Mayon Volcano Update [25 December 2009]

Mayon Volcano Activity: Intense

Mayon Volcano activity remains at high levels of intensity

Mayon Volcano spews ash as glowing lava cascades down its slope during a mild eruption, December 24, 2009.  Credit: REUTERS/Erik de Castro. Image may be subject to copyright. Click image to enlarge.

During the past 24-hr observation period, the state vulcanologists observed and recorded:

• 96 ash explosions when visibility permitted.
• Columns of “light brown to grayish” ash ejected to a height of  2 km.
• 125  booming and rumbling sounds detected at the Lignon Hill Observatory in Legaspi City.
• Elevated seismic activity.
• 871 volcanic earthquakes.
• 98 rock fall events, “related to detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes.”
• Pyroclastic flows moved down within 2 km from the crater.
• Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission averaged at 2,738 tonnes/day.
• Volcano hazard warning remains at alert level 4.

The following Bulletin was released by The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) today:

Mayon Volcano Bulletin 12  released on 25 December 2009

Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) continued to show an intense level of activity during the past 24-hour observation period. Ninety-six (96) ash explosions were observed during times of good visibility. These explosions produced light brown to grayish ash columns that reached heights of up to 2 km. One hundred twenty five (125) rumbling and booming sounds from the volcano were heard at the Lignon Hill Observatory in Legaspi City. Seismic activity remained elevated as the seismic network recorded a total of eight hundred seventy one (871) volcanic earthquakes. Ninety eight (98) rock fall events, related to detachment of lava fragments at the volcano’s upper slopes, were also detected. Three of these events were observed to have generated pyroclastic flows that moved down within 2 km from the crater. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate was high and was measured at an average of 2,738 tonnes/day yesterday.

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano, meaning a hazardous eruption is possible within days.  Thus, PHIVOLCS-DOST reiterates that the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) from the summit of 8-km on the southern sector of the volcano and 7-km on the northern sector should be free from human activity.  Areas just outside of this EDZ should prepare for evacuation in the event hazardous explosive eruptions intensify.  Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.  PHIVOLCS–DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately posted to all concerned.

For previous entries, additional information, photos and links to Mayon Volcano see:

• Mayon Volcano Update 24 December 2009

• Mayon Volcano Update 23 December

• Mayon Volcano Update [22 December 2009]

Related Links:

• Mayon Alert Raised to Level 4
• 76% chance Mayon explodes before 2010
• Volcano UPDATE: Mt Mayon Could Explode
• Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!
• Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 Nov 2009]
• Mayon’s crater glow grows more intense
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Earth undergoing significant geophysical disturbances

• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Celebes Sea, S of Philippines
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• Strong Quake Strikes Offshore Mindoro, Philippines
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• FEWW Volcano Links

• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Mayon Volcano Update 23 December

Mayon Volcano Undergoing Strombolian Phase

Mt Mayon is believed to be in a strombolian phase (often occurs before a major eruption), say state vulcanologists.

• Lava flow has reached 5.5 km from the summit.
• There may be a series of eruptions instead of a single catastrophic explosion.
• Magma movement continues to generate continuous tremors.
• Albay residents who refuse to leave their properties may have to sign a waiver.

The following bulletin was issued by PHIVOLCS:

Mayon Volcano Bulletin 10
23 December 2009 – 7:00 AM [UTC + 8hrs]

Mayon Volcano (13.2576 N, 123.6856 E) continued to show an intense level of activity during the past 24-hour observation period. Seismic activity remained elevated in number and size as the seismic network detected 1,051 volcanic earthquakes and continuously recorded harmonic tremors. Many of these volcanic earthquakes were recorded at maximum deflection. Sixty six (66) ash explosions were observed during times of good visibility. These explosions produced grayish to light brown ash columns that reached height from 100 to 1000 meters above the summit before drifting towards southwest.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate remained very high and was measured at an average of 6,737 tons per day (t/d) yesterday. Two hundred eighty (280) audible booming and rumbling sounds were intermittently heard for the past 24 hours.  Red hot lava also continuously flowed down along the Bonga-Buyuan, Miisi and Lidong gullies.

Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano, meaning a hazardous eruption is possible within days.  Thus, PHIVOLCS-DOST reiterates that the Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) from the summit of 8-km on the southern sector of the volcano and 7-km on the northern sector should be free from human activity.  Areas just outside of this EDZ should prepare for evacuation in the event hazardous explosive eruptions intensify.  Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.  PHIVOLCS–DOST is closely monitoring Mayon Volcano’s activity and any new significant development will be immediately posted to all concerned.

For additional information click on the link below:

• Mayon Volcano Update [22 December 2009]

Related Links:

• Mayon Alert Raised to Level 4
• 76% chance Mayon explodes before 2010
• Volcano UPDATE: Mt Mayon Could Explode
• Mayon Lava in Interesting Times!
• Mayon Volcano Oozes Lava

• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• Mount Mayon neighbors on evacuation alert
• Mayon Volcano Ejects Ash

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 Nov 2009]
• Mayon’s crater glow grows more intense
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• Earth undergoing significant geophysical disturbances

• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Celebes Sea, S of Philippines
• Strong Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines
• Strong Quake Strikes Offshore Mindoro, Philippines
• Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes
• FEWW Volcano Links

• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Galeras Alert Level Raised to “Orange”

Galeras Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

Colombia’s Galeras activity has intensified signifying an eruption may be imminent—INGEOMINAS

Galeras seen in this aerial photo (Undated). Source: Alaska Earthquake Information center. Image may be subject to copyright.

In June this year FEWW Forecast:

Galeras could erupt continually throughout 2009  and most of 2010 AND it hasn’t disappointed yet!

The Colombian Institute of Mining and Geology (INGEOMINAS), raised alert level Thursday to ‘Orange’ in the area near Galeras volcano, expecting it to erupt soon.

INGEOMINAS said Galeras activity has intensified signifying an eruption may be imminent within days or weeks. Adding that the volcano was showing recurrent episodes of intense seismic activity.

The authorities have evacuated about 8,000 residents from the hazard zones near the volcano.

In June 2009 Galeras volcano erupted twice in 24 hours , covering nearby villages in a blanket of volcanic ash.

Although the first eruption on Sunday June 7, 2009 caused no damage, the authorities ordered 8,000 residents to evacuate the surrounding villages.

The second explosion on Monday was the 8th eruption this year to shake the volcano, which is located in the Colombian department of Nariño near the town of  Pasto, and close to the Ecuadorean border.

Currently the most active volcano in Colombia, the 4,276-meter-high volcano’s first historical eruption occurred on December 7, 1580. The volcano resumed activity in 1988 after 10 years of dormancy. It erupted in 1993, killing nine people, three tourists and six scientists who had descended into the volcano’s crater to conduct tests.

Galeras from Pasto (1993?). Photo by Stan Williams. Image may be subject to copyright.

Eight of Colombia’s 15 volcanoes have erupted in the last 100 years, and three of them since 1990: Galeras, Nevado del Huila, and Nevado del Ruiz.

An explosive eruption ruptured the summit of Nevado del Ruiz on November 13, 1985, spewing about 20 million cubic meters of volcanic ash and rocks into the air. Forty-meter thick lahars traveling at velocities of up to 50 kilometers per hour destroyed the town of Armero 74 km away from the explosion crater, killing more than 23,000 people. [Source: USGS]

Galeras activity in 2009

• 14 February 19:11 an eruption spewed ash SO2 and other and volcanic gases. (Red Alert, Level I). [Pasto was covered in ash, 8,000 people evacuated.]
• 20 February 07:05 spewed ashes. (Red Alert,  Level I).
• 12 March 19:30, and 13 March 15:55 explosions were recorded (Orange Alert, Level II ).
• 13 March 15:55, eruption occurred spewing gas and hot ashes at 16:34 further emission was recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 24 April 07:32, two explosions were recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 29 April monitors recorded increase in seismic activity. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 11 May 11:58, tectonic venting. (Orange Alert, Level II).
• 17 May 21:40, seismic activity recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).

For other episodes see:

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [3 Dec 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [25 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [11 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [6 Nov 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [28 Oct 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [7 October 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [6 August 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [2 July 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [25 June 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 June 2009]
• Weekly VolcanoWatch [11 June 2009]

Related Links:

• Galeras Volcano Erupts Twice in 24 Hrs
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [20 May 2009]
• Galeras Volcano Erupts Again [April 26, 2009]
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Galeras Erupts Again! [February 15, 2009]

Shiveluch spewes large plumes of ash

Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula ejects ash to a height of 7km

Shiveluch volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia’s northernmost active volcano,  spewed out ash to a height of some 7,000 meters (23,000 feet), the local geophysics service reported on Monday.

