The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: March 27 - April 2, 2024

New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from March 27 to April 2, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 16 volcanoes.

New activity/unrest

Atka Volcanic Complex, Andreanof Islands (USA)

52.331°N, 174.139°W | Summit elev. 1518 m

A small, brief, explosion at summit crater of Korovin, one of the volcanoes at the Atka volcanic complex, was detected at 1936 on 27 March, prompting AVO to raise the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory (the second level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow (the second color on a four-color scale). The event was recorded in local infrasound and seismic data and was followed by a few minutes of elevated seismic tremor. Low-frequency earthquakes and periods of seismic tremor were detected during 30 March-1 April. Satellite and web-camera views were mostly obscured by clouds through 1 April, though no significant ash deposits were visible in a few clear images.

Geological summary: The Atka Volcanic Complex consists of a central shield and Pleistocene caldera and four notable volcanic cones. A major explosive dacitic eruption accompanied formation of the caldera about 500,000 to 300,000 years ago; approximately half of the caldera rime remains, open towards the NW. The Sarichef cone, ~5 km ESE of the caldera rim, retains a symmetrical profile, unlike most other heavily eroded features outside the caldera to the S and W. The Kliuchef stratovolcano grew within the caldera and exhibits five eruptive vents striking NE, including two at the summit, that have been active in the Holocene. A 700-m-diameter crater 1 km NE of the summit may have been the source vent for a large 1812 CE eruption. Hot springs and fumaroles are located on the flanks of Kliuchef and in a glacial valley to the SW. The most frequently active volcano of the complex is Korovin, at the NE tip of Atka Island about 5 km N of Kliuchef. An 800-m-diameter crater on the SE side of the summit contains a deep circular pit that sometimes contains a crater lake thought to be the source of phreatic ash explosions. The smaller Konia cone, slightly offset to the E, lies between Kliuchef and Korovin. Most of the lava flows in the complex are basaltic, though some dacitic flows are also present.

Barren Island, Andaman Islands (India)

12.278°N, 93.858°E | Summit elev. 354 m

According to the Darwin VAAC eruptive activity at Barren Island produced ash plumes during 28 March-1 April. Ash plumes identified in satellite images at 1320 and 1930 on 28 March rose to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW. A strong thermal anomaly over the summit was visible in the 1930 image. Ash dissipated within about four hours. A larger thermal anomaly was visible in a satellite image at 0410 on 31 March. Ash plumes visible in images at 0410 and 1010 on 31 March rose to 2.4 km a.s.l. and drifted W. By 1440 ash was not visible, though weather conditions prevented views. At 1010 on 1 April a continuous ash plume rose to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S.

Geological summary: Barren Island, a possession of India in the Andaman Sea about 135 km NE of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, is the only historically active volcano along the N-S volcanic arc extending between Sumatra and Burma (Myanmar). It is the emergent summit of a volcano that rises from a depth of about 2250 m. The small, uninhabited 3-km-wide island contains a roughly 2-km-wide caldera with walls 250-350 m high. The caldera, which is open to the sea on the west, was created during a major explosive eruption in the late Pleistocene that produced pyroclastic-flow and -surge deposits. Historical eruptions have changed the morphology of the pyroclastic cone in the center of the caldera, and lava flows that fill much of the caldera floor have reached the sea along the western coast.

Fernandina, Isla Fernandina (Galapagos)

0.37°S, 91.55°W | Summit elev. 1476 m

Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reported that lava flows on Fernandina’s SSE flank continued to advance during 26 March-2 April. The flows were fed from a circumferential fissure that had opened high on the SE flank, just below the crater rim. Sulfur dioxide emissions detected by satellite fluctuated between about 200 and 1,300 tons per day and drifted W and SW on at least a few of the days. Daily thermal anomalies variable in both number and intensity over the lava flow continued to be detected. By 31 March the most distal part of the lava flow was about 1.5 km wide and about 2.4 km from the coastline.

