Etna’s lava flows, ash emissions and extended flight suspension at Catania stood out in a day of widespread eruptive activity. Kilauea showed increased activity with lava fountaining and overflows, while Fuego, Ibu and Semeru produced frequent explosions and ash-bearing plumes. Changes from the previous day include Kilauea’s increased activity and its Watch / Aviation ORANGE designations.
United States
Great Sitkin continued to slowly erupt lava in its summit crater, with seismically detected rockfalls; it was at Watch / Aviation ORANGE. At Kilauea, intermittent lava dome fountaining and vent overflows marked the start of episode 53. Kupreanof and Shishaldin remained in unrest at Advisory / Aviation YELLOW.
Indonesia
Explosive activity was especially notable at Ibu, which recorded 107 explosions and plumes up to 1,000 m, and at Lewotolok, where 165 explosions were detected. Merapi produced hot rockfalls traveling up to 2 km, while Semeru generated 100 explosions with plumes up to 1,100 m. Several other Indonesian volcanoes emitted gas and vapor or remained at elevated alert levels.
Japan
Sakurajima produced ash plumes up to 1,300 m above the vent. An eruption at Minamidake summit crater lasted from 0020 to 0150 on 12 August, followed by lower ash emissions.
Philippines
Kanlaon and Mayon remained at Alert Level 2, reflecting moderate or increasing unrest. Taal stayed at Alert Level 1, while Bulusan continued in low-level unrest.
Mexico
Popocatepetl emitted ash, gas and vapor. Its Yellow Alert – Phase 2 remained in effect.
South America
Purace produced six ash emissions, with the highest rising 500 m. The volcano remained at Orange Alert.
Europe
Etna maintained lava flows from several vents, while explosive activity at Voragine Crater sent ash southward. Tremor remained high, and the suspension of flights at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport was extended until 1400 UTC on 13 August.
Other
In Central America, Fuego generated up to 10 explosions per hour, ash-and-gas plumes, and incandescent rockfalls. Rincon de la Vieja had two energetic phreatic eruptions, a 1,000-m gas-and-vapor plume, and a lahar. Santa Maria also produced explosions and plumes, while Poas, Pacaya and Turrialba remained in eruption or unrest.
Source: Smithsonian/USGS Daily Volcanic Activity Report, 12 August 2026.
Activity Summary for 12 August 2026
| Volcano | Country | Activity Type | Keynotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakurajima | Japan | Eruption | Ash plumes to 1,300 m; Minamidake eruption; later plumes to 800 m. |
| Dukono | Indonesia | Eruption | Ash-and-gas plumes to 800 m; one felt seismic event. |
| Etna | Italy | Eruption | Lava flows from multiple vents; ash emissions from Voragine; high tremor. |
| Fuego | Guatemala | Eruption | Up to 10 explosions/hour; plumes to 1,037 m; incandescent rockfalls. |
| Great Sitkin | United States | Eruption | Slow lava eruption in summit crater; seismically detected rockfalls. |
| Ibu | Indonesia | Eruption | 107 explosions; plumes to 1,000 m; gas-and-vapor plume to 200 m. |
| Kanlaon | Philippines | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2. |
| Karangetang | Indonesia | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2. |
| Krakatau | Indonesia | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 3. |
| Kilauea | United States | Eruption | Intermittent lava dome fountaining; vent overflows; episode 53 began. |
| Lewotobi | Indonesia | Eruption | Gas-and-vapor plume to 100 m; 10 explosions; gas-emission seismicity. |
| Lewotolok | Indonesia | Eruption | 165 explosions; gas-and-vapor plume to 100 m; one rockfall. |
| Marapi | Indonesia | Eruption | Gas-and-vapor plume to 100 m. |
| Mayon | Philippines | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2. |
| Merapi | Indonesia | Eruption | Hot rockfalls traveled up to 2,000 m; 86 rockfalls detected; plume to 650 m. |
| Popocatepetl | Mexico | Eruption | Ash, gas and vapor emissions. |
| Poas | Costa Rica | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 2 – Warning. |
| Purace | Colombia | Eruption | Six ash emissions; maximum height 500 m. |
| Rincon de la Vieja | Costa Rica | Eruption | Two energetic phreatic eruptions; plume to 1,000 m; lahar produced. |
| Santa Maria | Guatemala | Eruption | Up to 3 explosions/hour; plumes to 3,400 m above sea level. |
| Semeru | Indonesia | Eruption | 100 explosions; plumes to 1,100 m; five rockfalls detected. |
| Taal | Philippines | Eruption | Eruption ongoing; Alert Level 1. |
| Bulusan | Philippines | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 1. |
| Kupreanof | United States | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Advisory / Aviation YELLOW. |
| Pacaya | Guatemala | Unrest | Ongoing unrest. |
| Shishaldin | United States | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Advisory / Aviation YELLOW. |
| Sinabung | Indonesia | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2. |
| Sorikmarapi | Indonesia | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2. |
| Turrialba | Costa Rica | Unrest | Ongoing unrest; Alert Level 2 – Warning. |