Bulusan volcano had a small eruption this morning at 08h17 local time, producing an ash plume at 3 km altitude drifting SW (Source : VAAC Tokyo)

On 29 May at 09h08 local time, an ash and gas plume rose to 5-6 km altitude above the new lava dome of Mt. St. Helens. As CVO reports, the event was not caused by explosive activity, but rather intense degassing and a partial collapse of the new lava dome, accompanied by a quake of magnitude 3.1.

A new eruption at Karthala volcano started on the evening of Sunday 28 May 2006 at 18h05 local time. Fresh magma has formed a lava lake inside Chungu Chahalé crater in the caldera. Different from the last eruptions in 2005, no explosive activity was reported at the beginning of the eruption, only a thick plume of gas and steam above the crater, extending 60 km to the northwest. The absence of explosive activity can be explained because the crater contained no water.

Update 10 July: the tour is now set for the dates 4-11 July.
Tom Pfeiffer, who is on his way back to Europe is planning a special tour to the active Merapi volcano in Indonesia in July. We will keep you updated. Information about the tour is found here.

The red lake in the crater. Photo by Esline Garaebiti

Lake Voui (Manaro volcano on Aoba-Ambae island, Vanuatu) is experiencing a spectacular change in its colour: the entire lake is turning red! Spectacular images of lake Voui obtained by Esline Garaebiti who flew over the volcano yesterday May 28 are posted on the CVL website with recent ASTER temperature data.

Tom Pfeiffer, who is in Indonesia, told the VolcanoDiscovery office by SMS, that there are frequent incandescent rockfalls at Mt. Merapi volcano to southwest and ssw. Also, medium-strong pyroclastic flows reaching 3-5 km from the summit occur mainly to the southwest, at irregular intervals (average about 2-3 events per hour).

The epicentre of the earthquake

Tom Pfeiffer just told the VolcanoDiscovery office about the strong earthquake that hit Jogyakarta today. More than 4900 people have been killed until now. Mt. Merapis activity could increase. Tom Pfeiffer, the VolcanoDiscovery founder and his group is told to be well.

In the last 24 hours, the monitoring system of Popocatepetl volcano registered 8 exhalations accompanied mainly by steam and gas. Also, yesterday at 20:19h. it was detected a volcanotectonic microearthquake of magnitude 2.3 and depth of 4.9 km, was located below of the crater.

The new lava dome in the Soufriére hills volcano

New lava dome is growing

A NASA satellite image of the volcanic ash plume over Cleveland volcano

There are new satellite photographs by NASA that show a great plume over the Cleveland volcano.

Merapi in eruption (May 2006)

Tom Pfeiifer just mailed new & actual photographs to the VolcanoDiscovery office. They show the lavastreams and the Merapi volcano in Java / Indonesia. You find the photographs at recent Merapi photos

Based on information from significant meteorological advisories (SIGMET) and pilot reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that ash emitted from Ubinas during 20-23 May rose to a maximum height of 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l.

During 17-20 May, ash emissions from Tungurahua increased. On 18 May, an ash plume reached a height of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l. and extended NW, accordingto Washington VAAC reports. The Washington VAAC also noted that on 19 May, theInstituto Geofísico observed an ash plume that reached a height of 12 km (40,000ft) a.s.l. On satellite imagery, ash plumes were visible on 20 and 23 May and extended SW. Hotspots were visible on satellite imagery 19-20 and 23 May. The ash plume and incandescence on 23 May were also observed by Instituto Geofísico staff. The ash plume on 18 May prompted officials to renew a limited state of emergency in nearby towns. According to news reports, many people left their villages. No official evacuations were initiated. 

During 17-22 May, the lava spine continued to grow inside the crater of Mt. St.Helens producing minor rockfalls and moderately-sized rock avalanches that generated small ash plumes. On 17 May, lava extrusion continued to deform the Wpart of the lava dome and night-time incandescence from rockfalls was observed.

According to Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, Lopevi volcano remains at Alert Level 2. An official spokesperson reported no new ashfall during 17-22 May. The last report of an ash plume was on 15 May.

Small lava flows were visible on 19 May and minor incandescence was observed on 21-22 May at Kilauea's East Lae`apuki lava delta. Seismicity levels were low at the summit and moderate at Pu`u `O`o. After 16 May, there was very little change in deformation.

