General Volcanic Activity Thread!

[yamkin]

Earthquake Swarm In Katla Volcano Caldera

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Jón Frímann

This morning there was an earthquake swarm in Katla Volcano. This is the first earthquake swarm of the year 2012. This earthquake swarm is most likely created by an dike intrusion. Based on how dense the earthquake swarm appears to be. But that is often a sign of a dike intrusion in an volcano. How this earthquake swarm is going to evolve over the next few hours is impossible to know for sure. That depends on what the magma is going to do that is creating this earthquake swarm.

The earthquake swarm in Katla volcano. It is dense as can be seen on this picture from Iceland Meteorological Office.

http://www.jonfr.com/volcano/?p=2149&cpage=1

[yamkin]

Cleveland Volcano Alerts Upgraded On Renewed Activity (Again) - Alaska

According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the aviation colour code and the alert level of Cleveland Volcano was upgraded on Tuesday to "Orange" and "Watch" to reflect new satellite data indicating increased activity.

The east central Aleutian Chain volcano, which sits 45 miles west of the community of Nikolski, has spent much of the past year teasing that it would erupt, and its status has alternated between "Yellow/Advisory" and the more serious "Orange/Watch" four times since July 2011.

The AVO reports that the lava dome that had developed at Cleveland last year was mostly removed by a brief explosive episode at the end of December. But new satellite images indicate that a fresh lava dome, approximately 130 feet in diameter, has formed in the summit crater.

There have been no explosions or ash emissions detected during the current lava eruption, but the AVO notes that it remains possible for intermittent, sudden explosions of blocks and ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop.

Because Cleveland is not covered by real-time seismic sensors, such explosions and their associated ash clouds may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours........http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/cleveland-volcano-alerts-upgraded-renewed-activity-again

Edited February 1, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Alaskan Volcano Ready To Erupt!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vyDGj0BC_o

[yamkin]

Mexico Volcano Spews Gas Into Skies Near Capital

Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has been spewing gas, water vapor and incandescent materials into the skies near the country's capital for days, registering at least 14 "exhalations" late on Wednesday and in the early hours of Thursday, according to local media.

The most significant emissions came on Tuesday afternoon and were accompanied by a small quantity of ash, scientists said, according to Excelsior newspaper reported.

Local civil protection officials have been giving evacuation training in communities near Popocatepetl ahead of a possible eruption, Reuters reported.

The 17,886-foot volcano 40 miles southeast of the Mexican capital is the country's second-highest peak and has experienced at least 15 major eruptions in the last 500 years.

In November, Popocatepetl spewed a burst of ash three miles into the air after breaking through a dome of lava. The volcano has been erupting intermittently since December 1994.

http://worldnews.msn...es-near-capital

Edited February 3, 2012 by yamkin

[summer blizzard]

I hate it when they say major eruptions, most of them are not VEI4.

[yamkin]

Alert Level Raised On Indonesia's Semeru Volcano

A slight increase in activity of Semeru volcano's activity has been observed by the Indonesian Geological Survey in recent weeks and its alert level was raised to 3 (out of 4, "watch") on 3 February 2012, after it had been on level 2 since 16 July 2009.

Only small to moderate eruptions had been occurring over most of the past year. Between 29 December and 15 January, 8 explosions were counted which produced ash clouds up to 600 m high. One explosion threw incandescent bombs to a distance of 300 m from the Jonggring Seloko crater. During 15-29 January, only weak explosions were recorded and a small steam and ash plume rising 25-50 m was observed.

Between 30 and 31 January, 5 explosions were recorded. They produced incandescent fallout in up to 400 m distance. On 2 February at 07:47 local time, a stronger explosion produced incandescent bombs that reached 750 m distance and caused a small avalanche of blocks rolling down a distance of up to 2.5 km (note: no pyroclastic flows). The heightened activity triggered the raise in alert level the following day.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/5067/Semeru-volcano-East-Java-Indonesia-alert-level-raised-to-3-due-to-an-increase-of-activity.html

[Richard Lake]

This one is really good, like the Krakatoa and Yellowstone ones. In terms of eruption strength, much remains up in the air. What troubles me most is that despite its recent history of small eruptions it commonly produces tidal waves and has pheratic explosions. Recent history would suggest an eruption size on the scale of the 1925 eruption which was only VEI2 but with such a massive magma chamber and evidence that it has been building over the past 500 years or so (more frequent eruptions) there is always the possibility of a big one although nothing like its historical eruption. Interesting to note that the Minoans were 2000 years ahead of us in terms of sewage. I am on the whole looking forward to this one.

At the end of this great video which I enjoyed from the beginning to the end it mentions a part 2 'the evidence' - any sign of it on youtube or elsewhere? Would be a great watch as well I feel.

[The PIT]

Seems Etna is erupting again http://www.radiostud....asp?web=2&id=2

and here http://www.guide-etna.com/webcam/

Edited February 8, 2012 by The PIT

[yamkin]

Lava Dome In Alaska's Cleveland Volcano Continues To Grow

Alaska's Cleveland volcano keeps grumbling away, with a lava dome continuing to grow, and the alert level remaining at "watch," according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

A status update on Saturday said that the volcano continued to show activity, but that no elevated temperatures or ash emissions were evident from satellite imagery. Cleveland, about 45 miles from the nearest community of Nikolski, was raised to "watch" status on Jan. 31. At that time, the lava dome was observed at a diameter of about 130 feet.

