Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 24-31 January, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. On 24 January a shallow M 2.7 earthquake triggered a rockfall from the new lava dome, generating an ash plume that filled the crater before dissipating and drifting N over the pumice plain.
Activity at Soufrière Hills remained elevated during 20-27 January. Images taken by a remote camera showed that the lava dome continued to grow over a broad sector extending from the SW around to the NE. On 22 January, two new fin-like structures (relatively thin, vertical planar spines) were seen on the southeastern flank of the lava dome.
Ash emissions from Rabaul caldera's active Tavurvur cone on 10,11,12, and 15 January rose over 1.5 km above the volcano's summit and drifted E. Seismicity was at low levels during 1-15 January.
During 24-30 January, several emissions of gas, steam, and small amounts of ash occurred at Popocatépetl. A moderate explosion on 26 December at 0957 produced an ash plume to ~3 km (9,850 ft) a.s.l. that drifted NE.
The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that based on SIGMETs, increased fumarolic activity occurred at Planchón-Peteroa and Cerro Azul beginning on 26 January. Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería clarified that intense fumarolic activity only occurred at Planchón-Petero around 25 January. Increased fumarolic activity is normal during the summer when snow melts in the crater and more steam is produced.
Mild eruptive activity occurred at Manam during 1-15 January, with occasional ash emissions during 1-4 January. Dull incandescence was visible on 1 and 2 January. Gas was emitted from Southern Crater during 1-7 January.
Following reports of plumes from Lopevi reaching heights of ~2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. on 24 and 25 January, the Wellington VAAC reported that plumes of "smoke" rose to ~2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 26 January and drifted S.
A slight increase in vulcanian activity occurred at Langila's Crater 2 during 1-15 January. The increase was characterized by nearly continuous ash emissions that rose to 1-2 km above the summit (or 7,650-10,900 ft a.s.l.) and drifted WSW. Occasionally during the report period observers noted loud noises, incandescence, and weak emissions of glowing lava fragments.
Wed, 25 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 1-15 January, the two vents at the summit of Garbuna emitted small-to-moderate volumes of gas. There were no other unusual observations. Seismicity was low and dominated by occasional low-frequency earthquakes.
Read allWed, 25 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 30-31 January, lava from Kilauea continued to enter the sea at the East Lae`apuki area, building a new lava delta. Surface lava flows were visible on the Pulama pali fault scarp. On 31 January, the lava delta was 615 m long and 140 m wide.
Read allWed, 25 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 23-30 January, a lava dome continued to grow in the main crater of Galeras, and strong degassing occurred in several areas of the active cone and around the dome. Seismicity continued that was associated with the movement of fluid within the volcano, and slight deformation was recorded. Galeras remained at Alert Level 3 ("changes in the behavior of volcanic activity have been noted").
Read allWed, 25 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 12-13 January, a team from the Geological Survey of India visited Barren Island. They reported that dense clusters of incandescent tephra of various sizes were ejected from the crater. In addition to the eruption from the main crater, the scientists saw incandescence on the N flank of the volcanic cone and thin layers of incandescent material on the W slope.
Read allSun, 22 Jan 2006, 00:13
The 4th eruption of Piton de la Fournaise volcano starting in 2005 ended "ufficially" on 19 January 2006, after eruptive and seismic activity had been gradually declining over the past weeks.