Geological summary: Fernandina, the most active of Galápagos volcanoes and the one closest to the Galápagos mantle plume, is a basaltic shield volcano with a deep 5 x 6.5 km summit caldera. The volcano displays the classic “overturned soup bowl” profile of Galápagos shield volcanoes. Its caldera is elongated in a NW-SE direction and formed during several episodes of collapse. Circumferential fissures surround the caldera and were instrumental in growth of the volcano. Reporting has been poor in this uninhabited western end of the archipelago, and even a 1981 eruption was not witnessed at the time. In 1968 the caldera floor dropped 350 m following a major explosive eruption. Subsequent eruptions, mostly from vents located on or near the caldera boundary faults, have produced lava flows inside the caldera as well as those in 1995 that reached the coast from a SW-flank vent. Collapse of a nearly 1 km3 section of the east caldera wall during an eruption in 1988 produced a debris-avalanche deposit that covered much of the caldera floor and absorbed the caldera lake.

Ioto, Volcano Islands

24.751°N, 141.289°E | Summit elev. 169 m

Satellite images from 26 and 31 March showed areas of discolored water in the vicinity of Ioto (Iwo-jima). The discolored water expanded along the coastline to the NNE and WSW, and on 31 March the area of discolored water was about 600 m in diameter.

Geological summary: Ioto, in the Volcano Islands of Japan, lies within a 9-km-wide submarine caldera. The volcano is also known as Ogasawara-Iojima to distinguish it from several other “Sulfur Island” volcanoes in Japan. The triangular, low-elevation, 8-km-long island narrows toward its SW tip and has produced trachyandesitic and trachytic rocks that are more alkalic than those of other volcanoes in this arc. The island has undergone uplift for at least the past 700 years, accompanying resurgent doming of the caldera; a shoreline landed upon by Captain Cook’s surveying crew in 1779 is now 40 m above sea level. The Motoyama plateau on the NE half of the island consists of submarine tuffs overlain by coral deposits and forms the island’s high point. Many fumaroles are oriented along a NE-SW zone cutting through Motoyama. Numerous recorded phreatic eruptions, many from vents on the W and NW sides of the island, have accompanied the uplift.

Poas, Costa Rica

10.2°N, 84.233°W | Summit elev. 2697 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported increasing activity at Poás. During 22-25 March sulfur dioxide gas emissions were as high as 277 tons based on satellite data and characterized as significant. Parque Nacional Volcán Poás officials and residents to the W reported health impacts from the emissions including headaches, nausea, nose bleeding, and irritations of eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. On 25 March an infrared camera recorded a fumarolic vent temperature of 302 degrees Celsius and glowing pink-purple-blue flames were visible.

Vigorous emissions of gas, steam, and sediments from fumarolic vents on the nearly dry crater floor persisted during 25-28 March; activity intensified on 29 March and remained elevated through 2 April. Seismic and infrasound signals associated with the loud discharge of the emissions through the vent structures were near-continuous. During 27-30 March numerous small phreatic eruptive events from the central part of the crater floor ejected water and sediment that mostly fell back onto the crater floor. Sulfur odors were reported in areas downwind, including Sucre San Carlos (23 km WNW), Zarcero, Grecia (16 km SW), Sabana Redonda (9 km S), San Pedro de Poás (14 km S), Monte de la Cruz (22 km SE), San Rafael, and San Isidro de Heredia (28 km SE); health impacts continued to be noted. On 29 March a vent on the N part of the crater floor completely dried up and two explosive eruptive events were recorded that same day. Ash was sporadically emitted from the vents during 29-30 March and fine ash fell in areas to the W including Sarchí (18 km SW), Grecia, Naranjo (17 km WSW), San Ramón de Alajuela (30 km WSW), Palmares (27 km SW), and Atenas. The ash content of the emissions increased on 31 March and sulfur odors were recorded in additional towns to the W, SW, and S, including Ron Ron, Sarchí, Tacares, Naranjo, Palmares, Tacares, Alajuela (20 km S), Guácima (27 km S), Garita (27 km SSW), San Ramón, and Tambor, Turrucares (28 km SSW), Atenas, Carrillo de Poás (19 km S), Santa Rosa de Poás (11 km S), Santa Bárbara (18 km SSE), and San Isidro. The emissions were not dense during 31 March-1 April and the plumes stayed low around the elevation of the volcano (2.4 km a.s.l.). On 1 April satellite data showed that 714 tons of sulfur dioxide gas was detected, representing a significant increase and the highest recorded value since a period of elevated activity during 2017-2019. Residents continued to report sulfur dioxide odors and minor ashfall during 1-2 April.

