Kilauea drops to Yellow as Taal climbs to Alert 2; Great Sitkin stays ORANGE

Big changes in Hawaii and the Philippines stood out today. Kilauea’s eruption paused with alerts lowered to Advisory and Aviation Yellow; Taal moved up to Alert Level 2 while Kanlaon eased to Level 1. In Indonesia, frequent blasts at Dukono and pyroclastic-flow signals at Semeru contrasted with stable Watch/Aviation Orange conditions at Great Sitkin.

United States
Great Sitkin (Watch / Aviation ORANGE) maintained its eruption. Kilauea paused overnight, with alerts lowered to Advisory / Aviation YELLOW. Kupreanof and Shishaldin remained in unrest at Advisory / Aviation YELLOW.

Indonesia
Halmahera’s Dukono registered 74 explosions with ash rising up to 3.4 km above the vent. At Semeru, 53 explosions were logged and instruments detected both pyroclastic density currents and flowage events. Merapi produced gas-and-steam plumes to 400 m and four hot rockfalls that traveled up to 1.9 km. Lewotolok recorded 13 explosions with audible rumbling, while Lewotobi stayed at Level 3 with minor degassing. Eruptive activity persisted at Ibu, and several others including Awu, Gamalama, Krakatau, Raung, Slamet, Soputan, Sorikmarapi, and Tambora showed unrest at Level 2.

Philippines
Taal is now at Alert Level 2, while Kanlaon eased to Level 1. Mayon continued its eruption at Level 3, and Bulusan remained in low-level unrest (Level 1).

Mexico
Popocatepetl continued its ongoing eruption under Yellow Alert – Phase 2. No additional observations were highlighted today.

South America
In Ecuador, Reventador and Sangay kept up their persistent eruptions. Peru’s Sabancaya remained active at Orange alert.

Other
In Costa Rica, Poas remained in eruption at Level 2 – Warning, while Rincon de la Vieja and Turrialba showed unrest at the same level. Arenal and Irazu were calm (Level 1).

Source: Smithsonian/USGS GVP Daily Volcanic Activity Report for 15 May 2026.

Activity Summary for 15 May 2026

Volcano Country Activity Type Keynotes
Dukono Indonesia Eruption 74 explosions; ash plumes to 3,400 m; persistent activity.
Great Sitkin United States Eruption Eruption ongoing; Watch / Aviation ORANGE.
Ibu Indonesia Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Kilauea United States Eruption paused Eruptive activity paused; Advisory / Aviation YELLOW.
Kanlaon Philippines Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 1 – Low-Level Unrest.
Lewotobi Indonesia Eruption Gas-and-steam plumes to 100 m; low-frequency quake.
Lewotolok Indonesia Eruption 13 explosions; gas-and-steam plumes to 100 m; rumbling heard.
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 Gas-and-steam plumes to 400 m; 4 hot rockfalls to 1.9 km; numerous rockfalls.
Popocatepetl Mexico Eruption Eruption ongoing; Yellow Alert – Phase 2.
Poas Costa Rica Eruption Eruption ongoing; Level 2 – Warning.
Reventador Ecuador Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 3 – Orange.
Sabancaya Peru Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level Orange.
Sangay Ecuador Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Yellow.
Semeru Indonesia Eruption 53 explosions; PDC and flowage signals detected.
Taal Philippines Eruption Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest.
Awu Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Bulusan Philippines Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 1 – Low Level of Volcanic Unrest.
Bur ni Telong Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Dempo Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Gamalama Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Karangetang Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Kerinci Indonesia Unrest Gas-and-steam plumes to 200 m; 1 flowage event detected.
Krakatau Indonesia Unrest Weak gas-and-steam emissions to 5 m.
Kupreanof United States Unrest Ongoing unrest; Advisory / Aviation YELLOW.
Lokon-Empung Indonesia Unrest Weak gas-and-steam plume to 25 m.
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.
Shishaldin United States Unrest Ongoing unrest; Advisory / Aviation YELLOW.
Slamet Indonesia Unrest Gas-and-steam plume to 100 m.
Soputan Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Sorikmarapi Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Tambora Indonesia Unrest Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Alert.
Turrialba Costa Rica Unrest Ongoing unrest; Level 2 – Warning.
Arenal Costa Rica Background Background state; Level 1 – Calm.
Irazu Costa Rica Background Background state; Level 1 – Calm.
Tangkuban Parahu Indonesia Background Background state; Level 1 – Normal.