The service had registered about 60 tremors within the area in the previous 24 hours.

“Some of them were followed by powerful ash bursts and avalanches,” a spokesman for the service said.

Shiveluch volcano erupted in December 2006. Local scientists expect the volcano to erupt explosively soon.

“Volcanic activity over the past two-three years has significantly altered the contour of the volcano, with the crater increasing in size by 50% and the slopes becoming far steeper.” RiaNovosti reported.

Related Links:

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [25 June 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [18 June 2009]

Previous Comments by FEWW

• Sarychev Peak Spews Two Plumes of Ash, Helping to Balance Earth’s Energy Budget
• Pacific Plate subduction beneath the Okhotsk Plate

FEWW Volcanic Activity Forecast

• Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci Erupts

• Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci Erupts
• Volcano Watch Weekly: 23 April 2009

• Weekly Volcano Watch: 16 April 2009
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 2 April 2009

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Galeras Volcano Erupts Twice in 24 Hrs

NO Early Rest for Furious Galeras!

Galeras could erupt continually throughout 2009  and most of 2010 [FEWW]

Colombia’s Galeras volcano erupted twice in 24 hours, covering nearby villages in a blanket of volcanic ash.

Galeras Volcano. Photo source: Colombia Report. Image may be subject  to copyright.

Galeras seen in this aerial photo (Undated). Source: Alaska Earthquake Information center. Image may be subject to copyright.

“An eruption of explosive nature has been registered,” the national geological institute Ingeominas said.

Although the earlier eruption on Sunday caused no damage, the authorities ordered 8,000 residents to evacuate the surrounding villages.

The second explosion on Monday was the 8th eruption one this year to shake the volcano, which is located in the Colombian department of Nariño near the town of  Pasto, and close to the Ecuadorean border.

Currently the most active volcano in Colombia, the 4,276-meter-high volcano’s first historical eruption occurred on December 7, 1580. The volcano resumed activity in 1988 after 10 years of dormancy. It erupted in 1993, killing nine people, three tourists and six scientists who had descended into the volcano’s crater to conduct tests.

Galeras from Pasto (1993?). Photo by Stan Williams. Image may be subject to copyright.

Galeras activity in 2009

• 14 February 19:11 an eruption spewed ash SO2 and other and volcanic gases. (Red Alert, Level I). [Pasto was covered in ash, 8,000 people evacuated.]

• 20 February 07:05 spewed ashes. (Red Alert,  Level I).

• 12 March 19:30, and 13 March 15:55 explosions were recorded (Orange Alert, Level II ).

• 13 March 15:55, eruption occurred spewing gas and hot ashes at 16:34 further emission was recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).

• 24 April 07:32, two explosions were recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).

• 29 April monitors recorded increase in seismic activity. (Orange Alert, Level II).

• 11 May 11:58, tectonic venting. (Orange Alert, Level II).

• 17 May 21:40, seismic activity recorded. (Orange Alert, Level II).

Eight of Colombia’s 15 volcanoes have erupted in the last 100 years, and three of them since 1990: Galeras, Nevado del Huila, and Nevado del Ruiz.

An explosive eruption ruptured the summit of Nevado del Ruiz on November 13, 1985, spewing about 20 million cubic meters of volcanic ash and rocks into the air. Forty-meter thick lahars traveling at velocities of up to 50 kilometers per hour destroyed the town of Armero 74 km away from the explosion crater, killing more than 23,000 people. [Source: USGS]

Related Links:

• VolcanoWatch Weekly [20 May 2009]
• Galeras Volcano Erupts Again [April 26, 2009]
  
• FEWW Volcano Links
• Galeras Erupts Again! [February 15, 2009]
  

Llaima Volcano Erupts Explosively

Chile’s Llaima volcano, one of the largest and most active volcanoes in South America erupts again!

Llaima volcano erupted again spewing lava and ash in southern Chile and prompting evacuations and landslide hazard warnings.

Llaima Volcano erupts. Reuters photo dated April 5, 2009. Image may be subject to copyright.

Llaima Volcano erupts. Reuters photo dated April 5, 2009. Image may be subject to copyright.

