View of the lava dome (photo taken on 29 March 2007, courtesy of Eric Tomme)

The lava dome at Soufrière Hills continues to grow, mainly on its NE side. Over the past week, pyroclastic flows mainly affected the sector from the ENE to the NW of the dome and traveled intermittently E down the Tar River Valley. Small flows (<500 m in length) occurred NW in Tyres Ghaut, and one flow was observed at the top of Farrell's Plain.

Mild strombolian activity continues at Klyuchevsky volcano. Over the past weeks, explosions were observed throwing lava bombs about 50-100 m above the crater.

Another explosive event occurred at Sheveluch Volcano on March 29 at approximately 17h53 UTC. The Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reported a cloud from this event to 40,000 ft above sea level extending northeast from the volcano and moving at 50 knots.  scientists with the Kamchatkan Branch of Geophysical Services estimated the cloud to be 33,000 ft above sea level, and a similar height was determined by AVO based on satellite data.  The eruption was brief, lasting only 6 minutes. 
With two brief but ash-producing eruptions in the past 24 hours, Sheveluch may be entering a period of heightened explosive activity.

Explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome continue, producing ash-and-steam plumes to altitudes of 3.8-4.8 km (12,500-15,700 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported from nearby areas. On 25 and 26 March, avalanches occurred from lava-flow fronts on the SW flanks of Caliente Dome. On 27 March, an explosion produced a pyroclastic flow that traveled down the SW flank.

Tungurahua continues to be the most active volcano in South America. During the past week, near-constant explosive activity produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 7-10 km (23,000-32,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted mainly W, NW, and N. Ashfall was reported from areas downwind and from areas SW within 8 km, on all days except 25 and 27 March.
Noises resembling "cannon shots" and blocks rolling down the flanks were heard on 21, 22, and 25 March; windows rattled as far away as 11 km N in Guadalupe. On 23 March, lahars traveled mainly down NW gorges and affected the roads between Ambato and Baños, and between Baños and Penipe.

New activity has started at Reventador volcano. In early March, the number of tectonic earthquakes from Reventador had increased. During 8-22 March, steam-and-ash plumes rising to altitudes of 4 km (13,000 ft) a.s.l. were observed sporadically.
On 21 March, noises were reported. The next day, seismic signals changed and indicated possible emissions. On 24 March, local people saw ash plumes and incandescent material near the crater and heard roaring noises. An explosion produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 6.6 km (21,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Based on reports from IG, the Washington VAAC reported an ash plume to altitudes of 3.7-7 km (12,000-23,000 ft) a.s.l. that drifted NE and WNW during 26-27 March. A thermal anomaly was present on satellite imagery during 24-27 March.

Fuego volcano remains in a relatively active phase with strong stromblian activity. Ash plumes from explosions reach 4-5 km altitude and occasional ash fall occurs mainly in areas SSE and W of the cone.

Basaed on visual observations, pilot reports and satellite data, Batu Tara volcano is producing near continuous ash eruptions with plumes rising to 1-2 km a.s.l.

The lava continues to flow on Stromboli. Three branches of lava flows originate at the 420 m vent on the Sciara del Fuoco, two of which still reach the sea.

Etna is active again. Following a rapid increase of tremor starting at 07h24 this morning (29 March, 2007), SE crater began to emit lava fountains and ash plumes until around 9 am. A field investigation showed that this activity, very similar to the episodes in November / December 2006, was accompanied by the effusion of three lava flows: one from the 3180 m vent in the saddle between Bocca Nuova and SE crater, one from the vent on the lower SE flank of Bocca Nuova at 3050 m and one from the SE base of the SE crater cone. The first flows reached the rim of the Piano caldera (marked by the slope break on the upper flank of Etna), the one from the SE crater went towards the Valle del Bove, stopping short of the 2800 m hornito which had been the site of persistant lava effusion from Oct - Dec. 2006.

Sheveluch volcano had a large explosive eruption early on March 29 as became evident from satellite observations, that showed evidence of an ash plume that reached about 12 km altitude and was moving NE at 20 km per hour. The event appears to have been short-lived; web camera imagery of the volcano at this time shows no further ash production.

