Volcanic Activity Report: March 5-11, 2025
Volcanic Activity Update: Global Monitoring Report
Table of Contents
Recent reports detail ongoing and changing volcanic activity across the globe. From ItalyS Mount Etna too Guatemala’s Fuego, here’s a summary of the latest developments.
Mount Mazama (Crater Lake), Oregon, USA
Mount Mazama, the volcano that now cradles Crater Lake, has a history of significant eruptions. Activity spanned from 420,000 to 30,000 years ago, with three periods of intensified activity in the last 3,000 years. The most recent period began with the dramatic 1955-56 eruption, following a 1,000-year period of quiescence. This eruption, “similar to that of St. Helens in 1980,” resulted in a large open crater due to summit collapse and a lateral blast. Subsequent lava-dome growth, accompanied by explosive activity and pyroclastic flows, has largely filled the 1956 crater.
Etna,Italy
Location: 37.748°N, 14.999°E | Summit Elevation: 3357 m
The Sezione di Catania – Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported that lava effusion at the fissure on the upper S flank of Etna’s Bocca Nuova Crater ceased on March 2 and began cooling. During March 3-9, gas emissions were observed rising from the summit craters. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow on March 5 and then to Green later the same day.
Etna’s geological history is extensive. As the report notes, ”Mount Etna, towering above Catania on the island of Sicily, has one of the world’s longest documented records of volcanism, dating back to 1500 BCE.” The volcano’s structure includes the Mongibello stratovolcano, which was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km caldera open to the east, is a prominent feature. Eruptive activity typically involves persistent explosive eruptions from summit craters and flank vents with higher effusion rates. Lava flows have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.
Fuego, Guatemala
Location: 14.473°N, 90.88°W | Summit Elevation: 3763 m
The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reported elevated eruptive activity at Fuego, characterized by explosions, ash plumes, incandescent material ejection, avalanches, and pyroclastic flows. Activity intensified on March 9, with explosions detected in seismic and acoustic data and increasing thermal radiance. According to the Washington VAAC, significant ash plumes rose about 1.1 km above the summit. INSIVUMEH noted that activity intensified in the early evening and became continuous.
Activity notably intensified again at 2100 on March 9. Lava fountains rose 300 m above the summit, avalanches of incandescent blocks descended the flanks, and shockwaves from explosions rattled nearby houses and structures. ash plumes rose 3.2 km above the summit and fanned out as far as 50 km SW, W, and NW. Continuous ashfall was reported in areas W and S. Pyroclastic flows descended several drainages. CONRED staff assisted people from El Porvenir and Las Lajitas to an evacuation shelter. A section of the RN-14 was temporarily closed as a preventative measure.
Overnight during March 9-10, lava fountains rose 500 m high. Dense ash-and-gas plumes rose 6 km above the summit and drifted 100-120 km NW and E. On March 10, the Ministry of Education suspended classes in several municipalities. By 1130 on March 10, explosions were no longer continuous. INSIVUMEH issued a report at 1800 noting that activity had returned to “baseline” levels.During March 11-12, gas emissions rose about 100 m above the summit, and no incandescent explosions were observed.
Fuego’s geological summary highlights it’s significance: “Volcán Fuego, one of Central America’s most active volcanoes, is also one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala’s former capital, Antigua.” Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded since 1524, producing major ashfalls, pyroclastic flows, and lava flows.
Langila, Papua New guinea
Location: 5.525°S,148.42°E | Summit Elevation: 1330 m
the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Langila was identified in a satellite image on March 6, rising to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifting SW.The ash had dissipated within two hours.
Langila consists of a group of four small overlapping composite basaltic-andesitic cones. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit.
Poas, Costa Rica
Location: 10.2°N, 84.233°W | Summit Elevation: 2697 m
The Observatorio Vulcanológico y sismológico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that eruptive activity at Poás intensified during March 1-2 and continued at a high level through March 11. Frequent phreatic eruptions during March 4-7 ejected material as high as 50 m above the crater floor.On March 7, the Alert Level was raised to 3, and the Aviation Color Code was raised to Orange.
Small frequent phreatic eruptions continued during March 8-9. In a special report issued on March 9, OVSICORI-UNA reported that two shock waves signified an eruptive event. Steam plumes rose several hundred meters, and material was likely ejected as high as 200 m above the vent. Activity continued during March 9-10, mainly from Boca C and some from Boca A. eruptive activity continued on March 11 at similar levels, moderate- to high-level tremor was recorded, and inflation continued.
