Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 11-17 November 2020

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2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2


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


Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

11-17 November 2020



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

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





New Activity/Unrest: Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | Klyuchevskoy,
Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Merapi, Central Java (Indonesia)  |
Whakaari/White Island, North Island (New Zealand)



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia)  |
Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  | Helgrindur, Iceland  | Ibu, Halmahera
(Indonesia)  | Pacaya, Guatemala  | Sabancaya, Peru  | Santa Maria,
Guatemala  | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)  | Sheveluch, Central
Kamchatka (Russia)  | Sinabung, Indonesia  | Snaefellsjokull, Iceland  |
Stromboli, Aeolian Islands (Italy)  | Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)





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





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 7-9 and 12 November. An explosion on 8 November
produced an ash plume that rose to 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 230
km NE. 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





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



KVERT reported that Strombolian activity at Klyuchevskoy continued during
6-13 November and lava advanced down the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE
flank. Gas-and-steam emissions contained some ash and during 7-9 November
drifted 85 km E. A large bright thermal anomaly was identified daily in
satellite images. The Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange (the second
highest level on a four-color scale) on 8 October.



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 during 6-12 November sometimes dense white emissions
from Merapi rose as high as 250 m above the summit. The report noted that
the lava-dome volume was an estimated 200,000 cubic meters based on
analyses of drone images captured on 3 November. Avalanches of material
traveled 3 km down the WSW flank in the Putih/Sat drainage at 1450 on 8
November. Photos from 11 November showed no changed to the morphology of
the lava dome in the summit crater. Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM)
data continued to detect shortening between points in the NW at a
deformation rate of 10 cm per day. Seismicity was higher than the previous
week.



On 13 November BPPTKG noted that avalanches had been traveling 1-3 km down
the N and NW flanks, indicating summit instability. Authorities recommended
no activities within 5 km of the summit. BNPB reported that as of 15
November more than 1,800 residents from the surrounding districts of
Boyolali, Magelang, Klaten, and Sleman had been relocated to shelters.
Livestock was also being relocated, particularly from three villages within
7 km of the summit. PVMBG noted that less than a dozen rock avalanches were
heard at observations posts during 15-17 November. The Alert Level remained
at 3 (on a scale of 1-4).



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 2,000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the
eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequent growth of the steep-sided Young
Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent 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.



Sources: Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi
(BPPTKG) http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/;

Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) http://www.bnpb.go.id/;

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





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



Following a period of severe weather, on 11 November GeoNet reported some
mainland observations of darker plumes and deposits on webcams; scientists
conducted an overflight of Whakaari/White Island on 12 November to
investigate. Aerial observations confirmed the presence of ash in the
emissions, originating from the main steam vent at the back of the crater
lake. An initial analysis indicated that the ash was from loose material
around the vent being entrained into the gas-and-steam plumes. The Volcanic
Alert Level was raised to 2 and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow
reflecting greater unrest at the surface.



There was no notable change in the location and size of active vents,
though rainwater had created a small shallow lake on the floor of the
1978/90 Crater. A small earthquake sequence and several episodes of
slightly increased volcanic tremor were recorded the previous week; the
seismic data and observations were unusual for the volcano and may be
coincident with the ash in the plume. Gas output was higher than previous
recent observations; carbon dioxide flux was 2,390 tonnes/day and sulfur
dioxide flux was 618 tonnes/day. The Wellington VAAC noted that the gas,
steam, and ash plumes rose to1.5-1.8 km (5,000-6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted
E and SE during 12-14 November, based on satellite data, reports from
pilots, and GeoNet.



Small amounts of ash continued to be present in emissions seen during an
overflight on 16 November. Laboratory data showed that the particulates
were hydrothermal minerals and old volcanic material, with no fresh
magmatic ash signatures. Carbon dioxide flux was 1,937 tonnes/day and
sulfur dioxide flux was 710 tonnes/day, overall slightly lower than the
previous measurement but still above background levels. Seismicity remained
similar to the previous week, characterized by a sequence of small
earthquakes, a larger than normal volcanic earthquake located close to the
volcano, and ongoing low-level volcanic tremor. Re-suspended ash to 460 m
(1,500 ft) a.s.l. that drifted E and NE was reported by the VAAC during
16-17 November.



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.



