General Volcanic Activity Thread!

[yamkin]

Anak Krakatau Volcano (Indonesia): Growing Lava Dome

An active lava dome is growing inside the summit crater of Krakatau volcano. Our tour expedition leader Andi just returned from a visit and reports that the dome is now about 100 m wide, and has 2 main active vents that eject jets of incandescent gas.

At night, the glow from the dome is clearly visible from Rakata and Sertung islands, and a continuous intense solfatara plume is rising about 500 m above the summit. Andi and our group observed also that there are now more and larger fumarole fields on the southern part of the cone. According to our observations and the opinion of local scientists, this area is inflated due to the pushing of the lava dome.

The seismic recordings from the observatory of Krakatau also show an increase in activity. On 26 March, there were 138 volcanic-tectonic (A-type) earthquakes and 300 long-period (B-type) quakes alone.

The question is how long the lava dome remains quiet and purely effusive in style. Explosive, also larger vulcanian-type ones, activity could occur any time.

The growing lava dome inside Anak Krakatau's summit crater on 26 March 2012

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/7142/Anak-Krakatau-volcano-Indonesia-growing-lava-dome.html

[yamkin]

Authorities Raise Alert Level For Remote Alaska Volcano After New Lave Dome Growth Detected

The alert level for a remote Alaska volcano has been raised again after scientists found another lava dome has formed in the crater in the last week.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Wednesday increased the level for Cleveland Volcano, a 5,675-foot peak on uninhabited Chuginadak Island about 940 miles southwest of Anchorage.

The status was raised earlier this year when the center detected two small, likely ash-poor eruptions through March 13, but lowered the alert level last week after 10 days of inactivity.

Scientists can’t actively monitor the volcano because there is no real-time seismic monitoring network on the volcano in the Aleutian Islands.

Authorities say sudden eruptions could occur at any time, and ash clouds 20,000 feet above sea level are possible.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/authorities-raise-alert-level-for-remote-alaska-volcano-after-new-lave-dome-growth-detected/2012/03/28/gIQAzeERhS_story.html

[yamkin]

Semeru Volcano (East Java): Frequent Eruptions And Glowing Lava

Our expedition leader Doni just returned from a visit to Semeru and reports that on 27 March, he and our group observed frequent explosions every few minutes, with many powerful enough to eject glowing bombs to produce small glowing avalanches down on the southern flank of the volcano.

http://mobile.volcanodiscovery.com/semeru/news/7319/Semeru-volcano-East-Java-frequent-eruptions-and-glowing-lava.html

[yamkin]

Montserrat Aolcano Active Again - UPDATE

For the first time in two years, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) monitoring the Soufriere Hills volcano noted unusual activity, with increased seismicity, accompanied by ash fall.

Acting Director of MVO Roderick Stuart said the change, which was noted on Friday, is a break from a long state of pause, thus a reminder the volcano is still very active and residents there must always be cautious and aware.

The Soufriere Hills volcano is showing signs of life again, with increased seismic activity and ash fall

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=73144

[The PIT]

Maybe worth having a look at Etna's web cams in the next few days as the new SE crater maybe waking up again. http://www.ct.ingv.i...mid=202〈=it

Also worth looking at this page just in case http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

Lava dome in Anak Krakatua I think that's the first time that's ever been observed.

Edited March 30, 2012 by The PIT

[yamkin]

These Scorching Photos Of The Kilaeua Volcano Are Lava-ly

Braving melted shoes photographer Miles Morgan got as close as he could to the searing heat from Kilaeua volcano on Big Island, Hawaii. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

The lava from Kilaeua volcano on Big Island, Hawaii, steams as it meets the cold sea water. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

Photographer Miles Morgan, 41, from Hawaii took this incredible shot using a self-timer on his camera, as close as he could to the burning heat of Kilaeua volcano on Big Island, Hawaii. Picture: Red Kangaroo Media

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/news/these-scorching-pics-are-simply-lava-ly/story-e6frg8ro-1226314585319

Edited March 30, 2012 by yamkin

[The PIT]

Etna may be going to have pop tonight there's glow at New South East crater on the web cams.

Yup looks a positive http://www.guide-etna.com/webcam/

[karyo]

Etna may be going to have pop tonight there's glow at New South East crater on the web cams.

Yup looks a positive http://www.guide-etna.com/webcam/

Indeed! Let's see if we are going to see lava fountains in an hour or two!

Karyo

[The PIT]

Damn thing is teasing at the moment. Problem is when it goes it lasts about 45 mins to hour if you knod off you've missed it.

[karyo]

Yes, Etna gives brief but frequent eruptions so she is never boring.

I visited once when she was not erupting but need to go again.

Karyo

[The PIT]

What I find interesting is that the vents are moving towards the valle de bove a collapse scar which may have been formed by gravitational failure or by eruptive activity. The region is unstable so if a vent opened in the region I wonder if could cause that side of the mountain too slide again towards the sea.

[The PIT]

By the way if it did collapse it would probably result in a vei 5 eruption. I'm surprised it's not been raised as a possible cause for concern which may happen in our live times.

