Saturday, November 27, 2010

Kizimen Volcano, Kamchatka - John Seach

Several new fumaroles were formed at Kizimen volcano, Kamchatka in middle of November 2010. During the last week, seismic activity was above background levels. A helicopter flight around the volcano on 20th November showed several new fumaroles at summit and south-western flank of the volcano. Activity of an old fumarole "Revuschaya" (which is known since 1960) at the north-eastern volcanic flank decreased. A small amount of ash was visible on south-western flank of the volcano. On 17th November an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3 km. Kizimen volcano is at level YELLOW alert.
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Bromo Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

An eruption of ash occurred at Bromo volcano, Indonesia on Friday 26th November. Ash reached 500 m above the crater. Bromo volcano has been closed to visitors since 23rd November due to high levels of seismic activity.
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Thursday, November 25, 2010

Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - John Seach

Kilauea volcano, Hawaii continues to erupt lava from two locations. On the east rift zone, lava is erupting from TEB vent 1 km NE of Pu'u O'o crater, and flows through tubes to the ocean at Puhi-o-Kalaikini entry southwest of Kalapana Gardens. Since Saturday lava flows have advanced eastwards and have reached highway 130 at an area that was crossed by lava flows earlier in the year. At the summit, a lava pond is located in a vent of Halemaumau crater.
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Bromo Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Seismic activity has increased at Bromo volcano in Indonesia. Between 1-7 November two shallow volcanic earthquakes were detected. This increased to 540 between 8-14 November, and 354 between 15-21 November. Continuous tremor was recorded at the volcano on 22-23 November. Today the volcano emitted a thick grey plume of moderate pressure to a height of 300 m above the crater rim. Bromo volcano attracts many tourists and there is the risk of sudden phreatic explosion. Bromo caldera has been closed to tourism. Bromo volcano has been raised to highest level 4 alert on 23rd November.
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Saturday, November 13, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

On Friday ash emissions at Merapi volcano, Indonesia reached 1000 m above the summit. Moderate intensity roaring sounds were heard coming from the volcano. Small amount of ashfall was reported at Medari and Seyegan Kab. Sleman. Two pyroclastic flows were recorded. The first occurred at 12:54 with a duration of 3 minutes and a runout distance of 4 km towards K. Gendol and K. Talang. The second pyroclastic flow occurred at 17:38. Lahars down K. Boyong have reached villages 16 km from the summit Merapi. Satellite images show an ash plume extending 150 nautical miles SW of Merapi to a height of 25,000 ft.
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Bulusan Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

A total of 17 volcanic earthquakes were detected at Bulusan volcano, Philippines during the past 24 hours. Yesterday the sulphur dioxide emission rate was average at 135 tonnes per day. Visual observations showed white steam rising 150 m above the crater and drifting ENE. Alert Level 1 remains at Bulusan Volcano. Areas within 4 km of the summit has been declared a Permanent Danger Zone which means that the public is advised not to venture inside this area. Residents are warned about the hazard of lahars. Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents located in the NW and SW sectors of the volcano are advised to take precautions against ashfalls. Ash emissions pose a hazard to aircraft.
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Monday, November 08, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Merapi volcano, Indonesia remains at the highest RED level alert. Over the past day pyroclastic flows extended 4 km from the crater. Ash emissions rose to a height of 4 km today. Some residents have ignored warnings to stay out of the danger areas, and have returned to their land to feed animals. Eruptions have been high intensity, and have been occurring continually since 3rd November. This is the largest eruption of Merapi volcano in over 100 years. The death toll is 141, and 300,000 people have been evacuated. The safe area for evacuees continues to be a radius of 20 km from the crater. International flights to Jakarta returned to normal today.
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Sunday, November 07, 2010

Bulusan Volcano, Philippines - John Seach

Bulusan Volcano, Philippines ejected an ash column on 6th November that reached a height of 600 meters above the crater. The eruption lasted for 57 seconds. Four volcanic earthquakes were recorded before the eruption. Areas 6-10 km NW of the crater received ashfall. PHIVOLCS raised the Alert Level status of Bulusan Volcano from Alert level 0 to Alert Level I (abnormal). The current activity may indicate hydrothermal disturbance under the volcano which may lead to more steam and ash eruptions. The public is prohibited from entering the 4-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone. People residing near the valleys and streams should beware of of lahars.
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Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Several airlines have temporarily suspended flights between Singapore and Jakarta because of volcanic ash from Merapi volcano. Among those affected were Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific. Domestic flights have been unaffected. The eruption of Merapi caused an additional 85 deaths, bringing the total to over 130. Scores of people have been burnt by hot ash and gas from pyroclastic flows. Merapi volcano is currently undergoing an explosive eruptive phase. During the past 100 years eruptions at the volcano we mainly caused by lava dome collapses. Eruptions of Merapi volcano during the 7–19th centuries A.D were more explosive and similar to the current events.
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Possible Eruption in Nigeria? - John Seach

