Vikings Volcanic Activity Thread

[Guest Viking141]

Antoher link for you to some excellent pictures of the eruption of Piton de la Fournaise. These pictures are from the local magazine. Click on the link in the top right corner entitled "voir le diaporama" and this will take you to 3 pages of excellent photographs.

Piton de la Fournaise photos

[Guest Viking141]

Latest update from around the volcanic world!

Batu Tara (Indonesia)

According to latest reports (today) from the Darwin VAAC, low level semi-continuous emissions continue from Batu Taru although satellite imagery has been impeded by low level cloud. CVGHM reports that this latest eruption has mainly impacted the Eastern side, where vegetation has been covered in ashfall, incandescent rockfalls and lava flows were seen at the eastern foot of the volcano. Ash plumes rose to heights of between 5000 and 10000 ft.

Chikurakchi (Kuril Islands – Kamchatka)

KVERT reports, based on the latest satellite imagery, that an ash plume was observed drifting 200km to the NE on 4 April. Further reports from the Tokyo VAAC suggest an eruption plume rising to 14,000ft drifting N. Based on these reports KVERT has raised the Aviation Concern Colour Code to Orange.

Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion Island)

OVPDLF reports that the recent eruption at Piton de la Fournaise produced the fastest moving lava flows from this volcano in something like 20 to 30 years. Aerial photographs taken on the 7 April revealed that the Northern part of the Dolomieu crater had collapsed to a depth of 300m. The total volume of collapsed material has been estimated at 50 million cubic metres. Seismicity and lava fountaining decreased markedly by 8 April and tremors decreased yesterday.

Reventador & Tungurahua (Ecuador) and Etna (Sicily) have all been active and I will report on these in more detail once Ive had a look at some more info.

[Guest Viking141]

Hi folks

Will try and get an update done in the next few days. As you can appreciate with the tragic events up here of the last few days Ive been absolutely rushed off my feet work wise and I am looking forward to my days off as Im pretty shattered.

Cheers

Viking

[parmenides3]

Hi folks

Will try and get an update done in the next few days. As you can appreciate with the tragic events up here of the last few days Ive been absolutely rushed off my feet work wise and I am looking forward to my days off as Im pretty shattered.

Cheers

Viking

I think most of us have been aware what a horrible time you must have had over the past few days. Luckily, not many volcanoes have erupted recently...

nice to have you back. :)P

[Crepuscular Ray]

Luckily, not many volcanoes have erupted recently...

Famous last words P3, Nevado del Huila in Colombia has erupted, causing some violent lahars and making thousands of people flee.

See video on the Beeb's science and nature news page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/default.stm

[Guest Viking141]

Eruption! - Nevado del Huila - Colombia

As CR rightly points out in her post, Nevado del Huila in Colombia has erupted. This volcano has been showing signs of unrest for a number of weeks now. This volcano has been relatively quiet for some time, its last known eruption being in approx 1550. Nevado del Huila is the highest active volcano in Colombia, with its peak at 17,601 ft which is surrounded by a glacier.

The eruption began with a report by the Washington VAAC of an ash column being sighted on 17th April, which was confirmed by satellite imagery at 0415 that morning. This plume rose to an altitude of some 37,000ft. INGEOMINAS (Instituto Colombiano de Geoligia y Mineria) also reported increased seismic activity at the volcano. At 0257 on 18 April, INGEOMINAS reports an eruptive event which triggered landslides and lahars which have subsequently been show on the news reports referred to in CR's post.

The latest report from INGEOMINAS states that early in the morning of the 18th scientists, with the assistance of the Colombian Air Force and the Colombian Armys 24th Brigade, overflew the volcano and reported a gas column and emissions coming from new fissures which had opened on the summit. Signs of mud flows were observed which had affected the river basins of both the Paez and Simbola rivers. It has been estimated that the volume of the Paez River has increased by over 11 times above normal.

Latest information from seismic recorders indicates a reduction in seismic activity at the volcano in recent hours and it is suggested that the eruption has released sufficient energy to allow things to settle down again, although activity is still high enough to suggest the fracturing of rocks and the movement of fluids within the volcanos "plumbing."

