Report for Etna
The Sezione di Catania - Osservatorio Etneo (INGV) reported continuing activity at Etna during 17-23 March. Weather clouds often obscured views of the summit area, though during a few clear periods gas emissions were observed rising from the summit craters and Strombolian activity was observed at SE Crater. Strombolian activity at various vents in SE Crater began around 2225 on 19 March. Explosions ejected material a few tens of meters above the crater rim with coarse material falling back into the crater. The intensity and frequency of the explosions gradually increased until about 1430 on 20 March and material was ejected onto the flanks of the cone. The activity gradually decreased and by 1745 explosions were no longer visible in webcam images. Ash emissions that quickly dispersed near the summit persisted for around another hour. Strombolian activity at SE Crater was visible at 1125 on 24 March when weather conditions allowed for views, though it was not clear enough to determine the intensity and frequency of the explosions. At around 1235 lava overflowed the crater rim and traveled a short distance down the S flank. Strombolian activity continued until about 2100 on 24 March and around the same time the lava flow appeared to be cooling.
Report for Nyamulagira
Satellite images acquired on 17 and 22 March showed continuing activity at Nyamuragira. A bright thermal anomaly just NE of the central part of the summit crater was visible in both images, along with surrounding elevated temperatures on the E half of the crater floor, likely from lava flows. Although weather and volcanic gas plumes obscured most of the W flank, a small incandescent spot from an active lava flow on the upper W flank was visible in the 17 March image.
Report for Whakaari/White Island
On 25 March GeoNet reported that semi-continuous steam-and-gas plumes from Whakaari/White Island contained variable but minor amounts of ash during the previous few weeks. The plumes were visible in images from webcams (at Whakatane and Te Kaha) and occasionally detected in satellite data by the New Zealand Met Service. The ash sometimes created a hazy plume drifting downwind that could be seen from points along the mainland coast. During an overflight on 21 March scientists observed that the active event areas had slightly enlarged. They saw impact craters on the crater floor, up to 600 m from the vent, suggesting that occasional more explosive activity had recently occurred. Temperature measurements of the active vent were 360 degrees Celsius, up from 220 degrees measured in January. But well below the highs of over 580 degrees measured in August 2024. Sulfur dioxide emissions were not identified in satellite data. The activity was consistent with moderate-to-heightened levels of unrest, therefore the Volcanic Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 0-5). The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale) due to the presence of ash in the emissions. GeoNet stated that the Alert Levels were reflective of the current level of activity, but there was uncertainty due to the current lack of consistent, usable, real-time monitoring data; GeoNet relies on remote cameras, satellite images, and periodic overflights to monitor Whakaari.
Report for Home Reef
The Tonga Geological Services reported ongoing and consistent activity at Home Reef during 11-21 March. A lava dome just SW of the central part of the island was visible in an 11 March satellite image; this 80 m W-E, 100 m N-S feature had not changed in size since the previous view. Thermal anomalies were ongoing at least through 19 March and were at mostly low levels, though occasionally they were characterized as moderate. Infrasound data also indicated continuing minor eruptive activity. The Maritime Alert Level remained at Orange (the third level on a four-level scale), and mariners were advised to stay at least 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) away from the island. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second level on a four-level scale), and the Alert Level for residents of Vava’u and Ha’apai remained at Green (the first level on a four-level scale).
Report for Marapi
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that eruptive activity at Marapi (on Sumatra) continued during 19-25 March. Daily white plumes generally rose as high as 250 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. At 0229 on 20 March a dense gray ash plume rose 1 km above the summit and drifted S. An eruptive event was recorded at 0842 on 22 March but not visually observed due to weather conditions. According to a news report the event produced a loud bang heard in several areas including Padang Panjang City (11 km SW), Koto Baru (15 km NNW), Sungai Pua Village (7 km NW), and Bukittinggi City (13 km NW). One resident in Bukittinggi City noted that loud bangs had been heard quite often over the previous few months. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 3 km away from the active crater.
Report for Merapi
The Balai Penyelidikan dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kebencanaan Geologi (BPPTKG) reported that the eruption at Merapi (on Java) continued during 14-20 March. Seismicity remained at high levels. The SW lava dome produced 31 lava avalanches that traveled as far as 1.8 km SW down the Bebeng drainage, 29 that traveled as far as 1.8 km SW down the Krasak drainage, 29 that traveled as far as 1.9 km W down the Sat/Putih drainage, and one that descended the Boyong drainage on the S flank as far as 1.2 km. Two pyroclastic flows descended the Krasak drainage as far as 1.8 km. Slight morphological changes to the SW lava dome resulted from continuing effusion and collapses of material. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay 3-7 km away from the summit, based on location.
