Global Volcanic Activity Update – February 23, 2026

Volcanic activity remains elevated across the globe, with ongoing eruptions and ash advisories issued for multiple volcanoes as of February 23, 2026. This report summarizes the latest updates from various monitoring agencies, including the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo, VAAC Darwin, VAAC Wellington, and VAAC Washington, as well as reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program.

Current Eruptions and Ash Advisories

Mayon Volcano (Philippines)

Mayon Volcano in the Philippines continues to exhibit eruptive activity. The VAAC Tokyo issued an advisory on February 21, 2026, reporting an eruption at 04:18 UTC, with ash extending westward-southwest. Observations at 06:00 UTC indicated volcanic ash not identifiable from satellite data. Source: Tokyo VAAC. A previous advisory on January 10, 2026, noted an eruption at 23:18 UTC, reaching flight level 090. Source: VolcanoDiscovery. PHIVOLCS reported increased activity on January 9, 2026, characterized by dome growth, collapses, and the beginning of a lava flow. Source: Smithsonian Institution.

Ibu Volcano (Indonesia)

Explosive activity continues at Ibu Volcano in Halmahera, Indonesia. The VAAC Darwin warned of a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated altitude of 8,000 ft (2,400 m) or flight level 080 as of February 23, 2026. The plume is moving eastward.

Semeru Volcano (Indonesia)

Semeru Volcano in East Java, Indonesia, is as well exhibiting ongoing explosive activity. The VAAC Darwin reported a volcanic ash plume rising to an estimated 15,000 ft (4,600 m) or flight level 150, moving northeast.

Aoba Volcano (Vanuatu)

Aoba Volcano in Vanuatu continues to experience explosive activity. The VAAC Wellington issued an advisory regarding a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 10,000 ft (3,000 m) altitude, moving at 10 knots in a southeasterly direction.

Popocatépetl Volcano (Mexico)

As of February 22, 2026, the VAAC Washington reported no further volcanic ash emissions from Popocatépetl Volcano in Central Mexico.

Santiaguito Volcano (Guatemala)

Santiaguito Volcano in Guatemala continues to exhibit explosive activity. The VAAC Washington warned of a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 13,000 ft (4,000 m) altitude.

Fuego Volcano (Guatemala)

Fuego Volcano in Guatemala is also experiencing ongoing explosive activity, with a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 14,000 ft (4,300 m) altitude and moving at 20 knots in a southwesterly direction.

Sangay Volcano (Ecuador)

Sangay Volcano in Ecuador continues to erupt, with a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 22,000 ft (6,700 m) altitude and moving at 10 knots westward.

Reventador Volcano (Ecuador)

Reventador Volcano in Ecuador is exhibiting ongoing explosive activity, with a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 14,000 ft (4,300 m) altitude.

Sabancaya Volcano (Peru)

Sabancaya Volcano in Peru continues to erupt, with a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated 25,000 ft (7,600 m) altitude and moving at 15 knots westward.

Additional Volcanoes with Ongoing Activity

Numerous other volcanoes are currently erupting or exhibiting signs of unrest, including Bagana (Papua Recent Guinea), Barren Island (Indian Ocean), Bezymianny (Kamchatka), Canlaon (Philippines), Copahue (Chile/Argentina), Dukono (Halmahera), Erebus (Antarctica), Erta Ale (Ethiopia), Etna (Italy), Fuego (Guatemala), Home Reef (Tonga), Karangetang (Indonesia), Karymsky (Kamchatka), Kilauea (Hawaii), Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka), Krasheninnikov (Kamchatka), Lewotolo (Indonesia), Manam (Papua New Guinea), Marapi (Indonesia), Masaya (Nicaragua), Merapi (Indonesia), Michael (South Sandwich Islands), Nyamuragira (DRCongo), Nyiragongo (DRCongo), Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion), Planchón-Peteroa (Chile/Argentina), Puracé (Colombia), Reventador (Ecuador), Ruang (Indonesia), Sakurajima (Japan), Sangay (Ecuador), Stromboli (Italy), Suwanose-jima (Japan), Tinakula (Solomon Islands), Ubinas (Peru), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea), Villarrica (Chile), and White Island (New Zealand). Several volcanoes are also under warning for minor activity or potential eruptions, including Aoba (Vanuatu), Concepción (Nicaragua), Cotopaxi (Ecuador), Gamalama (Halmahera), Great Sitkin (United States), Heard (Australia), Kerinci (Sumatra), Krakatau (Indonesia), Laguna del Maule (Chile), Langila (Papua New Guinea), Late (Tonga), Lewotobi (Flores), Matthew Island (France), Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia), Nishino-shima (Japan), Ol Doinyo Lengai (Tanzania), Poas (Costa Rica), Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile/Argentina), Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica), Ruang (Indonesia), San Cristobal (Nicaragua), Seulawah Agam (Sumatra), Taal (Philippines), Telica (Nicaragua), Theistareykjarbunga (Iceland), Tinguiririca (Chile/Argentina), Tofua (Tonga).

Mayon Volcano – Recent Sulfur Dioxide Emissions

On February 23, 2026, Mayon Volcano emitted 3,217 tonnes of sulfur dioxide within a 24-hour monitoring period. Plumes drifted west-northwest, northwest, and west-southwest. Source: Philippine News Agency.