Edited April 19, 2007 by Viking141

[parmenides3]

Famous last words P3, Nevado del Huila in Colombia has erupted, causing some violent lahars and making thousands of people flee.

See video on the Beeb's science and nature news page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/default.stm

Oh, world, thy slippery turns...

:)P

[Guest Viking141]

Volcanic Activity Round-Up

Hi all, back with another round-up of things volcanic, beginning with

Nevado del Huila (Colombia)

Activity continues at this volcano,which began its latest eruption on 18th April. According to local media reports, the main part of this eruption (during 18-22 April) caused widespread damge, including damage to houses, destroyed several kilometres of the nearby highway and destroyed 19 bridges on the Paez and Simbola Rivers. INGEOMINAS reports that during recent aerial observations it was noticed that not one but two fissures had opened on the volcanos flanks and both of these continue to exhibit fumarolic activity.

Concepion (Nicaragua)

According to INETER (Instituto Nicaraguense de Estudios Territoriales) there were explosions from the main crater of Concepcion on 22 April which produced ash and gas plumes which drifted WSW.

Concepion is Nicaraguas highest and most active volcanos which lies on the dumb-bell shaped island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. The other end of this island is occupied by another active volcano, Madera. Eruptions from Concepcion have historically been moderately exlposive.

Lopevi (Vanuatu)

A small, conical island, Lopevi is porbably Vanuatus most active volcano. Historically,this volcano has been regularly active (22 eruptions since 1862) from both the small summit crater and flank vents.

Wellington VAAC reports ash plumes rising from between 8000-15,000ft. Whilst satellite imagery has been obscured by cloud,pilot reports suggest this activity continues.

Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion Island)

This very active volcano continues to spew lava into the Indian Ocean.Much of the activty at the momemnt is coming from an area on the flank of the volcano called the Grande Brulé. Much of the lava is entering the sea through lava tubes and this volcano has a great deal in common with the Hawaiian volcano, Kilaeua.

Bulusan (Philippines)

PHIVOLCS reports a considerable increase in seismic activity at this volcano which began on 16/17 April. Ground deformation surveys carried out during this period have also revealed inflation of up to 4 mm on the NE flank. Steam plumes from the main crater and fissures rsoe to an altitude of some 5,900ft. PHIVOLCS warns that this volcano could produce violent ash explosions at any time and are warning residents not to go into the 4kmwide Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) that surrounds the volcano.

Kamchatkan Volcanos

Activity continues at Kliuchevksoi, Shiveluch, Karymsky and Cikurakchi, with increased seismic activity, ash plumes, strombolian activity and volcanic bombs at all these volcanos. This area of the world is highly active at the moment but reporting is difficult as funding for KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanos Emergency Response Team) has run out!

Santa Maria & Fuego (Guatemala)

INSIVUMEH reports explosions from Santa Marias lava dome complex on 20 & 23 April which produced ash plumes which rose to altitudes of 17,400ft. Thise drifted SW and ash fall was reported in areas up to 9km away. Latest reports from the Washington VAAC suggest that the ash clouds are now rapidly dissipatiing, according to the latest images from the GOES-12 satellite.

During the same period, Strombolian activity was observed at Fuego, with incandescent material being ejected up to 75m above the crater and lava blocks being hurled some 300m down the S and W flanks. Lava also overflowed the crater and traveled some 100m down the S flank. On 23 April pyroclastic flows traveled down the SE and SW ravines and light ash fall was reported in areas to the S of the Volcano.

Edited April 28, 2007 by Viking141

[BrickFielder]

Some rumblings being recorded on some of the Yellow stone park seismograms especially the madison river one. I did initially think it may be due to mans day time activities or due to severe weather, but I am not so sure now. It is not usual to have periods where you get small earthquake swarms at yellow stone so it looks like there may a have been a little one in the last week.

Yellow Stone Seismograms

Yellowstone Status

[Crepuscular Ray]

Etna's south-east crater has been very active the last few days, with explosions and extensive lava flows. See video on BBC New's science and nature page. Sadly, the webcams don't see to be working.