"The current lava dome is estimated to be 50 meters across and occupies only a small portion of the approximately 200 meter (650 foot) diameter summit crater," the update from the AVO said. "There have been no observations of ash emissions or explosive activity during this current lava eruption. The previous lava dome that formed throughout the fall-winter of 2011 was largely removed by the explosive activity on the 25th and 29th of December, 2011."....................http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/lava-dome-alaskas-cleveland-volcano-continues-grow

[summer blizzard]

At the end of this great video which I enjoyed from the beginning to the end it mentions a part 2 'the evidence' - any sign of it on youtube or elsewhere? Would be a great watch as well I feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7bVIq0jNfg

I shall find the Krakatoa and Yellowstone ones at some point.

[yamkin]

Underwater Volcano Still Erupting - Canary Island - El Hierro

An underwater eruption off the Canary Island of El Hierro has been going on for more than four months, with volcanologists watching the spectacle to see if it might generate a new island.

El Hierro, the youngest of the Canary Islands, lies 290 miles (460 kilometers) west of the coast of Morocco and Western Sahara. El Hierro last erupted in 1793, according to some historical records, and the area has the greatest concentration of young vents in the Canary Islands. The new eruption is occuring just off the coast, near the fishing village of La Restinga.

NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite captured a picture of the ongoing eruption on Feb. 10. The bright aquamarine waters visible in the images indicated a high concentration of volcanic material, including steaming lava fragments, bits of rock and heated gas. Immediately above the vent is a patch of brown water that can resemble a turbulent hot tub when the eruption is strongest, according to a NASA statement.

http://www.ouramazingplanet.com/2447-underwater-elhierro-volcano-erupting.html

[yamkin]

Mt. LOKON ERUPTION - Indonesia 10th February 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BrjxkPiAQE

[yamkin]

Tinakula Volcano (Solomon Islands): New Satellite Image Shows Strong Steaming And Possible Eruption

Tinakula volcano is probably erupting a recent satellite image published by NASA's Earth observatory shows.

Tinakula is a small, volcanic, South Pacific island located about 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) northeast of Brisbane, Australia. The natural-color satellite image shows a plume of volcanic gas, possibly mixed with a little ash, rising above the island’s summit.

On February 13th and 14th, 2012, NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected heat signatures on Tinakula, and a small plume was apparent in visible imagery (lower image). Over the past decade satellites have detected intermittent “thermal anomalies†that suggest eruptions have taken place, but eyewitness observations are infrequent.

These images were collected by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite (top) and MODIS on the Terra satellite on February 14, 2012.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/5456/Tinakula-volcano-Solomon-Islands-new-satellite-image-shows-strong-steaming-and-possible-eruption.html

[yamkin]

Cleveland Volcano Could Blow Up At Any Moment

The Cleveland volcano’s lava dome is continuously growing, a sign of any-time-soon eruption, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Scientists have observed that the lava dome has expanded from 50 metres to 60 metres in the past week alone.

The volcano is on a slow eruption with thick and pasty lava oozing out of it. The Cleveland volcano’s last major eruption was in 2001.

"The lava's so viscous, it doesn't flow like you're used to seeing in pictures of Hawaii, where it's fluid and runny. So it piles up and makes a round, dome-like lava flow," the Anchorage Daily News quoted volcanologist Steve McNutt as saying.

Eruptions of the Cleveland Volcano are closely watched by the airline industry as any explosive eruption could lead to disruption of trans-Pacific air traffic.

According to scientists, explosive eruptions are characteristic of Alaskan volcanoes. An explosion in December 2011 sent out volcanic ash up to a height of 15,000 feet.

"There's a half-dozen major flight paths that go from Asia to North America and Europe that fly over Alaska airspace. So it does depend on which way the wind is blowing but there are a number of paths that are near it," McNutt said.

The 5,676-foot Cleveland volcano is situated in the uninhabited Chuginadak Island about 940 miles southwest of Anchorage.

http://www.ibtimes.c...ome-airline.htm

Edited February 18, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Mt Fuji Volcano (Japan): Signs Of Volcanic Unrest Reported

Reports are appearing about unrest and signs of a possible awakening of Mt Fuji volcano in Japan.

According to a report which includes an unclear photo of the area, a row of new craters, the largest 50 m in diameter, has appeared on the eastern flank of the volcano at 2200 m elevation. Steam was observed erupting from these vents.

The observation joins other signs suggesting a gradual reawakening: A swarm of earthquakes including 4 of magnitude 5 have occurred northeast of Mt Fuji on and after 28 January. An earlier 6.4M quake occurred under the volcano on 15 March 2011. The report also mentions increased activity from a fumarole vent at 1500 m elevation and hot spring areas at the eastern flank observed since 2003.

