General Volcanic Activity Thread!

[yamkin]

Icelandic Volcano Fimmvörðuháls Erupts During Aurora Borealis

A photographer from Britain, James Appleton, has captured breath-taking pictures from Iceland, reports The Huffington Post. He captured both magma and northern lights in one shot. He stood just a few yards from an erupting volcano in order to take the pictures and they just might be one of nature’s most amazing sights.

James was willing to go within a few hundred feet of an erupting volcano after working alongside vulcanologists in Iceland, and found out about Fimmvörðuháls who from his Icelandic friend.

He explained, “She informed me of the eruption, and I knew immediately I had to try and get out to see it.â€

Not only did James have to deal with the harsh flames of the volcano, but he also had to face the frozen temperatures of a harsh Icelandic winter in order to take his remarkable pictures.

“The closest I got was probably only a few hundred meters away,†said James.

James talks about he maneuvered himself in order to obtain the shots of the erupting volcano, “I was trying to be as responsible as possible, but the temptation to get in for closer images was too much. It was simply a case of trying to stay on ridges and high ground to avoid possible gas pockets or caves under the snow formed by the heat of the lava.â€

After he was able to capture these extreme pictures in nature, James has had an exceptional time in Iceland and looks forward to returning there.

“I love the country because of the raw, wild nature of the landscape there,†said James.

He continued, “It’s such a compelling place and it has a real sense of growing before your eyes – due to all the geothermal activity. The weather systems are very fast moving and dramatic. I look for powerful skies and the moments when the world is full of color and movement. Iceland is fantastic as producing moments such as these.â€

http://www.longislan...urora-borealis/

Edited February 22, 2012 by yamkin

[john pike]

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano poses explosive peril

http://www.sfgate.co.../MNAD1M9156.DTL

Moderate earthquakes rattle Kilauea as swarm continues

http://www.staradver.../140270803.html

usgs list for today

http://earthquake.us.../205_20_eqs.php

location

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/...read&rid=231405

Edited February 24, 2012 by john pike

[yamkin]

Katla Volcano (Iceland) Activity Update: Minor Earthquake Cluster In Katla Volcano Caldera

Jón Frímann on his dedicated blog about Icelandic (and not only) volcanoes closely follows what is happening there: a cluster of minor earthquakes has been showing up under the Katla volcano caldera. This has been following a gradual increase in seismic activity under Katla during the past few weeks. It could be a signal of new volcanic activity to be expected on a timescale of few weeks to months. A new eruption would probably be heralded by a strong seismic swarm, and could start and build up rapidly. It did so in July 2011 when a sudden increase in earthquake activity occurred and there was an small eruption without warning........http://www.volcanodi...no-caldera.html

The recent earthquakes under Katla

Edited February 24, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Nevado Del Ruiz Volcano (Colombia), Activity Update

Increase in shallow earthquakes under Arenas crater

From 12:30 hours local time on February 23, a new increase in seismic activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano began, characterized by the occurrence of shallow earthquakes associated with fluid movements and fracturing of rock. INGEOMINAS also measured increased SO2 emissions and some changes in strain measurements.

So far, the energy level of this increase is low compared with previous episodes of unrest, but small eruptions in the near future are possible.

The seismicity is located under the active Arenas crater at depths ranging between 0.5 and 3 km, and reached a maximum recorded magnitude of 1.4 on the Richter scale.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/5837/Nevado-del-Ruiz-volcano-Colombia-activity-update-increase-in-shallow-earthquakes-under-Arenas-crater.html

[yamkin]

The Submarine Eruption Of El Hierro Island (Canary Islands) Update

Volcanic tremor has stopped, but jacuzzi still visible

Once more, it seems that the eruption is weakening or ending. Although a weak jacuzzi and stain on the ocean remains visible on the webcam, volcanic tremor is now zero since last night (or the instruments are dead). A small number (5-10 per day, typically) of small earthquakes clustered at around 10 km depth in the SW part of the island continue.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/el-hierro/submarine-eruption-2011.html

[yamkin]

Volcanic Activities In Indonesia's Mount Semeru Increases

Volcanic activities in Indonesia's Mount Semeru keep increasing with 38 tremors on Thursday from around 28 everyday and its danger status remains at level III, an official told Xinhua.