The new eruption of Batu Tara on the tiny island with the same name is getting more intense. As explosive activity has set on, ash clouds are ejected to up to 2-3 km above the small volcanic cone. As a safety measurement, mainly to protect them from tsunami (that might be triggered by earthquakes, landslides or pyroclastic flows) around 7,000 inhabitants of the closest neighboring island, Lembata 50 km to the south, were evacuated. Fishermen, also, have been warned to stay at least 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the volcanic island.

Weak explosive activity at Klyuchevsky began on February 15. Strombolian activity ejecting lava bombs up to 50-100 m above the crater were observed on February 16-18. According to the satellite data from Russia and USA, a thermal anomaly in the area of the terminal crater was observed.

Over the past weeks and months, the lava dome and spine inside Mount St. Helens' crater continued to grow, accompanied by generally low levels of seismicity.

Talang volcano on Sumatra is showing increased activity. Darwin VAAC reported that on 19 and 20 March ash plumes from Talang rose to 3.4-3.9 km (11,000-12,800 ft) a.s.l. CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4).

Activity at Fuego seems to be increasing.
INSIVUMEH reported that incandescent material from Fuego was ejected 200 m above the summit on 15 March. The activity was accompanied by rumbling noises and shockwaves that vibrated windows several kilometers away. Two lava flows were observed; one traveled about 1,500 m W toward the Taniluyá River valley. An ash plume drifted S and SW. On 16 March, Strombolian activity propelled material 300 m above the summit and shockwaves were felt as far as 15 km away. The lava flows from 15 March advanced and three more flows were observed in different ravines on 16 March. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 5.4 km (17,799 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SW, and E. Two pyroclastic flows traveled about 800 m; one NW and another W and SW.

Anatahan volcano, violently active in 2003-05, is showing increased fumarolic and seismic activity. Its Volcanic Alert Level was increased from Normal to Advisory.

Based on pilot reports, the Darwin VAAC reported an eruption plume from Merapi reaching an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l.on 19 March.

Based on pilot reports, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported continuous emissions from Ubinas on 11 March. Ash plumes rose to 5.5-6.1 km (18,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N.

During 2-9 March, lava-dome growth at Soufrière Hills continued and was concentrated on an E-facing lobe topped with blocky, spine-like protrusions. Rockfalls affected the E and NE flanks. Pyroclastic flows traveled 2 km and were confined E in the Tar River Valley. Heightened pyroclastic activity on 7 March resulted in an ash plume that rose to an estimated 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. On 11 March, a pyroclastic flow traveled down the NE flank into White's Ghaut. On 12 March, a large, blocky spine leaned steeply towards the NE.

The Washington VAAC reported eruptions from Sangay during 12-13 March that produced ash plumes that rose to 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. A hotspot was seen on satellite imagery.

INSIVUMEH reported that on 9 and 12 March, fumurolic activity from Pacaya's MacKenney Cone produced plumes that rose to 3 km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. Incandescence was reflected in the plumes on 9 March. A lava flow from a crater on the NE flank was visible on 12 and 13 March to distances of 300 m.

The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 11 March an ash cloud from Lascar rose to 5.5-6.7 km (18,000-22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E.

INSIVUMEH reported on 9 and 13 March that explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4-4.2 km (13,000-13,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. Rumbling noises were heard from surrounding villages. Lava flows extended ~100-150 m W toward the Taniluyá River valley and avalanches occurred from the lava-flow fronts. On 12 March, incandescent material was ejected about 15-20 m above the central crater.

In February, activity originating from Arenal's Crater C consisted of gas emissions, sporadic Strombolian eruptions, lava flows traveling N, and occasional avalanches from lava-flow fronts. Blocks from the lava-flow fronts traveled N, NE, and NW, periodically reaching vegetation where they started small fires. Volcanic activity was at relatively low levels, however, with few eruptions occurring and a small amount of pyroclastic material ejected.
Eruptions produced ash plumes that rose about 2.2 km (7,100 ft) a.s.l. Ash and acid rain fell on the NE and SE flanks. Small avalanches of volcanic material traveled down several ravines. Crater D showed only fumarolic activity.