Report for Semeru
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that activity continued at Semeru during 19-25 March, with multiple, daily eruptive events recorded by the seismic network. Dense gray or white-and-gray ash plumes rose 300-900 m above the summit and drifted N and NE during 19-21 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second lowest level on a scale of 1-4). The public was warned to stay at least 5 km away from the summit in all directions, 13 km from the summit to the SE, 500 m from the banks of the Kobokan drainage as far as 17 km from the summit, and to avoid other drainages including the Bang, Kembar, and Sat, due to lahar, avalanche, and pyroclastic flow hazards.
Report for Lewotobi
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported increased activity at Lewotobi Laki-laki during mid-March, culminating in a more intense phase on 20 March. Visual observations during 8-15 March indicated that the average height of emissions was increasing with white-to-gray ash plumes rising as high as 2.5 km above the summit. Seismic signals indicating emissions slightly increased, harmonic tremor fluctuated, the number of deep volcanic earthquakes and low-frequency earthquakes slightly decreased, though there was a slight increase in the number of deep volcanic earthquakes on 13 March. No shallow volcanic earthquakes were detected. Crater incandescence was visible on 13 March.
Activity significantly increased during 13-20 March. Daily gray ash plumes continued to rise as high as 2.5 km above the summit, though the average height of plumes had increased. Harmonic tremor continued to fluctuate and the number of low-frequency earthquakes slightly increased. A tornillo-type earthquake was detected on 16 March. The number of deep volcanic earthquakes increased significantly during 19-20 March totaling 205 compared to the average of 3-6 events per day. Shallow volcanic earthquakes began to be detected on 20 March indicating rising magma. Eruptive activity continued to intensify; in response PVMBG raised the Alert Level to 4 (on a scale of 1-4) at 2230 on 20 March and increased the exclusion zone to a radius of 7 km from the center of Laki-laki and 8 km in a semicircle clockwise from the SW to the NE. BNPB reported that residents were evacuated from several villages during 19-20 March including Pululera Village (8 km NW), Dulipali Village (6 km NNW), Padang Pasir (5 km NW), Nobo (5 km NE), Klatanlo (3 km NW), Hokeng Jaya (4 km NW), Boru (8 km WNW), and Nawakote.
Incandescence at the summit and possibly low on the NW flank was visible in a webcam image starting at 2245 on 20 March. An explosion at 2256 was recorded by several monitoring stations in Flores and heard in areas as far as Maumere City (63 km WSW) and Larantuka (35 km NE). The corresponding seismic signals lasted 11 minutes and nine seconds. A gray-to-black ash plume rose 8 km above the summit and drifted SW and W. According to the Darwin VAAC an ash plume was identified in a satellite at 2340 drifting W at an altitude of 16.1 km (53,000 ft) a.s.l., or 14.5 km above the summit. Dense gray ash plumes rose 2.5 km and 700 m above the summit and drifted W and N and NE at 0010 and 0122 on 21 March, respectively, according to PVMBG. BNPB reported that tephra fell in several surrounding areas. By 0300 the VAAC noted that the plume had detached from the summit and continued to drifted W. Lower-level ash emissions, at 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l., 4.4 km above the summit, drifted SE. Ash plumes continued to be identified in satellite images during 0600-0900; ash at 3-6.1 km (10,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l., 1.3-4.4 km above the summit, drifted SE and ash at 12.2 km (40,000 ft) a.s.l., 10.5 km above the summit, drifted SWW. The high-level ash plume at 16.1 km a.s.l. continued to drift W but was beginning to be obscured by weather clouds by 1000. Eruptive events were recorded at 1413 on 21 March, at 1916 on 22 March, at 0445 on 23 March, and at 0222 on 25 March, though weather clouds and/or darkness obscured views.
According to news reports and BNPB, two people suffered from burns but there were no fatalities during the 20-21 March eruption; around 4,000 people that had evacuated months earlier remained in temporary housing. News articles also noted that 16 international flights to and from the Ngurah Rai International Airport were cancelled, others were delayed, and some domestic flights were postponed.
