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.
Grindavik faces significant risk of ground collapse due to fissures, Iceland
Recent volcanic activity in the Svartsengi area has led to continuous land uplift, although the exact rate is still being determined through GNSS measurements. Around 200 earthquakes, the largest measuring M1.4, have been recorded near the magma conduit since yesterday. Despite a reduction in earthquake frequency, significant risks, including ground collapse, remain for the nearby Grindavík area.
New mud volcanoes emerge in Trinidad, prompting evacuation plans
Recent discoveries of new small mud volcanoes in Trinidad’s eastern region have prompted local authorities to prepare evacuation plans, following a small eruption in the Cascadoux Trace area last week. Three homes closest to the new mud volcanoes were already evacuated.
Reduced power of eruption, but new cracks may be appearing within Grindavik, Iceland
A day after a new volcanic eruption started near the evacuated city of Grindavik, Iceland, authorities are reporting a reduced flow of lava. While it’s unclear how long the eruption will last, they warn new cracks may be appearing on the surface within the city in the next few days.
Eruption inside Benbow crater, Alert Level for Ambrym volcano raised to 3, Vanuatu
The Ambrym volcano in Vanuatu has transitioned from minor unrest to a minor eruption state over the weekend, leading authorities to raise the Volcanic Alert Level from 1 to 3 on January 14, 2024. The eruption is occurring inside the Benbow crater, with a designated Danger Zone B extending approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) around Benbow and 4 km (2.4 miles) around Marum craters.
Eruption started north of Grindavík, lava enters city limits, Iceland
Another eruption began south-southeast of Hagafell, Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland at 07:57 UTC on January 14, 2024. The latest images show the lava flowing toward the town of Grindavik. The perimeter was about 450 m (1 470 feet) from the northernmost houses in the town around 08:40 UTC.
Strongest earthquake since 1991 and glacial outburst flood at Grímsvötn volcano, Iceland
A glacial outburst flood has begun at Grímsvötn volcano, located beneath the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland. In addition, the volcano was hit by a M4.3 earthquake on January 11 — the strongest since measurements began in 1991. Glacial outburst floods are known to increase the likelihood of volcanic eruptions. As a result, the Aviation Color Code for the volcano has been raised to Yellow.
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: January 3 – 9, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 4 volcanoes from January 3 to 9, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 17 volcanoes.
Man missing after falling into a ground crack in Grindavik, Iceland
A man is missing after falling into a ground crack caused by recent volcanic activity on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula. The incident occurred in Grindavik, a coastal fishing town near the site of a recent eruption, on Wednesday morning, January 10, 2024.
Increased eruptive activity at Lewotobi, Alert Level raised to highest, evacuation orders issued, Indonesia
Eruptive activity at the Lewotobi volcanic complex further increased over the past 10 days, prompting the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) to raise the Alert Level to the highest (4 of 4) on January 9, 2024.