Thursday, April 30, 2009

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - John Seach

Lava is beginning to return to the summit of Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Seismic tremor and summit earthquakes have been accompanied by a glow at the vent in Halema`uma`u crater. Lava remains deep inside the vent but increased glow followed earthquake activity below south caldera. Sulphur dioxide emission rates at the summit remain elevated. Lava continues to flow through tubes to the ocean at Waikupanaha and Kupapa`u.
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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Chaitén Volcano, Chile - John Seach

Seismic activity at Chaiten volcano in Chile remains high, with earthquakes reaching a maximum magnitude 4.5. Dome growth continues in the summit crater. Ash emissions rose to a height of 1.5 km above the crater. During the week of 15-21 April, there were only two days where the summit was cloud free. The volcano remains on the highest alert level - RED.
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Friday, April 24, 2009

Slamet Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Slamet volcano in Indonesia has begun erupting this week. The number of explosion earthquakes detected were 49 on 19th April, 97 on 20th April, 163 on 22nd April, and 52 yesterday. Emissions were visible rising 800 m above the summit. Slamet volcano was raised to level 3 alert (Siaga), and the summit has been closed to climbers.
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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Nyiragongo Volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo - John Seach

An increase in volcanic seismic activity has been detected at Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since January 2009, recurrent seismic swarms have been detected at Rusayo seismic station. The volcanic earthquakes have come mainly from Nyiragongo volcano, which contains an active lava lake. According to a report by scientists from the volcano observatory in Goma the same signs that
preceded the 1977 and 2002 eruptions have been identified. The North-Kivu section of the DRC’s Red Cross has set up an emergency team to monitor the situation, by updating the contingency plan with regards to volcano eruptions, sensitizing populations and putting logistic means at their disposal, identifying sites for the displaced, and updating the warning system and plan of evacuation of populations. A meeting was organized between Goma and Gisenyi (Rwanda) branches to prepare coordinated operations. Since 7th April, 2009 the DRC’s Red Cross, under the coordination of the Federation, has launched joint operations of preparation and monitoring for two months in collaboration with the Red Cross, in order to mitigate the effects of lava flowing to high risk cities. This operation is expected to be implemented over 2 months, and will be completed by 2nd June 2009. The last eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano on 17 January, 2002 caused the displacement of about 400,000 people.
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Nyamuragira Volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo - John Seach

Seismic activity has increased near Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to scientists at Goma Volcano Observatory, Nyamuragira volcano will be in eruption in the next two or three months.
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Earthquake in Kurile Islands (Mw 6.6) - John Seach

A large earthquake (magnitude 6.6) occurred in the Kurile Islands, Russia on Sunday 19th April 2009 at 07:17 am local time. The epicentre occurred 40 km SSE of an unnamed submarine volcano which last erupted in 1972. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred in almost the same location 12 days ago, on 7th April 2009. Active volcanoes within a 100 km radius of the earthquake epicentre include Kolokol, Chirpoi, Goriaschaia Sopka, Milne, and Zavaritzki. Chirpoi volcano was last seen in eruption in 1982 when observers on a passing ship noted an eruption cloud over the island. Previous large earthquakes in the area include a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on 15th November 2006, and a magnitude 8.2 earthquake on 13th January 2007.
Volcanoes of Kurile Islands...

Friday, April 17, 2009

Pagan Volcano, Mariana Islands - John Seach

Pagan volcano erupted black ash and steam on 16th April 2009. The Aviation Color Code for Pagan volcano was raised to Yellow. There are no monitoring instruments installed on Pagan. Monitoring is by satellite and ground observers. Pagan volcano is located 173 nautical miles north of Saipan. The island contains two stratovolcanoes connected by a narrow isthmus.
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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - John Seach

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake hit the south flank of Kilauea volcano on 14th April at 12:44 pm local time. The epicentre was 14 km south of the town of volcano, near Hilina Pali. Kilauea summit recorded weak deflation after the earthquake. In the past 25 years there have been 3 earthquakes over magnitude 5 in the same area of the volcano. There has been no change in eruptive activity at Kilauea volcano. Magma continues to degass through Pu`u `O`o Crater, and flow from TEB vent and the rootless shield complex through tubes to the ocean at Waikupanaha and Kupapa`u.
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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Chaitén Volcano, Chile - John Seach

Seismic activity has increased at Chaiten volcano since 8th April 2009. The trend increased further from 11-12 April with earthquakes up to magnitude 4.5 recorded. The increased number of earthquakes is associated with growth of the summit lava dome. Dome collapse remains a hazard, and may generate ash and block flows which can affect the valleys below the summit. The volcano remain on the highest level of alert - RED.
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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Fernandina Volcano, Galapagos Islands - John Seach

A new eruption began at Fernandina volcano on 10th April 2009 at 2200 hr. The seismic station at Puerto Ayora did not record any earthquakes associated with the eruption. The eruption was observed by rangers from Galapagos National Park, and a tourist boat in the early hours of Saturday morning (local time). An eruption column with low ash content was visible on satellite images extending 300 km west of the volcano. Satellite images show several hotspots at Fernandina volcano, which may indicate lava flows. Personnel from the Galapagos National Park on Isabela Island are making a flight over the volcano, to ascertain more precisely the location of the eruption centre, and assess the extent of the lava flows and their likely impact
fauna and flora of the area. The last eruption of Fernandina volcano occurred in 2005, when lava flows originated from a fissure on the south-eastern flank of the volcano and descend without reaching the sea.
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Sunday, April 05, 2009

Llaima Volcano, Chile - John Seach

Llaima volcano in Chile erupted on Friday 3rd April after several months of low seismic activity. On 2nd April at 16:00 hrs (local time) there was an increase in amplitude and frequency of long period earthquakes reaching 45 to 60 per hour. This increase in seismicity remained constant until 18:00 hrs on 3rd April, and then evolved to a continuous seismic tremor of low frequency. The slight increase in seismic activity recorded on 2-3 April was associated with weak emissions of vapour. From 20:30 hrs on 3rd April, eyewitnesses reported a glow in the main crater. At 21:00 hrs, the tremor increased, while at 22:45 hrs weak strombolian explosions occurred in the main crater. Until 06:00 hrs on 4th April, moderate strombolian eruptions occurred every 1-3 seconds, from two cones in the crater. Incandescent material was ejected 700 m above the crater. Muddy water has been reported in rivers draining the volcano. Melting of snow and ice from the eruption is creating a lahar hazard. Twelve people have been evacuated from Conguillio national park, which has been closed.
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Saturday, April 04, 2009

Rabaul Volcano, Papua New Guinea - John Seach

Eruptions continue at Rabaul volcano in Papua New Guinea. During the week of 27th March to 2nd April there were occasional strong ash emissions from Tavurvur crater, accompanied by roaring noises. A crater glow was visible at night. Ash fell over Rabaul town on 2nd April, and drifted SE on other days. Generally, deflation was measured at the caldera, but there were periods of inflation during the past 2 weeks. People are advised to stay at least 2 km from the volcano due to risks from explosive activity.
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Thursday, April 02, 2009

Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia

Eruptions are occurring at Krakatau volcano in Indonesia. Eruption plume reached a height of 2.7 km and extended 160 km south of the volcano today.
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