Sources: GeoNet http://www.geonet.org.nz/;

Wellington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) http://vaac.metservice.com/





Ongoing Activity





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



JMA reported that during 9-16 November incandescence from Minamidake Crater
(at Aira Calderaâ??s Sakurajima volcano) was visible nightly. Two explosions
on 10 November produced ash plumes that rose as high as 1.6 km above the
crater rim and ejected bombs 600-900 m away from the crater. An eruptive
event at 0708 on 16 November generated a plume that rose 1.3 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/





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



Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that
during 11-17 November ash plumes from Dukono rose to 1.8-2.1 km
(6,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, SW, and S. 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 6-13 November that sent ash plumes up to
3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and SE. A thermal anomaly was
identified in satellite images during 7-8 November. 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





Helgrindur  | Iceland  | 64.866°N, 23.283°W  | Summit elev. 986 m



IMO reported that the Alert Level for Helgrindur was raised from Gray
(insufficient monitoring) to Green (normal, non-eruptive) on 12 November,
reflecting the recent installation of three seismic stations along the
peninsula. The new instruments will allow for better coverage and
sensitivity for the detection of seismic unrest. The Alert Level scale
consists of five colors.



Geologic Summary. Helgrindur (also known as Lysuhóll or Lysukard) is one of
Iceland's smallest volcanic systems. It consists of a chain of small alkali
olivine basaltic cinder cones and vents along a WNW-ESE line cutting across
the central Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. The slightly arcuate
line of Quaternary vents extends to the northern coast of the peninsula.
Helgrindur is the central of three volcanic systems occupying the
peninsula. The latest eruption is undated, but the volcanic field has been
active during the Holocene.



Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) http://en.vedur.is/





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



PVMBG reported that on most days during 10-16 November ash plumes were
visible rising 200-800 m above Ibuâ??s summit and drifting in multiple
directions. 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: 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





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



INSIVUMEH reported that Strombolian activity and lava effusion continued at
Pacaya during 10-17 November. Explosions from the cone in Mackenney Crater
ejected material as high as 300 m above the vent. Lava flows on the SW
flank varied in length between 800 and 1,200 m during 11-13 November.
Visual observations overnight during 13-14 November revealed a new lava
flow from a vent higher up on the SW flank. In a special report issued on
15 November CONRED and INSIVUMEH stated that lava effusion had increased on
the SW flank. Avalanches of material traveled as far as 500 m and generated
plumes of ash; a white-and-blue gas plume rose 450 m above the summit.
Strong explosions at the summit crater ejected material 300 m high. The two
parallel flows, 300-1,000 m long, were active through 17 November.



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/





Sabancaya  | Peru  | 15.787°S, 71.857°W  | Summit elev. 5960 m



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported a daily average of 54
explosions at Sabancaya during 9-15 November. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as
high as 3.3 km above the summit and drifted NE, N, and NW. Eleven thermal
anomalies over the crater were identified in satellite data. Minor
inflation continued to be detected in areas N of Hualca Hualca (4 km N) and
on the SE flank. 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 12-km radius.



Geologic Summary. Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of
Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the
only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three,
Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene
age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language)
first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that
date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by
emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an
extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of
historical eruptions date back to 1750.



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





Santa Maria  | Guatemala  | 14.757°N, 91.552°W  | Summit elev. 3745 m



INSIVUMEH reported that a moderate explosion at Santa María's Santiaguito
lava-dome complex was recorded at 0715 on 16 November and produced an ash
plume that rose 1.1 km above the complex. Pyroclastic flows descended
multiple directions; the longest one reached the upper part of the San
Isidro drainage. Ash plumes drifted SW.



Geologic Summary. Symmetrical, forest-covered Santa María volcano is part
of a chain of large stratovolcanoes that rise above the Pacific coastal
plain of Guatemala. The sharp-topped, conical profile is cut on the SW
flank by a 1.5-km-wide crater. The oval-shaped crater extends from just
below the summit to the lower flank, and was formed during a catastrophic
eruption in 1902. The renowned Plinian eruption of 1902 that devastated
much of SW Guatemala followed a long repose period after construction of
the large basaltic-andesite stratovolcano. The massive dacitic Santiaguito
lava-dome complex has been growing at the base of the 1902 crater since
1922. Compound dome growth at Santiaguito has occurred episodically from
four vents, with activity progressing W towards the most recent, Caliente.
Dome growth has been accompanied by almost continuous minor explosions,
with periodic lava extrusion, larger explosions, pyroclastic flows, and
lahars.



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





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



PVMBG that at 0921 on 11 November an ash plume from Semeru rose 300 m above
the summit and drifted S. Weather conditions prevented views of the volcano
during most of 10-17 November. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of
1-4).



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.



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





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 6-13 November. 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





Sinabung  | Indonesia  | 3.17°N, 98.392°E  | Summit elev. 2460 m



PVMBG reported that during 10-12 November activity at Sinabung was
characterized by ash plumes that rose as high as 2 km above the summit,
pyroclastic flows that traveled 1.5-2.5 km E and SE, and block avalanches
that traveled 200-1,000 m E and SE. Sometimes dense white plumes rose
200-500 m above the summit during 14-16 November. Block avalanches
descended the E and SE flanks as far as 1 km during 14-15 November. The
Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion
zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km in the SE sector and 4 km in the NE
sector.



