Volcanic activity worldwide 30 May 2013: Santa María / Santiaguito, Pacaya, Fuego, Popocatépetl, S...

Chirinkotan (Northern Kuriles): Based on satellite imagery, the volcanic activity (evidenced by a significant degassing plume) was no longer visible after 25 May and has probably ended or is pausing at the moment.
Analysis of past images in return showed that the eruption likely began in early April already.

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): After a few days of relatively calmness, the volcano erupted at least 3 times today already. It seems to have begun another cycle of increased explosion frequency, which seem typically to last a few days.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): An earthquake swarm and tremor pulses occurred today, which could suggest new magma on the rise, but this has (not yet) resulted in particular surface activity which remained rather calm. Degassing (SO2 emissions) remains strong.


Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): Activity has remained generally low, with occasional small to medium-sized ash explosions and small avalanches from the Caliente dome.

Pacaya (Guatemala): The volcano has been mostly hidden in clouds, but strombolian (and perhaps effusive) activity continues as can be seen from glow at night and noises from explosions and degassing. A strong increase of seismic activity seems to have started a few hours ago as suggested by the current seismogram.

Fuego (Guatemala): Activity remains weak. As it's rainy season, the volcano is mostly in clouds, but the seismogram and INSIVUMEH reports indicate occasional small explosions, some rockfalls and degassing events.

Copahue (Chile/Argentina): The seismic crisis continues, but has decreased in intensity. An eruption in the near future still remains a likely scenario, SERNAGEOMIN scientists emphazise, as this decrease in energy could be temporary. It is impossible to predict whether this is a question of days or weeks, or even if an eruption actually will occur.
At the same time, authorities (ONEMI) intensify their preventive measures and reported that 316 people have now been evacuated. It is estimated that more than 2,200 people live in the areas most at thread (Barco, Bultalelbún, Trapa Trapa, Guallalí).
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A helicopter has been provided by ONEMI for survey and possible rescue operations, as well as shelters and generators to deliver electricity in cut-off areas.