Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 21-27 February 2024

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


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


Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

21-27 February 2024



Sally Sennert - Weekly Report Editor (kuhns@xxxxxx)

URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt356xEUB6QQ$>





New Activity/Unrest: Lewotolok, Lembata Island



Ongoing Activity: Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  | Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka
(Russia)  | Dukono, Halmahera  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  |
Fuego, South-Central Guatemala  | Gamalama, Halmahera  | Great Sitkin,
Andreanof Islands (USA)  | Marapi, Central Sumatra  | Merapi, Central Java
| Popocatepetl, Mexico  | Reventador, Ecuador  | Sangay, Ecuador  | Santa
Maria, Southwestern Guatemala  | Semeru, Eastern Java  | Sheveluch, Central
Kamchatka (Russia)  | Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | Ubinas, Peru





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



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







New Activity/Unrest





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



PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 15-27
February. White-and-gray ash plumes generally rose 200-800 m above the
summit though some rose as high as 1 km above the summit and were dense.
The seismic network recorded 3,615 signals indicating emissions during
16-26 February, according to a news article. Avalanches were detected but
not visually observed during 15-23 February, and seismicity fluctuated but
the data indicated an upward trend. Explosions continued to be recorded but
began to intensify, ejecting incandescent material as far as 500 m from the
crater rim and producing taller ash plumes.



Lava flows advanced over the crater rim on 15 February and traveled 400 m
from the vent down the S and SE flanks. The flows continued to advance and
by 23 February the SE flow was 1 km long and the S flow was 600 m long. The
public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the summit and 3 km away
on the S and SE flanks. According to news articles activity significantly
increased during 24-26 February; ash plumes continued to rise as high as 1
km above the summit and avalanches of material descended the SE and S
flanks as far as 1 km. The SE lava flow advanced relatively fast, reaching
2 km long by 26 February. At 1000 on 27 February PVMBG raised the Alert
Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the exclusion zone on the S and SE
flanks was increased to 4 km. Though evacuations were not mandatory in
Jontona, there were plans to assist residents who chose to evacuate; the
lava flow was 2 km from the village.



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.



Sources: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357aPFZ4qQ$>
;

Antara News
https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3985683/abu-vulkanik-membumbung-setinggi-1-kilometer-di-gunung-ili-lewotolok
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3985683/abu-vulkanik-membumbung-setinggi-1-kilometer-di-gunung-ili-lewotolok__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt354A4I9Osg$>
;

Antara News
https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3985767/skpdb-ambil-langkah-pengungsian-mandiri-dan-terbatas-di-lembata
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3985767/skpdb-ambil-langkah-pengungsian-mandiri-dan-terbatas-di-lembata__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt355e2s0Zcw$>
;

Antara News
https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3984300/waspada-aktivitas-gunung-lewotolok-meningkat-status-naik-ke-siaga
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3984300/waspada-aktivitas-gunung-lewotolok-meningkat-status-naik-ke-siaga__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt354Yp55pHA$>





Ongoing Activity





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



JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Calderaâ??s
Sakurajima volcano) during 17-26 February with nighttime crater
incandescence. Very small eruptive events were recorded during 17-23
February. An explosion at 1734 on 24 February generated an ash plume that
rose 400 m above the crater rim before entering weather clouds, and ejected
blocks as far as 1.2 km away from the vent. 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) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt355AhnWX9g$>





Bezymianny  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 55.972°N, 160.595°E  | Summit
elev. 2882 m



KVERT reported that a daily thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified
in satellite images during 15-22 February. Dates are UTC; specific events
are in local time where noted.



Geologic Summary. The modern Bezymianny, much smaller than its massive
neighbors Kamen and Kliuchevskoi on the Kamchatka Peninsula, was formed
about 4,700 years ago over a late-Pleistocene lava-dome complex and an
edifice built about 11,000-7,000 years ago. Three periods of intensified
activity have occurred during the past 3,000 years. The latest period,
which was preceded by a 1,000-year quiescence, began with the dramatic
1955-56 eruption. This eruption, similar to that of St. Helens in 1980,
produced a large open crater that was formed by collapse of the summit and
an associated lateral blast. Subsequent episodic but ongoing lava-dome
growth, accompanied by intermittent explosive activity and pyroclastic
flows, has largely filled the 1956 crater.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357ip1My_g$>