[Guest Viking141]

Hi all. Apologies for not updating as regularly as I'd like to but I've been rather busy and on top of everything else had a death in the family last week. Anyhoo, heres the latest update on global volcanic activity.

Kamchatka – Russian Far East

Bezymianny

On 29th April the Tokyo VAAC reported an ash plume from Bezymianny rising to an altitude of some 20,000ft drifting W. This was based on a pilot report to the Petropavlovsk Flight Information Region, however this could not be confirmed on satellite imagery from the MTSAT-IR satellite which had passed overhead just 26 minutes earlier.

KVERT also noted that no satellite data reviewed by their scientists contained ash plumes, no explosions were observed on the video cameras monitoring the volcano and there appeared to be no noticeable increase in seismic activity at the volcano.

Karymsky

The Aviation Concern Code Level remains at ORANGE for this volcano and activity continues. Seismicity remains at above background levels and ash plumes were observed rising to 14,800ft. Karymsky is a symmetrical stratovolcano (classic cone shape) and is one of the most active in the Kamchatka region. The latest period of activity began some 500 years ago after a period of 2,300 years of quiescence. Historically, eruptions from this volcano have been moderately explosive Vulcanian or Strombolian in nature.

Kliuchevskoi

Strombolian activity was observed at Kliuchevskoi during the last week of April and seismic activity continues at above background levels. A thermal anomaly in the crater has been noticed on recent satellite activity, with mud and lava flows traveling down the NW flank. Latest volcanic ash advisory from the Tokyo VAAC reports ash plumes rising to 17,000ft on 3rd May.

Shiveluch

This volcano continues to be quite active with latest reports from the Tokyo VAAC at 0901 UTC today stating ash plumes were observed up to 16,000ft. KVERT reports that seismic activity continues at above background levels with a thermal anomaly spotted on satellite imagery and hot avalanches descending from the lava dome in the Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex. This volcano is frequently prone to lava-dome collapses, the most recent in 1964, which produced a large debris avalanche and one of this volcanos largest historical eruptions.

Vanuatu

Lopevi

Wellington VAAC reports continued ash plumes from this volcano, as well as another in the New Hebrides Arc….

Ambrym

Last known to have erupted in 2005, Ambrym is one of the most active in this part of the Pacific. Eruptions are frequent and tend to be pyroclastic in nature.

Indonesia

The alert level at Soputan has been raised to ORANGE and an early warning of possible eruption has been issued by Indonesias CVGHM,whilst ash plumes continued to be observed from Batu Tara. The alert level at Talang, however, has been lowered to YELLOW.

Papua New Guinea

Rabaul

Latest reports from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) state that there was explosive activity at the volcano last week as well as ash plumes rising to 8,900ft, which were subsequently reported by the Darwin VAAC. Ashfall was reported in nearby villages with roaring noises heard and incandescence noted at night. Rabual lies on the Gazelle Peninsula at the entrance to Rabaul harbour on New Britain island. The summit is only 688m high. This volcano can be highly explosive and produce major eruptions. 1,400 years ago a large eruption formed the current caldera and in 1994, simultaneous eruptions from the Vulcan and Tavurvur cones forced the abandonment of Rabaul City.

RVO also reports continued activity from Manam, which lies approx 10km NE of Papue New Guinea and is one of the areas most active volcanos. Ash plumes were observed last week and confirmed by Darwin VAAC. Similar activity is reported at Ulawun, which lies at the northern end of New Britain island.

Central America

Colima (Mexico)

Washington VAAC reported an ash plume from Colima, and incandescent material was ejected up to 100m above the crater on 26, 28 & 30 April. This activity continued until 4 May when, according to the Civil Protection Dept of the State Government (Gobierno del Estado Colima) a further ash plume was observed at 0634 local time which rose to a height of 200m and drifted SE. No reports of damage have been received and the the Civil Protection Dept continues to monitor the situation.

Image courtesy of Gobierno del Estado Colima

Masaya (Nicaragua)

Masaya is one of Nicarguas most active volcanos and an unusual one in the it is a broad , steep-sided caldera measuring some 6km x 11km with sides 300m high. The NW end of the caldera is filled by more than a dozen vents, erupted along a 4km fracture.

