Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 13-19 December 2023

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


Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

13-19 December 2023



Sally Sennert - Weekly Report Editor (kuhns@xxxxxx)

URL: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgTUY3lg6$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkhPCS0JY$>





New Activity/Unrest: Ioto, Volcano Islands  | Kanaga, Andreanof Islands
(USA)  | Lewotobi, Flores Island  | Marapi, Central Sumatra  | Raung,
Eastern Java  | Reykjanes, Reykjanes Peninsula  | Tengger Caldera, Eastern
Java



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island
(Russia)  | Great Sitkin, Andreanof Islands (USA)  | Ibu, Halmahera  |
Krakatau, Sunda Strait  | Lewotolok, Lembata Island  | Mayon, Luzon
(Philippines)  | Merapi, Central Java  | Poas, Costa Rica  | Popocatepetl,
Mexico  | Reventador, Ecuador  | Sabancaya, Peru  | Sangay, Ecuador  |
Semeru, Eastern Java  | Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)  |
Shishaldin, Fox Islands (USA)  | Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  |
Ubinas, Peru  | 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





Ioto  | Volcano Islands  | 24.751°N, 141.289°E  | Summit elev. 169 m



The Japan Coast Guard conducted an overflight on 14 December of Ioto
(Iwo-jima) to inspect the new island formed by an eruption from a submarine
vent about 1 km off the SE coast at Okinahama. No eruptive activity was
detected, but the shape of the island had notably changed due to erosion
and wave action. During the previous 10 days deposits at the N part of the
â??Jâ?? shaped island had separated and migrated N, connecting to the Okinahama
coast, and the curved part of the â??Jâ?? had eroded into two smaller islands.



Geologic Summary. Ioto in the central Volcano Islands portion of the
Izu-Bonin-Mariana arc lies within a 9-km-wide submarine caldera. Ioto,
Iwojima, and Iojima are among many transliterations of the name. The
volcano is also known as Ogasawara-Iojima to distinguish it from several
other "Sulfur Island" volcanoes in Japan. The triangular, low-elevation,
8-km-long island narrows toward its SW tip and has produced trachyandesitic
and trachytic rocks that are more alkalic than those of other volcanoes in
this arc. The island has undergone uplift for at least the past 700 years,
accompanying resurgent doming of the caldera; a shoreline landed upon by
Captain Cook's surveying crew in 1779 is now 40 m above sea level. The
Motoyama plateau on the NE half of the island consists of submarine tuffs
overlain by coral deposits and forms the island's high point. Many
fumaroles are oriented along a NE-SW zone cutting through Motoyama.
Numerous recorded phreatic eruptions, many from vents on the W and NW sides
of the island, have accompanied the uplift.



Sources: Japan Coast Guard https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/index.html__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgUGGwnTs$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp/index.html__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkGOGksT4$>
;

Copernicus Browser https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.copernicus.eu/en__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgfF3P6BT$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.copernicus.eu/en__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkKXL4_vM$>





Kanaga  | Andreanof Islands (USA)  | 51.923°N, 177.168°W  | Summit elev.
1307 m



AVO reported that a small explosion at Kanaga was detected in local
infrasound and seismic data at 2231 on 18 December, and was followed by
elevated seismicity. No ash emissions were detected in partly cloudy
satellite images. The next day the Volcano Alert Level was raised to
Advisory (the second level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color
Code was raised to Yellow (the second color on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Symmetrical Kanaga stratovolcano is situated within the
Kanaton caldera at the northern tip of Kanaga Island. The caldera rim forms
a 760-m-high arcuate ridge south and east of Kanaga; a lake occupies part
of the SE caldera floor. The volume of subaerial dacitic tuff is smaller
than would typically be associated with caldera collapse, and deposits of a
massive submarine debris avalanche associated with edifice collapse extend
nearly 30 km to the NNW. Several fresh lava flows from historical or late
prehistorical time descend the flanks of Kanaga, in some cases to the sea.
Historical eruptions, most of which are poorly documented, have been
recorded since 1763. Kanaga is also noted petrologically for ultramafic
inclusions within an outcrop of alkaline basalt SW of the volcano.
Fumarolic activity occurs in a circular, 200-m-wide, 60-m-deep summit
crater and produces vapor plumes sometimes seen on clear days from Adak, 50
km to the east.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgQTSbTI3$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkUOqCPLE$>





Lewotobi  | Flores Island  | 8.542°S, 122.775°E  | Summit elev. 1703 m



On 17 December seismicity at Lewotobi increased significantly, prompting
PVMBG to raise the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). Seismicity had
been increasing during the previous week and was characterized by greater
numbers of both deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes, and the emergence of
tornillo-type earthquakes which indicated fluid movement. The public was
warned to stay 2 km away from the craters at each summit.