[Crepuscular Ray]

It's an awful prospect. My opinion (as little as it's worth) is that either they're not worrying (perhaps complacent because nothing major's happened for a while) or deliberately not causing a panic.

[The PIT]

Well it's going too erupt while I'm asleep I think.

[Methuselah]

The science of eruption-prediction still has some way to go yet, but Etna could prove interesting.

[Crepuscular Ray]

There appears to have been some lava spotted overnight.

[yamkin]

Nevado Del Ruiz In Colombia May Erupt In “Days To Weeksâ€

the Colombian geological survey, released a “special bulletin†this afternoon elevating the alert status at Nevado del Ruiz to Orange Level (II). This means that the signs of activity at the volcano suggest that an eruption is likely in the days to weeks timescale. Marta Calvache from INGEOMINAS mentioed that over the past few days the volcano has experienced tremor related to “fluid motion†(likely magma), rock fracture earthquakes at the summit have been increasing in pulses and sulfur dioxide emissions continue to be high.

The small steam plume from Nevado del Ruiz, seen on March 27, 2012. Image from INGEOMINAS Colombia.

Webcam capture from March 31, 2012 showing a small plume from Nevado del Ruiz in Colombia.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/03/nevado-del-ruiz-in-colombia-may-erupt-in-days-to-weeks/

[yamkin]

Mount Etna Puts On Spectacular Show On 1st April 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH9nATp0f_0&feature

[Crepuscular Ray]

Blimey. I wonder where they got that footage from; it's so much more spectacular than anything from any of the Etna webcams - at least the ones I've found.

[pyrotech]

BALD PEAK VOLCANO ERUPTION IMMINENT, SCIENTISTS SAY - OREGON, USA

Area evacuation ordered; 99W traffic reaches record levels

City and state officials ordered evacuation of the Newberg area Sunday morning after scientists predicted that Bald Peak, a mountain only recently discovered to be a volcano, will erupt within days, covering the Chehalem Valley in lava and ash.

The Oregon Volcano Observatory issued a red warning early Sunday for the mountain, indicating that an eruption is expected to be imminent with significant emission of ash into the atmosphere likely.

“I cannot overstate the amount of danger we’re in,†Newberg Emergency Management Director Blake Hadley said at a Sunday press conference. “The lives of every person in this valley are literally at risk. We need to pack up and leave, now. Help your neighbors, (but) first help yourselves.â€

http://www.newberggr...s.say/news.aspx

Your a bit late for an April Fools joke - ends 12 oclock midday

[yamkin]

Your a bit late for an April Fools joke - ends 12 oclock midday

Silly me did not eevn see that coming................ :doh:

[The PIT]

Typically Etna waited until I wasn't looking and then erupted. Went off last night apparently.

[yamkin]

Colombia's Los Nevados National Park Closed Over Volcano Orange Alert

Central Colombia authorities closed the national "Los Nevados" park Sunday after an increase in seismic activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano.

Meteorological authorities raised the alert level to orange in 17 municipalities in Tolima and Caldas departments while visitors are prohibited to enter the park in an area in four departments.

The measures came at the beginning of teh holy week in which usually some 20,000 tourists visit the nature reserve.

An orange alert does not mean that an eruption is imminent.

http://colombiarepor...cano-alert.html

[yamkin]

Ambrym Volcano (Vanuatu) Activity Update: Lava Lakes Still Active

Ambrym (Vanuatu) is showing signs of activity. After a longer period of silence on Modvolc, a strong thermal signal is again visible at Marum and Benbow craters on the MODIS Global Hot Spot monitoring tool from the University of Hawaii (ModVolc).

It is difficult to obtain reliable information about the lava lakes of Ambrym during cyclone season (November until March). Often, large clouds cover the island, which makes visual observations hard. Also, our local contacts rarely climb the volcano during cyclone season.

http://www.volcanodi...ill-active.html

Edited April 10, 2012 by jethro

[yamkin]

Significant Increase In The Activity Of The Volcano Nevado Del Ruiz, Colombia

Nevado del Ruiz seems to be getting closer to a new eruption. INGEOMINAS reports that during the last week, there has been a significant increase in the activity of the volcano, which can be summarized as follows:

- From March 27, there have been phases of volcanic tremor pulses related probably to deep magma movements.

- Since the last week, there were seismic signals interpreted with rock fracturing, i.e. dike intrusions, located west of the active crater. Similar seismic activity was observed prior to the eruptions in November 1985 and September 1989, although this time it is less energetic.

- On March 29 at 10:54 local time, for a period of 25 minutes, there were over 135 earthquakes located south of Arenas crater at a depth of about 4 km.

- From 04:00 am local time on 31 March, there has been a significant increase in seismicity of events associated with fluid movements and fracturing of rock located in the active crater.

- SO2 emissions continue at high levels.

According to the diagnosis made so far, INGEOMINAS expects an eruption in the coming weeks, but smaller in size than those in November 1985 and September 1989.

http://www.volcanodi...z-Colombia.html