Eruptions

News about eruptions and volcanoes can be found in this category. It is updated frequently. Volcano expert and journalist Marc Szeglat reports live from his expeditions to volcanoes.

Lewotobi Laki-Laki: Flights Cancelled Due to Major Volcanic Eruption

by

Powerful eruption at Lewotobi Laki-Laki – Ash cloud nearly 20 km high disrupts air traffic

Maumere, July 7, 2025 – A powerful explosion occurred today at 11:05 a.m. WITA at Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on the Indonesian island of Flores. Volcanic ash was ejected to an altitude of nearly 20 kilometres. A broad pyroclastic flow also formed and moved down the southern flank of the volcano. The high-reaching ash plume caused significant disruptions to air traffic. The VONA alert level has been raised to “Red.”

According to Indonesia’s volcanology agency (VSI), the ash cloud reached an altitude of 19,584 metres above sea level—an estimated 18,000 metres above the crater. However, the Darwin VAAC reported that satellite data detected volcanic ash at around 15,000 metres altitude.

This is the second time in four weeks that flights have been cancelled due to volcanic activity. Both regional flights and international connections between Bali and Australia have been affected. Virgin Australia confirmed that three outbound flights from Bali to Australia were cancelled. Details on disruptions to other airlines are not yet available.

Although a large pyroclastic flow accompanied the eruption, no casualties have been reported. Access to the volcano is prohibited, and a 6-kilometre exclusion zone is in place around Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s summit.

Lewotobi Laki-Laki forms a twin-volcano system with neighbouring Lewotobi Perempuan. The volcano has been intermittently active for nearly two years, producing frequent small eruptions and occasional large explosions such as today’s. However, not all eruptions are harmless: on November 4, 2024, at least ten people died when pyroclastic flows set fire to houses in a village near the volcano’s base.

Today’s eruption came with little warning. Seismic activity increased only slightly in the moments leading up to the explosion, according to VSI monitoring data.

Kirishima: Eruption at Shinmoe-dake caused flight cancellations

by

Significant Increase in Volcanic Activity at Shinmoe-dake – Flight Cancellations Due to Ash Cloud

Shinmoe-dake, one of the most active volcanoes in the Kirishima complex on Kyushu, has shown a marked increase in explosive activity. According to a VONA report from VAAC Tokyo, the volcano ejected ash up to an altitude of approximately 7,300 meters. Carried southward by the wind, the ash cloud spread across a wide area. Ashfall was reported, affecting even Kagoshima Airport and leading to numerous flight cancellations.

The ash cloud drifted directly over the city of Kirishima, which lies south of the volcano but north of the outskirts of Kagoshima. The airport, situated between the two cities, is a key transport hub for southern Kyushu, with connections including routes to Tokyo. So far, 52 flights have been cancelled — affecting not only routes to the capital but also many regional connections. Particularly hard hit are the islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, which are now fully dependent on ferry transport.

Many stranded passengers expressed surprise that their flights had been cancelled due to volcanic ash. However, in Japan, such natural events are often met with stoic acceptance and a calm resignation to fate.

Major eruption on Flores – ash cloud rises to 15 kilometers

by

Lewotobi Laki-Laki: Powerful eruption sends ash 15 km high and triggers pyroclastic flows

On Tuesday at 17:35 local time (09:35 UTC), Indonesia’s Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcano on Flores Island erupted violently. The Darwin VAAC reported an ash plume reaching up to 15 kilometers into the atmosphere, spreading over a wide area and remaining detectable 150 kilometers away.

According to the Indonesian disaster agency, the ash column rose 10,000 meters above the crater, approximately 11,584 meters above sea level. The eruption is ongoing, and authorities have raised the alert level to the maximum (IV).

Photos show multiple pyroclastic flows racing down the volcano’s flanks. Experts from the VSI warned of potential lahars if heavy rains occur, though the region is currently in its dry season.

Ashfall has been reported in all directions, particularly in the east and southeast. Residents were advised to wear masks and avoid the area.

Preparations for evacuation are underway. No casualties have been reported, but many locals are leaving nearby villages voluntarily.

Access to the volcano has been widely restricted. A 7-kilometer exclusion zone is in place, extending to 8 kilometers in the southwest-northeast sector.

Indonesia’s aviation authority issued a red alert for air traffic. Significant flight disruptions occurred, especially on routes between Australia and Bali, with numerous cancellations.

This eruption is part of a recent eruptive phase. Similar explosive activity was recorded in March, April, and May, each preceded by brief seismic crises.

