Volcanic activity worldwide 15 Feb 2021: Pacaya volcano, Fuego, Popocatépetl, Reventador, Sangay, S…

Map of today's active volcanoes

Map of today’s active volcanoes

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) issued the following report: EXPLODED AT 20210215/1818Z OVER FL070 EXTD SE OBS VA DTG:15/1810Z

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues.
The extrusive actively lava dome continues to grow at moderate to high levels triggering the incandescent avalanches (block-and-ash flows) caused by gravitational collapse of the lava dome that traveled over the E-SE and S slopes about 500 m-1,500 m distance from the summit. Collapsing parts of the flow generated a small avalanches that lifted ash plumes (so-called phoenix clouds) as it descended the slope.
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Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): (15 Feb) Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: NO VA OBS

Pacaya (Guatemala): The effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues at high levels.
Another phase of intense activity at the volcano started on 13 February at 14:00 local time accompanied by high amplitude tremor indicating rapid magma flux towards the surface. The activity intensified again a one day later at 11:45 local time that continues at high levels. The effusive activity of the volcano keeping the lava flow active from the eruptive fissures on the S-SW flank, currently about 1,300 m long.
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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 and is moving at 20 kts in NE direction.
The full report is as follows: CONT VA EMS to 15000 ft (4600 m)
…15 Feb:
A new intense effusive episode started a few days ago and is now in progress at the volcano’s summit crater.
The lava effusion is likely related to continuous high level explosive activity over the last few months and triggered a two new lava flows that continue to be active on the SW flank of the volcano traveled in Ceniza and Seca direction, currently about 1,500 m and 500 m long.
… [read more]

San Cristobal (Nicaragua): (14 Feb) Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 7500 ft (2300 m) altitude or flight level 075 and is moving at 15 kts in SE direction.
The full report is as follows: DISCRETE VA EMS. to 7500 ft (2300 m)

Sangay (Ecuador): (15 Feb) Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 22000 ft (6700 m) altitude or flight level 220 .
The full report is as follows: FQT EM to 22000 ft (6700 m)

Reventador (Ecuador): Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) issued the following report: VA NOT SEEN IN STLT

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 05 kts in W direction.
The full report is as follows: SPORADIC PUFFS OF VA to 24000 ft (7300 m)

Volcano Activity Summary for 15 Feb 2021:

Satellite image of Sakurajima volcano on 15 Feb 2021

Pacaya volcano (Guatemala): phases of intense activity

Explosive activity at Pacaya volcano generated a dense dark ash column (image: INSIVUMEH)

The effusive-explosive eruption of the volcano continues at high levels.
Another phase of intense activity at the volcano started on 13 February at 14:00 local time accompanied by high amplitude tremor indicating rapid magma flux towards the surface. The activity intensified again a one day later at 11:45 local time that continues at high levels. The effusive activity of the volcano keeping the lava flow active from the eruptive fissures on the S-SW flank, currently about 1,300 m long.
Strong strombolian eruptive episode continues at the volcano’s Mackenney summit crater triggering a dense ash plumes that reached up to estimated 9,800 ft (3,000 m) altitude and extended to 6 km to the west, north and northeast of the volcano.

Ongoing activity is expected in the coming days or weeks.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología volcano activity update 15 February 2021

High amplitude tremor at Pacaya volcano (image: INSIVUMEH)

Fuego volcano (Guatemala): new lava flows; series of pyroclastic flows

New effusive activity at Fuego volcano (image: Sentinel 2)

A new intense effusive episode started a few days ago and is now in progress at the volcano’s summit crater.

The lava effusion is likely related to continuous high level explosive activity over the last few months and triggered a two new lava flows that continue to be active on the SW flank of the volcano traveled in Ceniza and Seca direction, currently about 1,500 m and 500 m long.

INSIVUMEH reported that a series of a pyroclastic flows (gravity-driven mass flows) at the volcano occurred associated with ongoing elevated strombolian activity. The pyroclastic flows traveled several hundred meters over the upper slopes (as can be seen in the attached image) in Ceniza direction lasting about 3 minutes and caused moderate avalanches that lifted ash plumes as it descended the slope.

Moderate strombolian-to-vulcanian-type explosions continue to erupt generating a plumes of ash that rose to estimated 15,000 ft (4,600 m) altitude. Incandescent material is ejected to an approximate height of 200 meters above the crater.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología volcano activity update 15 February 2021

Pyroclastic flows from Fuego volcano (image: INSIVUMEH)