Report for Lewotolok
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that an eruption at Lewotolok was ongoing during 19-25 March. White steam-and-gas plumes rose as high as 400 m above the summit and drifted NE, E, and SE on most days; weather conditions obscured views during 22-23 March. At 0639, 0718, and 0850 on 19 March ash plumes that were gray or gray-to-black rose 300-700 m above the summit and drifted E. At 0454 on 20 March a dense gray-to-black ash plume rose 700 m above the summit and drifted E, and at 1616 on 24 March a dense gray ash plume rose 100 m and drifted E. Another dense gray ash plume rose 300 m and drifted E at 0627 on 25 March. Incandescent material being ejected above the summit was visible in a webcam image from 0453 on 20 March. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from the vent and 2.5 km away on the S, SE, and W flanks.
Report for Dukono
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Dukono was ongoing during 19-25 March. White-and-gray or gray ash plumes that were often dense rose as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim and drifted NW, W, E, and NE on all days except 23 March. Rumbling and banging sounds were sometimes accompanied by strong booms during 19 and 24-25 March. Ashfall was reported in Tobelo (15 km ENE) and surrounding areas during 24-25 March. The Alert Level remained at Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4) and the public was warned to stay 4 km away from the Malupang Warirang Crater.
Report for Ibu
The Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) reported that the eruption at Ibu continued during 12-18 March. Eruptive events were recorded daily though weather conditions sometimes obscured views. Dense gray ash plumes rose 300-700 m above the summit and drifted SW, NW, and E during 19-21 and 24 March. Incandescence at the summit was visible in a few webcam images posted with the reports. The Alert Level remained at 3 (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the public was advised to stay 4 km away from the active crater and 5 km away from the N crater wall opening.
Report for Kanlaon
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported continuing eruptive activity at Kanlaon during 18-24 March. The seismic network recorded 2-12 daily volcanic earthquakes. Average daily sulfur dioxide emissions ranged from 2,125 to 3,632 tonnes per day. Gas-and-steam emissions that occasionally contained ash rose as high as 200 m above the summit and drifted W and SW; weather conditions obscured views during 21-22 March. There were 1-2 periods of ash emissions on 18, 20, and 23 March that each lasted 6-26 minutes. According to the Tokyo VAAC ash plumes on 23 March were visible in satellite images drifting SW. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 0-5); the public was warned to stay 6 km away from the summit and pilots were warned not to fly close to the volcano.
Report for Suwanosejima
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported that eruptive activity at Suwanosejima's Ontake Crater continued during 17-24 March. Incandescence was observed nightly in webcam images. Eruptive activity generated emissions that rose 800 m above the crater rim and ejected blocks as far as 300 m. The Alert Level remained at 2 (the second level on a five-level scale) and the public was warned to stay at least 1.5 km away from the crater.
Report for Aira
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported ongoing eruptive activity at Minamidake Crater (Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) during 17-24 March. Nightly crater incandescence was visible in webcam images. Very small eruptive events were periodically recorded during 17-21 March. An explosion at 0201 on 22 March generated an ash plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim and drifted SE. The explosion ejected large blocks 600-900 m from the vent. An eruptive event at 0555 on 23 March generated an ash plume that rose 1.8 km above the crater rim and drifted SE. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale), and the public was warned to stay 2 km away from both the Minimadake and Showa craters.
Report for Ahyi
Unrest at Ahyi Seamount continued during 14-21 March. A diffuse plume of discolored water in the vicinity of the seamount was identified in a satellite image on 15 March, indicating possible submarine activity. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale) and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory (the second lowest level on a four-level scale).
Report for Karymsky
The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported moderate levels of activity at Karymsky during 13-20 March. Thermal anomalies over the volcano were identified in satellite images on 16 and 18 March; weather clouds obscured views on the other days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Report for Bezymianny
The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that a strong thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 13-20 March. According to the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS) of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), incandescent debris avalanches descended the SE and/or E flanks and daily summit incandescence was visible during dark hours. Summit incandescence was less intense and debris avalanches were less frequent later in the week. Ash plumes generated from debris avalanches rose as high as 600 m above the summit and drifted in multiple directions. Weather conditions occasionally obscured webcam and satellite views. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are reported in UTC; specific events are in local time where noted.
Report for Sheveluch
The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that lava extrusion may have continued at Sheveluch’s “300 years of RAS” dome on the SW flank of Old Sheveluch and at the Young Sheveluch dome during 13-20 March. Daily thermal anomalies over the domes were identified in satellite images. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale). Dates are based on UTC times; specific events are in local time where noted.
Report for Great Sitkin
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that slow lava effusion continued to feed a thick flow in Great Sitkin’s summit crater during 19-25 March. Small daily earthquakes were detected by the seismic network. No unusual activity was visible in mostly cloudy webcam and satellite images for most of the week. Steaming from the vent region and slightly elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite and webcam views of the volcano during 23-24 March. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).
