Volcano Report

Based on a pilot observation and analyses of satellite images, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that activity at the Palena Volcanic Group began around 1530 on 22 December. Satellite images showed an ash plume drifting SE which dissipated quickly, and diffuse ash, gas, and steam near the source.

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 22 December an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 75 km NE.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 18 December a possible ash plume from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted over 35 km E. On 24 December an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km N.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

RVO reported that activity at both Manam's Southern Crater and Main Crater was low during 1-15 December; white vapor emissions rose from both craters. Light gray ash clouds rose from Southern Crater during 6, 10, and 13-14 December, and incandescence from the crater was observed during 6-10 and 12-13 December. Incandescence from Main Crater was visible during 11-13 and 15 December, and gray ash plumes rose from the crater during 13-14 December. No plumes from either crater rose more than 100 m during the reporting period.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

RVO reported that Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone was quiet during 1-15 December. White and occasionally blue vapor plumes rose from the crater, An explosion at 1850 on 15 December generated an ash-poor plume.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

RVO reported that activity at Ulawun was low during 1-15 December; pale gray ash plumes rose from the crater. People between Sena Estate and Noau on the N flank reported ashfall in early December.

Source: Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO)

Based on webcam images, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 22 December an ash plume from Sinabung rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 55 km W. During 23-24 December ash plumes recorded by the webcam rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Chirinkotan was observed in satellite images on 9, 12, and 15 December. Cloud cover obscured views on the other days during 10-16 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

KVERT reported weak seismic activity at Kliuchevskoi during 13-20 December, and video images showed moderate gas-and-steam activity. Satellite images detected daily weak thermal anomalies over the summit and the SW flank. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

JMA reported that on 19 December an explosion from Sakura-jima's Showa Crater ejected tephra as far as 1,300 m. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-5). The Tokyo VAAC reported that during 18-19 and 21-23 December explosions generated plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E, SE, and S.

Sources: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) ,Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

KVERT reported that Vulcanian and Strombolian activity at Karymsky continued during 13-20 December. Satellite images detected a bright thermal anomaly on the volcano daily, and gas-and-steam plumes that drifted 30 km SW on 18 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

During 18-23 December HVO reported that the circulating lava lake occasionally rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea's Halema'uma'u Crater. The plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of ash, spatter, and Pele's hair onto nearby areas. At Pu'u 'O'o Crater, glow emanated from spatter cones on the N and S portions of the crater floor. The 7.3-km-long Kahauale’a 2 lava flow, fed by the NE spatter cone, was active with scattered break-out flows and burned the forest N of Pu'u 'O'o; the flow however was most active about 6 km NE of Pu'u 'O'o based on satellite images from 20 December.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Based on visual observations and analyses of satellite data, KVERT reported that during 13-20 December a new lava dome extruded onto the NW part of Shiveluch's older lava dome. Moderate explosions generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4-5 km (13,100-16,400) a.s.l. Lava-dome extrusion was accompanied by hot avalanches, incandescence, and fumarolic activity. A thermal anomaly was detected daily in satellite images. Several strong explosions on 17 December generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 5.5-6 km (18,000-19,700 ft) a.s.l. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

A scientist from NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) reported that an ash cloud drifting NNE from the Cordón Caulle rift zone, part of the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex, was visible in satellite images starting at 0800 on 14 December. The scientist noted that, although it appeared to be a fresh emission, the cloud was likely re-suspended ash from strong southerly winds. In addition, no other evidence of renewed activity was detected.

Source: Michael J. Pavolonis (NOAA/NESDIS), personal communication

In a special report INSIVUMEH noted that activity at Fuego had increased on 15 December. Lava flows were 500 m long in the Ceniza drainage (SSW), and their emission rate rate had increased. Blocks from lava-flow fronts reached vegetated areas. Six to eight explosions per hour produced ash plumes that rose 550 m and drifted 8 km. The explosions generated shock waves and rattled buildings in nearby villages. The next day lava flows were 600 m long in the Ceniza drainage. Explosions generated ash plumes that rose 450 m and drifted W and SW.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

INGV reported on the 20th paroxysm in 2013 from Etna’s New Southeast Crater (NSEC) began with a strong explosion at 0925 on 14 December from a vent near the NE rim which generated an ash plume that rose 2 km. Intermittent ash emission gradually turned into Strombolian activity. After 1413 the activity intensified; small ash puffs were produced and Strombolian explosions ejected incandescent pyroclastics onto the flanks of the cone. Over the next few hours activity continued to intensify and a diffuse ash plume drifted ESE. At 2323 lava overflowed the SE crater rim and flowed towards the Valle del Bove. During the night explosive activity continued to intensify, and by 0330 on 15 December Strombolian activity was intense and virtually continuous. After 0500 explosive activity started to diminish, and at 0550 the volcanic tremor amplitude and the intensity and frequency of Strombolian explosions showed a sharp drop. Explosive activity continued to produce copious amounts of ash until about 0830. According to a news article, the ash emissions caused the cancellation of more than 20 flights in and out of the Catania airport. At 0610 and 0633 two vents opened within the deep trench cutting the SE flank of the NSEC cone (where lava was still flowing from the crater since the previous evening), the first just a few tens of meters below the crater rim, the second about 100 m further downslope. Both vents initially produced lava fountains for a few minutes, with jets a few tens of meters high, and then produced lava flows that descended through the trench. Between 0945 on 15 December and the morning of 16 December ash emission varied in frequency and intensity, related to variations in the intensity of the Strombolian activity at NSEC. During the afternoon and evening of 15 December explosive activity lasted a few to a few tens of minutes and Strombolian activity became significantly more intense or passed into pulsating, low lava fountains. The more intense periods produced greater amounts of ash leading to ashfall in populated areas on the E and SE flank, from the Milo-Zafferana area toward the Ionian coast. At night during 15-16 December lava flows continued to flow towards the Valle del Bove. A shift in wind direction caused ashfall in areas SE, S, and SW. On 15 December small and periodic ash emissions also occurred from Northeast Crater. Small thermal anomalies detected with a thermal camera were detected during 15-16 December. Strombolian activity at the NSEC continued through 16 December at a slowly decreasing rate and with numerous minor intensifications that generated diluted ash plumes. Lava effusion also gradually diminished, but at about 1430 on 16 December, a short fissure opened on the lower NE flank of the NSEC cone, producing a small lava flow which advanced a few hundred meters. Explosive activity finally ceased around midnight on 17 December. Very slow lava effusion continued, at a gradually decreasing rate, from the fissure on the NE flank of the NSEC cone, through the night of 17-18 December.

Sources: Agence France-Presse (AFP),INGV Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo

SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Snow, a volcano of Chirpoi, was detected in satellite images during 12-13 and 15 December. Cloud cover obscured views on the other days during 10-16 December. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

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