Masaya is known for shooting ash/steam plumes high into the sky and Washington VAAC reports one these events on 26 April, which was visible on both satellite imagery and a webcam.

Masaya is also known to emit large amounts of Sulphur Dioxide.

Image shows the massive caldera of Masaya

Santa Maria (Guatemala)

INSIVUMEH reports explosions from the crater of Santa Maria last week emanating from the Santiaguito lava-dome complex which caused ash plumes up to 16,000ft and ashfall to areas to the SW.

South America

Periodic activity continues at two Ecuadors volcanos, Tungurahua and Reventador, resulting in continued ash plumes, lahars and the ejection of incandescent material in a Strombolian fashion. This activity is considerd to be of moderate intensity and is being constantly monitored.

The image below was taken on 3 March (courtesy Diego Barba IG-EPN)

Ubinas (Peru) continues to vent clouds of volcanic ash up to heights of 23,000ft and this volcano remains at Aviation Concern Code Colour RED.

[Guest Viking141]

Hi all

Relatively quiet volcano-wise at the moment, although there is one area of the world which is currently quite active and thatis Kamchatka in the far east of the Russian Federation.

The Kamchatka peninsula is peppered with some 114 volcanos, many of which have been historically active, many recently. This area forms part of the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and the chain of volcanos in Kamchatka extend South-Westwards, through the Kuril Islands into mainland Japan.

Currently four Kamchtakan volcanos are above normal background levels of activity and at Aviation Concern Code Colour YELLOW or above,namely Klyuchevskoy, Sheveluch, Karymsky and Bezymianny.

Klyuchevskoy

Currently in eruption. KVERT reports that explosive and effusive eruptions from Klyuchevksoy continue to occur as at todays date. The action began with a noted increase in background seismicity levels and volcanic earthquakes last week and Vulcanian activity and phreatic bursts were observed between 11-16 May. Ash clouds rose to altitudes of almost 32,000ft and ash-fall was reported in the nearby town of Klyuchi. Mud and lava flows extended up to 10km to the NE and mud deposits filled up the Krivaya River. Satellites have detected a large thermal anomoly in the crater which continues to date.

Bezymianny

A short explosive eruption occurred at Bezymianny between 1430 and 1500 on 11 May, causing the Aviation Concern Colour Code to be raised to ORANGE. The pyroclastic deposits from this eruption caused a mudflow some 200m in width to travel down the Sukhaya Khapitsa River which was observed yesterday. Satellite imagery has shown that the thermal anomaly in the crater has significantly decreased in size today and the Concern Colour Code has been lowered to YELLOW.

Sheveluch

This volcano is currenlty at Concern Colour Code ORANGE. Growth of the lava dome in the crater continues apace and seismicity is well above background levels. A largenumber of shallow,volcanic earthquakes have been detected and satellites have detected a large thermal anomaly. This volcano could erupt at any time.

Karymsky

This volcano is also at Concern Colour Code ORANGE and also exhibits above background levels of seismicity and weak but frequent volcanic earthquakes. It is believed an ash explosion shot an ash cloud up to 5,600ft on 13 May. Another one to watch closely.

Below are links to webcams for Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy and Bezymianny

Sheveluch

Klyuchevskoy

Bezymianniy

Edited May 18, 2007 by Viking141

[Guest Viking141]

Latest Update on Volcanic Activity from around the world.

Bezymianny (Russia)

Latest reports from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanos Emergency Response Team) suggest that activity at this volcano has settled down again. Satellite imagery has shown that the thermal anomaly previously reported has now decreased in size and seismic activity at the volcano has also decreased somewhat. As a result of this the Aviation Concern Colour Code for this volcano has been lowered to YELLOW. Local hunters have reported that as a result of the recent activity, a large mud flow, some 200m wide, had advanced along the Sukhaya Khapitsa River on 17 May.

