Thursday, September 29, 2011

Hierro Volcano, Canary Islands - John Seach

Earthquakes continue at Hierro volcano in the Canary Islands. Since July 2011 over 8000 small earthquakes have been recorded at the volcano. Yesterday an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 occurred. Deformation has increased significantly at the volcano in the past week. On 23rd September 2011 the alert level was raised to YELLOW. Some residents have been evacuated from near the volcano. Earthquakes are occurring in the northwest of the island at the location of a landslide that created a 100 metre high tsunami about 50,000 years ago. A major debris avalanche occurred on the northern flank of Hierro Island, dated about 13,000 years ago. It had a width of 15 km and a scarp height of 1000 m. The landslide deposited 150-180 cubic km of debris on the seafloor down to a depth of 3000 m.
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Thursday, September 01, 2011

Tambora Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Tambora volcano in Indonesia has been raised to level 2 alert (out of maximum 4) after an increase in volcanic earthquakes. In April 2011 there were 37 shallow volcanic earthquakes recorded, 167 in May, 277 in June, 363 in July, and 141 from 1-29 August. Continuous tremor was recorded on 29 and 30 August. Tourists and locals are advised to avoid the summit area of Tambora volcano. In 1815 Tambora had one of the largest eruptions on earth in the past 1000 years and ejected 100-150 cubic km of lava.
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Ranakah Volcano, Indonesia - John Seach

Volcanic unrest has been reported at Ranakah volcano in Indonesia. Between January and 24th August 2011 there was a background level of 1-2 shallow volcanic earthquakes per day at the volcano. On 24th August 2011 there were 10 shallow volcanic earthquakes recorded and 6 on 25th August. There is a risk that volcanic earthquakes could distrupt the lava dome causing pyroclastic flows similar to 1988. On 26th August 2011 the alert status was raised to level 2 (out of a maximum 4). People are advised to avoid the summit area.
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