Eruptions

Disastrous Eruption at Mount Dukono Claims 3 Lives and Injures 5

On 8 May 2026 at approximately 07:41 local time, a major explosive eruption occurred at the volcano Dukono on Halmahera, Indonesia, leading to a fatal incident involving multiple hiking groups in a restricted summit area.

Three people have been confirmed dead and five others injured. All victims have since been recovered and formally identified by the authorities. Officials state that the fatalities were most likely caused by a pyroclastic flow that rapidly descended the upper slopes during the eruption, offering virtually no chance of escape.

Monitoring data indicates that the eruption column reached heights of up to approximately 10 kilometers into the atmosphere. The explosive phase lasted around 15 to 20 minutes, but escalated extremely quickly, leaving those in the vicinity of the crater with little to no effective warning. A broad ash plume spread across the surrounding region, temporarily reducing visibility and affecting air quality.

Investigations show that several guided trekking groups were present near the crater rim despite an official closure of the area. In total, around 20 people were initially reported missing in the immediate aftermath of the eruption. Following intensive search and rescue operations, 17 individuals were either rescued or managed to evacuate on their own. Three people did not survive the event, while five injured survivors were transported to nearby medical facilities, suffering from a combination of burn injuries, trauma from falling debris, and exposure to toxic volcanic gases.

Authorities emphasized that access to the crater zone had already been formally prohibited prior to the incident due to Dukono’s persistent and highly unpredictable activity. In response to the tragedy, officials announced stricter enforcement measures, including penalties for entering restricted zones. For the first time, these regulations are expected to include criminal sanctions aimed at preventing unauthorized access to high-risk volcanic areas.

Rescue operations were conducted under extremely hazardous conditions, with unstable terrain, continuing gas emissions, and the possibility of secondary eruptive activity forcing repeated pauses in recovery efforts. Volcanologists continue to closely monitor the situation, noting that the volcanic system remains under significant internal pressure.

Seismic readings suggest ongoing unrest beneath the volcano, and further explosive activity cannot be ruled out. The region remains on high alert, and authorities continue to urge strict compliance with all safety warnings and exclusion zones around the volcano.

Pyroclastic flow reached up a distance of 2 kilometres on Mayon

On May 2, the Philippine volcano Mayon showed a clear intensification of its activity. In the late afternoon, two significant pyroclastic flows descended the southwest flank within minutes of each other. The events occurred at 5:38 p.m. and 5:41 p.m. local time and were documented by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The flows were generated by the collapse of an active lava flow in the Mi-isi channel and moved downslope as extremely hot mixtures of gas, ash, and rock, traveling distances of up to four kilometers.

The resulting ash clouds drifted west-southwest and reached altitudes of about 3,000 meters. They were also detected by the Tokyo VAAC, which issued corresponding advisories. Heavy ashfall affected several communities, particularly Ligao City, Guinobatan, and Legazpi. Buildings, roads, and vehicles were blanketed in ash, while residents attempted to protect themselves with face masks.

Pyroclastic flows are among the most dangerous volcanic phenomena, as they move rapidly, almost silently, and at extreme temperatures, making escape nearly impossible. The events were not entirely unexpected: prior to the flows, a noticeable increase in rockfall activity and seismic unrest had been recorded. Within 24 hours, 376 rockfall events and 39 volcanic earthquakes were registered.

Mayon remains at Alert Level 3. Authorities continue to warn of ongoing hazards and strongly advise against entering the six-kilometer danger zone around the crater.

Lava flow at Piton de la Fournaise forms ocean entry – eruption intensified

The eruptive activity of Piton de la Fournaise since 13 February 2026 is part of a current reactivation phase of the volcano, which had already been preceded by increasing seismicity and ground inflation at the end of 2025: after the lava crossed the coastal road on 16 March, it has been flowing into the ocean since 18 March, where a lava delta is growing. It has now reached a volume of 200,000 cubic meters and measures 130 × 665 meters. During the night of 20 March, the eruption intensified, and a lava fountain is once again being emitted from the active vent at the base of the summit crater cone.