Klyuchevksoy (Russia)

Seismic activity at this volcano, however, remains at above background levels and ash plumes continue to rise to altitudes of 29,000ft. A mudflow caused by this eruption filled the Krivaya River from the 18 May, Vulcanian activity was observed in the main crater and phreatic bursts emanated from the NW flank. This volcano remains at Aviation Concern Colour Code RED.

Bulusan (Philippines)

Following an explosion on 12 May, seismic activcity at Bulusan remains at elevated levels. According to PHIVOLCS, ground deformation measurements conducted on the NE flank of the volcano on 17 May, revealed 4mm of inflation compared with measurements taken on 7 April. Due to this increase in activitiy, the local Alert Level was raised from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-5). Bulusan is the southernmost volcano on the island of Luzon and was formed some 36,000 years ago within the 11km wide Irosin Caldera. The summit is largely unvegetated and has a 300m wide, 50m deep crater. Eruptions from Bulusan tend to be moderately explosive in nature.

Ritter Island (Papua New Guinea)

According to Australian newspaper reports, some 2000 villagers on Siassi Island were forced to flee their homes and move to higher ground last week, due to an eruption of nearby Ritter Island. The villagers had fled fearing tsunamis after seeing “sea surges” which reportedly destroyed four homes and a boat. The villagers reported hearing rumbling noises and saw smoke emanating from the island, which lies between the Papua New Guinea mainland and New Britain Island. The islanders have reason to fear Ritter Island. Half the island collapsed during an eruption in 1888 triggered massive tsunamis which killed over 3000 people on the PNG mainland and nearby islands. Formerly some 780m high, the 1888 collapse has left a 140m high summit. There were two explosive eruptions in 1972 and 1974 which emanated from the now submarine caldera created by this collapse.

[Guest Viking141]

Hi all, another update for you!

Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka – Russia)

Activity continues at this volcano with the Aviation Colour Concern Code remaining at ORANGE. KVERT reports that background seismicity at this volcano during the last week of May remained at elevated levels and a thermal anomaly was detected in the crater in satellite imagery. There was Strombolian and Vulcanian activity at the summit and phreatic bursts where lava flows interacted with ice on the NW flank of the volcano.During the period 29-31 May, ash plumes rose to altitudes of 26,000ft and strong phreatic bursts were also observed from the front of a lava flow on the E flank on 31 May. Tokyo VAAC reports that during 2-5 June, ash plumes were identifiable on satellite imagery rising to altitudes of 23,000ft.

Llaima (Chile)

A new one for us here on NW! Based on information from a SIGMET (Significant Meteorological) Advisory, from Puerto Montt Flight Information Region and advisories from Buenos Aires VAAC, an ash plume from Llaima rose to an altitude of 10,000ft on 29 May.

The last activity from Llaima was in 2003. Llaima is the largest and most active volcano in Chile an has two historically active craters, one at the summit at one to the SE. Llaima is a 3125m high Stratovolcano which is covered by a glacier. Llaima runs the gamut of volcanic eruption types, Strombolian, Hawaiian (Effusive) and Sub-Plinian (explosive) and has been subject to frequent, moderately explosive eruptions since the 17th century. Picture is of Llaima volcano, which has a ski-centre on its western slope!

Kilauea (Hawaii)

During 31 May-5 June lava flowed from Kilauea in a SE’ly direction across a relatively new and growing lava delta, entering the sea at Poupou. Incandesence was visible from several vents at the Pu’u O’o crater and a large earthquake swarm, which started on 12 May, continued, including a Mag 3.8 earthquake on 4 June, centered approx 4km NE of Pahala town.

Langila (New Britain Island – Papua New Guinea)

Activity continues at this volcano according to latest reports from the RVO (Rabaul Volcano Obsy). Ash plumes accompanied by roaring noises occur on a daily basis and two large explosions were recorded on 30 May. Ash fall was reported at the Kilenge Catholic Mission, which lies approx 10kn NW of the volcano, and surrounding villages.

Edited June 6, 2007 by Viking141

[Mondy]

Piton de la Fournaise

As reported by Kippure, one of the worlds most active volcanos, Piton de la Fournaise, which is on Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, is currently spewing lava into the ocean.

