This Week in Volcano News; Destructive Eruption at Ruang, 20+ Taal Eruptions

One of the century's largest explosive eruptions occurred this week at a little known volcano known as Ruang. Its eruption devastated wide swaths of an existing populated island, and led to the evacuation of 12,000 people. Meanwhile, also in Indonesia, the alert level of the Awu volcano was raised from yellow to orange. The Gamalama volcano also produced a brief eruption, while in the Philippines more than 20 brief phreatomagmatic eruptions occurred from the Taal volcano. This video will discuss these stories and list the 48 volcanoes which are currently erupting around the planet.
Thumbnail Photo Credit: Bawoleh Yuanita, / yuanitagretosbawoleh , Used with Permission
If you would like to support this channel, consider using one of the following links:
(Patreon: / geologyhub )
(KZbin membership: / @geologyhub )
(Gemstone & Mineral Etsy store: prospectingarizona.etsy.com)
(GeologyHub Merch Etsy store: geologyhub.etsy.com)
Google Earth imagery used in this video: ©Google & Data Providers
This video is protected under "fair use". If you see an image and/or video which is your own in this video, and/or think my discussion of a scientific paper (and/or discussion/mentioning of the data/information within a scientific paper) does not fall under the fair use doctrine, and wish for it to be censored or removed, contact me by email at [e-mail] and I will make the necessary changes.
Various licenses used in sections of this video (not the entire video, this video as a whole does not completely fall under one of these licenses) and/or in this video's thumbnail image (and this list does not include every license used in this video and/or thumbnail image):
Public Domain: creativecommons.org/publicdom...
CC BY 2.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
CC BY 3.0 NZ: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
CC BY 4.0: creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Sources/Citations:
[1] PVMBG (Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi) (Indonesia)
[2] VEIs, dates/years, composition, tephra layer name, DRE estimates, and bulk tephra volume estimates for volcanic eruptions shown in this video which were assigned a VEI 4 or larger and are not Ruang's 2024 eruption or Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai's 2022 eruption are sourced from the LaMEVE database (British Geological Survey © UKRI), www2.bgs.ac.uk/vogripa/view/c..., Used with Permission
[3] Source of Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) methodology and criteria: Newhall, C. G., and Self, S. (1982), The volcanic explosivity index (VEI) an estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism, J. Geophys. Res., 87(C2), 1231-1238, doi:10.1029/JC087iC02p01231. Accessed / Read by / geologyhub on Oct 5th, 2022.
[4] Ekliptika. This source was used to cite the size of the following DRE values where tephra values were these figures multiplied by 2: 2010 Merapi, 2014 Kelud, 2024 Ruang.
[5] Pranantyo, Ignatius & Heidarzadeh, Mohammad & Cummins, Philr. (2021). Complex tsunami hazards in eastern Indonesia from seismic and non-seismic sources: Deterministic modelling based on historical and modern data. Geoscience Letters. 8. 20. 10.1186/s40562-021-00190-y. CC BY 4.0.
[6] Vedur.is / Iceland Met Office
[7] Phivolcs (Philippines)
[8] U.S. Geological Survey
[9] Rabaul Volcano Observatory
[10] Servicio Geológico Colombiano (Colombia)
[11] Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
[12] Alaska Volcano Observatory
[13] Vanuatu Meteorology & Geo-Hazards Department
[14] Instituto Geofisica Escuela Politecnica Nacional (Ecuador)
[15] OVSICORI-UNA (Costa Rica)
[16] Sernageomin (Chile)
[17] Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department
[18] Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Russia)
[19] Tonga Geological Survey (Tonga)
[20] CIVISA (Azores)
[21] Japanese Meteorological Agency
[22] University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute
[23] Geonet (New Zealand)
[24] INGV (Italy)
[25] Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
[26] Tonga Geological Services
0:00 Mount Merapi Eruption
0:37 This Week's Top Stories
0:59 Mount Awu Unrest
1:42 Ruang Plinian Eruption
3:36 Taal Volcano
4:28 Gamalama Eruption
4:55 Full List of Erupting Volcanoes

[@soranuareane]

No casualties from the Ruang eruption?? This is amazing news! I was so worried about the inhabitants on the nearby island.

[@JariJuslin]

That's indeed impressive! A well oiled machine and sensible populace.