Geologic Summary. The Lewotobi "husband and wife" twin volcano (also known
as Lewetobi) in eastern Flores Island is composed of the Lewotobi Lakilaki
and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes. Their summits are less than 2 km
apart along a NW-SE line. The conical Lakilaki has been frequently active
during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader Perempuan
has erupted only twice in historical time. Small lava domes have grown
during the 20th century in both of the crescentic summit craters, which are
open to the north. A prominent flank cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the E flank
of Perampuan.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Marapi  | Central Sumatra  | 0.38°S, 100.474°E  | Summit elev. 2885 m



PVMBG reported that eruptive activity at Marapi (on Sumatra) was ongoing
during 13-19 December, though foggy and raining weather conditions often
prevented visual observations of the summit. White-and-gray ash plumes that
were sometimes dense rose 400-600 m and drifted S, SW, NW, and NE during
13-15 and 18 December. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4),
and the public was warned to stay 3 km away from the summit crater.



Geologic Summary. Gunung Marapi, not to be confused with the better-known
Merapi volcano on Java, is Sumatra's most active volcano. This massive
complex stratovolcano rises 2,000 m above the Bukittinggi Plain in the
Padang Highlands. A broad summit contains multiple partially overlapping
summit craters constructed within the small 1.4-km-wide Bancah caldera. The
summit craters are located along an ENE-WSW line, with volcanism migrating
to the west. More than 50 eruptions, typically consisting of
small-to-moderate explosive activity, have been recorded since the end of
the 18th century; no lava flows outside the summit craters have been
reported in historical time.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Raung  | Eastern Java  | 8.119°S, 114.056°E  | Summit elev. 3260 m



PVMBG reported that during 1-17 December the maximum height of
steam-and-gas plumes at Raung was 500 m above the summit. An M 2.6 local
tectonic earthquake was detected on 18 December and afterwards plumes rose
as high as 1 km. Seismicity during December indicated that fluid movement
was concentrated at shallow depths; signals indicating emissions
significantly increased on 18 December. Deformation data indicated a trend
of deflation. On 18 December PVMBG raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale
of 1-4) noting that the visual observations and seismic data indicated
unstable conditions. The pubic was warned to stay 3 km away from the summit
crater.



Geologic Summary. Raung, one of Java's most active volcanoes, is a massive
stratovolcano in easternmost Java that was constructed SW of the rim of
Ijen caldera. The unvegetated summit is truncated by a dramatic
steep-walled, 2-km-wide caldera that has been the site of frequent
historical eruptions. A prehistoric collapse of Gunung Gadung on the W
flank produced a large debris avalanche that traveled 79 km, reaching
nearly to the Indian Ocean. Raung contains several centers constructed
along a NE-SW line, with Gunung Suket and Gunung Gadung stratovolcanoes
being located to the NE and W, respectively.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Reykjanes  | Reykjanes Peninsula  | 63.817°N, 22.717°W  | Summit elev. 140 m



IMO reported that a new eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula began at 2217
on 18 December from fissures that opened in a location close to the older
Sundhnúkagígar crater row, about 3 km NE of the town of Grindavík. A
magmatic dike began intruding beneath the area in late October based on
seismic and deformation data; magma continued to flow into the dike causing
ground cracking in areas along its axis. The eruption was immediately
preceded by an earthquake swarm that began at 2100 on 18 December and the
opening of the fissure was accompanied by significant ground deformation.



