Earthquake & Volcano Monitor — 2026-05-11
Worldwide volcanic activity remains elevated on May 11, 2026, with Indonesia's Ibu volcano sending ash plumes to 7,000 feet, the Philippines' Kanlaon showing signs of potential magmatic eruption, and Kīlauea's next fountaining episode forecast to begin within days. A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near the Rat Islands on May 9, and multiple Indonesian volcanoes continue active eruptions across the region.
Earthquake & Volcano Monitor — 2026-05-11
Seismic Activity
M6.1 Near Rat Islands, Alaska — May 9, 2026 A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck near the Rat Islands, Alaska at 04:42 UTC on May 9, 2026, flagged by the USGS as significant based on magnitude, population exposure, and shaking intensity.
No additional major seismic events above M6.0 have been reported in the 24-hour window ending May 11, 2026, according to current tracking data.
Volcanic Watch
Ibu, Indonesia — Ash to 7,000 ft As of early May 11, 2026, the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin issued a warning that Ibu volcano on Halmahera Island produced an ash plume rising to an estimated 7,000 feet (2,100 m) altitude, moving northward at 5 knots. Explosive activity continues.
Kanlaon, Philippines — Possible Magmatic Eruption Imminent Incandescent superheated volcanic gases observed at Kanlaon could possibly signal another magmatic eruption soon, according to May 10 volcano news. Civil aviation authorities are advising pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano's summit. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) is maintaining close monitoring.
Bulusan, Philippines — Alert Level 1 Bulusan Volcano is under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) as of the 24-hour observation period ending 12 AM on May 11, 2026.
Kīlauea, Hawai'i — Eruption Paused, Episode 47 Forecast The eruption at the summit of Kīlauea is currently paused as of May 9, 2026 at 19:00 UTC. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has set the volcano alert level at YELLOW/ADVISORY and aviation color code at YELLOW. The forecast window for the onset of Episode 47 fountaining is May 11–May 14, 2026.
Multi-Volcano Worldwide Activity Summary — May 10, 2026 VolcanoDiscovery's May 10 worldwide volcanic activity roundup lists continued eruptions at: Fuego (Guatemala), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Semeru (Indonesia), Ibu (Indonesia), Dukono (Indonesia), and Reventador (Ecuador), among others.
Earth Science
Kīlauea Episode 47 Window Opens Today Scientists at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory have narrowed the forecast for the next lava-fountaining episode at Kīlauea's summit to a three-day window beginning today, May 11. Observers and emergency managers in Hawaiʻi are on standby. The eruption has been occurring in distinct episodic bursts, each episode numbering sequentially. When fountaining resumes, lava activity is expected to remain confined to the summit caldera region.
Global Eruption Count Remains Elevated As of the most recent reporting through March 31, 2026, the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program counted 40 volcanoes with continuing eruptions worldwide — consistent with the roughly 20 that are typically active on any given day. Ongoing monitoring across the Indo-Pacific belt accounts for the majority of current activity.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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