No significant changes have occurred at Colima volcano. It remains active at low levels, producing typically 3-5 small explosive events per day.

Map of the extent of the ash plume, as of early 28 Feb., from Manam volcano's explosion of 27 Feb. Source: VAAC Darwin.

On the morning of 27 February 2006, at 7:33 GMT, Manam volcano had a lvery arge, probably Vulcanian or sub-Plinian eruption. As the VAAC Darwin reports from satellite and pilot observations, a mushroom eruption cloud reached about 18-20 km height a.s.l.. and has already spread over a vast area around the volcano, mainly to the N. This eruption might be a similar event as the large explosion on 27 January 2005. Thousands of people from ths island have been evacutated since Nov. 2004. Since the volcano's activity began to increase in Nov 2004, thousands of people from the small island of Manam have been evacuated.

The ash plume of an explosion of Soufrière Hills volcano on Montserrat on February 16, 2006. The ash drifted westward over the Caribbean Sea and over the U.S. Virgin Islands and parts of Puerto Rico. Image: taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying onboard the Aqua satellite. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, Earth Observatory, using data obtained courtesy of MODIS Rapid Response team.

The lava dome of Soufrière Hills continues its relaitvely rapdid growth. The youngest lobe appeared on the northwestern side on 10 February and has continued to grow on all sides. It now appears to have infilled the gap between the dome and the northern and western crater walls, which means that it is likely to produce potentially dangerous pyroclastic flows. It has also grown significantly to the east, over-topping the older lobe by the end of the reporting period. Incandescent rockfalls can be seen at night, and since 22 February these have coursed down the northern, eastern, and southwestern sides of the dome and into the Tar River valley.

Although new eruptions could not be observed due to bad weather, some explosion-type earthquakes were erecorded at Mayon over the past days. It is therefore likely that minor phreatic explosions do continue at Mayon, which is also apparent from confirmed reports that rumblings were heard by local residents in Sta Misericordia. Alert level remains at "2", meaning that the public is strongly advised to remain out of the declared danger zone of 6 km around the volcano.

Klyuchevskoy volcano remains quiet.

Strong strombolian activity at Karymsky volcano continues as KVERT reports. A large thermal anomaly over the crater, identifiable by satellite, persist and numerous ash plumes extending about 11-117 km (6.8-72.5 mi) to different directions from the volcano were observed over the past days.

No significant changes at Augustine. The eruption is waning, seismicity decreasing and emissions of ash as well as incandescent rock falls from the lava dome are becoming more and more infrequent.

The dates for the new expedition to Nyiragongo volcano are now set to 19-27 July, 2006. 3 spaces are still available. Details here.

Pacaya continues its slumber. Only a weak steam plume of about 150 m height is visible above its crater.

Ash venting producing plumes of up to 1500 m and small incandescent pyroclastic flows from the east rim of the growing lava dome continue at Santa Maria volcano. The pyroclastic flows produce a lot of fine ash suspended in clouds of about 1 km height that can remain suspended for hours. The ash clouds are drifted mainly to the southeast.

Fuego continues its low-level strombolian activity. 27 small strombolian explosions were recorded today, ejecting incandescent blocks to up to 50 m above the lava dome. Minor rock falls from the sides of the dome produce small blaock and ash flows into the barrancas Santa Teresa, Taniluyá and Trinidad.

After a swarm of hundreds of earthquakes, Mayon volcano became again active today (Feb. 21, 2006).

Activity at Augustine Volcano continues at low levels. Rockfalls and avalanches from the lava dome continue to be recorded by AVO seismic stations. Occasional small explosions produce small plumes of steam and ash. Satellite views of the volcano show a persistent thermal anomaly in the summit area, consistent with the location of the lava dome. 

Tungurahua's activity might be increasing. On the 18th of February, aircraft observation confirmed ash at around 6 km (20,000 ft.) moving north. Moderate ash explosions cause light ash falls in areas around the volcano.

Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala continues to be the most active volcano in Central America at this time. Ash explosions from the lava dome are occurring frequently and produce plumes of  typically 300 - 1500 m height as well as pyroclastic flows descending from the crater of the Domo Caliente. These flows produce clouds of very fine ash that causes respiratory problems in the vicinities of the volcano. Ash plumes from the volcano are dominantly transported in SW directions.

No big changes: the growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mt. St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash.

Details of the recent elevated activity at Soufrière Hills lava dome are summarized in the following excerpt from the activity report published by the MVO (Montserrat Volcano Observatory):

The eruption at Augustine has been slowing down although seismic activity is still above average values and the growth of the lava dome continues slowly. Occasional rockfalls from the lava dome and small resulting pyroclastic flows occur, but their number is descreasing, suggesting that the rate of lava effusion is slowing..

The explosive activity at Karymsky volcano continues. Seismic data and satellite observations indicate ash explosions from the summit crater. Ash plumes might reach up to 6 km (or 19,700 ft.) a.s.l. A strong thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was detected. Numerous ash plumes extend up to about 140 km (90 mi) to different directions from the volcano as observed on satellite images and present a hazard for low-flying aircraft in the area.

