An eruption marked as "continuing" does not always mean that the activity is continuous or happening today, but that there have been at least some intermittent eruptive events at that volcano without a break of at least 3 months since it started. An eruption listed here also might have ended since the last public data update, or at the update time a firm end date had not yet been determined due to potential renewed activity.

Although detailed statistics are not kept on daily activity, generally there are around 20 volcanoes actively erupting on any particular day . The Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report (WVAR) for the week ending on 14 September 2020 includes the 15 volcanoes bolded and shown below in the WVAR column (rollover for report).

Overall there are 42 volcanoes with ongoing eruptions as of the Stop Dates indicated, and as reported through the last data update (17 September 2020), sorted with the most recently started eruption at the top. Information about more recently started eruptions can be found in the Weekly Report.

Report for Whakaari/White Island

On 15 September GeoNet reported continuing but low levels of activity at Whakaari/White Island. Over the previous six weeks the team conducted three flights to measure gas emissions and one for visual observations. The data show that shallow magma was degassing at a high rate through an open, unobstructed system. Temperatures at the gas vents remained high (around 440 degrees Celsius), though that is 100 degrees less than when measured in July. Some of the gas vents had become larger and water had ponded on the crater floor. Continuing subsidence of the active vent areas and the S and W parts of Main Crater wall was indicated by deformation measurements. Volcanic tremor had been generally low, except for a short period in early August. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 1 and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Report for Kadovar

Based on satellite data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 12 September an ash plume from Kadovar rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W.

Report for Manam

The Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 September ash plumes from Manam rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, based on satellite data and weather models.

Report for Sinabung

PVMBG reported that white plumes rose as high as 500 m above Sinabung’s summit and drifted in multiple directions during 9-15 September. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4), with a general exclusion zone of 3 km and extensions to 5 km on the SE sector and 4 km in the NE sector.

Report for Semeru

According to PVMBG ground-based observers noted ash plumes from Semeru rising 400 m above the summit and drifting S on 14 September. An ash plume rose 500 m and drifted NE the next day. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).

Report for Dukono

Based on satellite and wind model data, and information from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 9-14 September ash plumes from Dukono rose 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.

Report for Suwanosejima

JMA reported periodic nighttime incandescence and three explosions at Suwanosejima’s Ontake Crater during 4-11 September. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

Report for Kikai

JMA reported that during 7-14 September white plumes from Satsuma Iwo-jima, a subaerial part of Kikai’s NW caldera rim, rose as high as 1 km above the Iodake crater rim. Incandescence from the crater was visible at night. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).

Report for Aira

JMA reported that very small eruptive events at Minamidake Crater (at Aira Caldera’s Sakurajima volcano) were occasionally recorded during 7-14 September. Nighttime crater incandescence was noted during 9-10 and 12-13 September. The daily sulfur dioxide emission rate was elevated at 1,300 tons/day on 11 September. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).

Report for Ebeko

Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of Ebeko, observed explosions during 4-5 and 10 September that sent ash plumes up to 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE and E. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Report for Bezymianny

KVERT reported that a new lava dome began growing in the summit crater of Bezymianny around 26 August. A thermal anomaly over the summit was visible during 28-31 August and on 4, 8, and 10 September. Weather clouds sometimes obscured views of the volcano. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow (the second lowest level on a four-color scale).

Report for Sheveluch

KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluch was identified in satellite images during 4-5 and 8-10 September; weather clouds prevented views during 6-7 and 11 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).

Report for Fuego

INSIVUMEH reported that there were 6-12 explosions per hour at Fuego recorded during 26 August-1 September, generating ash plumes as high as 1.1 km above the crater rim that generally drifted 10-20 km in multiple directions. Shock waves rattled buildings within a 20-km radius. Incandescent material ejected 100-300 m high caused avalanches of blocks in the Ceniza (SSW), Seca (W), Trinidad (S), Taniluyá (SW), Las Lajas, and Honda drainages; avalanches sometimes reached vegetated areas. Ashfall was reported daily in several areas downwind including Morelia (9 km SW), Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Finca Palo Verde, Santa Sofía (12 km SW), San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW).



During 10-11 September a lava flow traveled 200 m down the Ceniza and lengthened to 700 m by 12 September; the front of the lava flow generated block avalanches. Strong Vulcanian explosions generated ash plumes that rose over 1.1 km above the crater rim during 11-12 September. Shorter portions of the lava flow were active through 14 September, and by 15 September the flow was 100 m long.

Report for Pacaya

On 13 September INSIVUMEH reported that during the previous week activity at Pacaya’s Mackenney Crater was characterized by lava-flow effusion and Strombolian explosions that ejected material as high as 200 m above the vent. Ejected material landed within 50 m of the cone. An active lava flow that had traveled NE was 1,250 m long; another on the N flank was as long as 300 m. Explosive activity rattled houses within a 4-km radius. Lava flows continued to be active during 13-15 September; reaching 600 m long on the NE flank, 300 m long on the N flank, and 400-425 m long (and most active) on the S flank. Strombolian explosions continued to ejected material as high as 200 m.

Report for Reventador

IG reported that a high level of activity continued to be recorded at Reventador. In a special report, IG reviewed the activity had started in mid-June, characterized by strong explosions, the ejection of blocks that rolled down the flanks, and pyroclastic flows that descended the N, NE, and W flanks less than 1 km. Additionally, at the beginning of August, a small lava flow effused at the summit and traveled 400-500 m down the NE flank. Formation of a summit lava dome was also noted on 17 August. The number of thermal alerts was the highest in August compared to the rest of the year. The cone destroyed during a 2002 eruption had been rebuilt and was as tall or slightly taller by 11 September.



During 9-15 September gas, steam, and ash emissions observed with the webcam or reported by the Washington VAAC, sometimes multiple times a day, rose as high as 1 km above the summit crater and drifted N, NW, and W. Incandescent blocks rolled down the N flank during 9-10 September and as far as 600 m down the S and SW flanks during 13-15 September. The lava flow on the NE flank had not lengthened.