The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: April 17 – 23, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 5 volcanoes from April 17 – 23, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 18 volcanoes.
Increased seismic activity under Kilauea volcano, Hawaii
Over the past three weeks, Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has exhibited increased seismic activity, with fluctuations in shallow and deep earthquakes at the summit. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports sustained low sulfur dioxide emissions and continuous monitoring due to this heightened state of unrest.
Continuous lava flow threatens Grindavík barriers, Iceland
The ongoing eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, starting March 16, 2024, continues to pose a threat as lava from the Sundhnúkur crater row thickens near Grindavík. Extrusion rates have remained consistent at 3 – 4 m3/s (106 – 141 ft3/s), with new data anticipated to further assess the situation.
Strong M5.4 earthquake hits Bárðarbunga caldera – the largest since the eruption in Holuhraun ended in 2015, Iceland
A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 hit the Bárðarbunga caldera in Iceland on April 21, 2024, marking the largest seismic event in the area since the 2015 Holuhraun eruption. This event was followed by a smaller M3.0 aftershock, but no further seismic activity has been reported.
Volcanic eruption in Reykjanes Peninsula continues to pose risks, ground uplift continues, Iceland
The ongoing volcanic eruption on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, which began at 20:23 UTC on March 16, 2024, continues to impact the area with significant ground uplift and persistent hazards from volcanic gas emissions. The eruption, centered at the Sundhnúkur crater row, shows no signs of abating, with an expanding lava field now covering 6.15 km² (23.5 mi2).
Increased seismicity and inflation at Awu volcano, Alert Level raised to 3, Indonesia
Increased seismic activity and inflation detected at Awu Volcano prompted Indonesian authorities to elevate the alert level from 2 to 3 on April 16, 2024. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has advised the public to maintain a distance of at least 5 km (3.1 miles) from the crater due to potential explosive eruptions. The last eruption at this volcano took place in 2004 (VEI 2).
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report: April 10 – 16, 2024
New activity/unrest was reported for 8 volcanoes from April 10 to 16, 2024. During the same period, ongoing activity was reported for 12 volcanoes.
Potential tsunami risk after major eruption at Ruang volcano, Indonesia
Indonesia’s Ruang volcano in North Sulawesi experienced several violent eruptions on April 16 and 17, 2024, forcing authorities to raise the Alert Level to 4 of 4 and warn nearby residents there is a potential of a tsunami if parts of the volcano collapse into the sea, similarly to what happened in 1871. The last eruptive episode at this volcano was in September 2002 (VEI 4).
Massive eruption at Ruang volcano forces mass evacuation, ash to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l., Indonesia
A series of powerful eruptions took place at Ruang volcano in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province starting at 17:08 UTC on April 16, 2024 (01:08 LT, April 17). As a result, the Aviation Color Code was raised to Red, the Alert Level to 3 of 4, and local authorities started evacuating more than 800 people living on the island as a preventive measure. The last eruptive episode at this volcano was in September 2002 (VEI 4).
Phreatic eruption at Taal volcano, increased sulfur dioxide emissions, Philippines
A phreatic eruption occurred at Taal Volcano, Philippines, between 21:11 and 21:24 UTC on April 11, 2024 (05:11 and 05:24 LT, April 12), producing a 2.4 km (7 870 feet) tall steam-laden plume that drifted southwest.