Geological summary: The broad vegetated edifice of Poás, one of the most active volcanoes of Costa Rica, contains three craters along a N-S line. The frequently visited multi-hued summit crater lakes of the basaltic-to-dacitic volcano are easily accessible by vehicle from the nearby capital city of San José. A N-S-trending fissure cutting the complex stratovolcano extends to the lower N flank, where it has produced the Congo stratovolcano and several lake-filled maars. The southernmost of the two summit crater lakes, Botos, last erupted about 7,500 years ago. The more prominent geothermally heated northern lake, Laguna Caliente, is one of the world’s most acidic natural lakes, with a pH of near zero. It has been the site of frequent phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions since an eruption was reported in 1828. Eruptions often include geyser-like ejections of crater-lake water.

Reykjanes, Reykjanes Peninsula

63.817°N, 22.717°W | Summit elev. 140 m

IMO reported that an average lava effusion rate from vents along the fissure within the Reykanes volcanic system was estimated to be 7.8 (plus or minus 0.7) cubic meters per second during 20-27 March, based on a 27 March satellite image. The lava-flow field was about 5.99 square kilometers with an approximate volume of 25.7 (plus or minus 1.9) million cubic meters. Lava flows continued to advance S over older flows emplaced during the beginning of the eruption. Satellite data from 26 March showed that the flow field was expanding to the W in the area S of Hagafell as well as in areas E and S of the active vents. Almost no seismicity was detected. Lava continued to erupt from vents during 27 March-2 April, though by 31 March two of three vents were active and the cones continued to grow. Inflation ceased to be detected during the week. IMO warned that the margins of the lava flows were tall in some places and that sudden breakouts of lava or collapses of material were possible. Wildfires had been noted near the margins of the flow field. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Geological summary: The Reykjanes volcanic system at the SW tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level, comprises a broad area of postglacial basaltic crater rows and small shield volcanoes. The submarine Reykjaneshryggur volcanic system is contiguous with and is considered part of the Reykjanes volcanic system, which is the westernmost of a series of four closely-spaced en-echelon fissure systems that extend diagonally across the Reykjanes Peninsula. Most of the subaerial part of the system (also known as the Reykjanes/Svartsengi volcanic system) is covered by Holocene lavas. Subaerial eruptions have occurred in historical time during the 13th century at several locations on the NE-SW-trending fissure system, and numerous submarine eruptions dating back to the 12th century have been observed during historical time, some of which have formed ephemeral islands. Basaltic rocks of probable Holocene age have been recovered during dredging operations, and tephra deposits from earlier Holocene eruptions are preserved on the nearby Reykjanes Peninsula.

Ongoing activity

Ahyi, Mariana Islands (USA)

20.42°N, 145.03°E | Summit elev. -75 m

Signs of unrest at Ahyi Seamount continued. Small (less than 2 km long) plumes of discolored seawater in the vicinity of the seamount were observed in satellite images during 22 and 24-26 March. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).

Geological summary: Ahyi seamount is a large conical submarine volcano that rises to within 75 m of the ocean surface ~18 km SE of the island of Farallon de Pajaros in the northern Marianas. Water discoloration has been observed there, and in 1979 the crew of a fishing boat felt shocks over the summit area, followed by upwelling of sulfur-bearing water. On 24-25 April 2001 an explosive eruption was detected seismically by a station on Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago. The event was well constrained (+/- 15 km) at a location near the southern base of Ahyi. An eruption in April-May 2014 was detected by NOAA divers, hydroacoustic sensors, and seismic stations.

