The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: May 7-13, 2026
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from May 7 to 13, 2026. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes.
Strong M6.0 earthquake hits Antigua and Barbuda region
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 struck the Antigua and Barbuda region at 14:50 UTC on May 16, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 30 km (18.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 48 km (29.8 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this event.
Exceptional drought returns to Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma for first time since July 2023
Exceptional drought (D4) has returned to parts of the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma for the first time since July 2023, according to the National Weather Service Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center (ABRFC). Drought conditions continue worsening across large parts of the Southern Plains following one of the driest and warmest starts to spring on record. Extreme Drought (D3) conditions are already affecting 36% of the Arkansas-Red Basin, while forecasters warned that very dry conditions are expected to persist across western portions of the region.
Red Flag Warnings in effect as dry thunderstorms threaten new fire starts across the Plains
Dry lightning, severe outflow winds, single-digit to teen relative humidity, and receptive fuels created Critical fire weather conditions across parts of the Plains and southern High Plains on May 15, 2026.
SPC forecasts supercells and damaging wind clusters across Iowa late May 15
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) placed Iowa under an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms late May 15, 2026, with severe/damaging winds and large to very large hail forecast late this afternoon and evening. Initial supercells may produce hail of 5 cm (2 inches) or larger before storms organize into clusters capable of localized wind gusts above 120 km/h (75 mph).
Crashes reported due to blinding dust storms in North Dakota
Blinding dust storms caused crashes on state highways 83 and 85 in North Dakota on May 14, 2026, while grass fires fueled by dry and windy conditions created dangerous travel conditons on the I-29 in Traill County.
Kīlauea episode 47 ends after 9 hours, fine ash and Pele’s hair fall outside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Episode 47 of the ongoing Halemaʻumaʻu eruption at the summit of Kīlauea ended at 00:27 HST (10:27 UTC) on May 15, 2026, after 9 hours of continuous lava fountaining from the north vent. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) said the eruption is paused and lowered Kīlauea to Volcano Alert Level Advisory and Aviation Color Code Yellow.
Strong M6.7 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.7 hit near the east coast of Honshu, Japan at 11:22 UTC (20:22 LT) on May 15, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 44 km (27 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.7 at a depth of 40 km (25 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), there is no tsunami threat from this event.
Multiple wildfires trigger evacuations across northern Texas and New Mexico
Wildfires burning across the Texas Panhandle and eastern New Mexico have scorched more than 18 000 ha (44 500 acres) since May 14, prompting evacuations near Amarillo and along the New Mexico–Texas border
Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Banda Sea, Indonesia
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 struck the Banda Sea, Indonesia, at 17:53 UTC on May 14, 2026. The agency is reporting a depth of 146 km (91 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 146 km (91 miles) while BMKG reports M6.7 at a depth of 163 km (102 miles).