Dr. Surono, head of Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of Geology Agency (PVMBG) said that the volcano keeps erupting everyday, forming volcanic dome and emitting smoke.

"Tremor occurs every 15-30 minutes," said Surono.

However, he said that the agency has not yet urged people living surrounding the volcano to evacuate.

According to local media, some people in the area are worried of sudden eruption that could destroy their villages following the increasing volcanic activities.

Mount Semerun, the highest one in Java Island with height of 3, 676 meters, is one of the most active volcanos in Indonesia....................http://english.peopl...77/7745177.html

[yamkin]

Mount Marapi In Indonesia’s West Sumatra Briefly Erupts

Mount Marapi, a volcano located in the Indonesian province of West Sumatra, briefly erupted on early Wednesday morning, officials said. It comes after activity was also reported at the volcano in August 2011.

The 2,891-meter (9,485 feet) tall volcano, which is located near the cities and town of Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang and Batusangkar in West Sumatra, began erupting at around 7:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to the Antara news agency.

Marapi's initial eruption lasted around fifteen minutes and spewed out volcanic ashes which reached some 200 meters (656 feet) to the south from its crater. A second eruption took place moments later, lasting about ten minutes and bringing thick white smoke about 100 meters (328 feet) up.

Suparmo of the Volcanological and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) in Bukittinggi told the Antara news agency that Mount Marapi will remain at a Level II alert status as it is still prone to eruptions and other kinds of activity. In addition, he called on locals to remain alert.

Since August 2011, Mount Marapi, the most active volcano on the island of Sumatra, has shown increased volcanic activity. The PVMBG has installed seismometers and digital analogs at an altitude of 2,000 meters (6.560 feet) at Nagari Batu Palano and at an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) at Nagari Lasi in order to monitor the activity.

Dozens of active volcanoes in Indonesia are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

One of Indonesia's most active volcanoes is Mount Merapi, which is located on the island of Java near Jogjakarta, the country's second-most visited area after Bali. Last year, more than 300 people were killed in a series of eruptions between October and November which also displaced over 300,000 people.................http://channel6newsonline.com/2012/02/mount-marapi-in-indonesias-west-sumatra-briefly-erupts/

[yamkin]

Moderate Ash Explosions Reported At Guatemala’s Santa Maria Volcano

Santiaguito volcano in Guatemala has been displaying a slightly elevated state of activity in recent days.

INSIVUMEH reports moderate explosions about every 15 minutes that eject plumes of gray ash tot 600 and 800 meters above the crater, and producing an ash plume drifting to the west and SW until dissipating at about 15 km distance. Light ash falls from these eruptions frequently occur in the villages San Marcos, Buena Vista and Palajunoj and the El Faro, Florida, and Monte Claro Fincas.

Crater glow at the summit of the lava dome is well visible at night, and a blocky lava flow with constant avalanches of blocks rolling down to tits base continues to be active, raising secondary ash plumes.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/guatemala/santiaguito/news.html

[yamkin]

Tungurahua Volcano: Explosions, Ash Fall And Possible Pyroclastic Flow

Ecuador's Instituto Geofísico (IG) reports an increase of Tunguarahua volcano's activity: Since last night (3 March), 4 explosions have been reported of moderate to large size. An explosion at 07:31 local time today produced an ash columnreaching about 4 km in height and drifting to the west - northwest.

A second explosion took place at 09:11 (local time) and produced a strong shock wave that rattled the ground and windows in nearby areas. CLoud cover has prevented detailed observations, but with the help of thermal sensors, hot fresh deposits were detected on the flanks, suggesting they were the result of a pyroclastic flow.

In the morning, the observatory post at Cusúa reported the presence of hot deposits on the upper flank typical for fresh pyroclastic flow deposits.

Ash fall was reported from Choglontús, Manzano and Motilones areas before, and this morning ashfall reached the Yuibug area.