Increased seismicity and a burst of incandescence indicating the start of
the eruption was seen in webcam images. IMO raised the Aviation Color Code
to Red (the highest level on a four-color scale) until the situation was
able to be evaluated and in case ash was present in any emissions. After
the first fissure opened, it propagated S in a series of four additional
segments, slightly offset from each other but aligned with the previous
dike intrusion. The total length of the fissure was estimated to be 4 km,
with the north end just E of the Stóra-Skógfell cones and the south end E
of the Sundhnúk cone. Large lava fountains possibly rose hundreds of meters
high along the fissures, feeding lava flows in multiple directions. The
rate of lava discharge during the first two hours of the eruption was about
100-200 cubic meters per second. The tallest lava fountains were located on
the N end of the fissure. The largest earthquake, a M 4.1, was recorded at
2325. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. By midnight seismicity
had declined and the eruption was less intense.



During a second overflight with the Iceland Coast Guard at around 0400 on
19 December scientists noted that the fissure had stopped extending and
that most of the activity was concentrated in the central portion. There
was minor activity at the S end, near the Hagafell cone, and most of the
lava was advancing E towards Fagradalsfjall. Two branches traveled W,
remaining N of Stóra-Skógfell. Gas plumes drifted W and NW. Residents of
Grindavík, evacuated in November due to ground cracking and unsafe
conditions, had recently been allowed to return and allowed to stay until
2100, but not overnight; they again fully evacuated the town due to the
eruption. The recently reopened Blue Lagoon resort closed again. Some area
roads were also temporarily closed.



Eruptive activity concentrated at five vents during the early part of 19
December. By 1430 the lava discharge rate was about one-fourth the rate
measured at the beginning of the eruption and about one-third of the
fissure was active. Lava fountains were lower, rising as high as about 30
m. The eruption intensity continued to decline and by 1830 only three vents
were erupting. About 5 cm of deflation was detected in Svartsengi; a total
of 35 cm of uplift had been recorded there since the beginning of the dike
intrusion in November. The power plant in Svartsengi, W of the fissure, was
not threatened by the current lava flows, though construction of an earthen
barrier around it and the Blue Lagoon continued.



Geologic Summary. The Reykjanes volcanic system at the SW tip of the
Reykjanes Peninsula, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level,
comprises a broad area of postglacial basaltic crater rows and small shield
volcanoes. The submarine Reykjaneshryggur volcanic system is contiguous
with and is considered part of the Reykjanes volcanic system, which is the
westernmost of a series of four closely-spaced en-echelon fissure systems
that extend diagonally across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Most of the
subaerial part of the system (also known as the Reykjanes/Svartsengi
volcanic system) is covered by Holocene lavas. Subaerial eruptions have
occurred in historical time during the 13th century at several locations on
the NE-SW-trending fissure system, and numerous submarine eruptions dating
back to the 12th century have been observed during historical time, some of
which have formed ephemeral islands. Basaltic rocks of probable Holocene
age have been recovered during dredging operations, and tephra deposits
from earlier Holocene eruptions are preserved on the nearby Reykjanes
Peninsula.



Sources: Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://en.vedur.is/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgRiroKHA$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://en.vedur.is/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkErdwmH0$>
;

Icelandic National Broadcasting Service (RUV)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ruv.is/english/2023-12-18-eruption-on-reykjanes-peninsula-399922__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgSlkG3c4$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.ruv.is/english/2023-12-18-eruption-on-reykjanes-peninsula-399922__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkvsBSdmU$>





Tengger Caldera  | Eastern Java  | 7.942°S, 112.95°E  | Summit elev. 2329 m



PVMBG reported increased activity at Tengger Calderaâ??s Bromo cone in a 13
December press release. Emissions that day were white, gray, and brown, had
variable densities, and rose as high as 900 m above the summit. The plumes
drifted in multiple directions. The report noted that tremor was continuous
and accompanied in December by three volcanic earthquakes. Deformation data
indicated inflation in December. Daily white emissions that rose as high as
700 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions were visible
through 18 December. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and
visitors were warned to stay outside of a 1-km radius of the crater.