Aira, Kyushu (Japan)

31.5772°N, 130.6589°E | Summit elev. 1117 m

JMA reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 25 March-1 April with nighttime crater incandescence. Very small eruptive events occasionally occurred during the week. During an overflight on 27 March emissions obscured views of Minamidake Crater, though observers noted no changes at the either the Showa Crater geothermal area or around the flanks of both craters. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from both craters.

Geological summary: The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan’s most active. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the caldera, along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim and built an island that was joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minamidake. Frequent eruptions since the 8th century have deposited ash on the city of Kagoshima, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest recorded eruption took place during 1471-76.

Dukono, Halmahera

1.6992°N, 127.8783°E | Summit elev. 1273 m

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 27 March-2 April. Daily gray-and-white ash plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit and drifted W and S. The Alert Level remained at Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.

Geological summary: Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have occurred since 1933. During a major eruption in 1550 CE, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the N-flank Gunung Mamuya cone. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been active during historical time.

Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)

50.686°N, 156.014°E | Summit elev. 1103 m

KVERT reported that moderate explosive activity was ongoing at Ebeko during 21-28 March. According to volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, about 7 km E), explosions during 22-24 and 27-28 March generated ash plumes that rose as high as 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. A thermal anomaly was identified in satellite images on 23 March; on other days either no activity was observed or weather conditions prevented views. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale). Dates are UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.

Geological summary: The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the cone, and in lateral explosion craters.

Great Sitkin, Andreanof Islands (USA)

52.076°N, 176.13°W | Summit elev. 1740 m

AVO reported that slow lava effusion continued in Great Sitkin’s summit crater during 27 March-2 April. A white steam plume rose above the summit on 27 March; weather clouds obscured or partly obscured satellite and webcam views during most of the week. A radar satellite image acquired on 28 March showed advancement of the active NW lava flow and uplift of the center of the lava flow above the vent. The NW flow was warm and snow-free. Seismicity was low; 20 small earthquakes were recorded during 26-27 March and a few were detected during 1-2 April. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).

Geological summary: The Great Sitkin volcano forms much of the northern side of Great Sitkin Island. A younger volcano capped by a small, 0.8 x 1.2 km ice-filled summit caldera was constructed within a large late-Pleistocene or early Holocene scarp formed by massive edifice failure that truncated an older edifice and produced a submarine debris avalanche. Deposits from this and an even older debris avalanche from a source to the south cover a broad area of the ocean floor north of the volcano. The summit lies along the eastern rim of the younger collapse scarp. Deposits from an earlier caldera-forming eruption of unknown age cover the flanks of the island to a depth up to 6 m. The small younger caldera was partially filled by lava domes emplaced in 1945 and 1974, and five small older flank lava domes, two of which lie on the coastline, were constructed along northwest- and NNW-trending lines. Hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles occur near the head of Big Fox Creek, south of the volcano. Eruptions have been recorded since the late-19th century.

Ibu, Halmahera

1.488°N, 127.63°E | Summit elev. 1325 m

PVMBG reported that Ibu continued to erupt during 26 March-2 April. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 200-2,800 m above the summit and drifted NE, NW, W, and SW on most days. There was no observatory report issued for 28 March, though the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume identified in satellite images rose to 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l., or 2.3 km above the summit, and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second highest level on a four-level scale), with the public advised to stay outside of the 2 km hazard zone and 3.5 km away from the N area of the active crater.