Poás contains three craters along a N-S line. The northern lake,Laguna Caliente,is one of the world’s most acidic natural lakes and has been the site of frequent phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions since 1828.
Turrialba, Costa Rica
Location: 10.025°N, 83.767°W | Summit Elevation: 3340 m
The observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that the seismic network at Turrialba recorded signals during March 9-10 that were likely related to small landslides of material within West Crater. Gas emissions remained at low levels.
Turrialba is a large vegetated basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano. fumarolic activity continues at the central and SW summit craters.
Ongoing Activity
Ahyi, united States
Location: 20.42°N, 145.03°E | Summit Elevation: -75 m
Unrest at Ahyi Seamount continued during February 28-March 7.A plume of discolored water in the vicinity of the seamount was identified in a satellite image on March 3,indicating possible submarine activity. The Aviation Color Code remained at yellow, and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.
Ahyi seamount is a large conical submarine volcano that rises to within 75 m of the ocean surface. Water discoloration has been observed there,and an explosive eruption was detected seismically in 2001.
Volcano Activity Summary Table
| Volcano | Location | Activity | Alert level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount mazama (Crater Lake) | Oregon, USA | Historical activity, potential for future eruptions | Not specified |
| etna | Italy | Gas emissions, cooling lava | green |
| Fuego | Guatemala | Explosions, ash plumes, pyroclastic flows | Not specified |
| Langila | Papua New Guinea | Ash plume | Not specified |
| Poas | Costa Rica | Phreatic eruptions, inflation | 3 (second highest) |
| Turrialba | Costa Rica | Small landslides, low gas emissions | Not specified |
| Ahyi Seamount | United States (Mariana Islands) | Discolored water plume | Advisory |
Volcanic Activity update: Global Eruptions in Early March 2024
here’s a snapshot of volcanic activity around the globe, covering late february and early March 2024. This report details ongoing eruptions and alerts, providing crucial facts for communities and aviation.
Sakurajima,Japan
31.585°N, 130.657°E | Summit elev. 1117 m
Sakurajima continues to exhibit activity. Frequent eruptions since the 8th century have resulted in ash deposits on Kagoshima, a city only 8 km from the summit across Kagoshima Bay. The largest recorded eruption occurred during 1471-76.
Dukono, Indonesia
1.6992°N, 127.8783°E | Summit elev. 1273 m
the Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) indicated ongoing eruptions at Dukono between February 26 and march 4. Daily ash plumes, ofen dense, reached heights of up to 1.2 km above the crater rim, drifting in various directions. Booming sounds were reported during march 6-7.An explosion on March 9 was heard 11 km away. The Alert Level remains at Level 2, with a 4 km exclusion zone around the Malupang Warirang Crater.
Dukono, one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes, has experienced more-or-less continuous explosive eruptions since 1933.A major eruption in 1550 CE saw a lava flow fill the strait between Halmahera and the N-flank Gunung Mamuya cone.
Great Sitkin, United States
52.076°N, 176.13°W | Summit elev. 1740 m
The Alaska Volcano observatory (AVO) reported continued slow lava effusion feeding a thick flow in Great Sitkin’s summit crater during March 5-11, confirmed by radar imagery. Small daily earthquakes were detected. Weather conditions often obscured views. The Volcano Alert Level remains at Watch, and the Aviation Color Code at Orange.
Great Sitkin volcano forms much of the northern side of Great Sitkin Island.A younger volcano capped by a small, 0.8 x 1.2 km ice-filled summit caldera was constructed within a large late-Pleistocene or early holocene scarp.
Home Reef, Tonga
18.992°S,174.775°W | Summit elev. -10 m
The Tonga Geological Services reported increased thermal activity at Home Reef since February 21, with the last thermal anomaly detected on March 4.Infrasound data indicated continuing minor eruptive activity. The Maritime Alert Level remains at orange, with mariners advised to stay at least 2 nautical miles away. The Aviation color Code remains at Yellow, and the Alert Level for residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai remains at Green.
Home Reef, a submarine volcano, has a history of forming ephemeral islands during eruptions, including one in 2022.