Geologic Summary. The 16-km-wide Tengger caldera is located at the northern
end of a volcanic massif extending from Semeru volcano. The massive
volcanic complex dates back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five
overlapping stratovolcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. Lava domes,
pyroclastic cones, and a maar occupy the flanks of the massif. The
Ngadisari caldera at the NE end of the complex formed about 150,000 years
ago and is now drained through the Sapikerep valley. The most recent of the
calderas is the 9 x 10 km wide Sandsea caldera at the SW end of the
complex, which formed incrementally during the late Pleistocene and early
Holocene. An overlapping cluster of post-caldera cones was constructed on
the floor of the Sandsea caldera within the past several thousand years.
The youngest of these is Bromo, one of Java's most active and most
frequently visited volcanoes.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Ongoing Activity





Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.5772°N, 130.6589°E  | Summit elev. 1117 m



JMA reported ongoing activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Calderaâ??s
Sakurajima volcano) during 11-18 December, with incandescence at the crater
observed nightly. Small eruptive events were occasionally recorded through
the week. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the
public was warned to stay 2 km away from both craters.



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 caldera, along
with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about
13,000 years ago on the southern rim and built an island that was joined to
the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of
1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago,
after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent eruptions since
the 8th century have deposited ash on the city of Kagoshima, located across
Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest recorded eruption took
place during 1471-76.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmga09pkYN$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkVwDcQCA$>





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



KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity was ongoing at Ebeko during
7-14 December. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir
Island, about 7 km E), explosions during 7 and 11-12 December generated ash
plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l and drifted NE. The
Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color
scale). Dates are UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.



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)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgQnboOFM$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGk708zSEQ$>





Great Sitkin  | Andreanof Islands (USA)  | 52.076°N, 176.13°W  | Summit
elev. 1740 m



AVO reported that an 11 December radar image of Great Sitkin showed
continuing growth of a thick flow in the summit crater; effusion likely
continued during 12-19 December. Weather clouds often obscured views of the
volcano, though no notable activity was visible in a few clear webcam
images on 15 December. Seismicity was low. The Volcano Alert Level remained
at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color
Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The Great Sitkin volcano forms much of the northern side
of Great Sitkin Island. A younger parasitic volcano capped by a small, 0.8
x 1.2 km ice-filled summit caldera was constructed within a large
late-Pleistocene or early Holocene scarp formed by massive edifice failure
that truncated an ancestral volcano and produced a submarine debris
avalanche. Deposits from this and an older debris avalanche from a source
to the south cover a broad area of the ocean floor north of the volcano.
The summit lies along the eastern rim of the younger collapse scarp.
Deposits from an earlier caldera-forming eruption of unknown age cover the
flanks of the island to a depth up to 6 m. The small younger caldera was
partially filled by lava domes emplaced in 1945 and 1974, and five small
older flank lava domes, two of which lie on the coastline, were constructed
along northwest- and NNW-trending lines. Hot springs, mud pots, and
fumaroles occur near the head of Big Fox Creek, south of the volcano.
Historical eruptions have been recorded since the late-19th century.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgQTSbTI3$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkUOqCPLE$>





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



PVMBG reported that Ibu continued to erupt during 13-19 December. Daily
white-and-gray ash emissions that were sometimes dense rose 200-1,300 m
above the summit and drifted in multiple directions during 13-16 December.
The Alert Level remained at a 2 (the second highest level on a four-level
scale), with the public advised to stay outside of the 2 km hazard zone and
3.5 km away from the N area of the active crater.



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, has contained several small crater lakes.
The 1.2-km-wide outer crater is breached on the N, creating a steep-walled
valley. A large cone grew ENE of the summit, and 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. The first observed and recorded eruption was a small
explosion from the summit crater in 1911. Eruptive activity began again in
December 1998, producing a lava dome that eventually covered much of the
floor of the inner summit crater along with ongoing explosive ash emissions.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Krakatau  | Sunda Strait  | 6.1009°S, 105.4233°E  | Summit elev. 285 m



PVMBG reported that the eruption at Krakatau continued during 13-19
December. White-and-gray ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose as high
as 1 km above the summit and drifted NE and N during 13-16 December. Some
webcam images posted with the daily reports showed incandescence at the
vent. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was
warned to stay at least 5 km away from the crater.