Report for Kilauea
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reported that the eruption within Kilauea’s Kaluapele summit caldera, from vents along the SW margin of Halema’uma’u Crater, continued at variable levels during 18-25 March. Occasional bursts of spatter rose from the N vent overnight during 18-19 March, with activity becoming more frequent in the morning. From 2358 on 18 March to 0514 on 19 March the S vent overflowed six times, sending lava flows up to 50 m across the crater floor. During 0602-0610 lava overflowed the S vent for a seventh time and was accompanied by large spatter bursts that could be seen over the top of the N vent cone in a webcam. None of the lava flows were active for more than 10 minutes. Spatter activity at both vents waned around 0700 and then increased at around 0920. Lava overflowed the N vent at 0926 and the S vent during 0950-1035. At the N vent periods of low domed fountains, as high as 10 m, alternated with “drainbacks” (2-3 m drops) of the 65 x 45 m lava pond that occurred every 5-10 minutes, with the interval decreasing over time.
The dome fountains significantly increased in size at around 0200 on 20 March, rising 15-30 m. Fountains rose from the S vent at 0630, and within 20 minutes both vents were producing sustained fountains. By 0715 the fountains were rising 120-180 m and lava covered more than half the crater floor. Fountaining at the N vent ceased at 0746 while fountain heights at the S vent increased to 200 m. Fountaining at the S vent continued through the early afternoon, rising as high as 180 m. All activity ceased by 1349 and lava flows covered about three quarters of the crater floor. A maximum sulfur dioxide gas emission rate was approximately 50,000 tons per day (t/d) during the morning of 20 March. The rate had decreased to 1,500 t/d by 1700. The fountains produced tephra such as pumice and Pele's Hair; Pele’s Hair was reported on surfaces in areas within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and surrounding communities. Spots of orange glow on the crater floor were visible at night as the erupted lava cooled. The vents degassed and were incandescent at night during 21-24 March. Activity at the vents resumed on 25 March. Eight cycles of small spatter fountaining at the N vent began at 0927, 0955, 1011, 1029, 1048, 1107, 1127, and 1145, with each cycle lasting 5-10 minutes. The ninth cycle occurred during 1204-1219 and produced lava flows that extended 50-100 m across the crater floor. Activity that began at the S vent around noon also sent lava flows onto the crater floor. Cyclic fountaining, 10-15 m high, at the N vent was visible during 1225-1239, 1247-1302, 1308-1323, 1329-1339, and 1346-1358. Lava covered about 5 percent of the crater floor by around 1400. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).
Report for Popocatepetl
The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) reported that eruptive activity continued at Popocatépetl during 18-25 March. The seismic network recorded 31-87 long-period events per day on most days, accompanied by steam-and-gas emissions. In addition, the seismic network also recorded daily low-amplitude tremor, characterized by harmonic and high-frequency signals, with periods lasting 11 minutes to as long as four hours and 33 minutes. According to the Washington VAAC an ash plume was visible in webcam and satellite images on 24 March rising 6.7 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l. (around 1.3 km above the summit) and drifting E. The ash had dissipated within about six hours. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two (the middle level on a three-color scale) and the public was warned to stay 12 km away from the crater.
Report for Rincon de la Vieja
The Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that occasional, small, phreatic eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during 18-20 March in monitoring network data. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 311 tons per day on 18 March, which was significantly higher than averages during the previous few days. At 1815 on 20 March a phreatic eruption produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 200 m.
Report for Poas
The Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) reported that eruptive activity at Poás continued at an elevated level during 19-25 March. Significant inflation continued to be detected and gas-and-steam emissions were ongoing. Analysis of the ash revealed a significant amount, around 20 percent, of juvenile material. Sulfur dioxide emissions fluctuated at high levels, with averages ranging from 675-844 tons per day (t/d) during 19-20 March, based on MultiGAS station data. Sulfur dioxide emissions detected in satellite data were as high as 844 t/d on 20 March. Occasional phreatic eruptions were recorded by the seismic and acoustic network. Two small phreatic eruptions on 19 March ejected material 50-100 m high and another recorded at 1815 on 20 March produced a 200-m-high plume. A small phreatic eruption at Boca C on 23 March was followed by a period of small, very frequent events during 23-25 March; weather conditions obscured views of the crater. Video from 0747 on 25 March showed a phreatic eruption ejecting dark material above the vent and a steam plume drifting downwind. Ballistics were ejected onto the crater floor. The Alert Level remained at 3 (the second highest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest color on a four-color scale).