Submarine Volcano Erupts Near Sarigan Island
An underwater volcano off Sarigan Island, Northern Marianas, about 160km (100 miles) north of the island of Saipan erupted on Saturday sending a plume of steam and ash cloud into the air and showering the ocean surface with volcanic debris, US officials reported on Monday.
“An EMO observer aboard an overflight yesterday reported a large area of debris floating in the sea south of the island, and a stationary area of discoloration in the water, presumably above the vent. The crew on Sarigan reported passage of a small wave (less than 0.5 m) following onset of the eruption yesterday.” USGS said.
However, satellite images show no sign of ongoing activity, USGS said.
“Seismicity at a single nearby station on Sarigan Island declined soon after the eruption of a large steam and ash cloud from a submarine vent 11 km (7 miles) south of Sarigan Volcano early yesterday. Satellite images show no sign of ongoing activity.”
Scientists had initially thought the volcanic cloud came from either of the Anatahan or Sarigan volcano, and later verified the source by the trail of debris and water discoloration close to the vent, a USGS official said.
The Northern Mariana Islands are located about 6100km (3,800 miles) southwest of Hawaii.
Summary of Volcano Details (USGS):
- Volcano Location: N 16 deg 42 min E 145 deg 46 min
- Area: Mariana Islands
- Summit Elevation: 1765 ft (538 m)
- Volcanic Activity Summary: Seismicity and subaqueous eruptive activity have declined at Sarigan Volcano prompting reduction of the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcanic Activity Level to ADVISORY.
Major Volcanoes of the Mariana Islands (USGS)
Click image to enlarge.
Barren Island
A M6.4 quake (11.119°N, 93.698°E) which struck close to Barren Island Monday, May 31, 2010 at 19:51:48 UTC, may have triggered the Andaman Sea volcano for eruption.
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