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



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Lewotolok  | Lembata Island  | 8.274°S, 123.508°E  | Summit elev. 1431 m



PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 13-19
December. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 100 m on 13 December and drifted
E. White steam-and-gas plumes rose 100-200 m above the summit on the other
days and drifted E, NE, and NW. Incandescence lava was ejected 200 m from
the vent on 15 and 18 December and summit incandescence was visible in
webcam images on 16 and 19 December. 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
summit crater.



Geologic Summary. The Lewotolok (or Lewotolo) 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.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





Mayon  | Luzon (Philippines)  | 13.257°N, 123.685°E  | Summit elev. 2462 m



PHIVOLCS characterized activity at Mayon as â??decreased unrestâ?? during 12-19
December. The seismic network recorded 1-4 daily volcanic earthquakes and
1-2 rockfall events during 12-15 December. The summit was occasionally
obscured by weather conditions, though on most days emissions were visible
drifting in multiple directions. The Tokyo VAAC reported that at 1447 on 17
December an ash emission was identified in a satellite image rising to 2.4
km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting WSW based on satellite data and
information from PHIVOLCS. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale).
Residents were reminded to stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger
Zone (PDZ) and pilots were advised to avoid flying close to the summit.



Geologic Summary. Symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the Albay Gulf NW of
Legazpi City, is the most active volcano of the Philippines. The steep
upper slopes are capped by a small summit crater. Recorded eruptions since
1616 CE range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity
beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava
flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also
produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and
mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that
radiate from the summit and have often damaged populated lowland areas. A
violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated
several towns.



Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgZLpU-Sp$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGk5_bpNzc$>





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



BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 8-14
December. A series of pyroclastic flows traveled 3.8 km SW down the Bebeng
and Krasak drainages on 8 December. Minor amounts of ash fell in the
districts of Dukun, Sawangan, Magelang, and Selo. During the week the SW
lava dome produced a total of 243 lava avalanches; 22 traveled as far as 2
km down the Boyong drainage and 221 traveled as far as 1.9 km down the
Bebeng drainage. Minor morphological changes to the SW lava dome were
identified in webcam images due to continuing lava effusion and collapses
of material. Both the number and intensity of shallow volcanic earthquakes
and hybrid events significantly decreased during the week. The Alert Level
remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km
away from the summit, based on location.



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) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgU826DeK$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGklHHdqAA$>





Poas  | Costa Rica  | 10.2°N, 84.233°W  | Summit elev. 2697 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0646 on 16 December a small phreatic eruption
at Poás ejected material 20 m above the lakeâ??s surface and produced a steam
plume that rose 200 m. Additionally, two small eruptions were recorded at
1436 on 17 December and 0022 on 18 December.



Geologic Summary. The broad vegetated edifice of Poás, one of the most
active volcanoes of Costa Rica, contains three craters along a N-S line.
The frequently visited multi-hued summit crater lakes of the
basaltic-to-dacitic volcano are easily accessible by vehicle from the
nearby capital city of San José. A N-S-trending fissure cutting the complex
stratovolcano extends to the lower N flank, where it has produced the Congo
stratovolcano and several lake-filled maars. The southernmost of the two
summit crater lakes, Botos, last erupted about 7,500 years ago. The more
prominent geothermally heated northern lake, Laguna Caliente, is one of the
world's most acidic natural lakes, with a pH of near zero. It has been the
site of frequent phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions since an eruption
was reported in 1828. Eruptions often include geyser-like ejections of
crater-lake water.



Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad
Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgbiXXFYD$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkQ859n5E$>





Popocatepetl  | Mexico  | 19.023°N, 98.622°W  | Summit elev. 5393 m



CENAPRED reported that eruptive activity continued at Popocatépetl during
11-19 December. Long-period events totaling 34-280 per day were accompanied
by steam-and-gas plumes that occasionally contained minor amounts of ash.
The plumes mainly drifted ENE. The seismic network recorded 1.5-15.5 daily
hours of tremor, as well as two volcano-tectonic earthquakes during 14-15
December and one M 1.9 volcano-tectonic earthquake on 16 December. The
Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (the middle level on a
three-color scale) and the public was warned to stay 12 km away from the
crater.



