Friday, November 30, 2007

Mt Pelee Volcano, Martinique - John Seach

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit 15 km NW of Pelee Volcano on 29th November 2007. The earthquake focus was located at a depth of 145 km. It is possible for earthquakes of this magnitude to disrupt volcanic systems. Pelee is one of the world's most infamous volcanoes with a large eruption in 1902.
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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Karkar Volcano, Papua New Guinea - John Seach

An increase in volcanic activity has been reported at Karakar volcano in Papua New Guinea. The volcano is currently unmonitored, but there has been an increase in thermal activity and gas emission from the SE and SW flanks of Bagiai cone, killing vegetation in the area. Residents of Kevasop village on the southwest of the island heard low roaring noises in late October.
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Sunday, November 25, 2007

Mt Etna Volcano, Italy - John Seach

Explosive activity commenced at Mt Etna volcano at 5pm local time on Friday 23rd November. Activity intensified during the evening with lava fountains reaching a height of 300-400 m. This is the first activity at Mt Etna since 5th September.
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Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

The Bicol region of the Philippines close to Mayon volcano has been spared the most damaging effects of Typhoon Mitag. The typhoon changed course yesterday morning, and veered NW towards Aurora and Quezon provinces. About midday Saturday, 96,000 evacuees from coastal villages and flood-prone areas in Albay province were given permission to return to their homes. Residents surrounding Mayon volcano have been spared the effects of lahars and mudflows.
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Saturday, November 24, 2007

Anak Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Eruptions continue at Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia. The crater has increased in size, and ash emissions were reported today rising to 10,000 ft altitude.
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Long Island Volcano, Papua New Guinea - John Seach

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit 54 km south of Long Island Volcano in Papua New Guinea, on Thursday 22nd November at 6:48 pm local time. Minor damage was reported in the city of Lae, south of the epicentre. In 1660, Long Island volcano produced one of the largest explosive eruptions in New Guinea. The last eruption of the volcano was in 1993.
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Friday, November 23, 2007

Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

Typhoon Mitag is heading for the Bicol region of the Philippines, raising the possibility of lahars and landslides at Mayon volcano. The typhoon is 400 km east of Bicol region and is expected to make landfall Saturday morning. Boulders and ash from eruptions at Mayon volcano last year may be washed down the slopes of the volcano if heavy rains fall in the region. Rain from Typhoon Durian last December produced lahars which killed 1200 people. So far this week, 26,142 people have been evacuated from 12 towns and cities in Albay Province. The army and police are preparing to evacuate another 200,000 people in the Bicol region. Residents are being evacauted from the base of Mayon volcano.
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Thursday, November 22, 2007

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - John Seach

Two new lava flows have formed at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Yesterday, lava began flowing on the south side of a perched channel which has been active for the past few months. The change in flow caused the lava level to drop 10m in the perched channel. Residents of the Royal Gardens subdivision are advised to keep watch over the next few days.
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Gamkonora Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit 48 km NW of Gamkonora volcano in Indonesia today at 01:29 pm local time. An increase in volcanic activity at Gamkonora in July this year forced the evacuation of 8000 residents. Gamkonora volcano is currently at level 2 alert (out of maximum 4).
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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Bezymianny Volcano, Russia - John Seach

An avalanche occurred at Bezymianny volcano in Russia on 5th November. A significant collapse of 200,000 cubic metres moved 3 km down the slope. Over the past few years Bezymianny volcano has erupted every 5-6 months. The last eruption was on October 14th this year.
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Friday, November 09, 2007

Anak Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia has showed increasing unrest over the past 18 days. Yesterday the volcano recorded 195 explosions and 71 volcanic earthquakes. Ash reached 800 m above the crater, and glowing lava reached the sea. The sand beaches on the island have become hot. Eruptions began last week. There is a 2 mile exclusion zone around the island, and the volcano is on level 3 alert (out of maximum 4).
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Thursday, November 08, 2007

Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Kelut volcano in Indonesia was downgraded today to level 3 alert (out of maximum 4). The evaluation was based on visual, seismic, deformation, and crater lake temperature. Volcanic tremor reached a peak on 3rd November and has declined since. Ground deflation has occurred at the volcano. Crater lake temperature monitoring equipment was destroyed by growth of the lava dome on 4th November. On 6th November, thermal imaging of the crater showed a temperature of 75 deg C, and the lava dome had a temperature of 150-210 deg C. Visual monitoring showed a change in colour of the crater lake. The colour was whitish-green on October 16, yellow-green on October 26, and lake turned turbid on November 3. On 4th November white emissions were observed rising 500 m above the crater, coinciding with the formation of a lava dome in the middle of the crater lake. Most of the energy generated by the volcano since 11th September was taken away by the effusive emission of the lava dome. There is still a possibility of a phreatic eruption which could destroy the lava dome. Residents have been advised to stay calm and not be influenced by rumours. Refugees have been allowed to returned to their houses, but need to evacuate at short notice if there is a change in alert level at the volcano. The volcano is still producing dangerous gases which can be harmful to people. The community if forbidden to enter a 1 (one) km exclusion zone around the crater. The temperature of the lava dome is still high, and rain may produce a phreatic eruption which could affect a 3km radius from the crater. Residents are urged to follow advice from local authorities.
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Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

A lava dome is forming in the crater lake at Kelut volcano in Indonesia. The dome has reached 70 m high and over 100 m in diameter. This is half the diameter of the crater. The lava dome was first observed two days ago, and is plugging the vent. Growth of the dome has displaced water from the crater lake. Sulphurous gases are being emitted from the crater and have reached 1000 m above the volcano. Kelut volcano is on maximum level 4 alert, and there is a 10 km exclusion zone around the crater.
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Monday, November 05, 2007

Antarctic Earthquake, 5th November 2007 - John Seach

A moderate (magnitude 5.8), shallow earthquake hit 105 km SSE of Casey station in Australian Antarctic Territory on 5th November 2007. The earthquake was located on the Antarctic tectonic plate, away from plate boundary. Earthquakes in Antarctica are rare and the continent is generally earthquake free. Earthquakes in Antarctica may be caused by post glacial rebound, fracturing of the ice sheet, and volcanic activity. The earthquake was not related to volcanic activity, and the nearest active volcanoes are Mt Melbourne in the Trans Antarctic mountains 2000 km SE, and Mt Erebus on Ross Island.
Volcanoes of Antarctica...
Earthquakes of Antarctica...

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Kelut volcano in Indonesia erupted ash 500 m above the crater this morning, 4th November 2007. This comes after some confusion about whether an eruption occurred yesterday during a period of high seismic activity, and cloud cover of the volcano. Kelut volcano has been on maximum level 4 alert for more than two weeks.
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Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - John Seach

Lava continues to advance along the east rift zone at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Since 31st october there has been an expansion of the lava flow in an easterly direction past Pu`u Kia`i. Lava travelled 1.1 km in two days, fed by a lava tube. Access to the eruption site in the Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve, and Wao Kele o Puna are closed.
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Saturday, November 03, 2007

Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Kelut volcano in Indonesia recorded significant seismic activity about 4:15 pm (local time) today. Cloud cover was so thick that visual observations were not possible, and it was uncertain if an eruption had taken place. An official at Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said that seismic signals went "over the scale". Volcanologists at a monitoring station 7 km from the crater immediately evacuated. Some locals reported hearing an explosion.
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Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Residents remaining inside the 10 km exclusion zone around Kelut volcano have been advised to evacuate due to increasing risk of an eruption. The volcano has been on maximum level 4 alert for more than two weeks. The frequency of earthquakes and temperature of the crater lake have already exceeded that measured in the days before the 1990 eruption, which killed more than 30 people. About 10,000 people have evacuated to government shelters, but some people still remain in the danger zone. The risks from an eruption include ashfall and lahars. Kelut is one of Indonesia's most dangerous volcanoes, and has been the site of numerous deadly eruptions in the past.
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Thursday, November 01, 2007

Kelut Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Unrest continues at Kelut volcano in Indonesia. There were 548 shallow earthquakes recorded at the volcano between 6am and midday today (local time). This indicated magma is still moving under the volcano. Tens of thousands of residents are currently evacuated from the 10 km exclusion zone. Kelut volcano remains on maximum level 4 alert.
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Semeru Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

A larger than normal eruption occurred at Semeru volcano on 31st October 2007 at 1100 hr (local time). The eruption was heard 17 km away. The eruption was not accompanied significant ash emission.
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