The monitoring system has been recording variable seismicity and powerful tremor episodes lasting minutes to hours (which probably indicate rising magma), interrupted by short moderate to large explosion signals corresponding to the ash eruptions from the growing lava dome.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6056/Tungurahua-Volcano-explosions-ash-fall-and-possible-pyroclastic-flow.html

[yamkin]

Bezymianny Volcano In Kamchakta Peninsula On Red Alert

In Kamchatka, Russian far east, the Unnamed Volcano (Bezymianny) has been assigned the highest aviation danger code of “red.†The ash and gases that are being spewed from the crater can seriously damage aircraft systems. The volcano is also showing high seismic activity and signs that it may possibly erupt. Bezzymianny is part of Klyuchevskaya volcanic group.

http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2012/03/06/bezymianny-volcano-in-kamchakta-peninsula-on-red-alert-showing-signs-of-possible-eruption/

Edited March 6, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Blast Shakes Restless Volcano In Remote Aleutian Islands

A restless Aleutian volcano exploded Wednesday night and may have blown off a slow-growing lava dome that was building for months in its summit crater, volcanologists say.

Cleveland Volcano, 940 miles southwest of Anchorage, probably burped up a small amount of ash -- a potential hazard to trans-oceanic air travel -- but the ash did not appear to reach above 20,000 feet, said Steve McNutt, a researcher with the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Because of its remoteness, harsh weather in the area and budget constraints, Cleveland Volcano does not have instruments on its flanks. As a result, scientists cannot listen to its inner rumblings. But distant seismometers and specialized microphones detected the explosion about 7 p.m. Wednesday, according to the observatory.

http://www.adn.com/2012/03/08/2359467/blast-shakes-restless-volcano.html

[yamkin]

Cleveland Volcano Erupts Again In Alaska

A remote Alaska volcano that has been restless since last summer belched ash in a small, short explosion, scientists said on Thursday, but the cloud was not expected to impact commercial airline traffic.

Meanwhile, a second volcano that has not erupted in recorded Alaska history is experiencing a swarm of earthquakes for which scientists have yet to determine a cause.

The explosion was at Cleveland Volcano, located on an uninhabited Aleutian island 940 miles southwest of Anchorage.

While the exact size of the ash cloud it produced is unknown, it was believed to be small, as was a cloud the resulted from a similar explosion at the volcano in December, said Steve McNutt, a University of Alaska Fairbanks seismologist who works at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

That cloud rose to less than 20,000 feet, lower than the levels used by large commercial jets, McNutt said..............

http://www.huffingto...n_1333484.html#

[yamkin]

Alert Level Raised For Iliamna Volcano

An alert level for the possible eruption of a volcano southwest of Anchorage was raised by volcanologists Friday afternoon.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised Iliamna Volcano’s alert level to advisory and its aviation color code to yellow, from normal and green respectively.

“Over the past three months the earthquake rate at Iliamna Volcano has steadily increased and now exceeds normal background levels,†scientists at the observatory wrote in a statement. “Although it is not certain that this sustained increase in earthquake activity represents the movement of magma at depth, it is a significant change and AVO has increased the Alert Level to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow.â€

While the observatory will continue to monitor the volcano, it notes that the seismic activity does not necessarily mean an eruption is imminent, noting that an elevated period of seismic unrest at the volcano from September 1996 to February 1997 also didn’t produce an eruption.

Iliamna Volcano is located on the west side of lower Cook Inlet in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, about 130 miles southwest of Anchorage and 60 miles northwest of Homer.

http://www.ktuu.com/news/alert-level-raised-for-iliamna-volcano-030912,0,7399992.story

[yamkin]

Colombian Volcano Waking Up

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano, whose eruption 26 years ago killed around 25,000 people, is showing signs of activity after nearly 20 years laying dormant, said Colombian geological group Ingeominas Thursday.

Early Friday morning, geologists completed an observational fly-over with the assistance of the Colombian Air Force, during which they photographed the Nevado del Ruiz volcano and noted "ash on the glacier, near the crater rim and on the eastern flank," as well as a 4,500 foot gas column at the mouth of the volcano. During the same day a seismic tremor was reported along with an increase in sulfur dioxide emissions.

All of these factors signal that the volcano is heating up.

