of the 4-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone.



Geologic Summary. Kanlaon volcano (also spelled Canlaon), the most active
of the central Philippines, forms the highest point on the island of
Negros. The massive andesitic stratovolcano is dotted with
fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled
by lakes. The largest debris avalanche known in the Philippines traveled 33
km SW from Kanlaon. The summit contains a 2-km-wide, elongated northern
caldera with a crater lake and a smaller, but higher, historically active
vent, Lugud crater, to the south. Historical eruptions, recorded since
1866, have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate
size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano.



Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/





Kick 'em Jenny  | North of Grenada  | 12.3°N, 61.64°W  | Summit elev. -185 m



The University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) and
the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) reported that a period of
elevated seismicity at Kick 'em Jenny was recorded over a seven-day period
in June. According to a news article, only 29 earthquakes were recorded
during April-May all with magnitudes of 1.6-2. During 5-12 June there were
1,384 recorded earthquakes with magnitudes as high as 1.8. The Alert Level
remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the
maritime exclusion zone did not change from the radius of 1.5 km.



Geologic Summary. Kick 'em Jenny, a historically active submarine volcano 8
km off the N shore of Grenada, rises 1300 m from the sea floor. Recent
bathymetric surveys have shown evidence for a major arcuate collapse
structure, which was the source of a submarine debris avalanche that
traveled more than 15 km W. Bathymetry also revealed another submarine cone
to the SE, Kick 'em Jack, and submarine lava domes to its S. These and
subaerial tuff rings and lava flows at Ile de Caille and other nearby
islands may represent a single large volcanic complex. Numerous historical
eruptions, mostly documented by acoustic signals, have occurred since 1939,
when an eruption cloud rose 275 m above the sea. Prior to the 1939
eruption, which was witnessed by a large number of people in northern
Grenada, there had been no written mention of the volcano. Eruptions have
involved both explosive activity and the quiet extrusion of lava flows and
lava domes in the summit crater; deep rumbling noises have sometimes been
heard onshore. Historical eruptions have modified the morphology of the
summit crater.



Sources: Seismic Research Unit, University of the West Indies
http://www.uwiseismic.com/;

Now Grenada
https://www.nowgrenada.com/2020/06/more-than-1000-small-earthquakes-recorded-at-kick-em-jenny/





Klyuchevskoy  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.056°N, 160.642°E  | Summit
elev. 4754 m



KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy was visible during
12-19 June along with a bright thermal anomaly identified in satellite
images. A lava flow continued to advance down the Apakhonchich drainage on
the SE flank. Avalanches of material on the S side of the lava flow were
sometimes visible. Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.



Geologic Summary. Klyuchevskoy (also spelled Kliuchevskoi) is Kamchatka's
highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the
beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced
frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major
periods of inactivity. It rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen
volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank
eruptions have occurred during the past roughly 3000 years, with most
lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the
unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m
elevation. The morphology of the 700-m-wide summit crater has been
frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since
the late-17th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from
the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and
effusive eruptions from flank craters.



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





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



BPPTKG reported that two explosions at Merapi were recorded at 0913 and
0927 on 21 June; the first lasted under six minutes and the second lasted
under two minutes. A dense ash plume rose around 6 km above the summit and
drifted W, causing ashfall in areas downwind including in the districts of
Magelang and Kulonprogo, and as far as the Girimulyo District (45 km). 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: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi
(BPPTKG) http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/





Nishinoshima  | Japan  | 27.247°N, 140.874°E  | Summit elev. 25 m



The Tokyo VAAC reported that ash plumes from Nishinoshima rose to 2.1-2.4
km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and E. The marine exclusion zone
was defined as a radius of about 2.6 km from the island.



Geologic Summary. The small island of Nishinoshima was enlarged when
several new islands coalesced during an eruption in 1973-74. Another
eruption that began offshore in 2013 completely covered the previous
exposed surface and enlarged the island again. Water discoloration has been
observed on several occasions since. The island is the summit of a massive
submarine volcano that has prominent satellitic peaks to the S, W, and NE.
The summit of the southern cone rises to within 214 m of the sea surface 9
km SSE.



