According to a preliminary report from USAID/OFDA, Nyamuragira began erupting at 0032 on 6 February. Observations made during a flight over the volcano revealed that there were active lava flows. The lava appeared to be flowing from two fissures; one to the W towards the town of Kitchanga, and another to the S in the direction of the town of Mugunga (Sake) and Nyiragongo volcano.
The VSI reported that activity continued to increase during 23 January-1 February. At 0000 on 27 January an eruption produced continuous pyroclastic flows and molten lava avalanches that lasted as long as 2 hours. The eruption also produced a thick ash plume that rose 2 km above the volcano's summit and was accompanied by a strong sulfurous smell.
PHIVOLCS reported that numerous shallow earthquakes, high SO2 emission rates, and sustained inflation during the week reflected the active state of the growing summit lava dome. They reported that during the week up to 46 volcanic earthquakes were recorded per day, the SO2 emission rate increased from 2,600 metric tons per day (t/d) on 1 February to 5,330 t/d on 5 February, and electronic tiltmeters on the N flank of the cone continued to detect inflation at the volcano's edifice. Incandescence was visible periodically at the summit.
The VSI reported that volcanic activity increased in comparison to the previous week. Explosions began occurring at 1920 on 28 January and produced glowing ejecta (volcanic bombs) that fell on the N slope of the volcano. The height of the ash cloud that was produced by the eruption could not be measured due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The VSI reported that activity remained normal during 23-29 January. There were no major changes since the previous week when the Alert Level was raised from level 1 to 2 on 19 January after several monitored parameters changed at the volcano. Kelut remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
The VSI reported that during 23-29 January no explosive activity occurred, but a plume of white ash rose 100-500 m above the crater. The volcano remained at Alert Level 3 (on a scale of 1-4).
The KVERT reported that at 1802 and 1820 on 29 January, shallow earthquakes were registered beneath the volcano that were accompanied by short-lived explosions. The ash cloud produced from the first explosion reached ~2.5 km above the volcano, while the second eruption's ash cloud could not be observed. During 26-31 January a gas-and-steam plume rose 50-800 m above the volcano, and on 1 February a gas-and-steam plume rose 2 km above the volcano.
The Washington VAAC reported that during 1530 to 1545 on 30 January a moderate ash emission was visible on the CENAPRED camera; it rose to ~7 km a.s.l. and blew to the NNE. At 1345 on 1 February a small eruption was visible on GOES-8 imagery.
Wed, 31 Jan 2001, 06:00
The HVO reported that lava had not entered the sea since 29 January. Surface lava flow activity occurred primarily on the E branch of the flow on the Pulama pali, with some breakouts occurring along the trace of the W branch of the flow. Overall, volcanic tremor near Pu`u `O`o and in Kilauea's caldera was at low-to-moderate levels.
Read allWed, 31 Jan 2001, 06:00
The VSI reported that during 23-29 January explosive activity continued, with explosions on both 25 and 28 January. At 2227 on 25 January a minor explosion produced a thick ash plume that rose 700 m above the volcano, blew to the W, and dropped ash over the sea. The explosion also produced a lava avalanche that traveled ~1,250 m down the Kelitu River.
Read allWed, 31 Jan 2001, 06:00
The IG reported on 31 January that seismicity and volcanic activity remained at moderate levels. Continuous dome growth persisted at dome 9 and small morphologic changes were observed at the dome the previous week.