Located about 80 miles west of Bogota, Nevado del Ruiz is an active volcano that produces pyroclastic flows, or swift currents of hot gas and rock that lead to destructive mudslides. There have been numerous eruptions over the centuries, with the most recent was on November 13, 1985.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/22726-colombian-volcano-waking-up.html

[karyo]

Colombian Volcano Waking Up

Early Friday morning, geologists completed an observational fly-over with the assistance of the Colombian Air Force, during which they

Located about 80 miles west of Bogota, Nevado del Ruiz is an active volcano that produces pyroclastic flows, or swift currents of hot gas and rock that lead to destructive mudslides. There have been numerous eruptions over the centuries, with the most recent was on November 13, 1985.

http://colombiarepor...-waking-up.html

From what I've read on the net, the 1985 eruption was not particularly big but it was very deadly because of the snow and ice that suddenly melted and caused a lahar!

Karyo

[yamkin]

Ijen Volcano (East Java, Indonesia): Eruption Warning Due To Increased Seismic and Degassing Activity

The official alert level for Ijen volcano in East Java, Indonesia, has been raised again to 3 ("alert") due to an increase in activity, our Indonesian correspondant Andi reports.

A new 10 m wide gas vent, which erupted buring gasses, was observed on 10 March at 17 m distance from the shore. Thick steaming, larger than usual, forming a thick white column of sulfur steam 200 m high was already noted since 3 March. Measurements of the lake water temperature at 5 m depth had also shown increased values of 42.70 deg C.

On 10 March, the lake surface was 2 meters higher than normal, although this could be attributed to heavy recent rain fall.

Another sign of increased activity is that many leaves of trees and other plants around the crater have died recently, suggesting higher than normal SO2 levels.

Seismic activity has been rising as well. Since 22 Feb, a near contiuous tremor signal has been being recorded. In the interval 22-31 Feb, there were 52 harmonic tremor periods lasting up to 20 minutes, as well as 17 2 low-frequency earthquakes, 38 mostly shallow volcanic quakes. This number increased to 306 tremor episodes lasting up to 25 minutes, 27 low frequency, and 125 mostly shallow volcanic earthquakes during the latest observation period between 1-10 March.

Ijen volcano in East Java, famous for its turquoise acid lake Kawah Ijen and the sulfur mine inside its crater, had been on higher alert starting 18 December 2011, but was lowered to alert 2 on 4 Feb this year, but is now again at the second highest level of 3, meaning that volcanologist think an eruption could be imminent. Access to the crater is currently closed.................http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/ijen/news/6388/Ijen-volcano-East-Java-Indonesia-eruption-warning-due-to-increased-seismic-and-degassing-activity.html

Edited March 12, 2012 by yamkin

[karyo]

Southern Japan eruption! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthvideo/9140968/Volcano-erupts-violently-in-Japan.html

Karyo

[yamkin]

Frightening Volcanic Venting Signals Coming Midwest Megaquake

A U.S. Midwest Megaquake: many say ‘It can’t happen here.’ But it can, and it will. It’s happened many times in the past and the odds are increasing that it’s about to happen again soon—much sooner than most people think. The last New Madrid Megaquake caused the Mississippi River to run backward, destroyed whole towns and villages in seconds, and killed an unknown number of people. And that was when most of the Midwest was sparsely populated. The next Megaquake would affect up to 160 million people, severely damage or destroy most of the supporting infrastructure, topple one or more major cities, potentially kill tens of thousands, and make a million or more homeless within a matter of mere minutes...............http://www.pakalertp...west-megaquake/

Edited March 13, 2012 by yamkin

[karyo]

Interesting article about Santorini and it's expanding caldera!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46724625/ns/technology_and_science-science/

Karyo

[karyo]

Interesting article about Santorini and it's expanding caldera!

http://www.msnbc.msn...cience-science/

Karyo

Edit: There is also some coverage in the Greek media which I find surprising. http://www.nooz.gr/science/ksipnise-to-ufaisteio-tis-santorinis

[The PIT]

From what I've read on the net, the 1985 eruption was not particularly big but it was very deadly because of the snow and ice that suddenly melted and caused a lahar!

Karyo

Made more deadly by lack of Government funding infighting and local politcal interests and a lack of basic plan to evacute the people in the path of the mudflows.

[karyo]

Made more deadly by lack of Government funding infighting and local politcal interests and a lack of basic plan to evacute the people in the path of the mudflows.

That's indeed true The Pit and I bet there are many similar examples that lead to disasters!

