The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: April 24 – 30, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from April 24 – 30, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 22 volcanoes.
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Catastrophic floods hit Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, leaving at least 83 dead, over 100 missing
A powerful atmospheric river has caused destructive flooding across Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil since Monday, April 29, 2024, leading to the deaths of at least 55 people, with more than 70 others missing. The state governor described the situation as the worst disaster in the state’s history.
Marietta tornado rated EF-4, Oklahoma’s first violent tornado in 8 years
The tornado that hit Marietta, Oklahoma at 23:08 CDT on April 27, 2024, was rated EF-4 by the National Weather Service (NWS), making it Oklahoma’s first violent tornado in nearly 8 years. This event resulted in one fatality and extensive structural damage across multiple counties.
Major eruption at Ruang volcano, ash to 19.2 km (63 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
Another high-level eruption started at Indonesia’s Ruang volcano at 18:15 UTC on April 29, 2024 (01:15 LT, April 30), producing an ash column to an estimated height of about 19.2 km (63 000 feet) above sea level. Authorities raised the Alert Level to 4 and the Aviation Color Code to Red. This powerful eruption comes just 2 weeks after a similar eruption on April 16.
Large avalanche strikes Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir
The Sonmarg region of Jammu and Kashmir was hit by a severe avalanche on April 29, 2024, amidst ongoing heavy rain and snowfall, leading to the closure of critical transport routes including the main Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Dam collapse in western Kenya claims at least 48 lives, leaves 49 missing
At least 48 people have died and another 49 are missing after the Old Kijabe Dam near Mai Mahiu in Nakuru County, Kenya, collapsed due to heavy rainfall. The collapse caused severe infrastructural damage including a major road cut-off.
Significant ground deformation triggers Yellow alert at Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex, Chile
The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex in Chile was placed under a Yellow alert at 20:00 UTC on April 26, 2024. This decision followed observations of increased ground deformation linked to an active inflation zone, located 6 km (3.7 miles) west-northeast of the 2011 eruption site. Monitoring data have shown the highest deformation rates since measurements began, reaching up to 2.4 cm (0.95 inches) per month.
Increased eruptive activity, high sulfur dioxide emissions at Tofua volcano, Tonga
Volcanic activity increased at Tonga’s Tofua volcano at 09:56 LT on April 26, 2024, with very intense thermal emission detected by MIROVA.
Bright green fireball over Long Island, New York
A bright fireball was seen and recorded streaking through the night sky over the northern tip of Long Island, New York at 02:08 UTC on April 27, 2024 (22:08 LT, April 26).
Catastrophic damage, at least 4 fatalities after severe tornado outbreak hits Oklahoma
A severe tornado outbreak on Saturday, April 27, 2024, has resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and inflicted significant destruction across several cities in Oklahoma, marking one of the most destructive days in the state’s recent history.
