Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 30 December 2020-5 January 2021

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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

30 December 2020-5 January 2021



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

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





New Activity/Unrest: Kilauea, Hawaiian Islands (USA)  | Merapi, Central
Java (Indonesia)  | Soufriere St. Vincent, St. Vincent  | Suwanosejima,
Ryukyu Islands (Japan)



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia)  |
Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  | Fuego, Guatemala  | Kadovar, Papua New
Guinea  | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | Klyuchevskoy, Central
Kamchatka (Russia)  | Lewotolo, Lomblen Island (Indonesia)  | Pacaya,
Guatemala  | Santa Maria, Guatemala  | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)  |
Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Sinabung, Indonesia  | Ubinas,
Peru  | Villarrica, Chile





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





Kilauea  | Hawaiian Islands (USA)  | 19.421°N, 155.287°W  | Summit elev.
1222 m



HVO reported that lava effusion from a vent on the inner NW wall of
Kilaueaâ??s Halema`uma`u Crater continued to feed a growing lava lake during
30 December-5 January. A cone had formed over the remaining active vent,
which was one of three that had opened at the beginning of the eruption.
Lava sometimes spattered from vents at the top of a cone and flowed down
into the lake through a crusted-over channel; during 2-5 January a dome
fountain was visible near the lakeâ??s margin, formed by upwelling of lava as
in entered the lake at a partially submerged inlet.



The lake deepened from 181 m on 30 December to 191 m by 4 January, and the
lake volume was an estimated 26 million cubic meters by 4 January. An
island of cooler, solidified lava continued to float around on the lava
lakeâ??s surface, and by 4 January the islandâ??s surface was 1-2 m above the
surface of the lava lake. Over the week the island was joined by less than
a dozen other small islands of cooled and solidified material that also
moved around, though they mostly remained in the eastern part of the lake.
The lava lake was also becoming perched as overflows of lava onto the
narrow edge formed around the lakeâ??s margins continued to build a levee; by
3 January the lake was perched about 1 m above the margin. Sulfur dioxide
emissions fluctuated between 3,000 and 6,500 tonnes/day. Seismicity
remained elevated but stable.



Geologic Summary. Kilauea, which overlaps the E flank of the massive Mauna
Loa shield volcano, has been Hawaii's most active volcano during historical
time. Eruptions are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation
extending back to only 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow
eruptions that were interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake
activity that lasted until 1924 at Halemaumau crater, within the summit
caldera. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1500 years
ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the
lengthy East and SW rift zones, which extend to the sea on both sides of
the volcano. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is
formed of lava flows less than about 1100 years old; 70% of the volcano's
surface is younger than 600 years. A long-term eruption from the East rift
zone that began in 1983 has produced lava flows covering more than 100 km2,
destroying nearly 200 houses and adding new coastline to the island.



Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/





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



BPPTKG reported that during 25-31 December rock avalanches traveled as far
as 1.5 km down Merapiâ??s NW flank in the Senowo drainage. A comparison of
photos taken on 24 and 30 December showed minor morphological changes in
the summit area. Seismic activity was more intense than the previous week.
Electronic Distance Measurement (EDM) data continued to measure a distance
shortening between points in the NW at a rate of 14 cm per day.
Incandescence from the crater was visible at night on 31 December, possibly
signifying the emergence of lava. At 1952 on 4 January avalanches on the SW
flank were recorded by webcams and heard at the Merapi Babadan observation
post, and were coincident with the appearance of another incandescent area.
That same day BNPB noted that 1,115 residents remained in evacuation
centers. Descending incandescent material was visible on the upper SW flank
during 1847-1911 on 5 January. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of
1-4), and the public were warned to stay 5 km away from the summit.



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.



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





Soufriere St. Vincent  | St. Vincent  | 13.33°N, 61.18°W  | Summit elev.
1220 m



The Seismic Research Centre at the University of the West Indies (UWI-SRC)
and National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) of St. Vincent and
the Grenadines reported that during an overflight at 1600 on 31 December
scientists confirmed that the new lava dome on the WSW edge of Soufrière
St. Vincentâ??s 1979 lava dome continued to grow. Steam from the dome was
visible from Belmont Observatory through 4 January. The Alert Level
remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Soufrière St. Vincent is the northernmost and youngest
volcano on St. Vincent Island. The NE rim of the 1.6-km wide summit crater
is cut by a crater formed in 1812. The crater itself lies on the SW margin
of a larger 2.2-km-wide caldera, which is breached widely to the SW as a
result of slope failure. Frequent explosive eruptions after about 4,300
years ago produced pyroclastic deposits of the Yellow Tephra Formation,
which cover much of the island. The first historical eruption took place in
1718; it and the 1812 eruption produced major explosions. Much of the
northern end of the island was devastated by a major eruption in 1902 that
coincided with the catastrophic Mont Pelée eruption on Martinique. A lava
dome was emplaced in the summit crater in 1971 during a strictly effusive
eruption, forming an island within a lake that filled the crater. A series
of explosive eruptions in 1979 destroyed the 1971 dome and ejected the
lake; a new dome was then built.



