Global Volcanic Unrest: Updates from Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia – February 21, 2026

February 21, 2026 – Volcanic activity continues across several regions, prompting ongoing monitoring and alerts. This report summarizes the current status of multiple volcanoes in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, as of February 20-21, 2026, based on the latest reports from national geological and meteorological agencies.

Japan: Ongoing Unrest at Multiple Volcanoes

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports continued unrest at several volcanoes, maintaining alert levels for proximity restrictions.

• Asama (Honshu): Unrest continues at Asamayama, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Akan (Hokkaido): Unrest continues at Akan, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Kirishima (Kyushu): Unrest continues at Kirishimayama, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Kikai (Ryukyu Islands): Unrest continues at Kikai, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 600 meters above the vent and incandescence detected at Iodake Crater. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Yake-dake (Honshu): Unrest continues at Yakedake, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Kusatsu-Shirane (Honshu): Unrest continues at Kusatsu-Shiranesan, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA
• Iwate (Honshu): Unrest continues at Iwatesan, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.” JMA

Philippines: Eruptive Activity at Mayon and Continued Unrest

Several volcanoes in the Philippines are exhibiting ongoing eruptive activity or unrest.

• Mayon (Luzon Island): Eruptive activity continues at Mayon, with lava effusion from the summit crater and rockfalls. Sulfur dioxide emissions averaged 3,739 tonnes per day on February 20, 2026. The alert level remains at “3 – Increased Tendency Towards Hazardous Eruption.”
• Canlaon (Central Philippines): The eruption continues at Kanlaon, with plumes rising to 75 meters above the vent. The alert level remains at “2 – Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest.”
• Taal (Luzon): The eruption continues at Taal, with the alert level remaining at “1 – Low-Level Unrest.”

Indonesia: Widespread Volcanic Activity

Indonesia continues to experience activity at numerous volcanoes, with varying alert levels.

• Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): A very small eruption was recorded at Minamidake Crater on February 18, with incandescence observed. The alert level remains at “Level 3 – Restriction on proximity to the volcano.”
• Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): The eruption continues at Suwanosejima, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 600 meters above the vent and incandescence at Otake Crater. Seismic tremor continues. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.”
• Telong (Northern Sumatra): Unrest continues at Telong, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Restriction on proximity to the crater.”
• Karangetang (Siau Island): Unrest continues at Karangetang, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Raung (East Java): Unrest continues at Raung, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 100 meters above the vent. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Ibu (Halmahera): The eruption continues at Ibu, with gas and vapor plumes rising to 200 meters above the vent and ash plumes to 600 meters. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Sangeang Api (Flores Sea): Unrest continues at Sangeang Api, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Lewotobi (Flores): The alert level was lowered to “Level 2 – Alert” due to decreased activity.
• Soputan (North Sulawesi): Unrest continues at Soputan, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Lewotolo (Lesser Sunda Islands): The eruption continues at Lewotolok, with the alert level remaining at “Level 3 – Standby.”
• Merapi (Central Java): The eruption continues at Merapi, with the alert level remaining at “Level 3 – Standby.”
• Semeru (East Java): The eruption continues at Semeru, with the alert level remaining at “Level 3 – Standby.”
• Marapi (Western Sumatra): The eruption continues at Marapi, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Dukono (Halmahera): Unrest continues at Dukono, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Awu (Sulawesi & Sangihe Islands): Unrest continues at Awu, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Kerinci (Sumatra): Unrest continues at Kerinci, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”
• Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi): Unrest continues at Lokon-Empung, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert.”

Other Notable Activity

• Aoba (Vanuatu): An eruption was reported.
• Kilauea (Hawai’i): Eruptive activity paused, but minor glow remains. The alert level remains at “Watch.”
• Katmai (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Resuspended ash from the 1912 Novarupta-Katmai eruption was observed. The alert level remains at “Normal.”
• Shishaldin (Aleutian Islands, Alaska): Unrest continues at Shishaldin, with elevated seismicity and sulfur dioxide emissions. The alert level remains at “Advisory.”
• Great Sitkin (Aleutian Islands, Alaska): Lava continues to erupt at Great Sitkin. The alert level remains at “Watch.”
• Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Explosive activity continues, with ash plumes reaching 6,400 meters. The alert level remains at “Yellow Alert – Phase 2.”
• Santiaguito (Guatemala): Explosions continue at Santa María, with plumes rising to 600 meters.
• Pacaya (Guatemala): Unrest continues at Pacaya.
• Fuego (Guatemala): Explosions continue at Fuego, with plumes rising to 1,037 meters and lava flows. The alert level remains unavailable.
• Turrialba (Costa Rica): Unrest continues at Turrialba, with a decrease in sulfur dioxide flux. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Warning.”
• Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica): A minor eruption was recorded at Rincón de la Vieja. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Warning.”
• Poás (Costa Rica): The eruption continues at Poás, with a decrease in tremor amplitude. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Warning.”
• Sangay (Ecuador): The eruption continues at Sangay, with explosions and thermal anomalies. The alert level remains at “2 – Yellow.”
• Reventador (Ecuador): The eruption continues at Reventador, with explosions and thermal anomalies. The alert level remains at “3 – Orange.”
• Sabancaya (Peru): The eruption continues at Sabancaya, with ash plumes rising to 900 meters. The alert level remains at “Orange.”

This is a developing situation, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Monitoring efforts continue across these and other potentially active volcanoes worldwide.