The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 24 – 30, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 3 volcanoes from January 24 to 30, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes
Iceland builds massive dykes to shield against volcanic lava flows
Icelanders build massive dykes to protect against lava flows from reactivated volcanoes near Reykjavik. The six volcanic systems, active for the first time in nearly 800 years, pose a significant threat to the Reykjanes peninsula, prompting around-the-clock construction efforts to safeguard homes and a crucial power plant.
Strong eruptive activity at Ibu volcano, Indonesia
Eruptive activity at Indonesia’s Ibu volcano continues with strong explosions from the cinder cone within the summit caldera.
Seismic activity and ground deformation surge at Kīlauea’s summit, Hawaii
Increased earthquake activity and signs of magma movement beneath Kīlauea’s summit, detected on January 31, 2024, have prompted the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to elevate the volcano’s alert level from ADVISORY/YELLOW to WATCH/ORANGE. With over 500 earthquakes recorded since midnight and ground deformation indicating pressurized magma chambers, the risk of an eruption remains high.
University of Iceland professor warns of lava flow proximity to Reykjavík
Þorvaldur Þórðarson, a volcanology professor at the University of Iceland, suggests that recent earthquakes in the Reykjanes Peninsula could indicate magma accumulation under Húsfellsbruna, raising concerns about potential lava flows near Reykjavík.
Slow lava eruption continues at Great Sitkin volcano, Alaska
The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported a continuous slow eruption of lava in the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano as of 19:30 UTC on January 30, 2024. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange and Alert Level at Watch.
Magma accumulation accelerates land rise near Svartsengi, Iceland
In recent days, Svartsengi, Iceland, has experienced accelerated land rise, reaching up to 8 mm (0.3 inches) daily, attributed to magma accumulation under the area. While seismic activity remains mild, the risk assessment for Grindavík has been downgraded to orange, with a continued high risk for crack collapse.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 17 – 23, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes from January 17 to 23, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 12 volcanoes.
Large pyroclastic flow at Merapi volcano, ashfall blankets nearby communities, Indonesia
A significant eruption occurred at Indonesia’s Merapi volcano at approximately 06:55 UTC (13:55 local time) on January 21, 2024, producing a large pyroclastic flow that reached about 2 km (1.2 miles) from the summit. The eruption caused a large ash cloud and panic but no fatalities or injuries have been reported. The Alert Level remains at 3 (on a scale of 1-4).
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 10 – 16, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 6 volcanoes from January 10 – 16, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 14 volcanoes.
