The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: May 14-20, 2026
New activity/unrest was reported for 7 volcanoes from May 14 to 20, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 20 volcanoes.
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Bright fireball lights up skies over New South Wales, Australia
A bright fireball was observed over New South Wales, Australia, at 08:35 UTC on May 21, 2026, with reports from Sydney, Canberra, and several inland NSW locations.
NOAA forecasts 8-14 named storms in below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook
NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) forecast a 55% chance of a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes, and 1 to 3 major hurricanes between June 1 and November 30.
New analysis sheds light on unexpected reversal in Earth’s molten outer core beneath the Pacific
A new analysis of geomagnetic observations from 1997 to 2025 shows that the unexpected reversal in Earth’s outer-core flow beneath the equatorial Pacific around 2010 has weakened since 2020, refining scientists’ understanding of one of the most unusual deep-Earth changes detected in recent decades.
M4.4 earthquake triggers seismic swarm at Italy’s Campi Flegrei caldera
A shallow M4.4 earthquake struck the Campi Flegrei caldera west of Naples, Italy, at 05:50 LT (03:50 UTC) on May 21, 2026, beginning a seismic swarm that ended after 12 earthquakes.
Thin atmosphere detected around small plutino beyond Neptune
Astronomers have reported evidence of a thin atmosphere around the small plutino (612533) 2002 XV93 after observing the object pass in front of a distant star on January 10, 2024. The finding, published in Nature Astronomy this month, identifies evidence of a gaseous envelope around a trans-Neptunian object far smaller than Pluto.
Greenland ice core connects 686 CE ash layer with Oregon’s Newberry volcano
Microscopic volcanic ash preserved in Greenland ice has been chemically matched to the Newberry Pumice eruption in Oregon, refining the eruption age to 686 ± 2 CE and extending its known ash footprint across the North Atlantic.
Strong M6.6 earthquake hits southern East Pacific Rise
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.6 hit the southern East Pacific Rise at 17:43 UTC on May 20, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Extreme subsidence in Mexico City exceeds 2 cm (0.8 inches) per month
Preliminary measurements from the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite mapped parts of Mexico City and surrounding areas subsiding by more than 2 cm (0.8 inches) per month between October 25, 2025, and January 17, 2026, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reported. JPL attributed the deformation in large part to groundwater pumping and long-term compaction of the ancient lakebed beneath the metropolitan area.
Over 10 000 pilgrims rescued after landslides disrupt Kedarnath route, India
Over 10 000 pilgrims were rescued after multiple landslides disrupted the Kedarnath pilgrimage route in Uttarakhand late on May 19, 2026, temporarily blocking movement between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.