Geological summary: The truncated summit of Gunung Ibu stratovolcano along the NW coast of Halmahera Island has large nested summit craters. The inner crater, 1 km wide and 400 m deep, has contained several small crater lakes. The 1.2-km-wide outer crater is breached on the N, creating a steep-walled valley. A large cone grew ENE of the summit, and a smaller one to the WSW has fed a lava flow down the W flank. A group of maars is located below the N and W flanks. The first observed and recorded eruption was a small explosion from the summit crater in 1911. Eruptive activity began again in December 1998, producing a lava dome that eventually covered much of the floor of the inner summit crater along with ongoing explosive ash emissions.

Kavachi, Solomon Islands

8.991°S, 157.979°E | Summit elev. -20 m

Satellite data showed a circular area of yellow-green discolored water that was about 3.3 km in diameter in the vicinity of the submarine Kavachi volcano on 20 March. Weather clouds obscured satellite views on 25 and 30 March.

Geological summary: Named for a sea-god of the Gatokae and Vangunu peoples, Kavachi is located in the Solomon Islands south of Vangunu Island. Sometimes referred to as Rejo te Kvachi (“Kavachi’s Oven”), this shallow submarine basaltic-to-andesitic volcano has produced ephemeral islands up to 1 km long many times since its first recorded eruption during 1939. Residents of the nearby islands of Vanguna and Nggatokae (Gatokae) reported “fire on the water” prior to 1939, a possible reference to earlier eruptions. The roughly conical edifice rises from water depths of 1.1-1.2 km on the north and greater depths to the SE. Frequent shallow submarine and occasional subaerial eruptions produce phreatomagmatic explosions that eject steam, ash, and incandescent bombs. On a number of occasions lava flows were observed on the ephemeral islands.

Kuchinoerabujima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

30.443°N, 130.217°E | Summit elev. 657 m

JMA reported that the number of shallow volcanic earthquakes at Kuchinoerabujima increased during June and July 2023, fluctuated at elevated levels, began to decrease in mid-January 2024, and continued to decrease through March. The epicenters were mainly located near Furudake Crater, with some located near Shindake Crater (just N of Furudake). Sulfur dioxide emissions shared a similar pattern with increases starting in July 2023, peaks of 200-400 tons per day (t/d) during August-September, and a gradual decrease to less than 100 t/d by 18 March 2024. A geothermal area near Furudake Crater expanded and temperatures increased during October-December 2023 but beginning in January 2024 both the temperatures and the size decreased. No changes to the geothermal area near the fissure on the W side of Shindake Crater were observed during March. At 1400 on 27 March the Alert Level was lowered to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) with restrictions to access encompassing only the crater area. JMA noted that seismic activity continued to be recorded near the crater, and that the sulfur dioxide emissions and the level of activity at the geothermal areas remained at higher levels than before activity increased in June 2023.

Geological summary: A group of young stratovolcanoes forms the eastern end of the irregularly shaped island of Kuchinoerabujima in the northern Ryukyu Islands, 15 km W of Yakushima. The Furudake, Shindake, and Noikeyama cones were erupted from south to north, respectively, forming a composite cone with multiple craters. All historical eruptions have occurred from Shindake, although a lava flow from the S flank of Furudake that reached the coast has a very fresh morphology. Frequent explosive eruptions have taken place from Shindake since 1840; the largest of these was in December 1933. Several villages on the 4 x 12 km island are located within a few kilometers of the active crater and have suffered damage from eruptions.

Lewotobi, Flores Island

8.542°S, 122.775°E | Summit elev. 1703 m

PVMBG reported that white-and-gray plumes rose 100-500 m above the summit of Lewotobi’s Laki-laki volcano during 29-30 March. White plumes rose 20-50 m above the summit and drifted N and NE on 27 March; no plumes were visible on 28 and 31 March and during 1-2 April. PVMBG lowered the Alert Level to 2 (the second lowest level on a scale of 1-4) at 1900 on 1 March and the public was warned to stay outside of the exclusion zone, defined as a 2-km radius around Laki-laki crater, 3 km to the NNE, and 5 km on the NE flanks.