Featured earlier in this thread, Piton de la Fournaise is in many respects similar to Kilaeua in Hawaii, in that it is an effusive volcano which emits high volumes of very runny lava.

OVPDLF (Observatoire Vulcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise) reports that this eruption began on 2nd April when a NW-SE trending fissure opened on the volcano sending curtains of lava 50m into the air. This fissure is located to the SW of the main Dolomieu crater and is approx 1km long.

A webcam of the volcano can be found here:

Piton webcam

And some excellent pictures here:

Piton website

Of interest V141?

Hi Yosi

Their catamaran sustain severe damage on route to Agalega Isl. 3B6SP. The accident happen

when volcano erupted on Reunion Isl. Their catamaran was badly shaken and boat was flooded

with water. The navigation equipment got damaged and one of engines as well. They send

distress call using their ham radio equipment for help. The plane came in to locate their

position and then fishing boat arrive and put them on towing.

Due to the fact that all this happen the DX’pedition team members decide to change their

plans and operate from St. Brandon instead.

They were planning to do official web page updates from Agalega but now they lost that

ability and they do not have a way to update their official web page. Also web master is

one of the crew member.

Please free to place this on you web

If you have any other question do not hesitate to ask.

Also spread this word around.

I heard that someone else in Poland will set other web page for 3B7SP expedition.

Can you place this info in english on you web page, please

73 de Andy - VA3PL - Pilot station for North America

http://hamspirit.wordpress.com/2007/06/11/...r-3b7sp-update/

[Guest Viking141]

Hi folks

Thought some of you may be interested in a report by Robert Christiansen of the USGS into potential future hazards posed by the Yellowstone caldera. To give a brief summary, a massive rhyolitic eruption of the kind that has happened in the past at Yellowstone and portrayed in the documentary "Supervolcano" is considered to be highly unlikely, although not impossible. What is considered likely, however, is basalitic eruptions, either effusive in nature like Kilauea in Hawaii, or explosive, whcih themselves have the potential for considerable impacts.

A large effusive eruption, for example, could potentially cover large swathes of Yellowstone Park and the surrounding area in lava from cms to metres in depth. An explosive basalitic eruption, which could last anywhere from weeks to months, could again cover large areas in lava flows cms to metres thick and likewise deposit ash and cinders to a similar depth. If this kind of eruption occurred anywhere under water (ie under the numerous lakes and pools which cover the area) then this could also produce phreatic explosions (violent explosions caused by the mixture of water and hot, volcanic gases) and associated pyroclastic surges. This has the potential (although not as cataclysmic as that portrayed in Supervolcano) to cause widespread disruption on the continetal US and indeed further afield through the spread of volcanic ash in the atmosphere.

It is felt that we would have plenty of warning from such a basalitic eruption since Yellowstone is one of the most intensively monitored volcanic systems in the world. There would be indications from earthquake swarms, volcanic tremor and ground deformation long before any such eruption it is believed.

The full report can be found at the following link, it extends to 98 pages so its going to take me a while to plough through it!!

Report link - USGS

Edited June 15, 2007 by Viking141

[Guest Viking141]

Volcanic Round-up - Kamchatka Peninsula/Northern Kuriles - Russian Federation

As has been the case recently, this area of the world continues to be quite active. The Aviation Concern Colour Codes for the volcanos in this area are as follows:

KLYUCHEVSKOY, SHEVELUCH & KARYMSKY - ORANGE

BEZYMIANNIY - YELLOW

TOLBACHIK POLSKY, KIZIMEN, AVACHINSKY, KORYAKSKY, MUTNOVSKY, GORELY, CHIKURACHKI, EBEKO & ALAID - GREEN

KLYUCHEVSKOY

Both explosive and effusive activity has continued at this volcano over the past week, according to the latest report from KVERT (dated 15th June). Seismic activity remains at above background levels and volcanic earthquakes and strong volcanic tremors were recorded. Ash clouds were observed rising to heights of 23,000ft and on 8th and 13th June there was both Strombolian and Vulcanian activity in the summit crater. A thermal anomaly was also visible on satellite imagery which appears to be quite large and persistent and it here is more to come from this volcano.

