Volcanic activity world-wide 17 November 2012: Chirpoi, Popocatépetl, Fuego, Santiaguito, Little Sitkin

A hot spot is visible on recent MODIS satellite images at Chirpoi volcano in the Kuriles. A dense steam plume drifting SE can be seen on a Aqua satellite image from 16 Nov 2012. Although KVERT lists the volcano as green, it is likely that some activity is occurring at the volcano.

Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico has calmed down considerably to only about 2 emissions of steam and ash per hour (after having reached numbers of 150-200 per day during recent days). The decline might be in connection with the M6.0 Tlalchapa earthquake yesterday morning or simply be part of the fluctuations in activity the volcano has been undergoing over the past months.

Fuego volcano in Guatemala remains very calm. The lava flow towards the Ceniza canyon was 350 m long yesterday.

Santiaguito produced a weak explosion occurred at 19:16 h local time on 16 Nov with an ash column rising 400 m and strong glow visible. There are constant weak and moderate avalanches from the active lava flows from the lava dome.

A small earthquake swarm occurred yesterday morning at Little Sitkin volcano in the Aleutians (Alaska). USGS has not noted any other unusual activity.