Geological summary: The Lewotobi edifice in eastern Flores Island is composed of the two adjacent Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes (the “husband and wife”). Their summits are less than 2 km apart along a NW-SE line. The conical Laki-laki to the NW has been frequently active during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader Perempuan has had observed eruptions in 1921 and 1935. Small lava domes have grown during the 20th century in both of the summit craters, which are open to the north. A prominent cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the E flank of Perampuan.

Lewotolok, Lembata Island

8.274°S, 123.508°E | Summit elev. 1431 m

PVMBG reported that the eruption at Lewotolok continued during 27 March-2 April. White-and-gray ash plumes rose as high as 1 km and drifted in multiple directions during 27 and 29-30 March and 1 April. White steam-and-gas plumes rose 100-750 m above the summit and drifted W and NW on 28 and 31 March. According to a 2 April news article, observers heard rumbling and faint banging sounds. Incandescent lava at the summit and on the SE flank was visible in the early morning hours. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and the residents of Lamawolo, Lamatokan, and Jontona were warned to stay 2 km away from the vent and 3 km away from the vent on the S and SE flanks.

Geological summary: The Lewotolok (or Lewotolo) stratovolcano occupies the eastern end of an elongated peninsula extending north into the Flores Sea, connected to Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island by a narrow isthmus. It is symmetrical when viewed from the north and east. A small cone with a 130-m-wide crater constructed at the SE side of a larger crater forms the volcano’s high point. Many lava flows have reached the coastline. Eruptions recorded since 1660 have consisted of explosive activity from the summit crater.

Marapi, Central Sumatra

0.38°S, 100.474°E | Summit elev. 2885 m

Badan Nacional Penanggulangan Bencana (BNPB) reported that a more notable eruption occurred at Marapi (on Sumatra) on 27 March. An eruptive event at 0013 generated roaring and an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the summit and drifted W, causing minor ashfall in several areas downwind including in the Tanah Datar (SE) and Agam (NW) regencies and in Bukittinggi City (13 km NW). Several flights were canceled, and the Minangkabau International Airport (50 km SSW) closed during 1021-1400, according to a news article. Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive events at 0849, 1122, and 2054 produced dense gray ash plumes that rose 1.5 km above the summit and drifted W. An event at 2157 generated a dense gray ash plume that rose 1 km above the summit and drifted W. The ash plumes were the highest recorded since the eruption began on 3 December 2023, when plumes rose as high as 3 km. White-and-gray ash plumes rose to 1 km and drifted SW and W on 28 March; they rose as high as 500 m and drifted NW, W, and SW on 29 March, 31 March, and 1 April. Plumes were not visible on 30 March or 2 April. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 4.5 km away from the active crater.

Geological summary: Gunung Marapi, not to be confused with the better-known Merapi volcano on Java, is Sumatra’s most active volcano. This massive complex stratovolcano rises 2,000 m above the Bukittinggi Plain in the Padang Highlands. A broad summit contains multiple partially overlapping summit craters constructed within the small 1.4-km-wide Bancah caldera. The summit craters are located along an ENE-WSW line, with volcanism migrating to the west. More than 50 eruptions, typically consisting of small-to-moderate explosive activity, have been recorded since the end of the 18th century; no lava flows outside the summit craters have been reported in historical time.

Merapi, Central Java

7.54°S, 110.446°E | Summit elev. 2910 m

BPPTKG reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 22-28 March. Seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced 46 lava avalanches that descended the S and SW flanks; two traveled S as far as 800 m down the upper part of the Boyong drainage and 44 traveled SW as far as 1.5 km down the upper part of the Bebeng drainage. Morphological changes to the SW lava dome were due to continuing effusion and collapses of material. The volume of the SW dome was an estimated 2,066,400 cubic meters and the dome in the main crater was an estimated 2,358,000 cubic meters based on 21 March aerial photos. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit, based on location.

Geological summary: Merapi, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, lies in one of the world’s most densely populated areas and dominates the landscape immediately north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse perhaps about 2,000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequent growth of the steep-sided Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern flanks and caused many fatalities.