Geologic Summary. Gunung Sinabung is a Pleistocene-to-Holocene
stratovolcano with many lava flows on its flanks. The migration of summit
vents along a N-S line gives the summit crater complex an elongated form.
The youngest crater of this conical andesitic-to-dacitic edifice is at the
southern end of the four overlapping summit craters. The youngest deposit
is a SE-flank pyroclastic flow 14C dated by Hendrasto et al. (2012) at
740-880 CE. An unconfirmed eruption was noted in 1881, and solfataric
activity was seen at the summit and upper flanks in 1912. No confirmed
historical eruptions were recorded prior to explosive eruptions during
August-September 2010 that produced ash plumes to 5 km above the summit.



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





Snaefellsjokull  | Iceland  | 64.8°N, 23.783°W  | Summit elev. 1446 m



IMO reported that the Alert Level for Snaefellsjokull was raised from Gray
(insufficient monitoring) to Green (normal, non-eruptive) on 12 November,
reflecting the recent installation of three seismic stations along the
peninsula. The new instruments will allow for better coverage and
sensitivity for the detection of seismic unrest. The Alert Level scale
consists of five colors.



Geologic Summary. Ice-clad Snaefellsjökull volcano anchors the western tip
of the isolated Snaefellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. Numerous
pyroclastic cones dot the flanks of this stratovolcano, the only large
central volcano in this part of Iceland. Lower-flank craters produced
basaltic lava flows and upper-flank craters intermediate-to-silicic
material. Holocene lava flows extend to the sea over the entire western
half of the volcano. Several Holocene silicic eruptions have originated
from the summit crater. The latest dated eruption took place about 1750
years ago; several lava flows may be even younger.



Source: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) http://en.vedur.is/





Stromboli  | Aeolian Islands (Italy)  | 38.789°N, 15.213°E  | Summit elev.
924 m



INGV reported that during 9-15 November activity at Stromboli was
characterized by ongoing explosive activity from Area N (North Crater area)
and in Area C-S (South-Central Crater area). Explosions from the N1 vent
(Area N) ejected lapilli and bombs 80-250 m high, and produced ash
emissions. Explosions at three N2 vents (Area N) ejected a mix of coarse
and fine material at a rate of 6-10 events per hour. Explosions from vents
in Area C-S also ejected fine material 150 m high at a rate of 1-2 events
per hour.



A series of at least four explosions began at 2104 on 10 November with a
major, six-minute-long explosion in the southern part of Area C-S. The
event ejected pyroclastic material which fell radially and along the Sciara
del Fuoco, and produced a vertical ash plume. Within 30 seconds a second
pulse of activity from the central crater area ejected coarse material 300
m above the vent and then produced in tense lava fountaining. A small
explosion from vent N2 concluded the series. During an overflight the next
day, scientists identified thermal anomalies from lava at the bottom of the
S1 and C craters (central part of crater terrace) and craters N1 and N2. A
small lava flow from S1 was also visible, and a small hornito (h1) had
formed just outside the crater. A second hornito (h2) had formed on the
south flank of N2.



A series of major explosive and landslide events began at 1017 on 16
November and lasted for four minutes (based on the seismic signals).
Explosions produced a dense ash cloud that rose 1 km, and within minutes
caused ash and lapilli to fall in the town of Stromboli, about 2 km away on
the NE coast of the island. A pyroclastic flow rapidly descended the Sciara
del Fuoco to the NW coastline and expanded 200 m over the sea surface.



Geologic Summary. Spectacular incandescent nighttime explosions at this
volcano have long attracted visitors to the "Lighthouse of the
Mediterranean." Stromboli, the NE-most of the Aeolian Islands, has lent its
name to the frequent mild explosive activity that has characterized its
eruptions throughout much of historical time. The small island is the
emergent summit of a volcano that grew in two main eruptive cycles, the
last of which formed the western portion of the island. The Neostromboli
eruptive period took place between about 13,000 and 5,000 years ago. The
active summit vents are located at the head of the Sciara del Fuoco, a
prominent horseshoe-shaped scarp formed about 5,000 years ago due to a
series of slope failures that extend to below sea level. The modern volcano
has been constructed within this scarp, which funnels pyroclastic ejecta
and lava flows to the NW. Essentially continuous mild Strombolian
explosions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded for
more than a millennium.



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





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



JMA reported nighttime incandescence and intermittent eruptive activity at
Suwanosejimaâ??s Ontake Crater during 6-13 November. A total of 35 explosions
were recorded, ejecting bombs up to 700 m from the crater and producing
gray-and-white plumes that rose 1.8 km above the crater rim. Ashfall was
periodically reported in Toshima village (4 km SSW). 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 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/


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End of Volcano Digest - 16 Nov 2020 to 19 Nov 2020 (#2020-112)
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