During 12-19 May, eruptive activity continued at Karymsky. Based on interpretations of seismic and satellite data, ash plumes rose to a height of 8km (26,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes extended for about 50 km to the S and NE. KVERT warned that activity from the volcano could affect nearby low-flying aircraft. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

INGEOMINAS reported that during 15-22 May, a partially solidified lava dome remained in the main crater of Galeras. Seismicity and the sulfur-dioxide flux continued at very low levels. Galeras remained at Alert Level 2 (likely eruption in days or weeks).

On 17 May, INSIVUMEH reported that fumarolic emissions reached ~600 m above the volcano (14,300 ft a.s.l.). and drifted E and W. Active lava flows reached ~100m SW toward the Taniluyá River and ~500 m SW toward the Ceniza River. Avalanches occurred from lava-flow fronts. The Washington VAAC reported a short low-level plume on 18 May that drifted N from the volcano.

The Alert Level at Merapi remained at 4, the highest level, during 17-22 May.

On 23 May, AVO reported that an astronaut aboard the International Space Station observed an ash plume from Cleveland at 1500. A plume was visible on satellite imagery at 1507 that drifted SW and reached a height of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. At 1700, an image showed the detached ash plume 130 km SW of Cleveland. The Concern Color Code was raised to Yellow. No precursory or current seismic information is available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network.

Geologic Summary.

As our team on Merapi reports, new ash clouds and pyroclastic flows up to 2-3 km length at the volcano.

Interim report for the period midday 19 May to midday 22 May 2006

Merapi volcano in eruption in May 2006 (photo taken on 22 May)

Activity at Merapi has been declining over the past days, although the lava dome is still active and probably growing. The summit of the new dome is higher than the previous summit of Merapi, whose total height now must have reached 3000 m. During the last nights, we observed no true pyroclastic flows, but frequent small to medium avalanches of glowing rock, travelling up to about 500-700m down two narrow channels on the S and SE sides.

At about 11 am local time of May 20, 2006, a large dome collapse accompanied by a large explosion occurred at Soufrière Hills volcano, producing an ash column of more than 50,000 ft height (about 18 km). The plume is drifting SW and caused planes to divert their route. Pyroclastic flows down the tar river valley reaching the sea. Flows have also broken out of the former crater to the east and have been seen down to Spanish point and Truants. Ash has been falling in Salem, Olde Town and Olveston.

Tom Pfeiffer who is close to merapi volcano reported about 6 pyroclastic flows on Merapi in the night of 18/19. May. In German TV there where some interesting reports about Merapi volcano and the evacuations of local people there.

The strong strombolian-vulcanian activity at Tungurahua volcano that has been going on over the past weeks reached a peak during a strong explosion on 10h45 local time on 19 May, 2006, that produced an ash plume rising to 12 km as the VAAC Washington reports.

Based on information from significant meteorological advisories (SIGMET) and pilot reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that ash emitted from Ubinas during 9-11 and 13-14 May rose to a maximum height of 7.3 km (24,000 ft) a.s.l.

During 15-16 May, small-to-moderate explosions at Tungurahua produced plumes composed of gas, steam, and small amounts of ash. A news article reported that on 15 May blasts could be heard within 20 km of the volcano, and a moderate-to-large explosion was heard in nearby communities. On 16 May, a plume reached a height of ~2 km above the crater (or 23,000 ft a.s.l.) and drifted W.

Analysis of photographs revealed that a slab of rock approximately 50,000 cubic meters in volume was shed from the N margin of the growing spine at Mt. St. Helens sometime during 6-7 May. This activity probably coincided with a large seismic signal recorded on the night of 7 May. Rock-avalanche deposits extended a few hundred meters to the NE. The avalanche was accompanied by an ash cloud. The spine continued to grow during 10-15 May, producing rockfalls that intensified on the evening of 14 May. Incandescence was visible on satellite imagery. The volcano remained at Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code Orange.

During 5-12 May, the new lobe of the lava dome at Soufrière Hills that developed towards the S produced rockfalls that predominantly extended from the W to the SE. On the 12th, the lava dome volume was approximately 80 million cubic meters, having grown at an average rate of 8 cubic meters per second through April. Seismicity typical of this current growth phase was dominated by rockfall activity during the report period. The average sulfur-dioxide flux during the week was 702 metric tons per day.

Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory

An ash plume from Semeru at a height of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. was observed on satellite imagery.

Geologic Summary
Semeru is the highest volcano on Java and one of its most active. The symmetrical stratovolcano rises abruptly to 3,676 m above coastal plains to the S and lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending N to the Tengger caldera. Semeru has been in almost continuous eruption since 1967. Frequent small-to-moderate Vulcanian eruptions have accompanied intermittent lava dome extrusion, and periodic pyroclastic flows and lahars have damaged villages below the volcano. A major secondary lahar on 14 May 1981 caused more than 250 deaths and damaged 16 villages.

