A strong eruption is occurring at Soputan volcano on North Sulawesi. Local news report that the volcano erupted a column of ash ("ash and smoke") of 5 km height earlier today (Sunday, 3 July). The Darwin VAAC even reports an ash plume at FL 460 (46,000 ft, ca. 14 km), which would be in fact indicating a major eruption. The ash plume is extending ca. 300 km to the west. [read all]

On 21 October, the alert level of Soputan was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) by the CVGHM, assuming that the October 6 eruption has ended. [read all]

A new small eruption took place at the lava dome of Soputan volcano on 6 October. Ash explosions produced plumes rising to 2.8 km (9,200 ft) a.s.l. and were accompanied by Strombolian activity that ejected incandescent material 50-150 m above the crater. On 7 October, white plumes rose to altitudes of 2.3-3.3 km (7,500-10,800 ft) a.s.l. Incandescent material was again ejected 50-150 m from the crater. Incandescent rockfalls traveled 500 m W. The next day, plumes rose to an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and in the following days, the activity decreased. ...more [read all]

Soputan volcano started to erupt again on 6 June, producing ash plumes 2-3 km heigh and pyroclastic flows triggered by its growing lava dome that reached 4 km distance from the volcano. [read all]

CVGHM reported that white and gray plumes from Soputan on 25, 26, 30 and 31 October rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.3 km. A lava flow traveled between 500-600 m down the W flank on 25 October. The Alert Level remained at 3 and villagers and tourists are advised not to go within a 6 km radius of the summit. [read all]

Soputan volcano remains active, producing small to medium ash explosions at irregular intervals. Observed ash plumes reach a maximum of 3-5 km height. [read all]

According to the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia,  seismic signals from rockfalls increased at Soputan during 11-13 December. On 14 December, ash clouds rose to an altitude of 2 km (6,600 ft) a.s.l. and ash fell within a 15 km radius of the peak. The emissions were accompanied by thunderous noises that were heard 8 km from the peak. On 15 December the Alert Level was raised from 2 to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) due to this increase in activity.

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As our correspondant Donald Tapehe from Manado reports, Soputan is getting restless: "Also Mt. Soputan has been showing activity. The local government has determined to raise alert status for all people who live near Mt. Soputan. One week ago my friend (a climber) told me that he saw yellow/brown smoke on the peak of Mt. Soputan from the caldera. Now, it's difficult to take breathe at the campsite, because of the poisonous gasses which blow up from the old crater." 

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Soputan volcano had a small phreatic eruption on 26 December around 12h30 local time, probably caused by heavy rainfall onto the hot lava dome. On 27 December at 0400, a Strombolian eruption began that lasted ~50 minutes. Incandescent volcanic material was ejected ~35 m, and avalanches of volcanic material traveled as far as 750 m E. Around 06h40 the avalanches became larger, as pyroclastic avalanches occurred from the edge of the lava. The avalanches extended 200 m E, and booming noises were heard as far as 5 km from the summit. The Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume reached a height of ~5.8 km (~19,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.

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Since the eruption on 19 Aril, 2005, the lava dome continues to grow, producing frequent small block and ash flows (avalanches of hot lava from the unstable parts of the dome).

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From the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report (20-26 April 2005):

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