On the morning of 15 Feb. at 05h56 local time, a stronger explosion produced an ash plume of 3 km height above the crater, that drifted E-SE and caused light ash fall in the village of Puela. Cannon-like sounds and rumblings of blocks tumbling down from the crater's flanks were reported.
During the past week, several moderate-sized emissions of gas and ash occurred at Tungurahua, with plumes rising to ~500 m above the volcano (or 18,100 ft a.s.l.). On the 6th, the number of long-period earthquakes increased. An explosion around midnight on 12 February expelled incandescent volcanic material that traveled down the N flank of the volcano. A small amount of ash fell in the town of Puela, SW of the volcano.

No new information about further eruptive activity or ash emissions at Cleveland Volcano since February 6 and no ash clouds have been detected in satellite imagery over the past week.

Ash venting of Soufrière Hills on 11 Feb. 2006 (photo: Roy and Lottie from Travellers Palm)

Satellite image of Soufrière Hills' ash plume on 9 Feb. (NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC)

Volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills, Montserrat, are at elevated levels. The lava dome continues to grow over a broad sector extending from the SW around to the NE. A pair of spines was observed on the SE side of the dome on 29 January, although both these and the fin-like structures (relatively thin, vertical planar spines) on the SE flank of the dome collapsed recently. Numerous small rockfalls are observed from the S,E, and NE flanks of the lava dome, adding to the talus in the upper reaches of the Tar River Valley.

Fuego's activity remains low, with weak strombolian activity continuing (typically 5-10 explosions per day).

Constant lava avalanches are observed from the active lava dome on its southeast and east side. Weak to moderate explosions produce ash plumes and ash fall up to about 12 km away from the summit, mostly to the south, in the area of the communities: El Faro,  Patzulín, La Florida,  Monte Claro y la zona de Palajunoj.

Popo remains much unchanged; small steam and gas emissions, some producing minor ash plumes, averaging in number 5-10 per day are being observed by CENAPRED. A new lava dome is probably continuing to grow slowly inside its crater; it had last been observed in mid November last year.

Lava continued to flow through the PKK tube and entering the sea in several points at the East Lae`apuki delta. No or few breakouts occur on the pali and in the coastal flat.
Vents at Pu`u `O`o are still glowing, although not very active. The lava lake inside the East Pond vent has mostly crusted over. Volcanic tremor is at a moderate level at Pu`u `O`o.

As TASS reports, a swarm of about 300 local earthquakes were registered on Karymsky volcano on Thursday 9 Feb. 2006, and an ash plume of 1.5 km height is reported. There is no danger to nearby populated localities. The ash plume has stretched for about 20-40 east of the volcano.

As of the 19th of January, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that ash from Dukono was visible on satellite imagery on 12 January at a height of ~3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l., extending SW.

Satellite imagery has not shown visible ash emissions from Anatahan since September 03, 2005. AFWA and the Washington VAAC continue to watch the volcano.

Tungurahua volcano continues to be in a low state of activity, emitting small quantities of gas and ash, with occasional explosions producing steam and ash plumes of about 1 km height.

The lava dome of Mt. St. Helens continues slowly, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash.

During the past weeks, weak-to-moderate explosions continue to occura Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex, producing plumes that rose to a maximum height of 1 km above the volcano (or 15,650 ft a.s.l.). Occasionally, small pyroclastic flows are produced from the Caliente Dome descending the dome's S,E, and W sides. 

Popocatepetl continues to emit small-to-moderate emissions of steam, gas, and small amounts of ash. On 4 February 2006, an explosion produced a plume that rose to ~6.7 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l.

Increased seismicity continues at Galeras volcano, with an average of 200 small earthquakes occurring per day. In addition, slight deformation and an increase of sulphur dioxide emission (ca. 300 tons per day) are recorded at the volcano. Visible observation shows strong degassing at the active cone and around the lava dome. Galeras remained at Alert Level 3 ("changes in the behavior of volcanic activity have been noted").

During the past weeks, weak-to-moderate explosions continue to occur at Fuego. Shock waves from the explosions were sometimes felt in villages near the volcano. Small avalanches of volcanic material traveled down Fuego's S and W flanks. 

During the past weeks and months, small to moderate explosions continue to occur at Colima from time to time. The highest resultant ash plumes reached about 9 km (28,000 ft) a.s.l. 

The eruption at Augustine volcano has clamed down a bit, but continues with occasional ash eruptions, some of which produce small pyroclastic flows that travel down down Augustine's flanks. The highest ash plumes reached about 5 km a.s.l. (15,000 ft) a.s.l. AVO warns that further explosive activity producing ash clouds to heights over 7.6 km (25,000 ft) may still occur with little or no warning. Augustine remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

Tom and Marco are just back home from our pilot tour to Nyiragongo volcano, which was very successful, so we plan to repeat the tour in July this year already. In the near future, we will post photos from the tour as well as details about the tour. Stay tuned!

The remote Cleveland volcano erupted on the morning of 6 February 2006 at 7:57AM AKST (1657 UTC). An ash clomn was detected by statellite, rising to approximately 7 km a.s.l. (22,000 ft) and extending about 80 miles (130 kilometers) ESE of the island. The explosion appears to be an isolated event, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reports. The concern code was originally raised to RED (highest level) and has now (7 Feb) again been lowered to YELLOW.

The lava dome in the main crater of Galeras volcano continues to grow. Strong degassing is occurring in several areas of the active cone and around the dome. Galeras remains at Alert Level 3 (the second highest).