Karyo

[yamkin]

Colombia Cities On Alert As Smoke, Ash Rise From Volcano

UPDATE:

A rising smoke plume from a Colombian volcano put nearby cities and towns on alert as it continued to emit smoke, vapor and ash Monday.

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano, located in central Colombia about 130 kilometers (80 miles) west of Bogota, has been on yellow alert since October 2010 and began spewing ash and smoke last week.

The director of the Manizales seismic observatory, Gloria Cortes, said they are keeping a close eye on the volcano and monitoring seismic activity as they work with local officials to ensure the safety of nearby residents and tourists in the area.

"The local committee leaders, led by the area mayors, and given the current state of activity, have made a decision regarding the level of alert for the different areas and cities," Cortes said.

Authorities from cities in the volcano's proximity say they too are carefully watching the situation and have issued green and yellow alerts depending on how close they are to the volcano.

The mayor of Manizales, Jorge Eduardo Rojas, said his city is on green alert for now adding that could change if activity increases.

"Everyone needs to be ready for any situation. However, the city alert, which is at green, is still green and is not going to change though we are of course carefully watching for any changes on Nevado [del Ruiz]," Rojas, said.

Other cities closer to the crater are on an elevated yellow alert, though they say populated centers are not in imminent danger at the moment.

Thus far, the smoke plume has not caused any problems for air traffic.

The volcano's yellow alert means an eruption is possible though not definite. If it passes to orange it signifies an eruption is likely in weeks............http://www.todaysthv...se-from-volcano

Edited March 14, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Poas volcano (Costa Rica) - High-Temperature Fumarolic Activity And Sporadic Small Phreatic Explosions

During February, Poás activity consisted in strong high-temperature fumarolic activity and sporadic small phreatic explosions, reported by park rangers.

The latest monthly bulletin of Costa Rica's volcano observatory OBSICORI published a more detailed summary of Poás' activity during February summarized as follows:

The ultra-acid crater lake had a greenish-gray color with sporadic convection cells visible in the central part carrying sulfur in suspension. Lake temperature were measured at 44° C, which is a value significantly lower than those measured during most of 2009-2011. The pH value of the lake water was measured at 0.01, slightly "less" acidic than during November 2011 (pH -0.4).

The lake volume continued to decrease and its level dropped by 1.16 m between 25 Jan and 24 Feb. Concentrations of sulphate and chlorine increased.

The composite pyroclastic cone (the "dome") has high-temperature fumarolic activity and a strong emissions of blue gas (SO2).

Fumarolic activity in the northwest sector of the "dome" had temperatures between 685 and 725°C. In the northern part of the "dome", temperatures were ranging between 640 and 727°C (at accessible points).

On the north wall and north of the "dome" at the shore, there are some underwater fumaroles which release a significant amount of sulfur particles. Temperatures in this area range between 74 and 90°C.

High-temperature fumaraoles from the comosite cone (the "dome") at the shore of Poás' crater lake (photo: E. Fernández, 24 Feb 2012)

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6470/Poas-volcano-Costa-Rica-activity-summary-Feb-2012-high-temperature-fumarolic-activity-and-sporadic-s.html

[yamkin]

Soufrière Hills Volcano (Montserrat): Small Pyroclastic Flow From Dome With No Warning

A small pyroclastic flow occurred from Montserrat's Soufrière Hills volcano on 9 March, MVO reports. The flow was small, but happened with no warning at around 5:20 pm (local time) from the western flanks of Soufriere Hills Volcano down into Spring Ghaut.

The pyroclastic flow traveled about 1 km to the west towards Plymouth before its ash dissipated to form a small ash cloud rising 1.3 km and drifting towards St. Georges Hill and out to sea. MVO has published further details and photographs of this event which is significant as it occurred during a quiet phase of the volcano with no current active lava dome growth and illustrates the hazard of sudden pyroclastic flows.

"There were no precursors to this event. Although activity has generally been low, this event clearly illustrates that Soufrière Hills Volcano is still an active volcano and that pyroclastic flows can occur at any time with little to no warning."

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6503/Soufri%C3%A8re-Hills-volcano-Montserrat-small-pyroclastic-flow-from-dome-with-no-warning.html