Geologic Summary. Volcán Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for
smoking mountain, rises 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's
2nd-highest volcano. The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a
steep-walled, 400 x 600 m wide crater. The generally symmetrical volcano is
modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier
volcano. At least three previous major cones were destroyed by
gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive
debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas to the south. The modern
volcano was constructed south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile
cone. Three major Plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place
about 800 CE, have occurred since the mid-Holocene, accompanied by
pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the
volcano. Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices,
have occurred since Pre-Columbian time.



Source: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gob.mx/cenapred__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgbAm0ViO$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gob.mx/cenapred__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkGXbH23I$>





Reventador  | Ecuador  | 0.077°S, 77.656°W  | Summit elev. 3562 m



IG-EPN reported that the eruption at Reventador was ongoing during 12-19
December. Seismicity was characterized by 23-51 daily explosions,
long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and tremor associated with
emissions; data reception was interrupted during 13-14 December. Several
daily ash-and-gas plumes rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim and
drifted in multiple directions, though cloudy conditions prevented views at
times during 18-19 December. Crater incandescence was often visible during
both overnight and morning hours, and avalanches of incandescent material
frequently descended the flanks to distances as far as 800 m from the
summit. Weather conditions sometimes prevented views of the volcano.
Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos maintained the Alert Level at Orange (the
second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Volcán El Reventador is the most frequently active of a
chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes in the Cordillera Real, well east of the
principal volcanic axis. The forested, dominantly andesitic stratovolcano
has 4-km-wide avalanche scarp open to the E formed by edifice collapse. A
young, unvegetated, cone rises from the amphitheater floor to a height
comparable to the rim. It has been the source of numerous lava flows as
well as explosive eruptions visible from Quito, about 90 km ESE. Frequent
lahars in this region of heavy rainfall have left extensive deposits on the
scarp slope. The largest recorded eruption took place in 2002, producing a
17-km-high eruption column, pyroclastic flows that traveled up to 8 km, and
lava flows from summit and flank vents.



Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgc7B7otx$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGktIo7iT8$>
;

Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgZ6rCUiM$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkbzeOV2c$>





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



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that the eruption at Sabancaya
continued at moderate levels during 11-17 December with a daily average of
55 explosions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 3.5 km above the summit
and drifted E and SE. Thermal anomalies over the lava dome in the summit
crater were identified in satellite data. Minor inflation was detected near
the Hualca Hualca sector (4 km N). 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) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igp.gob.pe/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgbb-Ncj4$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igp.gob.pe/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkXwswDPs$>





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



IG-EPN reported a high level of eruptive activity at Sangay during 12-19
December, with seismic stations recording 109-613 daily explosions. Daily
ash-and-gas plumes were visible in webcam and satellite images, rising as
high as 2 km above the crater rim and drifting SW, W, and NW; ash plumes
rose as high as 3 km during 18-19 December. Webcam images showed
incandescence at the summit vent and incandescent material descending the
SE flank as far as 1.8 km from the crater. Weather clouds often prevented
observations of the summit area. Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos
maintained the Alert Level at Yellow (the second highest level on a
four-color scale).



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 the
open 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 eroded by heavy rains into steep-walled canyons up
to 600 m deep. The earliest report of an eruption was in 1628. Almost
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-EPN)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgc7B7otx$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGktIo7iT8$>
;

Servicio Nacional de Gestión de Riesgos y Emergencias (SNGRE)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgZ6rCUiM$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkbzeOV2c$>





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



PVMBG reported that eruptive activity continued at Semeru during 13-19
December. White-and-gray ash plumes that were sometimes dense rose 500-700
m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions during 13 and 15-18
December. The Alert Level remained at 3 (third highest on a scale of 1-4).
The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit in all
directions, 13 km from the summit to the SE, 500 m from the banks of the
Kobokan drainage as far as 17 km from the summit, and to avoid other
drainages including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and
pyroclastic flow hazards.



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) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmge1sbc6V$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkjQ8d0AI$>





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



KVERT reported that the eruption at Sheveluch continued during 7-14
December. A daily thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images. The
Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color
scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time
where noted.



Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also
spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya
volcano group. The 1,300 km3 andesitic volcano is one of Kamchatka's
largest and most active volcanic structures, with at least 60 large
eruptions during the Holocene. 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 occur on its outer flanks. The
Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene
within the large open caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took place
on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. 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)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgQnboOFM$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGk708zSEQ$>





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



AVO reported that unrest continued at Shishaldin during 12-19 December.
Seismicity remained low and was characterized by small low-frequency
earthquakes recorded daily and tremor recorded during 15-19 December.
Barely elevated surface temperatures identified in satellite images during
13-14 December were likely associated with cooling deposits on the upper
flanks. Minor steaming at the summit was visible in webcam images on 15
December. Infrasound signals indicating weak explosions were detected
during 17-18 December but did not produce ash emissions; only minor
steaming at the summit was visible in clear webcam images. The Volcano
Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and
the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color
scale).



Geologic Summary. The symmetrical glacier-covered Shishaldin is the highest
and one of the most active volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands. It is the
westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes in the eastern half of Unimak
Island. The Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points
the way when I am lost." Constructed atop an older glacially dissected
edifice, it is largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older
ancestral volcano are exposed on the W and NE sides at 1,500-1,800 m
elevation. There are over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank,
which is blanketed by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity,
primarily consisting of Strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit
crater, but sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the
18th century. A steam plume often rises from the summit crater.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgQTSbTI3$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkUOqCPLE$>





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



JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued
during 11-18 December and crater incandescence was visible nightly. No
explosions were detected, though eruption plumes rose as high as 800 m
above the crater rim and large blocks were ejected as far as 200 m from the
vent. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale) and the public was
warned to stay at least 1 km away from the crater.



Geologic Summary. The 8-km-long 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.
One of Japan's most frequently active volcanoes, it was in a state of
intermittent Strombolian activity from Otake, the NE summit crater, between
1949 and 1996, after which periods of inactivity lengthened. The largest
recorded 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 open 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) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmga09pkYN$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkVwDcQCA$>





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



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that activity at Ubinas was at
low levels during 1-15 December. Seismicity was low with daily averages of
143 volcano-tectonic earthquakes indicating rock fracturing and 23
earthquakes signifying the movement of gas and magma. Additionally, there
was a total of more than 16 hours of seismic signals associated with ash
emissions. During 10-15 December webcam images recorded emissions of gas,
steam, and ash that rose as high as 2.5 km above the summit and drifted NW
and W. The Alert Level remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-color
scale) and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the crater.



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) https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igp.gob.pe/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgbb-Ncj4$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igp.gob.pe/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkXwswDPs$>





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



On 19 December GeoNet reported that activity at Whakaari/White Island
remained low based on gas and observation flights conducted over the
previous two months. Minor steam-and-gas emissions rose from a cluster of
fumarolic vents located on the W shore of the lake; there has been no
evidence of ash in the emissions. The discharge rates of the emissions
during the year were characterized by low-to-moderate levels which were
typical. Temperatures at the larger vents generally declined. The level of
the lake had dropped, isolating a small pool from the main body of the
lake. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5) and the
Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-color
scale). GeoNet noted that Alert Levels reflect the level of unrest at the
volcano but also consider the greater level of uncertainty due to the
current lack of consistent and useful real-time data.



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 https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.geonet.org.nz/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgVLEvTKp$ 
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.geonet.org.nz/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!c9McWBE7GF2xWA-98hnKhy-O5ulE9VA4ZjjrJQVV7ZUcsw71lZ-_3uig_4okYLoLkbGkUVNJ5UY$>




3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3




==============================================================



Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University
(ASU), Portland State University (PSU), the Global Volcanism Program (GVP)
of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and
the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's
Interior (IAVCEI).



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

PSU - https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://pdx.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgdRkc-mH$ 

GVP - https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://volcano.si.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!frtM6NZLQwW0RuJgds3Ek2AYOoskH7RW1HMlBipN3PG0tGSxvKhz4fSXBNxVUcevYX3pIFzmgRBbUkJh$ 

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End of Volcano Digest - 20 Dec 2023 to 21 Dec 2023 (#2023-122)
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