[@fajaradi1223]

It was Semeru who did some casualties.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

It is very good to hear that there have been no casualties due to the Ruang Volcano.

[@kskssxoxskskss2189]

Thanks for explaining what Indonesia did right to save lives. It was my privilege to briefly live and work at the other end of that wonderful country when I was young, giving enduring memories and gratitude for its physical beauty and warm, thoughtful people.

[@scrappydoo7887]

That volcanic lightning is beautiful ❤️

[@marlorodo]

And terrifieing when close!

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

The Indonesian name for lava mudflow is Lahar what happened to Herculaneum plinyian eruption

[@katgrey6239]

I'm so glad no one was killed in this eruption; however, the loss of the animals is great, and both domestic and wildlife have suffered! Their way of life has been wiped out. 😢

[@nostromo7928]

I was thinking that myself. It's heartbreaking, all those poor animals.

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

😢 poor wildlife and house pets

[@spocksdaughter9641]

Your wk to pull together so many info graphics and data about different events must take hours of effort for you! I just now left watching Isak drone flight when this notification popped up to come see this update. Just a few min prior you had been favorably mentioned as a measurement source in comments. I always feel proud when your acknowledged!

[@GeologyHub]

Isak also seems pretty cool. :)

[@spocksdaughter9641]

His groupies inc me exploded. But single experience focus. No education or knowledge for the most part like you offer over the whole globe. His heart is pure and he deserves ​success.@@GeologyHub

[@Maungateitei]

​@@GeologyHubit would be nice if you did some more in depth research and covered the deep plumbing systems, and magmatic chemistry that feed the larger and more dangerous systems. Paywalling by primarily US vulture science hoarders stops many of us accessing these papers. I assume you don't have that problem?

[@Maungateitei]

​@@GeologyHubThe land bridge connecting Sulawesi to the Philippines has been blown to smithereens by Ruang and it's many Sisters, and submarine landslides are obvious on the bathometry into the trench to the East. How recently and how often? Obviously this complex can trigger transoceanic megatsunamigenic shelf collapses. And they can unweight many miles of rock overburden on magmatic systems not far down in the crust. This obviously warrants close study, constant monitoring and observation. This system has the capacity to extinguish all life within at least 100m of sea-level near any Pacific rim coastline.

[@Maungateitei]

Actually it's probably even worse to the West of the Ruang complex. The bathometry suggests 30km wide and several km high basaltic shield volcanos have broken off the scrap of continental craton that Ruang is perched on, and slid into the 4000m+ metre deep basin. 😮🙄

[@zyrians]

Volcanoes in Eastern Indonesia are very underrated. Need more attention from volcanology researchers..banda vulcanic complex area has a large caldera under the sea.

[@fajaradi1223]

Those monitoring and research instruments do need supporting infrastructures. Mainly power grid and communication. We need further development in the surrounding areas.

[@farhanatashiga3721]

What happened at ruang should be made into a documentary. From it going from 0 to 100 so quickly to somehow noone being injured or killed is just TV worthy.

[@xwiick]

Thanks for all of your hard work man!

[@digitaldreamer5481]

Boy, that Taal Volcano is going to be a massive eruption someday and no one will want to anywhere near that country when it happens…😢

[@jfkastner]

Awesome Info, as always, Thank You!

[@dannybrown5744]

Well done I'm always impressed by my neighbor in Arizona Keep it up dude

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

How to avoid a catastrophe movie scenario? LISTEN TO THE F******** SCIENTISTS!!!!! They did an amazing job on that one. Much respect! ❤

[@user-pi4wj7bm4z]

Your continued updates are appreciated. Please keep up the fine research and reporting. Greg in Southern Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 😊.

[@user-lh5fp7bf2c]

I was just thinking about Awu. Very dangerous volcano.

[@AngryGecko1010]

I’m glad that everyone is okay after the Ruang eruption

[@robinguertin574]

Thank you for the updated report, GH.

[@zoeymrs]

Thank you for the update, i love your videos🌋.

[@bothompson-ov6ju]

You did a fantastic job to I'm no where near it or any volcano I live in Missouri more of a tornado guy but this has quickly become one of my favorite channels. Keep up the good work

[@billfoster7951]

I am not a geologist but I am fascinated by your videos. Thanks for your hard work.