These locations seem to be aligned geographically, and are probably connected. Dr. Masaaki Kimura of Ryukyu University is quoted to admit that there is an increased risk of and eruption on the eastern flank and that the status of the volcano should be closely monitored.

http://www.volcanodi...t-reported.html

Edited February 19, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Indonesian Volcanic Activity Increases – Mount Gamalama

Mount Gamalama Volcano Comes Back to Life in the South-West Pacific in Indonesia: A major eruption at Mount Gamalama in North Maluku on Sunday night spewed volcanic ash 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) into the air and forced the closure of the airport in Ternate, the provincial capital.

Aviation officials said that because of the threat to aircraft from the ash cloud, the Babullah Airport at the foot of the volcano, which makes up the entire island, would be closed on Monday and perhaps today.

Bambang Ervan, a spokesman for the Transportation Ministry, said the closure was a precautionary measure. “The volcanic ash may pose a risk to planes,†he said. “If there are no more eruptions, the airport may be opened [today].â€

http://wfoster2011.wordpress.com/2012/02/19/indonesian-volcanic-activity-increases-mount-gamalama/

[yamkin]

Alert Level Raised For Kanaga Volcano In Alaska

The Alaska Volcano Observatory has raised the alert level for a volcano in the remote Aleutian Islands. Scientists on Saturday said possible explosive activity and a likely ash cloud indicate new unrest at Kanaga Volcano, leading it to raise the volcano alert level from normal to advisory. The observatory says volcanic tremor was detected at about 6:23 a.m. Saturday. The unrest indicates a possibility for sudden explosions of ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Ash clouds above 20,000 feet from Alaska volcanoes are a threat to trans-Pacific air carriers. Kanaga Volcano is located about 1,215 miles southwest of Anchorage in the western Aleutian Islands.

Aviation Color Code - YELLOW

Volcano Alert Level - ADVISORY

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_desc&edis_id=VA-20120219-34227-USA

[yamkin]

Massive Eruption At Sakurajima Volcano In Japan - 19th February 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBb5-39HTtY

[karyo]

There is some earthquake activity in Katla volcano, Iceland. http://www.jonfr.com/volcano/

I hope she waits 2-3 months before she erupts. We will then benefit from the long daylight hours.

Karyo

[yamkin]

There is some earthquake activity in Katla volcano, Iceland. http://www.jonfr.com/volcano/

I hope she waits 2-3 months before she erupts. We will then benefit from the long daylight hours.

Karyo

Let's not forget the mini ICE AGE from the fall out :cold:

[karyo]

Let's not forget the mini ICE AGE from the fall out :cold:

I doubt there will be a significant effect on the climate from Katla. Her eruptions are not big enough. Unless she produces an unprecedented aruption which is unlikely based on its history.

Karyo

[john pike]

Iceland's huge volcano Katla is stirring into life after tell-tale signs of the potential for an eruption were monitored by observers. A harmonic tremor has been recorded for two days and small earthquakes have been confirmed at the volcano by the Icelandic Met Office this morning. It is highly unusual for an eruption in Iceland to occur in the middle of winter but the early indications show Katla is building up power. Experts are unclear as to whether it is water or magma that is causing this week's sudden increase in activity and the seismic recordings are currently lower than when the volcano first showed signs of a minor eruption last July. In September, Katla again stirred into life with a harmonic tremor and earthquakes in the volcano's caldera - its magma chamber. Katla, which has not experienced a significant eruption for 93 years, is the second largest volcano on Iceland and the consequences of a major eruption will be felt across Europe. In 2010, the country's president Ólafur Grímsson warned "the time for Katla to erupt is coming close, Iceland has prepared and it is high time for European governments and airline authorities all over Europe and the world to start planning for the eventual Katla eruption". It is believed Katla, named after a vindictive troll of Viking folklore, has the potential to be much stronger and disruptive than the last two Icelandic volcanic eruptions that caused chaos across Europe's air space, grounding flights and closing airports. Katla is much larger than its neighbouring Eyjafjallajokull – which erupted in 2010 - with a magma chamber about 10 times the size. Volcanologists warn that if Katla does erupt, the combination of the magma and the large ice sheet covering the volcano could lead to explosive activity and an ash plume for weeks, if not months.

taken from rsoe

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/site/?pageid=event_summary&edis_id=VA-20120221-34251-ISL

Edited February 21, 2012 by john pike

[The PIT]

Katla tends to have eruptions of vei 3 to 5 it seems fairly consistant as well. However it's very likely smaller ones in the past which haven't been detected which would be these days. So ti could be fairly large or it could very small or it could all go quiet again.

[karyo]

Katla tends to have eruptions of vei 3 to 5 it seems fairly consistant as well. However it's very likely smaller ones in the past which haven't been detected which would be these days. So ti could be fairly large or it could very small or it could all go quiet again.

Agreed. Even if it comes up with a VEI5 eruption it's unlikely to have a big impact on the climate. A VEI 6 is unlikely but could make things a bit more interesting especially if it happened in the May-July period.

Karyo

[summer blizzard]

Mount Fuji could be interesting, no eruption in 300 years and earthquakes over magnitude 5.