Lopevi volcano eruption by vanair

The Wellington VAAC reported that a slow moving plume from Lopevi reached a height of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. on 10 May. On 11 May, a plume rose to 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and trended SE. During 12-13 May, the plume height lessened to 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. as the eruption vigor reportedly decreased. According to Vanuatu's National Disaster Office, a news article reported that on 15 May an eruption at Lopevi produced heavy ashfall extending to the neighboring islands of Ambrym and Paama.

During 15-16 May, lava from Kilauea continued to flow off of a lava delta into the ocean at the East Lae`apuki entry. No surface lava flows were visible on the Puluma pali fault scarp, as has been the case since 8 February. Kilauea's summit began to deflate on 14 May. On 16 May, inflation occurred that was accompanied by an abrupt drop in volcanic tremor at Kilauea's summit. Volcanic tremor reached moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o.

During 5-12 May, eruptive activity continued at Karymsky. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes rose to a height of ~5.3 km (17,400 ft) a.s.l. A thermal anomaly was present on satellite data when the crater was visible. Ash plumes drifted SE. KVERT warned that activity from the volcano could affect nearby low-flying aircraft. Karymsky remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

INGEOMINAS reported that during 9-15 May, a partially solidified lava dome remained in Galeras' main crater. Seismicity and the sulfur-dioxide flux continued at low levels. Gas and sporadic ash emissions rose to low levels. Galeras remained at Alert Level 2 (likely eruption in days or weeks).

Following an explosive eruption at Bezymianny on 9 May, seismicity was at background levels on 10 May. In addition, fumarolic plumes were observed and lava flows probably extended from the lava dome. On 11 May the Concern Color Code at Bezymianny was reduced from Orange to Yellow. On 12 May, seismicity remained at background levels and gas-and-steam plumes were visible. 

Geologic Summary. Prior to its noted 1955-56 eruption, Bezymianny volcano had been considered extinct. The modern Bezymianny volcano, much smaller in size than its massive neighbors Kamen and Kliuchevskoi, was formed about 4700 years ago over a late-Pleistocene lava-dome complex and an ancestral volcano that was built between about 11,000-7000 years ago. Three periods of intensified activity have occurred during the past 3000 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 Mount St. Helens in 1980, produced a large horseshoe-shaped 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

On 10 May around 1000, a pyroclastic flow traveled down Arenal's N flank. An ash-and-gas cloud was produced that drifted SW.

On 11 May, gas plumes rose to ~600 m above Merapi. Avalanches of incandescent material extended 200 m SE towards the Gendol River, and 1.5 km SW towards the Krasak River. Several small incandescent avalanches of volcanic material were visible. The new lava dome at the volcano's summit had grown to fill the gap between the 2001 lava flows and the 1997 lava flows on the W side of the summit. The lava dome reached a height above that of the 1997 lava flows.The Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume was visible on satellite imagery below 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. Seismicity was dominated by multi-phase earthquakes and signals associated with avalanches.

Tungurahua remains in a very active phase. On Wed. 17th of May, 2006, several moderately strong explosions took place producing ash plumes of 3 km height.

Photo of a pyroclastic flow from Merapi on 15 May 2006 (source: VSI)

Photo of a pyroclastic flow from Merapi on 15 May 2006 (source: VSI)

After a peak in activity on Monday 15th, when pyroclastic flows were produced that reached 4 km from the summit, the volcano has quieted down a bit, but still produces pyroclastic flows travelling 2-2.5 km length.

According to reports from local correspondants, activity at Stromboli's craters is very strong these days, with frequent and tall explosions from several of the active vents. Marco and a small group of VolcanoDiscovery are on their way to Stromboli to get a picture.

Thermal image of the Merapi volcano dome 14.5.2006

Thermal images of ASTER-Satellite show a increase of surface temperatures of Merapi volcano dome. Compared to previous ASTER images, the data show a much more significant thermal anomaly. The maximum surface temperature measured at the summit dome is now 442 C (30 m). This is a significant increase from a max of 213 C detected just two days prior. The presence of the PF deposit and the marked increase in temperatures at the summit is evidence that dome collapse is continuing to occur. A complete dome collapse is possible. There is a increasing danger of huge pyroclastic flows and rockfalls.

