The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: May 7–13, 2025
New activity/unrest was reported for five volcanoes from May 7 to 13, 2025. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
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Second earthquake swarm hits Campi Flegrei one day after state of emergency declaration
A new earthquake swarm began in the Campi Flegrei caldera at 14:23 local time on May 14, 2025, just five hours after Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) reported the end of a previous swarm that led to a state of emergency declaration.
Earthquake swarm prompts state of emergency for Campi Flegrei, Italy
A state of emergency was declared for Italy’s Campi Flegrei area on May 13, 2025, following an M4.4 earthquake within a swarm of earthquakes that produced 49 registered events. The swarm began at 12:06 LT on May 13 and ended during the morning hours of May 14, according to the INGV Vesuvian Observatory. The Campi Flegrei caldera is one of Europe’s most closely monitored volcanic areas due to its dense population and history of significant unrest.
Major X2.7 solar flare erupts from Active Region 4087
A major solar flare measuring X2.7 erupted from Active Region 4087 at 08:19 UTC on May 14, 2025. The event began at 08:04 and ended at 08:31 UTC. This is the 8th X-class solar flare of the year and the strongest to date. It currently ranks as the 15th most powerful flare of Solar Cycle 25, exceeding the X2.56 event observed on February 16, 2024. This is also the second X-class flare within the past 24 hours, following an X1.2 flare at 15:38 UTC on May 14 from a region near the Sun’s west limb.
Deep M6.4 earthquake recorded in Tonga region
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit the Tonga region at 04:15 UTC on May 14, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 242 km (150 miles). EMSC is reporting 243 km (151 miles).
M6.1 earthquake south of Crete, Greece prompts tsunami warning
A strong earthquake registered by the EMSC as M6.1 hit Crete, Greece, at 22:51 UTC on May 13, 2025 (00:51 local time, May 14) at a depth of 71 km (44 miles). USGS is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 74 km (46 miles).
Major X1.2 solar flare erupts from Sun’s west limb
A major solar flare measuring X1.2 erupted from Active Region 4086 at 15:38 UTC on May 13, 2025. The event started at 15:25 and ended at 15:44 UTC. This is the seventh X-class solar flare of the year and the first since March 28, tying for the third strongest with the X1.2 flare on January 3.
Ongoing ash emissions from White Island volcano impact local airspace, New Zealand
Persistent steam, gas, and minor volcanic ash emissions from Whakaari/White Island, New Zealand, have led to several flight cancellations over Tauranga on May 11 and 12, 2025.
Intense volcanic activity continues at Fuego volcano, Guatemala
Explosive eruptions continued at Guatemala’s Fuego volcano in recent days, producing ash plumes up to 4.8 km (15 750 feet) and incandescent material rising 100–300 m (330–980 feet) above the crater.
Shallow M5.6 earthquake hits southwest China’s Xizang region
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.6 hit southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region at 21:11 UTC on May 11, 2025 (05:11 local time on May 12). The agency is reporting a depth of 9 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
