Lewotolok surges with 500 m plumes; Piton de la Fournaise raised to Alert 2-1

A surge at Lewotolok led today’s activity, with 524 explosions and ash-and-gas rising 500 m above the vent. Indonesia dominated overall, as Semeru logged 120 explosions with rockfalls and Ibu tallied 117 explosions, while Ecuador’s Sangay showed increased activity and Mexico’s Popocatepetl stayed active. On Reunion, an alert step to Alert 2-1 was announced at Piton de la Fournaise.

Indonesia
At Lewotolok (Level 3 – Standby), monitors counted 524 explosions and ash-and-gas plumes rose to 500 m above the vent.
Semeru (Level 3 – Standby) produced 120 explosions and five rockfalls, while Ibu (Level 2 – Alert) registered 117 explosions.
Dukono (Level 2 – Alert) also erupted, and Merapi (Level 3 – Standby) released minor gas-and-steam about 20 m above the vent.
Unrest persisted at Awu, Karangetang, and Kerinci, with additional monitoring at Iliwerung and Lokon-Empung.
Raung and Sangeang Api also showed unrest, while Talang and Tangkuban Parahu were reported at normal status.

Philippines
Mayon (Alert Level 3) and Kanlaon (Alert Level 2) remained in ongoing activity. Taal stayed at Alert Level 1.

Mexico
Popocatepetl remained active at Yellow Alert – Phase 2.

South America
In Ecuador, Sangay saw increased eruptive activity, while Reventador continued to erupt.
Peru’s Sabancaya recorded nine earthquakes linked to magmatic-gas movement and showed a thermal anomaly.
Colombia’s Purace remained at Orange Alert with ongoing activity.

Africa
On Reunion Island, Piton de la Fournaise was set to Alert 2-1 at 0000 on 20 January.

Other
In Costa Rica, Poas remained in eruption at Level 2 – Warning. Unrest persisted at Rincon de la Vieja and Turrialba (both Level 2 – Warning).

Source: Smithsonian/USGS Daily Volcanic Activity Report — 20 January 2026.

Activity Summary for 20 January 2026

Volcano	Country	Activity Type	Keynotes
Dukono	Indonesia	Eruption	1 seismically detected explosion; eruption ongoing.
Ibu	Indonesia	Eruption	117 explosions; eruption ongoing.
Kanlaon	Philippines	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Moderate Unrest.
Lewotolok	Indonesia	Eruption	524 explosions; ash-and-gas plumes to 500 m; activity increased.
Marapi	Indonesia	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Mayon	Philippines	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 3 – Increased Tendency Towards Hazardous Eruption.
Merapi	Indonesia	Eruption	Minor gas-and-steam plume 20 m above vent.
Piton de la Fournaise	France	Alert	Alert 2-1 in effect.
Popocatepetl	Mexico	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Yellow Alert – Phase 2.
Poas	Costa Rica	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Level 2 – Warning.
Purace	Colombia	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Orange Alert.
Reventador	Ecuador	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 3 – Orange.
Sabancaya	Peru	Eruption	9 magmatic-gas earthquakes; thermal anomaly; eruption ongoing.
Sangay	Ecuador	Eruption	Eruptive activity increased.
Semeru	Indonesia	Eruption	120 explosions; 5 rockfalls; eruption ongoing.
Taal	Philippines	Eruption	Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 1 – Low-Level Unrest.
Awu	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Bur ni Telong	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Iliwerung	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Karangetang	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Kerinci	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Lewotobi	Indonesia	Unrest	Gas-and-steam plume to 50 m; ongoing unrest.
Lokon-Empung	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Raung	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Rincon de la Vieja	Costa Rica	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Level 2 – Warning.
Sangeang Api	Indonesia	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Turrialba	Costa Rica	Unrest	Ongoing unrest; Level 2 – Warning.
Talang	Indonesia	Background	Background activity; Level 1 – Normal.
Tangkuban Parahu	Indonesia	Background	Background activity; Level 1 – Normal.