The volcano dome Soufriére Hills Copyrights:Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Lava extrusion has continued throughout the reporting period. A new lobe has developed growing from the summit area towards the south, shedding rockfalls in a sector from the west around to the southeast sides of the lava dome. The steep back of this shear lobe is visible from the Salem area. The dome currently has a volume of approximately 80 million cubic metres and the average growth rate through April was about 8 cubic metres per second.

Piton de La Fournaise volcano is showing signs of a possible eruption in the near future.Since beginning of April, the vólcano observatory has been measuring an increasing number of earthquakes, reaching 20 events per day now, but of weak intensity. The permanent GPS stations show a widening of the crater of Dolomieu of 2.5 cm has taken place. La Fournaise´s last eruption was frmo 26 Dec.2006 - 19 Jan. 2006.

The alert level for Merapi has been raised to the highest level 4 ("RED") at 8h30 local time, meaning that volcanologissts expect a major eruption imminent and advise to authorities to immediately evacuate a number of areas most likely to be affected by pyroclastic flows. Some small pyroclastic flows have already been reported on the south flank.

From the Jakarta Post: "Vice President Jusuf Kalla called on local administrations to immediately evacuate residents living near the slopes of Mt. Merapi. "I am calling for the immediate evacuation of at least 50 percent of residents from danger areas," Kalla said after a closed-door meeting with officials from local administrations around Mt. Merapi. The meeting was held in the Central Java town of Magelang. Some 30,000 residents would have to be evacuated from Mt. Merapi if the volcano erupts" (Comment: or, alert is raised to 4, the highest level).
An eruption is considered imminent.

The two active lava flows have become weaker and shorter over the past days. The flow down Río Ceniza only reaches about 100 m length and the other one descending Taniluyá seems to be no longer or only weakly alimentated, although a new pulse might have started in the afternoon of 9 May.
Occasional small strombolian explosions form ash and steam plumes of  ~400 a 700 m height and throw incandescent material onto the SW and SE flanks of the volcano.

The Santiaguito lava dome remains moderately active, producing near-constant, small glowing avalanches at the SW side of the dome, and occasional small explosions producing ash and steam plumes of 0.4-1.2 km height.

Pacaya volcano remains active producing a lava flow that travels, partly in a 0.5-1.5 m wide tube, about 500 m down the NNE flank of the summit cone. White steam and gas plumes are rising about 300 m ober the summit.

The large explosive eruption at Bezymianny lasted only shortly as typical for large explosions. Seismic activity returned to background levels from 12:00 UTC on May 09, few hours after its beginning. Small fumarolic plumes were observing in the early morning of May 10. Probably a lava flow began to effuse at the lava dome.

A large explosive eruption occurred this morning at Bezymianny volcano, beginning at 08h21 local time. An ash plume reaching 15km altitude was formed, drifting south and southeast.

The 300 ft spine of Mt. St. Helens as on 6 May, 2006 (USGS photo).

The lava dome inside Mt. St. Helens' crater continues to grow. It has been forming a giant, spectacular spine, about 300 ft high and growing at about 4-5 in (ca. 12-15cm) per day.
The park has reopened the Johnston Ridge Observatory viewing point.

Lopevi volcano is in a more active state as pilot overservations suggest. Ash is visible at about 3 km altitude and small lava flows have been observed on the volcano's eastern flank.

Bezymianny's alert level was raised to RED, meaning that there is important ongoing eruptive activity and that there is a considerable risk of larger explosions and pyroclastic flows in the near future. KVERT registered a marked increase in shallow seismic activity, an increased number of glowing rockfalls from the lava dome, strong fumarolic activity and a strong thermal anomaly is seen from satellite. 

The phreatic activity at Ubinas volcano that started in April 2006 seems to be ceasing. 

Merapi's new lava dome (AP Photo/Purwowiyoto).

The lava dome continues to grow at the southern sector of the crater and the danger of proclastic flows by dome collapse increases. A plume of gas, sometimes accompanied by ash emissions rises 500-800m above the crater. The most endangered areas are thought to be Klaten and Magelang.

A lava flow emerging from the new growing lava dome at Merapi volcano has been reported. The dome has an estimated volume of 2.4 million m³, comparable to the situation in 1992. VSI warns that collapse of the dome could produce pyroclastic flows travelling up to 8 km into the valley of Gendol, Boyong and Woro, comprising an area with over 25000 inhabitants in more than 80 villages.
Evacuation of people and lifestock (with markings applied to animals showing their owners) continues at elevated speed.