SHEVELUCH

Seismic activity also remains at above background levels at this volcano and growth of the lava dome continues in the Molodoy Sheveluch lava dome complex. All last week many shallow volcanic earthquakes were recorded. Ash plumes rose to altitudes of 20,700ft and a gas and steam plume rose to 13,100ft on 8th, 10th & 13th June. Again, a big thermal anomaly was observed from satellite imagery. Sheveluch is a very vigourous andesitic volcano (one which erupts large amount of Andesite, a dark volcanic rock which produces thick lava flows and is prone to strongly explosive eruptions with pyroclastic flows and enormous eruption columns). The lava dome complexes commonly collapse, leading to large debris avalanches. This one could be about to blow!

(Photo of Sheveluch volcano - courtesy KVERT)

KARYMSKY

The ongoing eruption of this volcano continues, according to KVERT. Ash explosions were projected to heights of 22,300ft and low flying aircraft have been advised to avoid the area of the volcano as further explosions are expected. Seismic activity is above normal levels and a thermal anomaly has been noted in the main crater, more particularly in the last few days.

BEZYMIANNIY

Ash plumes rise from this volcano up to 10,000ft and growth of the lava dome continues. Strong seismicity at nearby Klyuchevskoy makes it difficult to interpret the seismic data for this volcano but again, a thermal anomaly was detected at the lava dome by satellite imagery, most recently on 12th June.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Viking141

[Guest Viking141]

Volcanic Round-up - Central America

SANTA MARIA (GUATEMALA)

Latest information from CONRED (Coordinadora Nacional para la Reduccion de Desastres) indicates that several seismic survey stations registered a lahar (a rapidly moving mixture of rock, water and volcanic ash etc) which descended the Nima River on 5 June carrying volcanic blocks 1-1.5m in diameter and tree branches etc. The lahar measured approx 12m wide and was some 3m thick, was hot and smelled strongly of sulphur. The Caliente lava dome produced ash and steam plumes which rose to heights of 14,000-15,500ft. Santa Maria has a violent history and its eruption in 1902 was one of the biggest recorded this century, ejecting an estimated 5.5 cu km of material (roughly similar to that of Mount Pinatubo in 1991). At least 5000 people were killed by this eruption and many thousands more died as a result of the malaria epedemic which followed.

(Photo of Santa Maria (also known locally as Santiaguto) from the nearby city of Quetzaltenango)

MASAYA (NICARAGUA)

Washington VAAC reported that a plume rose from Masaya on 9th June which drifted West contained little or no ash but was visible on satellite imagery. Masaya is one of Nicarguas most active volcanos and lies within a massive caldera (6km x 11km) formed by the Pleistocene era Las Sierras volcanos. It is a twin, its neighbour being Nindiri, and has multiple summit craters of which Santiago is currently active. Every 25 years or so this volcano goes through periods of intense gas emissions which are dangerous to health and crops.

[Guest Viking141]

Volcanic Round-up - United States/Caribbean

KILAEUA (HAWAII - US)

Aviation Concern Colour Code for Kilaeua remains at ORANGE with ongoing activity centered on the Pu'u O'o crater. Todays report from the USGS HVO (Hawaiian Volcano Observatory) states that earthquake activity remains fairly normal with a swarm of fairly small, shallow events earlier today located south of Halema'uma'u. Lava from the Pu'u 'o Crater feeds two lava tube systems named Petunia and Campout, which are puring lava into the sea at the Poupou entry point. Seismicity remains at relatively low levels.

(Photo of the lava lake in the Pu'u O'o crater taken on 13th June - courtesy USGS HVO - Map shows locations of lava tubes etc)

SOUFRIERE HILLS (MONTSERRAT - CARIBBEAN)

Lava dome growth remains fairly static at the moment and seismic activity is fairly low. Some low-level rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity was reported last week and fresh pyroclastic deposits were noted in the Tar River Valley. Heavy rain on 11th June generated lahars in all directions. The level of alert at this volcano remains at 4 on a scale of 0-5.