Ol Doinyo Lengai: Thermal Anomaly Suggests Lava Overflow

by

Thermal Anomaly at Ol Doinyo Lengai Suggests Lava Overflow

Tanzania’s Ol Doinyo Lengai, the world’s only active volcano erupting sodium-carbonatite lava, is showing signs of increased activity. A Sentinel satellite captured a significant thermal anomaly on May 27 that filled the entire summit crater—an unusual event for a volcano whose lava, at just 500–600°C, is too cool to glow visibly during the day.

Normally, small infrared hotspots hint at active hornitos—small lava vents—but the scale of this anomaly suggests a lava overflow, possibly triggered by the collapse of a hornito and the release of a lava pond across the crater floor.

Increased thermal signals have persisted in subsequent satellite imagery. These observations align with earlier geophysical data collected by an international team led by Sarah Stamps and Ntambila Daud of Virginia Tech. Since 2016, six GNSS stations installed around the volcano have monitored subtle ground deformation. Between March and December 2022, researchers detected rapid uplift, followed by steady elevation through August 2023. No deformation was recorded before or after, and modeling suggests the activity was caused by a shallow magmatic intrusion—potentially marking a phase of volcanic heating.

Despite these signs, on-site observations remain rare. Post-pandemic cost hikes have sharply reduced expeditions to the remote Rift Valley region. Even fewer eyewitness reports come from Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where insecurity and conflict near Goma further hinder access. Nyamuragira remains far more active than Lengai, emitting thermal energy levels over 1,980 megawatts—compared to just single-digit values at Ol Doinyo Lengai.

Kīlauea: Eruption No. 24 Produces Spectacular Lava Fountain

by

The 24th eruption episode has begun at Kilauea – lava fountain 300 m high

Hilo, June 5, 2025

Hawaiʻi’s Kīlauea volcano has erupted again: the 24th eruption of the current phase, ongoing since December 23, 2024, began overnight. A lava fountain over 300 meters high shot lava up to the rim of Halemaʻumaʻu crater, while large lava flows now cover its entire floor.

The eruption started on June 4 at around 9:15 PM HST (07:15 UTC, June 5), with initial fountains reaching about 30 meters. By 10:27 PM HST, activity had intensified significantly, with fountains reaching 150 meters — and shortly after, exceeding 300 meters. The main activity is from the northern vent, while the southern vent is producing a smaller, 50-meter-high fountain.

Warning signs appeared in the afternoon, with intermittent lava spattering. A lava flow began shortly before the fountain activity — a typical paroxysmal pattern, also seen recently at Etna and Fuego.

Significant ground inflation of about 12 µRad was recorded after the previous eruption on May 26 — one of the highest values since episodic activity resumed, indicating a strong paroxysm with potential for further escalation.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation. While there is currently no direct threat to the public, visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are strongly urged to stay within designated safety zones.

Fuego: Pyroclastic Flows During Intense Eruption

by

Pyroclastic flows cause evacuations at Fuego

Antigua, June 5, 2025

Guatemala’s Fuego volcano experienced a paroxysmal eruption overnight, producing lava fountains up to 300 m high, lava flows, and several pyroclastic flows that reportedly reached near the base of the volcano.

The national volcano institute INSIVUMEH issued a warning in a Spanish-language bulletin, shared only as an image on social media — making translation difficult and limiting access to critical information, especially for foreign tourists. This reflects a broader global issue in emergency communication.

Later, the civil protection agency CONRED released a translatable bulletin confirming pyroclastic density currents in the Seca, Ceniza, and Las Lajas ravines. These were classified as weak to moderate but could intensify. Ashfall affected several towns west and northwest of the volcano, particularly Acatenango and San Pedro Yepocapa.

The situation remains critical in southern areas. Emergency teams are patrolling and monitoring local communities. Road RN 14 was closed due to the threat of pyroclastic flows crossing it.

CONRED urged the tourism authority INGUAT and local governments to restrict access to nearby Acatenango volcano. 500 residents were evacuated. Both residents and tourists were advised to stay informed and keep a 72-hour emergency bag ready in case evacuation becomes necessary.

Etna: Major Pyroclastic Flow on the Eastern Flank

by

Pyroclastic Flow on the Eastern Flank of Etna – many people close to the eruption

Catania, June 2, 2025 – 11:45 AM

During Etna’s 14th eruptive phase — considered a mild paroxysm — a pyroclastic flow unexpectedly occurred at 11:24 AM CEST. It originated from the northeastern flank of the Southeast Crater and surged through the Valle del Bove, partially reaching the Valle del Leone.

The flow was likely triggered by the collapse of a lava flow or a section of the crater flank due to the ongoing activity. Pyroclastic flows on Etna often result from lava breaking through the cone’s sides, causing structural collapse.

Preliminary assessments suggest this was one of the largest pyroclastic flows ever observed at Etna. The INGV later stated the flow likely did not extend beyond the Valle del Leone’s boundary — crucial, as this ridge (Serra delle Concazze) is frequented by hikers.

