Explosive Andean and Indonesian volcanoes stood out today, led by Sangay and Fuego, while Mayon’s effusion persisted in the Philippines. Notable shifts from yesterday include Semeru’s alert lowered to Level 2, Poas now Aviation Yellow, Piton de la Fournaise listed as a continuing eruption, and ash reported at Sangay and Purace.
Indonesia
Lewotolok produced 648 seismically detected explosions. Semeru recorded 121 explosions and four rockfalls (Level 2 – Alert). Ibu registered 124 explosions with low gas plumes, while Merapi sent two hot rockfalls up to 1.8 km. Low plumes persisted at Dukono and activity at Marapi stayed modest; several other Indonesian volcanoes remained in unrest, and Tangkuban Parahu held at Level 1 – Normal.
Philippines
Mayon displayed lava effusion and dome growth with minor Strombolian bursts; 317 rockfalls and seismically detected pyroclastic density currents were noted (Alert Level 3). Kanlaon emitted plumes to 300 m. Taal produced plumes to 450 m and experienced a continuous tremor episode beginning at 0900 (Alert Level 1).
Mexico
Popocatepetl continued with gas-and-steam emissions (Yellow Alert – Phase 2).
South America
In Ecuador, Sangay generated 374 explosions, ash-and-gas plumes to 1.5 km, and a small SE-flank lava flow confined near the crater, while Reventador produced 94 explosions with ash to 1 km and thermal anomalies. Peru’s Sabancaya sent ash-and-gas plumes to 1 km alongside a dozen internal earthquakes, and Colombia’s Purace produced a single ash emission to 300 m amid ongoing tremor and degassing.
Africa
Piton de la Fournaise was classified as a continuing eruption (Alert 2-1).
Other
Guatemala’s Fuego was very active with up to 10 explosions per hour, plumes rising as high as 4.7 km above the vent, and incandescent ejecta causing rockfalls and audible booms. Santa Maria produced up to two explosions per hour, plumes to 800 m, and nighttime crater incandescence with rockfalls. In Costa Rica, Poas remained at Level 2 – Warning and is now Aviation Yellow, while Rincon de la Vieja and Turrialba stayed at Level 2 – Warning.
Source: Smithsonian/USGS GVP Daily Volcanic Activity Report (21 January 2026).
Activity Summary for 21 January 2026
| Volcano | Country | Activity Type | Keynotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dukono | Indonesia | Eruption | Gas-and-steam plumes to 250 m. |
| Fuego | Guatemala | Eruption | Up to 10 explosions/hr; plumes to 4.7 km; incandescent ejecta with rockfalls. |
| Ibu | Indonesia | Eruption | 124 explosions; gas plumes to 200 m; felt seismicity. |
| Kanlaon | Philippines | Eruption | Plumes to 300 m. |
| Lewotolok | Indonesia | Eruption | 648 explosions detected; eruption ongoing. |
| Marapi | Indonesia | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Alert. |
| Mayon | Philippines | Eruption | Lava effusion with dome growth; minor Strombolian activity; 317 rockfalls and seismically detected PDCs. |
| Merapi | Indonesia | Eruption | 2 hot rockfalls to 1.8 km. |
| Piton de la Fournaise | France | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert 2-1. |
| Popocatepetl | Mexico | Eruption | Gas-and-steam emissions. |
| Poas | Costa Rica | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Level 2 – Warning; Aviation Yellow. |
| Purace | Colombia | Eruption | Single ash emission to 300 m; tremor pulses and LP events; sustained degassing. |
| Reventador | Ecuador | Eruption | 94 explosions; ash-and-gas plumes to 1 km; thermal anomaly. |
| Sabancaya | Peru | Eruption | Ash-and-gas plumes to 1 km; 12 internal earthquakes; thermal anomalies. |
| Sangay | Ecuador | Eruption | 374 explosions; ash-and-gas plumes to 1.5 km; small SE-flank lava flow. |
| Santa Maria | Guatemala | Eruption | Up to 2 explosions/hr; plumes to 800 m; nighttime incandescence with rockfalls. |
| Semeru | Indonesia | Eruption | 121 explosions; 4 rockfalls. |
| Taal | Philippines | Eruption | Plumes to 450 m; continuous tremor episode from 0900. |
| 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 | Felt seismicity; ongoing unrest. |
| Lewotobi | Indonesia | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 3 – Standby. |
| 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. |
| Soputan | Indonesia | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert. |
| Turrialba | Costa Rica | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Level 2 – Warning. |
| Tangkuban Parahu | Indonesia | Background | Background state; Level 1 – Normal. |