Ibu, Indonesia
1.488°N, 127.63°E | Summit elev. 1325 m
The PVMBG reported continued eruptions at Ibu during March 5-11. Multiple daily ash plumes rose as high as 1.5 km above the summit, drifting mainly NW, W, and SW. Minor incandescence at the summit was visible. The Alert level remains at 3, with a 4 km exclusion zone from the active crater and 5 km from the N crater wall opening.
Gunung Ibu has large nested summit craters. Eruptive activity began again in December 1998, producing a lava dome along with ongoing explosive ash emissions.
Kanlaon,Philippines
10.4096°N, 123.13°E | Summit elev. 2422 m
The philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing eruptive activity at Kanlaon during March 4-11. The seismic network recorded volcanic earthquakes, including periods of volcanic tremor. Average daily sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 1,712 to 3,144 tonnes per day.Gas-and-steam emissions rose as high as 300 m above the summit. The Alert Level remains at 3, with a 6 km exclusion zone.
Kanlaon volcano forms the highest point on the Philippine island of Negros. Eruptions recorded since 1866 have typically consisted of phreatic explosions.
Kilauea, United States
19.421°N, 155.287°W | Summit elev. 1222 m
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that the eruption within Kilauea’s Kaluapele summit caldera continued at variable levels during March 4-11.Lava fountaining and lava flow effusion from cones at both the N and S vents began around 0730 on 4 March and continued at variable levels through the day. Lava fountains at the N vent were rising over 100 m by 1430. At around the same time low dome fountains began rising from the S vent and lava flows advanced onto the crater floor. The fountains started to grow taller by 1500 and by 1520 they were 100-130 m tall, the same height as fountains at the N vent. Fountains at the S vent continued to rise and approached 180 m tall, while fountains at the N vent decreased in height. In addition to the activity at the N and S vents, small breakouts were visible on the rootless flows near the September 2023 vents on the down-dropped block in the E part of Halema’uma’u. Fountaining at the N vent ceased at 2026. Fountains at the S vent dropped to 90-120 m and continued to be active overnight. The N vent produced occasional bursts of spatter. Sustained lava fountains at the S vent decreased to 30-60 m during 0300-0430 on 5 march. Fountaining at the S vent increased at around 0800, and the N vent briefly resumed fountaining and erupting lava flows during 0842-0911. Lava flows covered more than two thirds of the crater floor. Activity at both vents ceased by 1030.Sulfur dioxide emission averaged approximately 35,000 tonnes per day (t/d) during the period of high fountaining on the afternoon of 4 March, then decreased to 20,000 t/d during lower fountaining on the morning of 5 March, and to 1,800 t/d by the afternoon. The flows from the N and S vents were active during 5-6 March with ooze outs and small crustal overturns, but the activity had ceased by the morning of 7 March. Sulfur dioxide emission averaged 1,000 t/d on 7 March.
Incandescence from both the N and S vents was visible during 8-10 March. At about 0130 on 10 March small, sporadic, spatter fountains at the N vent rose 5-10 m high and continued to intensify until 1835. Spattering was visible overnight. Lava flows emerged from the N vent at 0236 on 11 March and tall fountaining started 10 minutes later. By 0330 the fountains were 120-150 m tall and lava covered up to one-third of the crater floor. Lava flows unrelated to the activity at the N and S vents continued to spread out on the down-dropped block in the E part of the crater during 5-10 March and were possibly fed from by older stored lava from beneath the crater floor. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Kilauea overlaps the E flank of Mauna Loa. The long-term eruption from the East rift zone between 1983 and 2018 produced lava flows covering more than 100 km2.
Lewotobi, indonesia
8.542°S, 122.775°E | Summit elev. 1703 m
The PVMBG reported continued eruptive activity at Lewotobi Laki-laki during March 5-11. Ash plumes rose as high as 2 km above the summit. The Alert Level remains at 3, with exclusion zones in place.
The Lewotobi edifice is composed of the two adjacent Lewotobi Laki-laki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes.
Lewotolok, Indonesia
8.274°S, 123.508°E | Summit elev. 1431 m
The PVMBG reported an ongoing eruption at Lewotolok during March 5-11.Ash plumes rose as high as 600 m above the summit. Rumbling sounds were reported on March 10. The Alert Level remains at 2.
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