A possible eruption has occurred in Nigeria in an area with no recent eruptions. The area is part of the Benue trough. The reports need to be confirmed. The following report comes from an African news source:
"A volcanic eruption has occurred at the mountainous Mkomon district of Kwande Local government of Benue State with one person feared dead while properties worth millions of Naira have also been destroyed. Residents of the affected community have deserted their homes in search of safer place. Sources of portable water have been polluted by the heavy magma emitted from the eruption. Vanguard gathered from eye witnesses that there were heavy vibrations around the mountains at the border with Cameroun Republic, followed by eruptions at six points on the mountainous terrain. The vibrations spewed magma which covered streams and hand dug wells and the entire community leaving the people without portable water. At the moment, there is panic amongst the people who are said to be cut off completely from the rest of the world as a result of the occurrence and damages to roads and bridges which was occasioned by the heavy vibration."
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Saturday, November 06, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

High intensity eruptions continue at Merapi volcano, Indonesia. Heavy ashfall is occurring on the slopes of the volcano. Thick deposits of ash combined with rainfall is creating a lahar hazard. The danger zone has been increased to a radius of 20 km from the volcano, on the edge of the city of Yogyakarta. Roaring noises can be heard from a distance of 20 km. Pyroclastic flows claimed more lives on Friday, bringing the total to 118. Soldiers pulled at least 78 bodies from homes and streets blanketed by ash up to a 30 cm deep. Bodies were found in front of houses and in streets, and it appeared that many of the villagers died from the burning gas while trying to escape. Some hospitals are being overwhelmed with injured people. Nearly 200,000 people living on the mountain have been evacuated to emergency shelters. In the latest eruptions the worst hit village was Bronggang 15 kilometers from the crater. Ashfall has been reported hundreds of kilometres from the volcano. Malaysian Airlines rerouted a flight that was supposed to land in the city of Bandung 380 kilometers west of Merapi. This eruption has released 50 million cubic meters of volcanic material, making it the biggest in at least a century at the volcano. Plumes of ash continued to rise to altitudes over 30,000 feet. The Indonesian government announced an $11 million (US) program to buy the cows on the mountain to keep farmers off its slopes, and to provide compensation for animals lost in the eruptions.
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Friday, November 05, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

The eruption of Merapi is the largest at the volcano in 100 years. Three large eruptions early Friday have brought the death toll to 100. Explosive eruptions have sent pyroclastic flows 11 km down the slopes. Magma is rising under the volcano and a larger eruptions are possible. Thursday’s eruptions were accompanied by thundering sounds that were heard 25 km away. A total of 85,000 people have been evacuated (25,000 in Yogyakarta and 60,000 in central Java). A 15 km exclusion zone is in place. Merapi remains at the highest level RED alert.
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Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

More than 70,000 people have been evacuated from the eruption of Merapi volcano, Indonesia. The powerful eruption on Wednesday evening produced ashfall 260 km away from the volcano. Forty-four people have died since the volcano began erupting last week. Soldiers are moving people outside the 15 km exclusion zone, which was increased from 10 km after Wednesday's eruption. Merapi remains at the highest level RED alert.
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Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Volcanic activity has been increasing at Krakatau volcano, Indonesia. The volcano is producing 100 explosions per day. Sailors crossing the Sunda Strait are being cautioned about the activity of Krakatau, which has been increasing for more than a week. Tourists have been advised to stay at least 2km away from the volcano.
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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Merapi Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Activity increased at Merapi volcano between 8am and midday on 3rd November. There were 38 pyroclastic flows and 140 lava avalanches in the 4 hour period. Gas and ash emissions rose 800 m above the summit. The status of merapi remains at the highest alert level 4. No activity is permitted within the 10 km radius exclusion zone.
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Grimsvotn Volcano, Iceland - John Seach

Melt water continue to flow from Grimsvotn volcano, Iceland. The rate has slowed compared to previous days. An increased in electrical conductivity in the Súla river indicates that geothermal water is draining from the western side of the Skeiðarárjökull glacier. Earthquakes continue to occur under Grimsvötn volcano indicating that floodwaters flow under the glacier. There is no indication the volcano is currently erupting.
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Monday, November 01, 2010

Grimsvotn Volcano, Iceland - John Seach

A possible eruption has begun at Grimsvotn volcano, Iceland. A flood has started in Gigja in south-east Iceland. The disturbance occurred under the Vatnajokull glacier near Grimsvotn Volcano on Sunday afternoon. There was an increase in flow of water by 30 cm but other rivers running from the glacier are dry. The flood may take 4-5 days to reach maximum. On Sunday the volume of water in Gigja was 130 cubic metres per second, and electrolyte levels double that of normal. Grimsvotn is the most active volcano in Iceland.
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