Semeru, Eastern Java

8.108°S, 112.922°E | Summit elev. 3657 m

PVMBG reported that eruptive activity continued at Semeru during 27 March-2 April. Eruptive events were recorded during 27 March and 1-2 April by the seismic network, though emissions were not observed due to darkness or weather conditions. According to a news article the Mount Semeru Observation Post officer reported that an eruption occurred at 1518 on 28 March but not visually observed; seismicity indicated that pyroclastic flows descended the flanks for about 27 minutes. White-and-gray ash plumes rose 500-800 m above the summit and drifted N, W, SW, and S during 28-31 March. The Alert Level remained at 3 (the third highest level on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit in all directions, 13 km from the summit to the SE, 500 m from the banks of the Kobokan drainage as far as 17 km from the summit, and to avoid other drainages including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.

Geological summary: Semeru, the highest volcano on Java, and one of its most active, lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to the Tengger caldera. The steep-sided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru (Great Mountain), rises above coastal plains to the south. Gunung Semeru was constructed south of the overlapping Ajek-ajek and Jambangan calderas. A line of lake-filled maars was constructed along a N-S trend cutting through the summit, and cinder cones and lava domes occupy the eastern and NE flanks. Summit topography is complicated by the shifting of craters from NW to SE. Frequent 19th and 20th century eruptions were dominated by small-to-moderate explosions from the summit crater, with occasional lava flows and larger explosive eruptions accompanied by pyroclastic flows that have reached the lower flanks of the volcano.

Sheveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

56.653°N, 161.36°E | Summit elev. 3283 m

KVERT reported that eruptive activity at Sheveluch continued during 21-28 March with a daily thermal anomaly identified in satellite images. On 30 March plumes of resuspended ash from the S flank rose as high as 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 65 km ESE based on satellite and video data. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.

Geological summary: The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group. The 1,300 km3 andesitic volcano is one of Kamchatka’s largest and most active volcanic structures, with at least 60 large eruptions during the Holocene. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera breached to the south. Many lava domes occur on its outer flanks. The Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the large open caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964, have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of the breached caldera.

Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

29.638°N, 129.714°E | Summit elev. 796 m

JMA reported that the eruption at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater continued during 25 March-1 April. Crater incandescence was observed in webcam images nightly. No explosions were detected but eruption plumes rose as high as 500 m above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale) and the public was warned to stay at least 1 km away from the crater.

Geological summary: The 8-km-long island of Suwanosejima in the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two active summit craters. The summit is truncated by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the E flank that was formed by edifice collapse. One of Japan’s most frequently active volcanoes, it was in a state of intermittent Strombolian activity from Otake, the NE summit crater, between 1949 and 1996, after which periods of inactivity lengthened. The largest recorded eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits covered residential areas, and the SW crater produced two lava flows that reached the western coast. At the end of the eruption the summit of Otake collapsed, forming a large debris avalanche and creating an open collapse scarp extending to the eastern coast. The island remained uninhabited for about 70 years after the 1813-1814 eruption. Lava flows reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884. Only about 50 people live on the island.

Taal, Luzon (Philippines)

14.0106°N, 120.9975°E | Summit elev. 311 m

In a special report issued for Taal, PHIVOLCS noted that sulfur dioxide emissions were 18,638 tonnes per day (t/d) on 28 March, the highest value recorded during 2024. Sulfur dioxide emissions have been continuously released since 2021 and averaged 10,331 t/d during 2024. Seismicity has remained at baseline levels with only three volcanic earthquakes recorded in February. The Alert Level remained at 1 (on a scale of 0-5), and PHIVOLCS reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island was a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to take extra precaution around Main Crater and along the Daang Kastila fissure.

Geological summary: Taal is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some powerful eruptions. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 km2 surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, with several submerged eruptive centers. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all observed eruptions. The island is composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges have caused many fatalities.

References:

¹ Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report – March 27 – April 2, 2024 – Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google

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