Wed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
At the beginning of January there was an increase in volcanic activity, and explosions generated moderate amounts of ash; seismicity remained low. Though clouds obscured the volcano during much of 18-24 January 2006, steam clouds with minor ash content were seen on 20 and 22 January. Muddy, sediment-laden water discharge down the W flank on 23-24 January blocked a highway.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Pilots reported a vertical plume rising from Lopevi on 24 January 2006 to an altitude of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 feet) a.s.l. The plume extended S and SE, and was reportedly at 2.7 km (9,000 feet) a.s.l. about 24 hours later.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continued during 18-24 January 2006, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. The dome-building eruption has proceeded at a slow and steady pace, quietly extruding dacitic lava.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Activity at Soufrière Hills remained elevated during 13-20 January 2006. The seismic network recorded 61 rockfall signals, 17 long-period earthquakes, and 15 long-period rockfall signals. Measured sulfur dioxide fluxes ranged between 350 and 1,160 metric tons/day (t/d); the weekly average was 767 t/d.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Volcanism continued from the Santiaguito lava-dome complex at Santa Maria during 18-24 January 2006. Intermittent ash explosions sent gray ash as high as 800 m (2,600 feet) above the crater, causing ashfall in some local communities. Avalanches of blocks and finer material from lava-flow collapses is constant on the S and SW flanks.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Seismicity at Santa Ana during 14-20 January 2006 was at normal levels. Degassing continued, with sporadic gas-and-steam emissions that rose about 200 m before dispersing. Sulfur dioxide flux, measured 6 km SW of the volcano, ranged from 163 to 1,578 metric tons/day.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Weak incandescence was noted from the Pacaya crater during 18-24 January. A white- and blue-colored fumarolic gas plume rising from the crater frequently extends many kilometers downwind.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Seismic activity indicated that ash explosions from the summit crater of Karymsky continued during 14-20 January 2006. Ash plumes extending 6-9 km S from the volcano were registered on 12 January. A thermal anomaly over the dome was noted during 13-15 January.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Weak to moderate explosions continued at Fuego during 18-24 January 2006, sending dark gray ash plumes as high as 800 m (2,600 feet) above the crater. Explosion noises could be heard 25-30 km away. Incandescent lava ejections rising 100 m above the crater were seen on the night of 22-23 January that resulted in block avalanches down the SW flank.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Observations made during an overflight on 18 January indicated that the summit was steaming vigorously, consistent with the formation of a new lava dome. Observers also noted ballistic bombs, block and ash flow deposits, and dilute-cloud surge deposits on the volcano's flanks. A white ash-poor steam plume was observed rising to about 2.6 km (8,500 feet) a.s.l.
Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 00:12
After several smaller explosions similar to the initial ones during the past days, Augustine Volcano seems to become even more active. Tuesday morning, an eruption produced an ash plume that reached 8 1/2 miles (ca. 13 km) height above sea level.
Sat, 14 Jan 2006, 11:19
Half a month into 2006, eruptive activity at Pu`u `O`o continues unabated. Several vents within the crater continue to be active and glow is frequently visible on clear nights. Lava is still flowing through the PKK lava tube from Pu`u `O`o to the ocean, with a scattered surface breakout flows that are intermittendly active near Pu`u `O`o itself, on the steep slopes of Pulama pali, above the coastal plain, and just above the coastal plain before the lava enters the sea.
Fri, 13 Jan 2006, 23:45

Augustine volcano emitting ash on 12 Jan. 2006, photographed from the west. (Photo: Game McGimsey/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S.G.S.)
Two more explosions occurred from Augustine volcano on Jan. 12, 2006, producing ash plumes that rose to up to 5 miles (ca. 8 km) above sea level.
Fri, 13 Jan 2006, 10:39
Augustine volcano has calmed down a bit, and the USGS lowered the alert level from RED to ORANGE. Seismic activity has declined since yesterday's eruption but remains elevated above background and the volcano continues to steam vigorously. AVO reports steam and minor ash emissions from a new vent on the 1986 lava dome, producing a plume reaching an estimated height of 8000 to 10,000 ft (2400 to 3050 m) above sea level. Field observataions confirmed mudflows (also visible in the on-island web camera) on the flanks of the volcano. These flows are the likely source of false reports of new lava flows on the volcano.
Read allWed, 11 Jan 2006, 16:18
![]()
In this photo from the Alaska Volcano Observatory's Augustine Island webcam, steam rises from Augustine Volcano 75 miles southwest of Homer, Alaska, Thursday Jan. 12, following its more powerful explosion at night 2006. (AP Photo/Alaska Volcano Observatory )
Update: according to news sources, the eruption DID take place and an ash plume rose to a reported height of about 5 miles (8 km) into the sky. A weather service flight advisory was issued for pilots for an area 20 miles east and west of the volcano and about 50 miles north.
As the AVO reports a few minutes ago, "at 4:44 a.m. (AST) this morning, AVO began recording seismic signals interpreted as explosions at the summit of Augustine Volcano that likely mark the onset of an eruption. The current activity may be emitting ash, steam, and volcanic gases." The color code for Augustine has been raised to RED.
For more details and current information, please visit the Augustine page at the AVO.