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Volcanic activity world-wide 15-17 December 2012: Tungurahua, Karangetang, Lokon, Paluweh, Tobachik, Popocatépetl, Fuego, Reventador, Sakurajima, Ambrym, Nyiragongo

Following the first explosion on Friday, Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador has entered a new violent phase of activity. Numerous explosions have occurred with ash rising up to 8 km above the crater. So far small pyroclastic flows have descended the flanks and partly heavy ash fall has been affecting nearby areas. Combined with rainfall the fresh ash deposits have a dangerous potential to generate lahars in drainages surrounding the volcano.

Mild activity, mainly steam emission and probably occasional small ash explosions continue at nearby Reventador volcano.

Activity of Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico continues to be slightly elevated compared to a week ago, with now almost 3 gas and steam, sometimes ash emissions per hour. A steam plume rises about 1 km above the crater and glow can be seen at night.

Activity at Fuego volcano has remained relatively low with only very few weak explosions and the continuing small active lava flow on its upper flank.

Santiaguito produces viscous lava flows descending the lava dome, often producing incandescent rock falls.

The eruption of Plosky Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka continues with increased intensity: vigorous lava emission and a strong tremor, that has almost doubled in value, were reported by KVERT.

In Indonesia, another strong explosion occurred this morning at Lokon volcano in North Sulawesi. The eruption produced an ash plume about 3 km high and the loud sound of the explosion caused some panic in nearby villages.

To the north, Karangetang volcano on Api Siau island has had some explosive activity yesterday. An ash plume was detected at 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude on satellite images.

To the south in the Flores Sea, ash clouds from the still active new dome of Paluweh volcano continue to be detected on satellite images, but have been smaller than previously. Plumes were observed rising to 5,000 ft (1.5 km) altitude over the past days.

Large SO2 plumes are visible on the latest NOAA satellite images from Ambrym volcano on Vanuatu and Nyiragongo volcano in the DR Congo. No doubt, the lava lakes at both volcanoes remain quite active.

Sakurajima volcano in Japan has been having an average of 2-3 small to moderate explosions with ash reaching 5-8,000 ft (1.5-2.4 km) altitude over the past days.

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