The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: February 19–25, 2025
New activity/unrest was reported for 8 volcanoes from February 19 to 25, 2025. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
Supernova radiation linked to virus evolution in Lake Tanganyika, Africa
A supernova explosion approximately 2.5 million years ago may have influenced viral evolution on Earth in Lake Tanganyika, Africa’s deepest lake.
Burst-like seismic swarms indicate increasing unrest at Campi Flegrei, Italy
A new study published this month in Nature Communications reports that burst-like seismic swarms have been a defining feature of the volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei since 2021.
Severe floods leave at least 26 dead in Helmand and Farah, Afghanistan
Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods in multiple districts of Helmand and Farah, Afghanistan, leading to the deaths of 26 people and injuries to 11 others as of February 26, 2025.
Seismic unrest near Fentale volcano persists month after rare methane emissions, Ethiopia
Nearly a month after satellites detected massive methane plumes spewing from Ethiopia’s Mount Fentale on January 31, 2025, new data shows emissions have declined since February 9—yet ongoing seismic unrest, including a magnitude 6.0 earthquake on February 14, keeps scientists and locals on high alert.
Strong M6.0 earthquake, multiple aftershocks hit off the coast of North Sulawesi, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the BMKG as M6.0 struck southeast of Tutuyan, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, at 22:55 UTC on February 25, 2025 (06:55 LT on February 26). The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS and EMSC reported a slightly higher magnitude of 6.1. Multiple aftershocks followed, with at least twelve registering M4.0 or higher.
Starlink-powered RDK 2.0 enhances disaster response connectivity
IEC Telecom has introduced RDK 2.0, an advanced Rapid Deployment Kit designed to deliver uninterrupted high-speed satellite connectivity for first responders and humanitarian teams. The launch will take place at the Global Security Risk and Policy Conference (GISF) in Ireland from February 26 to February 27, 2025.
Drone footage captures ephemeral vent and expanding lava field at Mount Etna, Italy
A drone video captured on February 24, 2025, shows the evolving lava field from an ephemeral vent at 3.05 km (10 006 feet) a.s.l. on the southwestern slope of Mount Etna, Italy.
Increased activity, Aviation Color Code raised to Orange at White Island volcano, New Zealand
Small ash emissions along with large white steam plumes have been observed over the past week at White Island volcano in New Zealand, according to a bulletin released by the GNS at 14:30 LT (01:30 UTC) on Monday, February 24, 2025. The Alert Level remains at 2 while the Aviation Color Code has been raised to Orange.
InSight reveals marsquakes travel through mantle, not crust
NASA’s InSight lander has provided evidence that seismic waves on Mars travel through the planet’s mantle rather than being confined to the crust.