Sources: University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC)
http://www.uwiseismic.com/;

National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), Government of Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines http://nemo.gov.lc/





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



JMA reported that two explosions, on 29 and 30 December, were recorded at
Suwanosejimaâ??s Ontake Crater. Crater incandescence was visible at night
during 1-4 January, and eruption plumes rose as high as 1.2 km above the
crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 3 (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/





Ongoing Activity





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



JMA reported that during 28 December-4 January incandescence from
Minamidake Crater (at Aira Calderaâ??s Sakurajima volcano) was often visible
nightly. The sulfur dioxide emission rate remained high. Four explosions
were recorded during 28 December-1 January; an explosion at 1614 on 29
December generated ash plumes that rose as high as 3.5 km above the crater
rim and ejecting bombs 1.3-1.7 km away from the crater. Very small eruptive
events were recorded during 2-4 January. 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 1-2 January ash plumes from Dukono rose to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l.
and drifted NE, E, and SW. 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;

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 25 and 30-31 December; ash plumes rose up
to 3.1 km (10,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. 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





Fuego  | Guatemala  | 14.473°N, 90.88°W  | Summit elev. 3763 m



INSIVUMEH reported that 3-15 explosions were recorded per hour during 29
December-5 January at Fuego, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above
the crater rim that drifted 7-30 km generally N, NW, W, SW, and S. Shock
waves rattled buildings around the volcano and were detected as far as 25
km away. Block avalanches descended the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad
(S), Taniluyá (SW), El Jute, Las Lajas (SE), and Honda drainages, often
reaching vegetated areas. Incandescent material was ejected 100-300 m above
the summit almost daily. Ashfall was reported most days in several areas
downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca
Palo Verde, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), El Porvenir (8 km ENE), Yucales, La
Soledad (11 km N), San Miguel Dueñas (10 km NE), and San Pedro Yepocapa (8
km NW).



Geologic Summary. Volcán Fuego, one of Central America's most active
volcanoes, is also one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking
Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. The scarp of an older edifice, Meseta,
lies between Fuego and Acatenango to the north. Construction of Meseta
dates back to about 230,000 years and continued until the late Pleistocene
or early Holocene. Collapse of Meseta may have produced the massive
Escuintla debris-avalanche deposit, which extends about 50 km onto the
Pacific coastal plain. Growth of the modern Fuego volcano followed,
continuing the southward migration of volcanism that began at the mostly
andesitic Acatenango. Eruptions at Fuego have become more mafic with time,
and most historical activity has produced basaltic rocks. Frequent vigorous
historical eruptions have been recorded since the onset of the Spanish era
in 1524, and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional
pyroclastic flows and lava flows.



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





Kadovar  | Papua New Guinea  | 3.608°S, 144.588°E  | Summit elev. 365 m



Based on satellite and wind model data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 3
January two ash puffs from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft)
a.s.l. and drifted SW.



Geologic Summary. The 2-km-wide island of Kadovar is the emergent summit of
a Bismarck Sea stratovolcano of Holocene age. It is part of the Schouten
Islands, and lies off the coast of New Guinea, about 25 km N of the mouth
of the Sepik River. Prior to an eruption that began in 2018, a lava dome
formed the high point of the andesitic volcano, filling an arcuate
landslide scarp open to the south; submarine debris-avalanche deposits
occur in that direction. Thick lava flows with columnar jointing forms low
cliffs along the coast. The youthful island lacks fringing or offshore
reefs. A period of heightened thermal phenomena took place in 1976. An
eruption began in January 2018 that included lava effusion from vents at
the summit and at the E coast.



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





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 during 24-28 December. Explosions on 26 and 30 December
produced ash plumes that rose 4-5 km (13,100-16,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted
70 km NW. 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 and sometimes Vulcanian activity at
Klyuchevskoy continued during 25 December-1 January and lava advanced down
the Kozyrevsky drainage on the S flank. A large bright thermal anomaly was
identified daily in satellite images. Steam-and-gas plumes with some ash
rose to 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 250 km in multiple directions.
Kamchatka Volcanological Station observers reported that at about 1720 on 2
January a landslide descended the Apakhonchich drainage on the SE flank,
producing a cloud of ash that rose about 1 km and quickly drifted SE. The
Aviation Color Code remined at Orange (the second highest level on a
four-color scale).



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





Lewotolo  | Lomblen Island (Indonesia)  | 8.274°S, 123.508°E  | Summit
elev. 1431 m



PVMBG reported that a Strombolian eruption at Lewotolo continued during 30
December-5 January. Gray-and-white ash plumes were visible daily, rising as
high as 1 km above the summit. Rumbling and banging sounds were reported
almost daily, and incandescent material was ejected as far as 1 km SE from
the crater during 30-31 December and 4-5 January. Strombolian explosions
ejected material 100-200 m above the summit crater during 1-5 January. The
Alert Level was remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned
to stay 4 km away from the summer crater.