Read allWed, 31 Jan 2001, 06:00
According to the Italy's Volcanoes website, since 20 January lava has continuously issued at a low but persistent rate from a vent on the NNE flank of the Southeast Crater. The lava formed a small field of overlapping and adjacent flows that extend a few hundred meters. At Bocca Nuova Crater Strombolian activity increased, with ejecta being thrown above the crater rim.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
Activity at the Soufrière Hills volcano during 19-26 January was lower than the previous week, although the lava dome exhibited continued growth. Compared to last week, seismic activity was reduced and the number of rockfalls more than halved. Activity continued to be concentrated on the SE side of the lava dome, with a large slabby lobe extruded above the Tar River Valley, which is to the E of the volcano.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
An Associated Press article from 25 January reported that ash mixed with rain fell on the village of Deres on the flanks of the volcano. Activity reportedly increased slightly on 25 January.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
PHIVOLCS reported that the increase in volcanic activity, which has occurred since a lava dome was spotted in Mayon's summit crater on 10 January, led them to raise the Alert Level from 2 to 3 (an increased tendency towards eruption, with magmatic outbursts possible within the coming weeks) on 25 January. During the previous week the monitoring networks had detected numerous volcanic earthquakes, continued inflation at the edifice, and very high gas emission from the summit crater (5,040 metric tons per day). In addition, several ash ejections coincided with earthquakes that originated from beneath the lava dome, which appeared to grow during the week.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
According to a Reuters article from 29 January, the high number of low-frequency earthquakes that were recorded at Fuji over the past several months (133 in October, 222 in November, and 144 in December) decreased to 36 in January.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
KVERT reported that on 21-24 January seismicity was above background levels and on 20-24 January a gas-and-steam plume rose 50-1,000 m above the volcano. Shallow earthquakes were registered under the volcano along with short-lived explosions at 0444 on 22 January and at 0924 on 24 January. The Concern Color Code remained at Yellow.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
During the week several small-to-moderate sized eruptions occurred, with light ashfall reported in two towns and a pyroclastic flow stopping 8 km short of a town. The Washington VAAC reported that on 25 January an ash plume, which was produced by rockfall activity, rose to ~7 km a.s.l and was visible on GOES-8 imagery. According to CENAPRED, at 1338 on the same day an exhalation produced an ash cloud that rose to 3 km above the volcano and blew to the NW, depositing ash in San Pedro Nexapa, ~15 away.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
Surface lava flow activity on Pulama pali gradually declined during 27 and 28 January, with only two flows near the E and W sides of the flow field. By 29 January, the area where lava entered the ocean was relatively large and a small bench (land built out from the sea cliff) was being constructed. Overall, volcanic tremor near Pu`u `O`o and in Kilauea's caldera was at low-to-moderate levels.
Read allWed, 24 Jan 2001, 06:00
Sistema Poseidon reported that during 22-28 January, eruptive activity at Etna was dominated by modest, intermittent lava flows that were emitted from the radial fracture on the N flank of the Southeast Crater. The Bocca Nuova Crater mostly produced ash-and-gas emissions during the beginning of the report period, but they decreased near the end of the period. At night, weak Strombolian activity was observed inside the crater.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
Based on information from the IG, the Washington VAAC reported that an eruption occurred at 1840 on 18 January. It sent an ash cloud to 6.7 km a.s.l. that blew to the W. The ash cloud was not visible on satellite imagery.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
On 16 January the Darwin VAAC reported that a NOTAM from Port Moresbly stated that Ulawun was emitting a cloud, ashes, and "flames" up to 10.6 km a.s.l. blowing towards the SE. In contrast, an ash cloud was not detected in satellite imagery, and the Papua New Guinea Volcano Observatory stated that recent volcanic activity was limited to low-level vapor emissions.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
At ~1700 on 19 December 2000, a Suwanose-jima inhabitant reported "smoke" rising NE of the summit crater. During observations from a helicopter, ash-laden smoke and high-temperature gas emissions were seen emanating from new craters. The Sakura-jima Volcano Research Center observed an increase in volcanic earthquakes deeper than 1 km below the summit in comparison to Fall 1999.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
Beginning on 12 January several news reports stated that increased volcanic activity occurred at Santa Ana volcano. The Washington VAAC reported that an eruption occurred at 1800 on 16 January that sent ash to ~3.7 km a.s.l. Local observations by volcanologists revealed that an eruption did not occur and no new lava or magma was in the summit crater.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
The VSI reported that during 16-22 January visual and instrumental monitoring revealed a continued increase of volcanic activity at Merapi. Activity consisted of several pyroclastic flows, small ash eruptions, glowing lava flows, lava avalanches, and an increase in seismicity, especially in avalanche and multi-phase earthquakes. More than 20 pyroclastic flows per day traveled continuously to the Sat (upstream of River Putih), Senowo, and Bebeng rivers.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
PHIVOLCS reported that activity increased at Mayon during the week and that all indicators suggested that the lava dome in the summit crater was becoming active although no new lava had reached the surface yet. During 17 and 18 January, 36 low-frequency-type volcanic earthquakes occurred over 24 hours, which scientists believed was caused by continued magma movement beneath the summit lava dome. During 19-23 January the number of recorded earthquakes increased to 60 events per day; tiltmeters continued to record inflation; and SO2 emission rates increased to 8,070 tons/day (a more than 4-fold increase from that seen in previous weeks).
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
On 19 January the VSI raised the Alert Level at Kelut from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). The temperature of the crater lake increased, the volcano inflated 5.5-6 mm, and a 5 cm increase in crater lake water level took place on 21 January.
Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
The VSI reported that during 16-22 January ongoing explosions sent ash 100-1,000 m above the crater rim. Ash was deposited within a 10-20 m radius around the crater; lapilli with a maximum diameter of 50 cm were deposited out to ~500 m around the crater. Observations on 21 January revealed that two new large craters formed, to the SE and the NW.
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