[@ctsquad7063]

Props to Indonesian SAR and geologist

[@cherylb6755]

Hey GeologyHub~ Thank you for this. I am glad there were no casualties at Ruang. It makes me sad to think of the destruction of everything else, though. They lost their way of life. While this is worse, I am reminded of Grindavik. Heartbreaking. Also, I find it disturbing when you recall past events and I remember you discussing them in past videos. Then again, I am happy to have found you.

[@TheKmagz]

A video further fleshing out the possibility of Ruang being a part of a much larger caldera complex would be cool. Doesn't matter if it's true or not but the potential is interesting content for a quick 4 minute video 🎉🎉

[@Mark-yl7ps]

Seems like every Indonesian volcanoes can pull the trigger anytime then starts to get going. atleast, volcanic activity in the region is not that isolated or concentrated only on some notable ones, but everyone is very capable of doing such, and can even produce eruptions that can rival from other neighboring volcanoes within Indonesia.

[@marshaslater8576]

Thanks for the updates 🌋

[@gwengillotti5171]

Lots of information.thank you

[@mbvoelker8448]

Amazing that there were no casualties on Ruang.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Thanks as always!

[@tjaymetal3116]

What are the chances of TAAL having an explosive type of eruption? In 2020 and 2021 it kinda more of a plinian eruption, mostly gasses and ashes and I don’t think there’s any casualties. Lots of people lived in that area, just wondering……

[@williamlloyd3769]

Recall visiting Taal when it was a geologic curiosity near Manila about 40 years ago. People were living all around the area.

[@LLYMYNT]

Pacific ring of fire being very busy

[@JAGzilla-ur3lh]

It's kind of bizarre to think that so many volcanoes are erupting 24/7 while I'm completely safe here in Georgia, USA, hundreds of miles away from the nearest volcano. It's hard to imagine living in the shadow of one of those things, never knowing when the world is going to suddenly end.

[@ubermachtthemechanic007]

Imagine listening to science experts and that decision saved lives. Hope there are political officials watching this!!!

[@fsstickman1]

Cool

[@Scemoth]

Damn, I’ve never been this early! Great video as always! ❤

[@WisnuWijayanto-rl9fl]

Terpujilah para ilmuwan yang telah mempersembahkan dedikasinya untuk alam dan kemanusiaan. 🙏🙏💙💙🙏🙏

[@Eleora1997Msia]

Ouch !!!, it seems comes together, i felt that too, currently having bad pimple on face... 😢😢😢 an eruption with blood dot by dot in trace and trak. Had to go for facial treatment to cleanse it before it eruption till by hair region.

[@paulcoverdale8312]

I heard reports of ash over 50k ft affecting air traffic now or since Saturday 20/4/24 🌋🌋🌋🙏🙏🪬🪬💎💎🥃🥃👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@ouchsp]

Excuse me! Correction - about 10-12 volcanoes in Indonesia?!?! What plates are there? Pacific and Indian Ocean, or what? That's bizarre! Are they always that volcanic ally active, or has the activity level increased relatively recently? Thank you so much for all your hard work!

[@fadlkarmula8776]

Indonesia there were 3 tectonic plates. Eurasia, Indo-Australia and pacific plate. There about 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, mostly in Java, Sumatra, Nusa Tenggara Island, North Maluku and North Sulawesi. Java with more than 100 millions inhabitants have about 45 active volcanoes. Mount Merapi in Central Java were erupted from 2018 and still continue. Nearly 2 millions people lived arround mt Merapi. To make it more interesting there are 5 active volcanoes in 25km radius including Merapi. With millions people live under it.

[@astrocity891]

is that normal? those lightning during eruption mount ruang? look creepy

[@fredsmethers8670]

I wish there would have been a better map as I am going to the area next month.

[@Jeradactile]

Indonesia has the best volcano names

[@iHeartAddie]

Those are still developing islands. That no surprise they are erupting

[@yukismum5141]

could Ruang do a Krakatoa? And why du you think Taal is the 'most dangerous' volcano?

[@anditsch4294]

What about flegrei?

[@omegastar19]

What about it?

[@pleasuregaming2601]

Ruang, I see a reflection of Pompeii in this eruption

[@islandbirdw]

There is a world heritage reef north of Tankoko on Sulawesi Indonesia.

[@ouchsp]

3 Volcanoes acting up or majorly erupting in Indonesia all on April 17, 2024! Any chance they could all be connected to the same lava chamber deep underground? Is all that activity so localized as unusual as it sounds?