ST HELENS (WASHINGTON STATE - US)

Growth of the lava dome inside the crater formed by the 1980 blast continues, accompanied by fairly low seismic activity and small magnitude earthquakes. There are also occasional rockfalls from the steep msides of the new lava dome and glacier quakes caused by the rapidly moving Crater Glacier.

[Guest Viking141]

Volcanic Round-up - Papua New Guinea

BAGANA (BOUGAINVILLE IS)

Continuous vapour emissions and low level ash plumes were reported from this volcano during the last week, according to RVO (Rabaul Volcano Observatory). Bagana is one of the youngest volcanos in the area and is a massive, symmetrical lava cone, constructed by an accumulation of andesitic lava flows. These flows are plentiful and it has been estimated that the entire height of this volcano has been constructed within the last 300 years. Eruptions from this volcano tend to be of the effusive type, producing large swathes of lava, although occasional explosive activity is not unknown.

(Photo of Bagana - courtesy Global Volcanism Program)

LANGILA (NEW BRITAIN ISLAND)

RVO reports that ash emissions from this volcano continue with ash plumes from Crater 2 reaching up to 14,000ft last week. The ash emissions were occasional forceful and accompanied by roaring noises. According to local reports loud booming noises were heard on 10th June.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Viking141

[Guest Viking141]

Eruption Update - Klyuchevskoy - Kamchatka (Russian Far east)

The Aviation Concern Colour Code at this volcano has been raised to RED and the volcano is in a state of eruption with strong effusive and explosive eruptive activity taling place. Ash plumes have risen to heights of 33,000ft. Seismicity is above background levels and strong volcanic tremors and earthquakes have been recorded. This activity has been ongoing for some time but given the remoteness of the area and the current funding difficulties at KVERT it has taken some time to get reliable information.

USGS Alaskan Volcan Observatory reports that ash falls were reported in Kluchi on 17-18 June and at Kozyrevsk on 19-20 June. Sounds of strong explosions were heard in Kluchi at the same time. According to satellite data the thermal anomaly reported earlier perisists so this activity loooks set to continue. Ash plumes have extended up to 250 miles from Klyuchevskoy for most of last week. Ash clouds were reported over Yelizovo and Petropavlovsk-Kamchatky on 20-21 June.

Picture of the recent eruption at Klyuchevksoy (courtesy Yuri Demyanchuk - Russian Academy of Sciences Far East Division)

Edited June 24, 2007 by Viking141

[Rollo]

Many thanks for continually updating this thread Viking,I have to admit that I have not been following it so much recently so my question is where is Sheveluch-sounds russian to me and from what you write it may well be in the news soon.

[Guest Viking141]

Hi Rollo

Thanks for that!

Sheveluch is on the Kamchatkan peninsula in the Russian Far East. This whole area is quite active at the moment with Klyuchevskoy already erupting and both Sheveluch and Karymsky both at elevated levels of activity.

[Guest Viking141]

Update - Kilauea (Hawaii)

Eruptive activity at Kilaeua seems to have paused, according to USGS, as there is no lava visible anywhere on the usual flow fields and incandescance has ceased from the Pu'u O'o crater. Whilst fumes and steam are still issuing from cracks in the ground, seismic activity seems to have eased a nd as a result of this the HVO (Hawaiian Volcanos Observatory) has lowered the Aviation Concern Colour Code to YELLOW.

The crater floor of the Pu'u O'o crater is estimated to have subsided by 100mm suggesting a lack of magma in the chamber below.

[summer blizzard]

Update - Kilauea (Hawaii)

Eruptive activity at Kilaeua seems to have paused, according to USGS, as there is no lava visible anywhere on the usual flow fields and incandescance has ceased from the Pu'u O'o crater. Whilst fumes and steam are still issuing from cracks in the ground, seismic activity seems to have eased a nd as a result of this the HVO (Hawaiian Volcanos Observatory) has lowered the Aviation Concern Colour Code to YELLOW.

The crater floor of the Pu'u O'o crater is estimated to have subsided by 100mm suggesting a lack of magma in the chamber below.

Could this be a sign of the eruptions finally ending, as far as i know, the volcano has erupted constantly since 1980.

Could we have an update on the Itlaian and Greek volcanoes????