Explosive eruption from Reventador volcano yesterday (image: IGEPN)
The effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues and remains essentially unchanged. IGEPN reported that explosive activity continues from the active crater with near-constant ash emissions that rose 1,640 ft-3,280 ft (500 m-1,000 m) above the crater and drifted into various directions, but most often W-NW direction. Incandescent material is being ejected to an approximate height of 500 meters above the crater and caused avalanches of material. The lava flow on the northeast flank remains active, currently about 400 m long. Source: Instituto Geofísico volcano activity update 16 November 2020
Eruption of Stromboli volcano this morning (image: Nora Cincotta)
Another stronger-than-usual explosion occurred at the volcano minutes ago at 10:17 local time our correspondents on the island informed us.
From the village, a spectacular ash plume rising several 100 m above the summit could be seen. Soon after the eruption, moderately strong ash rain of small lapilli set in, covering all surfaces. The color of most particles, up to a few mm in size, was mostly brown to reddish brown, described as „earthy“. This could mean that most of the ejected material might be from older lava rocks in the summit craters or inside the vent, from collapsed parts of the craters or conduits. However, a small amount of lighter pumice was also present in the ash, probably representing a batch of fresh magma that had driven the explosion.
Last Tuesday (10 Nov), Stromboli also produced a significant above-average eruption. Such events are nothing unusual on the volcano and occur from time to time, but rarely more frequently than every few months or so. Whether this recent increase is a coincidence or hinting at a more pronounced change in activity level or type is currently unknown.
UPDATE: pyroclastic flow on Sciara del Fuoco
The event was indeed an explosion that also triggered a collapse in the crater area, which in turn produced an avalanche of fragmented material, a pryroclastic flow, that rushed down the Sciara del Fuoco, as recorded webcam images show.
Seismic signal of the explosion (image: INGV Catania)
Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 18000 ft (5500 m) altitude or flight level 180 and is moving at 40 kts in NE direction. The full report is as follows: VA AT 20201115/1500Z FL180 EXTD NE OBS VA DTG:15/1500Z to 18000 ft (5500 m)
Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 20000 ft (6100 m) altitude or flight level 200 . The full report is as follows: NEW VA EMS to 20000 ft (6100 m)
Fuego (Guatemala): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 15000 ft (4600 m) altitude or flight level 150 . The full report is as follows: FQT VA EMS to 15000 ft (4600 m)
Sangay (Ecuador): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 24000 ft (7300 m) altitude or flight level 240 . The full report is as follows: NEW VA EMS OBS VA DTG:15/1620Z to 24000 ft (7300 m)
Reventador (Ecuador): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 15000 ft (4600 m) altitude or flight level 150 and is moving at 5 kts in W direction. The full report is as follows: CONT LGT VA to 15000 ft (4600 m)
Sabancaya (Peru): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Buenos Aires warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 24000 ft (7300 m) altitude or flight level 240 and is moving at 10 kts in S direction. The full report is as follows: continuous ash emissions to 24000 ft (7300 m)
Volcano Activity Summary for 15 Nov 2020:
Satellite image of Klyuchevskoy volcano on 15 Nov 2020