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

They are too far apart to be tied into the same magma chamber. There are so many active volcanoes in Indonesia it's not surprising that sometimes there are several going off at the same time. But at least they are low level eruptions.

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

planetary alignment.

[@Jameson1776]

@@rizkyadiyanto7922no just no. In no way whatsoever is this tue.

[@naskirnawas2037]

It's still close to the Philippines... maybe it's still in the same chain as Taal

[@SkepticalRaptor]

A pH=0 solution could eat through steel. That’s just amazing.

[@betzer19]

are you saying ruang was bigger then pintatubo in 91

[@xwiick]

No?

[@thelastvulcano8821]

Ruang VEI 4, Pinatubo VEI 6

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Looks like vesuvius there ruang had a tsunami alert

[@JynxSp0ck]

UwU mentioned!

[@peteradams7629]

How great or small will these eruptions decrease the Earth's temperature rise? Sulphur and fine particulate matter high in the atmosphere are known to reduce sunlight and thereby reduce global temperatures.

[@justinwilson3922]

Bruh what is up with that ruang volcano it’s like it’s trying to explode over and over again another lava dome as soon as I heard that word I was like oh s@it hear we go again 😂😂

[@kabahog17]

Sagad pod lamang.kaw nalang kayA jan?...

[@kennyhagan5781]

It looks like it's a bad time to be in Indonesia.

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

These are low level eruptions for the most part. Ruang is the one exception, but despite its explosive eruption people were all evacuated safely. People have learned to live with the occasional disruptions. And the ash from past eruptions improves soil fertility.

[@broadmoon]

So basically any volcano can go boom at anytime

[@dani16161]

Awu is green

[@robtippin9111]

😎

[@danielhertz7266]

Get ready people.

[@Hwi1son]

I agree. It's about that time

[@zyrians]

Doomsday 😢

[@Jameson1776]

I’m ready. What are doing again?

[@EAAFalkenauge]

1:53 If Hell actually existed, this is pretty close to what i imagine it would look like.

[@Hwi1son]

The energy from The Big bang came from where? The odds of amino acids forming a single protein are what? Why do we still have monkeys? Just some scientific questions for you

[@muhammadzakializaini7415]

ada indonesia cuy

[@FloridaTarponWrangler]

Now we will have acid rain. No more sticking out my tongue in the rain

[@peronik349]

I read an article saying that the Ruang was a "victim" of a 6.4 earthquake (of rather tectonic origin) on 04/9/24 which could have shaken up the Ruang volcanic system, hence this current volcanic episode . In view of the events, we must salute the responsiveness of the volcano observatory and the civil authorities as well as the discipline of the populations, which proves that a well-designed and, above all, well-understood reaction plan makes it possible to greatly limit possible human damage.

[@Maungateitei]

@Geologyhub Ruang appears quite small so far. That's only about Tarawera 1886 level of Tephra. Know of any seismic tomography, geomagnetic , gravity anomaly or any other studies resolving the magma chamber and plumbing systems of this complex? Does this have the capacity to go Ultraplinean, with direct deep fed high energy release hypersonic ejecta like Hunga Tonga Haapai, and obviously supervolcanoes that we have no direct observation of in the modern era, but know from autopsy, behave this way, with hypersonic ejecta into space?

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

That is all highly unlikely.

[@thegrandlord2914]

Earth tectonic plate are now moving at a faster speed than usual. This causing many volcanoes to errupt

[@Gerolkae]

how does the volcano acuvity this year compar to the last few years? it seems theres an increase this year

[@mbvoelker8448]

There is always about 40-60 volcanoes erupting at any given moment. The internet just makes us more aware.

[@kevint1910]

care to discuss the correlations between solar eruptivity and earthly eruptivity? because they seem pretty obvious lately

[@bekind9668]

Volcanos erupting around the world. Is the earth getting ready to shift as predicted by Edgar Casey? Hard to say, but if the earth does shift, few if any will survive.

[@xwiick]

"Volcanos erupting around the world. " Just like they have for millions of years...

[@adriandoliveira172]

It’s normal 40/50 volcanoes erupting every day, just Earth being a “living” planet.

[@tomg3903]

Stop don the sluring voice

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

That is his normal voice so get used to it like everyone else.

[@rapemap]

PVMBG has no authorities to evacuate people. The local administration and BPBD do.