Strong activity continues at Tungurahua. Loud cannon-shot like explosions were observed at Tungurahua volcano. IG reports ash plumes rising to 5-9 km (18,000-30,000 ft) altitude and drifting mainly to the NW and W, where ashfall occurred during 7-8 and 10-13 March. Incandescent bombs were seen ejected and rolling down the flanks during most of the explosions.

Sunday morning at 10:47 am local time, a section of Ruapehu volcano's crater walls collapsed under the pressure of the crater lake. The sudden draining of the lake caused a devastating lahar that travelled down from its altitude at 2500 m to sea level. Fortunately, the flash flood of mud drained through a river channel and no people were injured or killed. Authorities closed roads and the nation's main trunk rail track near the southern base of the mountain on New Zealand's North Island.
A similar event happened in 1953 killed when a lahar killed 151 people when it washed away a rail bridge, plunging a passenger train into the raging torrent of mud.

Lava flows into the sea at Stromboli on 3 March 2007

Tom and Marco visited Stromboli's recent eruption in early March. Sets of new photographs have been posted.

On 15 March at 21.37 local time, a powerful explosion occurred from the summit craters of Stromboli, similar but much weaker than the event on 5 April 2003. Incandescent bombs were thrown onto the flanks of the volcano and created small bushfires. Ash fell on the inhabitated centers of the island, but nobody was killed or injured during the eruption.
The monitoring network registered a slightly increased flux of lava from the 400 m vent immediately prior to the explosion. As a security measure, access to the volcano has been reduced frm 400 m to 290 m elevation.

Ash plumes from Batu Tara volcano (Lesser Sunda Islands) were visible at an altitude of 4,3km (14,000 ft) on 14 March.

The lava flow from the 400 m vent at the eastern sector of the Sciara del Fuoco is still active. 

Already this morning, the new effusive vent at about 500 m on the Sciara del Fuoco was almost inactive and little remained of the lava flow that started yesterday.
The other lava flow from the 400 m vent continues to be active although the flux of lava seems to be diminuishing. Its front has overlapped the impressive lava delta and continues its groth.

8 March: Pause of the eruption
On 8 March, the lava flow from the 400 m vent below the 2003 lava plateau suddenly ceased almost completely. In the evening, the two branches of the flow and the lava delta at the sea were cooling, only a few red spots were visible from fractures on the surface, and a few glowing blocks and small amounts of sea water steam were still visible at the former entry points. At the vent itself, only a very weakly alimented flow extending perhaps 10-20 m was visible.

The lava flow is still very active at Stromboli volcano.
As observed from location, the summit craters and the adjacent areas to the NE have undergone significant collapse. The NE crater is now breached by a V-shaped incision and the flat area of the 2003 lava flows has sunk by around 20-50m as measured by radar (INGV). From the originally two vents of the current eruption, located along a fissure that cuts the craters, the pianorolo (the flat area east below the summit craters, where the vents of the 2003 effusive eruption were located) and part of the Sciara del Fuoco, only the lower one at about 400 m a.s.l. is still active. It feeds a well-channeled lava flow that branches into two arms that reach the sea at the eastern end of the Sciara del Fuoco.
At the sea, the new lava has formed a large delta, about 200 m wide and streching 50-100m into the sea from the old shoreline. A vigorous steam plume is originating from the entry points which are well visible from various viewpoints along the lower rims of the Sciara del Fuoco. Occasionally, phreatic explosions were visible at the entry point on 4 March. Large numbers of rockfalls, mostly some 100s meters W of the lava flows are occurring on the Sciara del Fuoco.
Access to the area is restricted by the Protezione Civile (Civil Defense unit); the area is still open for visitors to a maximum of 400 m, but it is planned to restrict access to the area of the Punta Labronzo at around 100 m a.s.l., above which further access will only be allowed with authorized mountain guides.

Lava continues to flow from two vents high on the Sciara del Fuoco at Stromboli. The lava flows for 3 branches that have reached the sea where they generate thick white steam plumes. Access to the area is limited to a viewpoint at 273m a.s.l. A team of VolcanoDiscovery is on their way to report more details from the island.