Geologic Summary. The Lewotolo (or Lewotolok) stratovolcano occupies the
eastern end of an elongated peninsula extending north into the Flores Sea,
connected to Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island by a narrow isthmus. It is
symmetrical when viewed from the north and east. A small cone with a
130-m-wide crater constructed at the SE side of a larger crater forms the
volcano's high point. Many lava flows have reached the coastline. Eruptions
recorded since 1660 have consisted of explosive activity from the summit
crater.



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

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





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



INSIVUMEH reported that Strombolian activity and lava effusion continued at
Pacaya during 29 December-5 January. Explosions from the cone in Mackenney
Crater ejected material as high as 300 m above the vent and away from the
crater. Lava flows on the SW and W flanks were active and varied in length
between 400 and 650 m; the lava flow on the SW flank had numerous branches.
Activity was most notable on 1 January; gas-and-ash plumes rose 100-300 m
above the summit and drifted 10 km NW, and explosions that were sometimes
strong rattled nearby houses.



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/





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



INSIVUMEH reported that during 29 December-5 January explosions at Santa
María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex generated ash plumes that rose
800-900 m above the complex. Plumes sometimes drifted about 1 km SW. The
extrusion of blocky lava at Caliente dome generated block-and-ash flows
that descended the NW, W, SW, and E flanks, often reaching the base of the
complex. Ashfall on the flanks was noted almost daily, though during 1-2
January ashfall was also reported in Loma Linda (6 km WSW) and San Marcos
Palajunoj (8 km 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 reported that incandescent material ejected 50 m above Semeruâ??s
summit was visible most nights during 30 December-5 January. Cloudy weather
often obscured visual observations during the daytime. A pyroclastic flow
traveled 3.5 km down the Kobokan drainage on the SE flank on 31 December.
Incandescent material from the ends of lava flows descended 300-1,000 m,
reaching a maximum distance of 550-1,250 m from the crater during 1-3
January. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general
exclusion zone of 1 km and extensions to 4 km in the SSE sector.



According to BNPB, observers at the Gunungsawur Observatory, 12 km SE of
Semeru, recorded heavy rain around the volcano on 30 December, resulting in
multiple lahars. At 0939 a lahar in the Koboan River drainage on the SE
flank was seen and also recorded by the postâ??s seismic station. A lahar
detected at 0950 was followed by an increase in water flow in the Curah
Koboan, Rejali Bondeli, and Regoyo watersheds. At 1111 the seismic station
recorded a lahar and accompanying pyroclastic flow that traveled 3.5 km
down the Curah Koboan drainage. At 1130 lahars in Curah Koboan drainage
damaged bamboo stalls owned by a local resident in Sumberwuluh Village (15
km SE).



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/;

Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) http://www.bnpb.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 25 December-1 January. A strong explosion on 29
December generated ash plumes that rose as high as 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l.
and drifting 250 km W. 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 white-and-gray plumes generally rose as high as 500 m
above Sinabungâ??s summit during 30 December-5 January. Avalanches of
material traveled 500-1,200 m down the E and SE flanks each day. Three
eruptive events recorded on 4 January (at 0854, 1150, and 1412) produced
dense gray ash plumes that rose 700-1,000 m above the summit and drifted N,
NW, and W. Three eruptive events were detected the next day as well. The
first, at 0825, generated an ash plume that rose 800 m above the summit.
Ash emissions were not visible from the second and third events, recorded
at 2027 and 2108. 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/





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



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that at 1659 on 31 December and
at 1746 on 1 January low-volume lahars descended the Volcánmayo drainage on
Ubinasâ??s SE flank and damaged parts of the highway linking Arequipa,
Querapi, Ubinas, and Huarina. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the
second lowest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. A small, 1.4-km-wide caldera cuts the top of Ubinas,
Perú'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. 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 3,700 years ago extend 10 km from
the volcano. Widespread Plinian pumice-fall deposits include one of
Holocene age about 1,000 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/





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



POVI reported that during an overflight of Villarrica on 2 January
scientists observed an incandescent vent at the bottom of the crater that
had a solidified lava bridge connecting across a partially crusted-over
top. The Alert Level remained at 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, the commune of Panguipulli, and the exclusion zone for the
public of 500 m 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: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/;

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

Proyecto Observación Villarrica Internet (POVI) http://www.povi.cl/



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Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University
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the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's
Interior (IAVCEI).



ASU - http://www.asu.edu/

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GVP - http://www.volcano.si.edu/

IAVCEI - https://www.iavceivolcano.org/



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End of Volcano Digest - 4 Jan 2021 to 7 Jan 2021 (#2021-2)
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