On 13 February 2026, a new effusive eruption began at Piton Fournaise, considered the second eruption of the year and occurring only a few weeks after an event on 18 January. It was characterized by the opening of one or more eruptive fissures within the Enclos Fouqué caldera, from which basaltic lava fountains and lava flows emerged. Shortly after the onset, an extensive sulfur dioxide plume was detected, spreading over more than 500 km, indicating intense gas emissions.

During the first days, the activity was concentrated in a main vent area where a scoria cone formed. Lava fountains reached heights of about 15 meters, while the lava flows were well channelized and covered older structures. At the same time, structural changes occurred, including the collapse of a previously formed cone, highlighting the dynamic nature of the eruptive center.

As the eruption progressed, the effusive activity continued. Lava flows moved downslope toward the coastal plains (“Grand Brûlé”) and eventually reached infrastructural areas. Particularly noteworthy is that the lava reached the ocean again for the first time in around two decades. This led to typical interactions between lava and seawater, including steam explosions and the formation of volcanic glass as well as so-called “laze” (acidic steam).

Since last night, Mount Kanlaon on Negros Island has been experiencing renewed eruptive activity marked by a short but moderately explosive event followed by sustained ash emission.

At 7:04 PM local time on 26 February 2026, a brief explosive eruption occurred at the summit crater. The initial phase lasted approximately two minutes and was recorded by the full network of seismic and infrasound monitoring stations. The explosion generated a dense, dark gray ash plume that rose about 2,500 meters above the crater before drifting toward the southwest. Volcanic lightning was observed within the eruption column, indicating strong turbulence and significant ash content.

During the explosive burst, incandescent ballistic fragments were ejected from the summit area, landing up to 1.5 kilometers from the crater. Pyroclastic density currents descended the southeastern and eastern upper slopes, remaining within roughly two kilometers of the summit. A pressure wave associated with the explosion was detected by infrasound instruments and was reportedly heard as a booming sound within a 30-kilometer radius. Rumbling was even reported at much greater distances, likely due to atmospheric conditions that enhanced sound propagation.

Two minutes after the initial explosion, activity transitioned into a prolonged phase of ash emission that continued for about 77 minutes. Strong winds at elevations between 4 and 5 kilometers dispersed ash across a wide հատված of the Negros Island Region. The heaviest ashfall was reported in parts of Negros Occidental, particularly in the municipalities of La Castellana and Pontevedra, where communities experienced light to heavy ash deposition accompanied by a noticeable sulfurous odor.

Authorities continue to monitor the volcano closely as ashfall reports and field assessments are consolidated.

Kronozki on Kamchatka Becomes Active Again After Over 100 Years

On Friday evening, the Kronozki volcano (Kronotsky) on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula reportedly erupted. According to a Telegram report from KVERT, picked up by Russian media, an ash-steam cloud rose over 9 kilometers and spread across 85 kilometers. Aviation initially issued a red warning, which has since been lowered to orange as the cloud subsided to 5 kilometers.

The last documented eruption of Kronozki occurred more than 100 years ago, in 1923. Scientists partly attribute the sudden activity to the mega-earthquake on July 30, 2025. In fact, just before the eruption, another magnitude 6.1 earthquake was recorded near the regional capital.

Notably, the Krascheninnikow volcano, also activated by the mega-earthquake, lies nearby—separated only by the Krascheninnikow Lake. Both volcanoes are in the same volcanic zone, but a simultaneous eruption has not been documented.

Kronozki is a 3,528-meter-high stratovolcano rising from the rim of the eponymous caldera. Today’s dual activity underscores the geological dynamism of Kamchatka and highlights why the region is one of the world’s most active volcanic areas.

Travelers and airlines are advised to monitor conditions carefully and adjust flight routes. To verify the KVERT report, the author installed the Telegram app, previously avoided due to privacy concerns. KVERT’s presence on Telegram explains why current reports are more accessible than through the official website from Germany.