Dukono  | Halmahera  | 1.6992°N, 127.8783°E  | Summit elev. 1273 m



PVMBG reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 21-27
February. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes generally rose as high as 1.6 km
above the summit and drifted in multiple directions; at 1050 on 24 February
ash plumes rose to 2.7 km and drifted N according to a news article. The
Alert Level remained at Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was
warned to remain outside of the 3-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, have occurred since 1933. During a major
eruption in 1550 CE, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and
the N-flank Gunung Mamuya cone. 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: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357aPFZ4qQ$>
;

Antara News
https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3980481/gunung-dukono-meletus-muntahkan-abu-setinggi-27-kilometer
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3980481/gunung-dukono-meletus-muntahkan-abu-setinggi-27-kilometer__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt354vGTWNkA$>





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
15-22 February. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir
Island, about 7 km E), explosions during 16 and 18-20 February generated
ash plumes that rose as high as 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l and drifted E and
NW. Ashfall was reported in Severo-Kurilsk during 18-19 February. 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)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357ip1My_g$>





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



INSIVUMEH reported that eruptive activity continued at Fuego during 20-27
February. Explosions were recorded daily, averaging 5-11 per hour on most
days, when counts were reported. The explosions generated gas-and-ash
plumes that rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted as far
as 30 km W, SW, and S. Explosions caused frequent block avalanches that
descended various drainages including the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Taniluyá
(SW), and Las Lajas (SE), and sometimes reached vegetated areas. The
explosions also ejected incandescent material 100-300 m above the summit on
most of the days and ejected ballistics as far as 2 km during 20-21
February. Weak rumbling sounds and sho*k waves were frequently reported.
Ashfall was reported on most days in areas downwind including Panimache I
and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), Santa Sofía (12 km SW), Sangre de
Cristo (8 km W), Finca La Asunción (12 km SW), La Rochela (8 km SSW), Finca
Ceilán (9 km S), San Andrés Osuna (11 km SSW), Siquinalá (21 km SSW), and
Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa (22 km SW).



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/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt355qNX5g1Q$>





Gamalama  | Halmahera  | 0.81°N, 127.3322°E  | Summit elev. 1714 m



Although there was no eruptive activity reported at Gamalama, in a 23
February press release PVMBG noted that the number of daily deep volcanic
earthquakes had significantly increased. A total of 14 deep volcanic
earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network on 22 February, higher
than the average of 2-3 events per day that had been recorded since January
2023. At 1623 on 22 February an observer saw a dense white-to-gray ash
plume rising 400 m above the summit and drifting W. During 0000-0830 on 23
February the network recorded an additional four deep volcanic earthquakes
as well as three events indicating emissions; dense white plumes were
visible rising 100-400 m above the summit and drifting N. Seismicity before
the increase, during 1-22 February, consisted of one tornillo earthquake,
two harmonic earthquakes, one shallow volcanic earthquake, 34 deep volcanic
earthquakes, two seismic events indicating floods or lahars, and 26 events
indicating emissions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4);
visitors and residents were warned not to approach the crater within a
1.5-km radius.



Geologic Summary. Gamalama is a near-conical stratovolcano that comprises
the entire island of Ternate off the western coast of Halmahera, and is one
of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The island was a major regional
center in the Portuguese and Dutch spice trade for several centuries, which
contributed to the extensive documentation of activity. Three cones,
progressively younger to the north, form the summit. Several maars and
vents define a rift zone, parallel to the Halmahera island arc, that cuts
the volcano; the S-flank Ngade maar formed after about 14,500â??13,000 cal.
BP (Faral et al., 2022). Eruptions, recorded frequently since the 16th
century, typically originated from the summit craters, although flank
eruptions have occurred in 1763, 1770, 1775, and 1962-63.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357aPFZ4qQ$>





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



AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued in Great Sitkinâ??s summit
crater during 21-27 February, confirmed by a 24 February satellite image. A
few small volcanic earthquakes were recorded by the seismic network during
24-26 February. Weather clouds obscured satellite and webcam views during
most of the week. 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 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
older edifice and produced a submarine debris avalanche. Deposits from this
and an even 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. Eruptions have been recorded
since the late-19th century.



Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
https://avo.alaska.edu/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://avo.alaska.edu/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt3569UdxbNw$>





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 21-27 February. White-and-gray gas-and-ash plumes rose 200-600 m
above the summit and drifted in multiple directions on most days; white
plumes rose 250 m and drifted SW, W, and NW on 27 February. The Alert Level
remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 4.5 km
away from the active 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) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357aPFZ4qQ$>





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



BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during
16-22 February. Seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome
produced 145 lava avalanches that descended the S and SW flanks; three
traveled S as far as 1 km down the upper part of the Boyong drainage and
142 traveled SW as far as 1.7 km down the upper part of the Bebeng
drainage. Two pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 1.6 km down the SW
flank. Morphological changes to the SW lava dome identified in webcam
images were due to continuing effusion and collapses of material. 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) http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.merapi.bgl.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt354FSuvSUQ$>





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



CENAPRED reported that eruptive activity continued at Popocatépetl during
21-27 February. The seismic network recorded daily periods of
high-frequency, low-amplitude tremor that lasted from about 90 minutes to
almost 22 hours. The Washington VAAC reported that daily ash plumes visible
in webcam and satellite images generally rose to 5.2-6.7 km (17,000-22,000
ft) a.s.l. and drifted predominantly E, SE, S, and SW. The ash emissions
were continuous for periods of time with remnant ash continuing to be
visible in subsequent satellite images, drifting 75-140 km before
dissipating. At 1151 on 24 February a dense ash plume rose to 7.6 km
(25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted ENE; the plume was visible in satellite
images the next day drifting almost 225 km SE. Several ash emissions
lasting 1-2 hours each were visible in webcam and satellite images during
26-27 February.



Based on information from El Centro Nacional de Comunicación y Operación de
Protección Civil (CENACOM), CENAPRED noted that minor ashfall was reported
in Hueyapan (17 km SSW), Tetela del Volcán (20 km SW), and Jiutepec (59 km
SW) in the state of Morelos on 21 February and in the municipalities of
Jiutepec (60 km WSW), Atlatlahucán (30 km WSW), Cuautla (43 km SW),
Tlaltizapan (65 km SW), and Ciudad Ayala in Morelos, and in Huaquechula (30
km SE) and Tlapanalá (39 km SE), Puebla, on 22 February. Minor ashfall was
reported in the municipalities of Hueyapan, Yecapixtla (30 km SW) and
Tetela del Volcán, Morelos; in Ixtacuixtla, Panotla, Tepetitla (36 km NE),
Nativitas (40 km NE), Zacatelco (45 km NE), Santa Apolonia Teacalco (40 km
NE), San Damián Texóloc (45km NE), Tetlahuaca (40 km NE), Zacatelco (45 km
NE), Xicohtzingo (40 km ENE), Papalotla (62 km NNW), Tenancingo (47 km
ENE), Santa Catarina Ayometla (47 km ENE), Magdalena Tlaltelulco (53 km
NE), San Francisco Tetlanohcan (55 km NE), and Teolocholco (51 km ENE),
Tlaxcala; in Iztacalco (62 km NW), Iztapalapa (59 km NW), and Coyoacán (65
km WNW), Mexico City; and finally in Atlautla (16 km W), Ayapango (21 km
NW), Ecatzingo (15 km SW), Chalco (44 km NW), Tenango del Aire (29 km NW),
Temamatla (32 km NW), Ozumba (18 km W), Tepetlixpa (20 km W), Tlalmanalco
(30 km NW), and Amecameca (20 km NW), State of Mexico on 27 February. 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.



Sources: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED)
https://www.gob.mx/cenapred
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.gob.mx/cenapred__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt35696WfZsA$>
;

Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt354P0JuILw$>





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



IG-EPN reported that a moderate eruption at Reventador was ongoing during
21-27 February. Seismicity was characterized by 28-62 daily explosions,
long-period earthquakes, harmonic tremor, and tremor associated with
emissions. Daily ash-and-gas plumes rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater
rim and drifted in multiple directions, though weather conditions sometimes
prevented views. Crater incandescence was occasionally visible during both
overnight and morning hours; avalanches of incandescent material descended
the flanks as far as 800 m from the summit on a few of the days and
incandescent material was ejected 200 m above the crater during 23-24
February. A seismic signal indicating a lahar was recorded at 0015 on 24
February. 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)
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357JlNKo2A$>
;

Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos (SGR) http://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt356Y2ItzAA$>





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



IG-EPN reported that high levels of eruptive activity continued at Sangay
during 20-27 February. The seismic network recorded 185-465 daily
explosions. Gas plumes with low ash content rose 500-1,000 m above the
summit and drifted SE during 20-21 February. Crater incandescence was
occasionally visible and incandescent material descended the SE flank as
far as 1 km during 20-23 February. Weather conditions prevented views
during the rest of the week. Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos (SGR)
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)
http://www.igepn.edu.ec/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igepn.edu.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357JlNKo2A$>
;

Secretaría de Gestión de Riesgos (SGR) http://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.gestionderiesgos.gob.ec/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt356Y2ItzAA$>





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



INSIVUMEH reported that eruptive activity continued at Santa Mariaâ??s
Santiaguito lava dome complex during 20-27 February with a lava extrusion
at the Caliente dome. Incandescence from the dome was visible during most
nights and early mornings, and occasional incandescence was also present
along the upper part of the SW-flank lava flow. Daily explosions generated
gas-and-ash plumes that rose 600-900 m above the summit and drifted W, SW,
and S; the explosions occurred at a rate of 1-7 per hour on at least a few
of the days. The explosions produced block avalanches on the domeâ??s W, SW,
S, and E flanks and generated occasional, short-range pyroclastic flows
that descended multiple flanks. Block avalanches from the margins of the
upper part of the lava flow on the WSW flank were also occasionally
visible. Ashfall occurred in Loma Linda (7 km W) and San Marcos Palajunoj
(8 km SW) during 20-21 February and caused hazy conditions around the
volcano during 22-23 February.



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 E 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/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt355qNX5g1Q$>





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



PVMBG reported that eruptive activity continued at Semeru during 21-27
February. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes, often dense, rose 400-1,000 m
above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level
remained at 3 (the third highest level 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) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://vsi.esdm.go.id/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357aPFZ4qQ$>





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



KVERT reported that eruptive activity at Sheveluch continued during 15-22
February with a thermal anomaly identified in satellite images during 16,
18-19, and 22 February. On 19 February plumes of resuspended ash rose to
2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 55 km ESE. Weather clouds
sometimes prevented views of the volcano. 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)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt357ip1My_g$>





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 19-26 February. Crater incandescence was observed in webcam images
nightly. Large blocks were sometimes ejected up to 400 m from the vent.
Explosions were recorded at 0616 on 19 February, at 0604 and 2157 on 24
February, and at 1149 on 25 February; details of emissions were unknown.
Eruptive events at 1702 and 2056 on 23 February produced ash plumes that
rose at least 1 km above the crater rim and drifted S. Explosions at 2343
on 25 February and at 0431, 1402, 1910, and 1918 on 26 February produced
ash plumes that rose 400-800 m above the crater rim and drifted S. The
plume from the explosion at 1918 on 26 February rose to 800 m before
entering into weather clouds. 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 active
summit craters. The summit is truncated by a large breached crater
extending to the sea on the E 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 covered
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 an open collapse
scarp extending 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/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt355AhnWX9g$>





Ubinas  | Peru  | 16.345°S, 70.8972°W  | Summit elev. 5608 m



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) reported that a lahar descended the
Volcánmayo drainage on the SE flank at Ubinas at 1745 on 25 February and
traveled towards the Ubinas River. The public was warned to stay away from
the drainage and to avoid driving on the Querapi-Ubinas-Huarina highway.



Geologic Summary. The truncated appearance of Ubinas, Perú's most active
volcano, is a result of a 1.4-km-wide crater at the summit. 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°. The steep-walled,
150-m-deep summit crater 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 from about
1,000 years ago. Holocene lava flows are visible on the flanks, but
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/
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.igp.gob.pe/__;!!IKRxdwAv5BmarQ!eUCs9AYFlP_QbBXngCdBmPXt775To385HohUOuvWIP3ilVn3wHnjGE31Emlpfkitm_ebYP6utOgQPlmt356cNRGNYA$>



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



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End of Volcano Digest - 27 Feb 2024 to 28 Feb 2024 (#2024-20)
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