Volcano Notifications Deliver Situational Information

By Volcano Hazards Program

Volcano-alert notifications are produced by Volcano Observatory scientists and are based on analysis of data from monitoring networks, direct observations, and satellite sensors.

They are issued for both increasing and decreasing volcanic activity and include text about the nature of the unrest or eruption and about potential or current hazards and likely outcomes. Scientists describe a volcano's status using the alert levels and color codes and issue different types of notifications to address specific information needs. All notifications are publicly available.

NOTIFICATION TYPES	DESCRIPTION
Volcano Activity Notice (VAN)	Guidance on ground hazards issued for Volcano Alert Level changes or significant activity within an alert level. Covers hazards such as lava flows, lahars, ashfall and airborne ash, volcanic gases and others.
Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA)	An aviation-specific message, issued for Aviation Color Code changes or significant volcanic activity within a color code.
Status Report	Unscheduled updates on volcanic behavior or monitoring during ongoing unrest or eruption.
Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Update	Scheduled routine updates to maintain situational awareness.
Information Statement	Topical information, such as explanations of non-volcanic events at a volcano, changes to monitoring installations, or long-term prognoses.

How to obtain Volcano Alert Notifications

USGS Volcano Notification Service – email subscription service.
Volcano Hazards Program website – Interactive map with icons that indicate volcano status.
Regional Volcano Observatory websites
RSS feed
USGS Volcanoes Facebook for all regions of the U.S.
Alaska Volcano Observatory social media channels (for Alaska volcanoes only) Facebook and Twitter.

For information about volcanoes outside of the United States, visit the Smithsonian Institute's Global Volcanism Program.