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

Japan Coast Guard http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/index.html





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



INSIVUMEH reported that during 17-19 June Strombolian explosions at
Pacayaâ??s Mackenney Crater ejected material as high as 100 m above the
crater rim and continued to build a cone in the crater. Active lava flows
were 250 m long on the N flank and 200 m long on the S flank by 19 June. In
a special report INSIVUMEH noted that increased on 20 June accompanying
active lava flows that traveled 650 m SW and 200 m NW by the next day.
During 20-23 June Strombolian explosions ejected incandescent material as
high as 200 m above the summit and produced ash plumes that rose 100 m. The
explosions were heard in areas up to 5 km away.



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/





Rincon de la Vieja  | Costa Rica  | 10.83°N, 85.324°W  | Summit elev. 1916 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la
Vieja continued to be recorded by the seismic network and webcams during
16-23 June. Several small eruptive events were recorded during 16-17 June;
the largest event occurred at 1635 on 17 June and produced a plume that
rose 1 km above the crater rim. Eruptive events were detected at 1442 on 19
June and 1046 on 23 June, though inclement weather conditions prevented
visual confirmation.



Geologic Summary. Rincón de la Vieja, the largest volcano in NW Costa Rica,
is a remote volcanic complex in the Guanacaste Range. The volcano consists
of an elongated, arcuate NW-SE-trending ridge that was constructed within
the 15-km-wide early Pleistocene Guachipelín caldera, whose rim is exposed
on the south side. Sometimes known as the "Colossus of Guanacaste," it has
an estimated volume of 130 km3 and contains at least nine major eruptive
centers. Activity has migrated to the SE, where the youngest-looking
craters are located. The twin cone of 1916-m-high Santa María volcano, the
highest peak of the complex, is located at the eastern end of a smaller,
5-km-wide caldera and has a 500-m-wide crater. A plinian eruption producing
the 0.25 km3 Río Blanca tephra about 3500 years ago was the last major
magmatic eruption. All subsequent eruptions, including numerous historical
eruptions possibly dating back to the 16th century, have been from the
prominent active crater containing a 500-m-wide acid lake located ENE of
Von Seebach crater.



Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad
Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/





Sangay  | Ecuador  | 2.005°S, 78.341°W  | Summit elev. 5286 m



On 16 June the Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias
(SNGRE) declared a Yellow Alert for the province of Chimborazo due to a
recent increase in ashfall from Sangay. IG reported a continuing high level
of activity during 16-22 June, though weather clouds often prevented visual
observations. According to the IG and Washington VAAC notices ash plumes
rose 570-870 m above the summit and drifted W and SW. Incandescent blocks
descending the SE flank were seen through breaks in cloud cover overnight
during 17-18 June.



SNGRE reported that lahars in the Upano River in the morning of 21 June
followed heavy rains two days earlier. In Macas (40 km SE) the lahars
caused the closure of the E45 Macas-Puyo road, destroying a 27-m section
and damaging a 30-m section, and the evacuation of 21 people.



Geologic Summary. The isolated Sangay volcano, located east of the Andean
crest, is the southernmost of Ecuador's volcanoes and its most active. The
steep-sided, glacier-covered, dominantly andesitic volcano grew within
horseshoe-shaped calderas of two previous edifices, which were destroyed by
collapse to the east, producing large debris avalanches that reached the
Amazonian lowlands. The modern edifice dates back to at least 14,000 years
ago. It towers above the tropical jungle on the east side; on the other
sides flat plains of ash have been sculpted by heavy rains into
steep-walled canyons up to 600 m deep. The earliest report of a historical
eruption was in 1628. More or less continuous eruptions were reported from
1728 until 1916, and again from 1934 to the present. The almost constant
activity has caused frequent changes to the morphology of the summit crater
complex.



Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/;

Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE)
https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/





Semeru  | Eastern Java (Indonesia)  | 8.108°S, 112.922°E  | Summit elev.
3657 m



PVMBG and the Darwin VAAC reported that on most days during 18-23 June ash
plumes from Semeru rose 300-500 m above the summit and drifted SE, S, SW,
and W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public
was reminded to stay outside of the general 1-km radius from the summit and
4 km on the SSE flank.



Geologic Summary. Semeru, the highest volcano on Java, and one of its most
active, lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to
the Tengger caldera. The steep-sided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru
(Great Mountain), rises above coastal plains to the south. Gunung Semeru
was constructed south of the overlapping Ajek-ajek and Jambangan calderas.
A line of lake-filled maars was constructed along a N-S trend cutting
through the summit, and cinder cones and lava domes occupy the eastern and
NE flanks. Summit topography is complicated by the shifting of craters from
NW to SE. Frequent 19th and 20th century eruptions were dominated by
small-to-moderate explosions from the summit crater, with occasional lava
flows and larger explosive eruptions accompanied by pyroclastic flows that
have reached the lower flanks of the volcano.



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

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 Sheveluch was identified in
satellite images during 12-19 June. A webcam captured an explosion on 13
June that sent ash up to 5 km (16,400 ft) a.s.l. The ash cloud drifted 120
km NE. 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





Suwanosejima  | Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | 29.638°N, 129.714°E  | Summit
elev. 796 m



JMA reported that nighttime incandescence at Suwanosejimaâ??s Ontake Crater
was occasionally visible during 12-19 June. An explosion was recorded on 18
June, though inclement weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.
The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The 8-km-long, spindle-shaped island of Suwanosejima in
the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two
historically active summit craters. The summit of the volcano is truncated
by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the east flank that was
formed by edifice collapse. Suwanosejima, one of Japan's most frequently
active volcanoes, was in a state of intermittent strombolian activity from
Otake, the NE summit crater, that began in 1949 and lasted until 1996,
after which periods of inactivity lengthened. The largest historical
eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits blanketed
residential areas, and the SW crater produced two lava flows that reached
the western coast. At the end of the eruption the summit of Otake collapsed
forming a large debris avalanche and creating the horseshoe-shaped Sakuchi
caldera, which extends to the eastern coast. The island remained
uninhabited for about 70 years after the 1813-1814 eruption. Lava flows
reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884. Only about 50 people live
on the island.



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





Whakaari/White Island  | North Island (New Zealand)  | 37.52°S, 177.18°E  |
Summit elev. 294 m



GeoNet reported that during the previous few months activity levels at
Whakaari/White Island had gradually declined based on the volcano
monitoring teamâ??s collective interpretation of all the monitoring data. The
Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 1 on 16 June; the Aviation Color Code
was lowered to Green on 22 June.



Geologic Summary. The uninhabited Whakaari/White Island is the 2 x 2.4 km
emergent summit of a 16 x 18 km submarine volcano in the Bay of Plenty
about 50 km offshore of North Island. The island consists of two
overlapping andesitic-to-dacitic stratovolcanoes. The SE side of the crater
is open at sea level, with the recent activity centered about 1 km from the
shore close to the rear crater wall. Volckner Rocks, sea stacks that are
remnants of a lava dome, lie 5 km NW. Descriptions of volcanism since 1826
have included intermittent moderate phreatic, phreatomagmatic, and
Strombolian eruptions; activity there also forms a prominent part of Maori
legends. The formation of many new vents during the 19th and 20th centuries
caused rapid changes in crater floor topography. Collapse of the crater
wall in 1914 produced a debris avalanche that buried buildings and workers
at a sulfur-mining project. Explosive activity in December 2019 took place
while tourists were present, resulting in many fatalities. The official
government name Whakaari/White Island is a combination of the full Maori
name of Te Puia o Whakaari ("The Dramatic Volcano") and White Island
(referencing the constant steam plume) given by Captain James Cook in 1769.



Source: GeoNet http://www.geonet.org.nz/



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End of Volcano Digest - 22 Jun 2020 to 24 Jun 2020 (#2020-64)
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