The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 1 – 7, 2025
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from January 1 to 7, 2025. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 21 volcanoes.
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Powerful M7.1 earthquake hits western Xizang, leaving over 120 fatalities, China
A very strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.1 hit western Xizang, China at 01:05 UTC (09:05 LT) on January 7, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 10 km. China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) is reporting M6.8 and a depth of 10 km.
Strong M6.2 earthquake hits El Salvador
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit El Salvador at 17:18 UTC (11:18 LT) on January 5, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 49 km (30 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
Major X1.8 solar flare erupts from AR 3947 – third X-class in a day
A major solar flare measuring X1.8 erupted from Active Region (AR) 3947 at 12:48 UTC on January 4, 2025. The event started at 12:35 and ended at 12:56 UTC. This is the third X-class solar flare after X1.2 at 11:39 UTC and X1.1 at 22:41 UTC on January 3 — all produced by AR 3947.
Major X1.1 solar flare erupts from Region 3947, G1 geomagnetic storm in progress
A major solar flare measuring X1.1 erupted from Active Region (AR) 3947 at 22:41 UTC on January 3, 2025. The event started at 22:32 and ended at 22:51 UTC. This is the second X-class solar flare produced on January 3 — both from AR 3947. Meanwhile, CME produced on January 1 impacted Earth early January 4, sparking G1 – Minor geomagnetic storm.
Major X1.2 solar flare erupts from NE limb – first X-class flare of 2025
A major solar flare measuring X1.2 erupted from Active Region (AR) 3947 at 11:39 UTC on January 3, 2025. This is the first X-class solar flare of 2025. The event started at 11:29 and ended at 11:49 UTC.
M6.1 earthquake hits Tarapaca-Antofagasta border region, Chile
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Tarapaca-Antofagasta border region of Chile at 20:43 UTC on January 2, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 99 km (61 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 91 km (56 miles).
Two CMEs impact Earth, producing G4 – Severe geomagnetic storm
Two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) produced on December 29, 2024, impacted Earth on December 31, causing G4 – Severe geomagnetic storm on January 1, 2025. A slow return to nominal levels is expected by late on January 2. Late on January 3 to early on January 4, a potential glancing blow from the January 1 CME is likely to cause another enhancement.
M6.1 earthquake hits South Sandwich Islands region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the South Sandwich Islands region at 13:48 UTC on January 1, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 83 km (51 miles).
Two CMEs to impact Earth, G3 – Strong Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect for December 31
At least two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are heading toward Earth, with impacts expected on December 31 and January 1, 2025. The first CME — much stronger, was produced by a filament eruption associated with an M2.0 flare at 04:30 UTC on December 29 from Active Region (AR) 3939. This resulted in an asymmetric, partial-halo CME first seen in NASA coronagraph imagery at approximately 06:24 UTC.