The 3,125-meter-high Llaima volcano spewed smoke and ash about 600 meters into the air with lava flowing about 1,000 meters down the volcano.

The eruption melted the snow around the crater, raising the possibility of flooding and mudslide and prompting the officials to evacuate the nearby villages.

The risk of mud avalanches is high, the officials said, which may cause the Calbuco River to rise.

Llaima volcano, whose last significant eruption occurred in July 2008, is located about 600 kilometers south of the Chilean capital, Santiago.

Llaima Volcano erupts. Source: Periodistadigital. Image may be subject to copyright.

Llaima Volcano, Chile. [Dated 6 December 2004 ?] This file is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0. Credit: Jespinos

Excerpts from Reuters report:

It said an ash-swollen river near the volcano had swept away a pedestrian bridge, but there was no other damage. Bright red bursts of lava were visible in the night sky as Llaima erupted.

The office said on its website that there were “permanent explosions that reach 600 metres (650 yards) above the crater. Falling ash is visible and … a flow of lava of more than 1,000 metres (1,100 yards) has been observed.”

Chile’s chain of some 2,000 volcanoes is the world’s second-largest after Indonesia. Some 50 to 60 are on record as having erupted, and 500 are potentially active.

Related Links:

• Llaima Volcano Erupts Again! (July 2, 2008) – includes location map

No Doubt about Redoubt Volcano!

Latest photo of Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano

Hot smoke and gas were ejected from two new fumaroles that appeared in the snow and ice layer on Alaska’s Redoubt Volcano.

Photo by Chris Waythomas, Alaska Volcano Observatory /U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

The AVO researchers reported that the ice layer surrounding the volcano is melting rapidly because of the hot gasses  that are spewing out of the fumaroles. The gases reportedly include carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sulfur dioxide, which means magma is edging upward. AVO scientists also believe new magma has entered Redoubt, which means that there is strong possibility the volcano will explode in the near future.

The 3,108-meter volcano, considered the 9th most active in the U.S., is about 170 kilometers from Anchorage, Alaska.

AVO report dated 2009-02-03 15:02:56

“Unrest at Redoubt Volcano continues. Seismic activity remains elevated above background. Clear web camera images show no activity at the volcano. An AVO crew is working near the volcano today. They have installed one new seismic station and are presently working on a second installation.  AVO is monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day.”

AVO Redoubt Scenarios

Based on their knowledge of  Redoubt’s past activities, both historical and from the geologic record, and their analysis of the current episode of unrest, AVO suggests four possible scenarios:

1. Failed Eruption
2. ERUPTION SIMILAR TO OR SMALLER THAN 1989-90
   Unrest continues to escalate culminating in an eruption that is similar to or smaller than the one that occurred in 1989-90.
3. Larger [than 1989-90] Explosive Eruption
4. Flank Collapse

Based on all available monitoring data and AVOs knowledge of the volcano, scenario number two, an eruption similar to or smaller than that of 1989-90, appears to be the most probable outcome at this time. We consider one and three to be somewhat less likely, and scenario four to be much less likely. —AVO

For more information see Redoubt Interpretation and Hazards.

Geologic Summary: Redoubt is a 3108-m-high glacier-covered stratovolcano with a breached summit crater in Lake Clark National Park about 170 km SW of Anchorage. Next to Mount Spurr, Redoubt has been the most active Holocene volcano in the upper Cook Inlet. Collapse of the summit of Redoubt 10,500-13,000 years ago produced a major debris avalanche that reached Cook Inlet. Holocene activity has included the emplacement of a large debris avalanche and clay-rich lahars that dammed Lake Crescent on the south side and reached Cook Inlet about 3500 years ago. Eruptions during the past few centuries have affected only the Drift River drainage on the north. Historical eruptions have originated from a vent at the north end of the 1.8-km-wide breached summit crater. The 1989-90 eruption of Redoubt had severe economic impact on the Cook Inlet region and affected air traffic far beyond the volcano. [Source: GVP]

Related Links:

• Alaska’s Redoubt May Be About to Erupt

• Tonga’s Metis Shoal may be erupting
• Two Volcanoes Erupt in Japan
• Volcanoes [Links page]

• Earthquake Forecast 2009 : Japan
• A New Era of Intense Volcanic Unrest May Have Begun
• Earthquakes [Links page]

• Climate Change, Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions

Content: 500 words, 1 image, 8 links