Global Volcanic Unrest: Updates from February 26, 2026
Volcanic activity continues across the globe, with ongoing eruptions and unrest reported in Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Alaska, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ecuador as of February 26, 2026. Monitoring agencies are closely watching these volcanoes, with alert levels ranging from normal to increased tendency towards hazardous eruption. This report summarizes the latest updates from various geological observatories.
Japan
Kusatsu-Shiranesan
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported continued unrest at Kusatsu-Shiranesan between February 23 and February 24, 2026. The observatory alert level remains at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater” on a 5-level scale. Source: Volcano Discovery
Sakurajima
The JMA also reported continued eruption activity at Aira (Sakurajima) on February 25, 2026. The alert level remains at “Level 3 – Restriction on proximity to the volcano” on a 5-level scale. Source: Japan Meteorological Agency
Philippines
Canlaon
Explosive activity continues at Canlaon volcano. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Tokyo has warned of a volcanic ash plume reaching an estimated altitude of 17,000 ft (5,200 m). Source: Volcano Discovery The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) maintains the alert level at “2 – Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest” on a 0–5 level scale.
Taal
Eruption activity continues at Taal volcano, with reported plumes. The alert level remains at “1 – Low-Level Unrest” on a 0–5 level scale, according to PHIVOLCS.
Mayon
Mayon volcano continues to erupt, with lava effusion from the summit crater. Lava flow lengths are 3.8 km in the Basud Gully, 1.3 km in the Mi-isi Gully, and 2.6 km in the Bonga Gully. PHIVOLCS reports the alert level at “3 – Increased Tendency Towards Hazardous Eruption” on a 0–5 level scale.
Indonesia
Several Indonesian volcanoes are currently under alert. Alert levels are as follows:
- Telong (Bur ni): Level 2 – Alert
- Karangetang (Siau Island): Level 2 – Alert
- Raung (East Java): Level 2 – Alert
- Ibu (Halmahera): Level 2 – Alert, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 600 m above the vent and 125 explosions reported.
- Tangkubanparahu (West Java): Level 1 – Normal
- Lewotobi (Laki-Laki): Level 2 – Alert
- Soputan (North Sulawesi): Level 2 – Alert
- Lewotolo (Lesser Sunda Islands): Level 2 – Alert, with a volcanic ash plume reaching 6,000 ft (1,800 m).
- Merapi (Central Java): Level 3 – Standby
- Semeru (East Java): Level 3 – Standby, with 83 explosions and plumes rising to 600 m.
- Marapi (Western Sumatra): Level 2 – Alert
- Dukono (Halmahera): Level 2 – Alert
- Kerinci (Sumatra): Level 2 – Alert
- Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi): Level 2 – Alert
Alaska, United States
Shishaldin
Unrest continues at Shishaldin volcano, with the alert level remaining at “Advisory” (level 2 on a 4-level scale) and the aviation alert level at “Yellow” (level 2 on a 4-level scale), according to the United States Geological Survey – Alaska Volcano Observatory (USGS-AVO).
Great Sitkin
The eruption continues at Great Sitkin, with the alert level at “Watch” (level 3 on a 4-level scale) and the aviation alert level at “Orange” (level 3 on a 4-level scale), as reported by USGS-AVO.
Mexico
Popocatépetl
The eruption continues at Popocatépetl, with gas and vapor plumes reported. The alert level remains at “Yellow Alert – Phase 2” (level 4 on a 7-level scale), according to the Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED).
Guatemala
Fuego
Explosive activity continues at Fuego volcano, with a volcanic ash plume reaching 14,000 ft (4,300 m). The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reports explosions occurring up to 12 times per hour.
Costa Rica
Turrialba, Rincón de la Vieja, and Poás
Unrest continues at Turrialba, Rincón de la Vieja, and Poás volcanoes, all with alert levels at “Level 2 – Warning” on a 0–4 level scale. Aviation alert levels for Rincón de la Vieja and Poás are at “Yellow” (level 2 on a 4-level scale).
Ecuador
Sangay
The eruption continues at Sangay volcano, with a volcanic ash plume reaching 20,000 ft (6,100 m). The alert level remains at “2 – Yellow” on a 4-level scale, according to the Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN).
Reventador
The eruption continues at Reventador volcano, with 36 explosions reported. The alert level remains at “3 – Orange” on a 4-level scale, as reported by IG-EPN.
Peru
Sabancaya
The eruption continues at Sabancaya volcano, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 400 m above the vent. The alert level remains at “Orange” (level 3 on a 4-level scale), according to the Centro Vulcanológico Nacional del Instituto Geofísico del Perú (CENVUL-IGP).
La Réunion
Piton de la Fournaise
The eruption continues at Piton de la Fournaise, with the alert level at “Alert 2-1” (level 2 on a 0–4 level scale), as reported by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris – Observatoire volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (IPGP-OVPF).
Volcanic activity is a dynamic process, and conditions can change rapidly. Continued monitoring by geological observatories worldwide is crucial for assessing and mitigating the risks associated with volcanic eruptions.