Simultaneously, strombolian activity intensified into a lava fountain. It remains unclear whether a sudden pressure build-up caused the collapse or whether the collapse itself triggered explosive decompression of magma. Volcanic ash was detected at 6,400 m altitude, prompting a red alert from VAAC Toulouse.

Recent monitoring indicated magma accumulation beneath the Southeast Crater in a north-south trending zone. Previous eruptions had already revealed new vents on the northwest side, suggesting structural weakness.

This incident highlights the unpredictability and danger of volcanoes — and raises concerns about tourist safety. While access to Stromboli is strictly limited even during normal activity, visitors are transported by cable car and bus to within 300 m of Etna’s active craters — despite significantly higher eruption levels. A glaring safety gap that demands attention.

Eruption No. 8 Begins at Sundhnúkur

by

Eruption and dyke formation at Sundhnúkur – Lava Flows Toward Grindavík

This morning at 9:47 a.m. local time (11:47 a.m. CEST), the anticipated volcanic eruption began on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland. Once again, a fissure opened in the Sundhnúkur crater system—this time significantly farther south than in previous eruptions. The new fissure cuts through the protective barrier built north of Grindavík, and lava is now flowing toward the town.

Unlike the eruptions in the latter half of 2024, today’s event was preceded by a powerful earthquake swarm. Interestingly, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) had yet to update its shakemaps early this morning, suggesting the new data was not incorporated until office hours began. However, Icelandic media outlet MBL reported early signs of a magma intrusion underground. Initial earthquake data did not reflect unusual activity, leading some to briefly suspect an April Fool’s hoax—proof that even a date can be deceiving.

But the eruption is very real. Live camera footage shows that a new fissure has opened south of the volcanic ridge of Hagafell. The fissure is estimated to be about 500 meters long, though the lava fountains are currently less intense than in previous eruptions. Given that the eruption began just over an hour ago, the event may still be in its early stages and could intensify. Further fissures are also a possibility.

Grindavík was evacuated immediately as the seismic crisis began this morning, though eight residents reportedly refused to leave. As of this writing, the fissure has extended dangerously close to a greenhouse near the town. However, the main fissure appears to be expanding northward—away from Grindavík. The nearby Svartsengi geothermal plant is currently not under direct threat. Lava is primarily spreading toward Mount Þorbjörn.

According to the IMO, the magmatic dike driving this eruption is over 11 kilometers long, making it the largest intrusion of its kind since November 2023. Scientists believe that this may be more than just a release of previously accumulated magma. The intensity of seismic activity suggests that fresh magma from greater depths may also be rising to the surface.

As the situation evolves, authorities are monitoring the eruption closely, ready to respond to any changes in the lava flow direction or eruption intensity.

Subterminal Eruption at Mount Etna

by

Subterminal Eruption at Mount Etna: Lava Flow on the Southern Flank

After several months of inactivity, Mount Etna in Sicily has erupted again, producing a lava flow descending its southern flank. Notably, this is a rare subterminal eruption: instead of originating from the central crater, the lava flow emerges from a short fissure at the base of the central crater complex.

According to INGV volcanologist Boris Behnke, the eruption likely began in the afternoon but only became visible after nightfall. Since Thursday, volcanic tremor has been increasing, indicating rising magma. Additionally, weak Strombolian eruptions and ash emissions were observed.

Seismic activity beneath Etna had already intensified last month, suggesting magma ascent. Whether this magma has reached the surface remains uncertain. More likely, the rising magma increased pressure in a shallow reservoir, forcing stored molten rock to escape. The gas pressure is insufficient for an explosive eruption from the main craters, but if larger volumes of fresh magma reach higher levels of the conduit system, paroxysmal eruptions could occur.

Kilauea: A sudden volcanic eruption at 23th December

by

A sudden volcanic eruption occurred today at Kilauea in Hawaii. The eruption began at 2:20 AM HST (13:20 UTC), rapidly filling the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater with lava within minutes.

A livestream captured the moment when a fissure opened in the western part of the crater and quickly expanded. A powerful but short-lived lava fountain erupted from a previous eruption site. Within 35 minutes, lava had spread across most of the crater floor, forming a new lava lake. This lake continues to be fed by an active lava fountain at the western crater rim.

The eruption was preceded by a brief seismic crisis that began around 2:00 AM HST. Over the past 24 hours, more than 180 earthquakes were recorded, with increased seismic activity already detected yesterday. Surprisingly, there was no significant ground inflation, which is typically observed in the days and weeks before an eruption.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, last showed heightened seismic activity on December 4. This sudden eruption serves as a reminder of how unpredictable volcanic activity can be.