Thursday, December 24, 2009

Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

Eruptions continue at Mayon volcano, Philippines. Lava fountains have reached a height of 500 m above the summit. Lava is flowing down the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi and Lidong gullies. Seismiometers measured 815 volcanic earthquakes over the past day. One hundred twenty four booming and rumbling sounds were heard over the past 24 hours. Sulphur dioxide emission was 5, 737 tonnes/day.
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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

Mayon volcano has been raised to level 4 alert (out of maximum 5) at 2:30 pm on 20th December (local time). This means that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within days. An extended danger zone has been declared in a radius of 8 km from the summit at the southern sector and 7 km at northern sector. Areas outside of this Extended Danger Zone should prepare for evacuation in the event explosive eruptions intensify.
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Ambrym Volcano, Vanuatu - John Seach

A large amount of gas is currently being emitted by Ambrym volcano, Vanuatu, especially from the beginning of October until December. Volcanic gas measurements on 17th December 2009 show that there were 15,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide emitted. During an expedition to Ambrym volcano by John Seach from 5-14 December 2009, there were large amounts of gases visible in the craters of Marum, Benbow, Niri Mbwelesu, and Mbogon Niri Mbwelesu. A decent into Benbow crater showed lava visiible in one vent, and also in Mbwelesu crater on the eastern side of Marum. Acid rain is a potential hazard for communities living on the island.
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Malawi Earthquake (Mag 6.0) 20th December 2009 - John Seach

On 20th December 2009 a magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit 90 km SSE of Rungwe volcano, Tanzania, near the town of Karonga in Malawi. The earthquake damaged school buildings, houses, police stations, health centers and boreholes. Hundreds of people were left homeless, and one death reported.
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Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

At least 40,000 people have been evacuated from the danger zone surrounding Mayon volcano, Philippines. Evacuation centers have been set up in Camalig, Daraga, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo, and Guinobatan towns; and Legazpi, Tabaco and Ligao Cities. Residents are being removed from a 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano. A lahar risk is present on the southern side of the volcano, and residents have been warned to avoid river channels, especially after periods of rainfall. Lahars following the 2006 eruption of Mayon volcano killed 1200 people. Mayon volcano remains at level 3 alert (out of a maximum 5).
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Mt Etna Volcano, Italy - John Seach

A swarm of earthquakes occurred at Mt Etna volcano on 19th December 2009. More than 30 earthquakes occurred in the swarm, with the largest being magnitude 4.6. The swarm was located under the northwest side of the volcano.
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Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

Intensified activity occurred at Mayon volcano, Philippines over the past 24 hours with 197 volcanic earthquakes. There were 18 explosions and emissions reached a maximum height of 2000 m above the summit. Harmonic tremor was continuously recorded by the seismometers. Night observation showed an intensified crater glow and continuous avalanche of incandescent materials down the slopes. The lava flow has extended 4 kilometers downslope from the crater along Bonga Gully. Sulphur Dioxide emission increased from 1,065 to 2,034 tonnes per day.
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Gaua Volcano, Vanuatu - John Seach

Renewed eruptive activity occurred at Gaua volcano, Vanuatu on 14th December 2009. Ash emissions are darker than before, and fall in the western side of the island. As the trade winds cease over the next few weeks, ashfall may occur in other parts of the island. On 17th December 3000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide were emitted.
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Chaiten Volcano, Chile - John Seach

Between 1-15 December 2009 eruptions continued at Chaiten volcano in Chile. On 7th December emissions occurred on the north and south side of the lava dome. On that day there was a block and ash flow which indicates the dome continues to grow. There were a large number of small magnitude earthquakes. The seismicity decreased, but still remained high. The danger of dome collapse remains, and may generate explosions and pyroclastic flows. Chaiten volcano remains at alert level RED.
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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mayon Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

More than 30,000 people have been evacuated from an eruption of Mayon volcano in the philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level for the Mayon volcano Monday night to 3 out of a maximum 5, indicating a larger eruption could occur "within days to weeks." There are at least 50,000 people who need to be moved to a safer location. Most of the residents that are targeted for forced evacuation are on the southern side of the volcano around Camalig, Daraga and some parts of Legazpi City. The volcano is showing signs of increased activity, including an increase in volcanic earthquakes, strong crater glow, and lava flows.
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Thursday, December 03, 2009

Karkar Volcano, Papua New Guinea - John Seach

The suspected eruption at Karkar volcano in Papua New Guinea was false. Aviation reports of volcanic eruptions are occasionally incorrect, and not as reliable as ground observations.
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