Sunday, October 31, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Eruptions continue at Merapi volcano, Indonesia. People have been asked to remain in evacuation centres, and flights may be disrupted from Adisucipto International Airport Yogyakarta. Volcanic activity is still high with 38 lava avalanches occurring between midnight and 3 pm yesterday. An eruption column reached 3 km above the summit. Pyroclastic flows extended down the south, southwest , and western slopes of the volcano, with a maximum runout distance of 7 km. Ashfall was reported 20 km from the volcano. At 00:50 hr yesterday there was an explosion at the summit of Merapi which affected a radius of 2 km from the volcano. The explosion earthquake was felt by people at Srumbung village, 12 km from the volcano. At 0:35 hr yesterday there was a large pyroclastic flow recorded which lasted for 22 minutes, and flowed in the direction of K. Gendol, K. Kuning, K. Krasak, and K. Boyong. At 0:16 hours yesterday a pyroclastic flow lasted 7 minutes and flowed towards K. Lamat, K. Senowo, and K. Krasak. The Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation in Indonesia reports that a major eruption is possible.
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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

An eruption occurred at Merapi volcano, Indonesia at 1:00 am this morning. Two people were taken to hospital with injuries. Merapi volcano has killed 34 people since it began erupting on Tuesday. There is a 10 km exclusion zone around the volcano, and tens of thousands people have been evacuated.
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Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, Reunion - John Seach

Renewed activity occurred at Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Reunion on Wednesday 27th October. Seismic activity increased sharply at 14:30 hours, which was four times the intensity of the preceding days. Volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded, which indicated new magma injection into the system. This was followed by new eruptions from a cone on the southeast flank of the volcano, and a lava flows at its base. A significant increase in tremor and new eruptive activity may suggest the beginning of a second eruptive phase at the volcano beginning on 27th October.
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Friday, October 29, 2010

Sheveluch Volcano, Kamchatka - John Seach

Explosive and effusive eruptions continue at Sheveluch volcano in Kamchatka. On 28th October ash emissions reached a height of 23,000 ft. Seismic activity began to increase on 26th October, and a strong paroxysmal explosive eruption at the volcano occurred from 14:00 until 20:40 UTC on 27th October. The ash column reached a height of 40,000 ft. Satellite images showed the ash plumes extending 2,500 km east from the volcano on 27-28 October. Ashfall occurred at Ust-Kamchatsk from 18:00 UTC on 27th October until 03:00 UTC on 28th October. The airport and road from Ust-Kamchatsk to Kluchi were closed. The volcano is at level RED alert.
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Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Kamchatka - John SEach

Explosive and effusive eruptions continue at Klyuchevskoy volcano in Kamchatka. Strombolian activity occurred all week. Ash plumes reached heights of 26,200-29,500 ft on 22-25, and 27 October. Two lava flows effused from the summit crater and extended down the western and south-western flanks of the volcano. Ash plumes extended over 2300 km east of the volcano all week. The volcano is at level RED alert.
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

A new eruption occurred at Merapi volcano, Indonesia at 4:30 pm on 28th October. Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre reported that a high level eruption was observed from the ground. The eruptions this week have been explosive which is different from that experienced in recent times. The eruption of Merapi volcano on Tuesday produced a vertical blast which reached a height of 1.5 km. This is the first time that this type of eruption has been observed at the volcano. Eruptions of Merapi volcano during the 7–19th centuries A.D. were more violent than the past hundred years, and produced explosion pyroclastic flows. In 2001 scientists predicted that the quiet of the 20th century would be broken by a larger explosive eruption in the coming decades. It is possible that the eruption of Merapi on Tuesday was precipitated by the magnitude 7.7 Sumatran earthquake a few hours earlier. The last eruption of Merapi volcano in 2006 occurred soon after a nearby tectonic earthquake.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Merapi volcano, Indonesia erupted yesterday afternoon, killing 13 people. The death toll is likely to rise. The volcano was placed on the highest level alert on Monday after an increase in pre eruption signals were detected. Merapi is one of the world's most active and hazardous volcanoes. It produces more pyroclastic flows than any other volcano, and a large population lives on its slopes.
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Indonesia Earthquake (Mag 7.7) - John Seach

A major earthquake (magnitude 7.7) occurred off the west coast of Sumatra Indonesia on 25th October at 9:42 pm local time. The epicentre was located in the Mentawai Islands, 280 km south of Padang. The focus was at a depth of 20 km and a small tsunami was generated which damaged some boats. Earthquakes of this magnitude can disrupt nearby volcanoes. Volcanoes in the area include Kerinci, Sumbing, Talang, and Marapi.
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Monday, October 25, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Merapi volcano, Indonesia was raised to the highest level 4 alert today. At least 40,000 people have been advised to evacuate from a 10 km radius around the volcano. About 500 volcanic earthquakes were recorded over the weekend. Magma has been rising towards the surface and is about a kilometre below the crater. High risk zones are on the southern, southeastern and eastern slopes of the volcano. Level 4 alert means an eruption is possible within 24 hours.
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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Russia - John Seach

Explosive eruptions continue at Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Kamchatka. During the last week there has been increased activity, and ash plumes have reached a height of 30,000 ft above sea level and extended 300 km north of the volcano. The volcano is currently at the highest level RED alert.
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Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Merapi volcano in Indonesia is showing signs of unrest. The volcano has been raised to level 3 alert (out of a maximum 4) due to inflation and volcanic earthquakes. Sand miners have been asked to stop all activity, and people have been advised not to climb the volcano. The last eruption of Merapi volcano in 2006 killed 2 people.
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Friday, October 15, 2010

Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, Reunion - John Seach

An eruption began at Piton de la Fournaise volcano, Reunion at 7:10 pm (local time) on 14th October 2010. The eruption site was located at an elevation of 2000 m on the southern side of the volcano. The events have accelerated in the early afternoon. The seismic crisis (characterized by numerous earthquakes at the base of the volcano) began at 1:30 p.m.. It peaked at about 3 pm. A larger than average earthquake occurred at 2:50 pm, which resulted in collapse of the inner walls of Dolomieu crater. The seismic crisis, which reflects the rise of magma in the volcano edifice, has slowed after 3 pm. According to information provided by the Volcano Observatory, the eruption took place near the site known as "Château-Fort".
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Friday, October 01, 2010

Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, Reunion - John Seach

High levels of seismicity continues at Piton de la Fournaise Volcano, Reunion. On 29th September 33 earthquakes were measured. The magnitude of the largest earthquake was 1.7 (not felt by the population). A significant number of landslides have occurred at Dolomieu crater (33/day) with an average volume significantly higher compared to previous days. Inflation of the edifice of Piton de la Fournaise has occurred particularly its eastern portion. An increase in summit crater fumaroles has been observed.
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Taal Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

An increase in seismic activity has occurred at Taal volcano, Philippines since the beginning of September. Between 1-27 of September an average of 10 earthquakes occurred daily. In the 24 hours up to 4pm on 28th September 17 volcanic earthquakes were measured. One earthquakes was felt by residents, and was accompanied by rumbling. Three earthquakes on 27th of September had large amplitudes. Level I alert remains in place at the volcano. The main crater remains off limits due to the risk of explosion, and possible release of toxic gases.
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