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About 90 tremors were recorded on June 7, and the volcano released an estimated 1,700 tons of sulfur dioxide (20 times more than the amount released last month), said officials.
Japan’s weather agency raised the alert level for the volcano to Level 2 [“Do not approach the crater”] last week.
Ashfall from the eruption was also reported around the mountain as far as 4 km from the volcano, said officials. Aashfall from a September 2004 eruption covered a large area.
Recent Volcanic Activity on the Planet of the Abes
Mt. Ontake
In September, a series of volcanic tremors was followed by a powerful eruption at Mt. Ontake in central Japan, which left at least 57 people dead and 6 others missing.
The country’s worst volcanic disaster in 70 years would have been easily prevented had the authorities not failed to heed the warning signs.
Mt Shindake (Kuchinoerabujima)
A powerful eruption ejected an ash cloud to a height of about 9,000 meters in the air, forcing the authorities to evacuate the 140 or so residents from Kuchinoerabujima island on May 29, 2015.
Latest Warnings for Japan’s Volcanoes [Sourced from Japan’s weather agency]
Warning Level 5 (Evacuate) Shindake (Kuchinoerabujima), 29 May 2015
Near-crater warning Level 3 (Do not approach the volcano) Ontake, 31 March 2015
Near-crater warning Warning in non-residential areas near the crater Nishinoshima, 24 February 2015
Volcanic eruptions can be far more devastating than atom bombs!
For now, deadly Ontake eruption traps more than 270 hikers, injuring dozens and burying 3 others under volcanic ash.
Ontake volcano (283040), the second highest volcano in Japan, which straddles the border between Nagano and Gifu prefectures, erupted late Saturday morning, spewing a thick plume of ash, smoke and volcanic matter up to a height of 3.5km.
Pyroclasts including small rocks ejected from the angry volcano have seriously injured at least 32 people, knocking more than a dozen of them unconscious, said local reports quoting officials at Kiso fire department in Nagano Prefecture.
Three climbers are missing believed to be buried under volcanic ash. “A 4th person who was buried under ash was later rescued but remains unconscious,” said the local TV news.
Deadly Eruption
[Updated at 14:40UTC] At least one person, a 38 year-old female, has been killed as a result of the eruption, said local reports.
More than 40 of the 271 hikers initially stranded, taking shelter at a cottage near the volcano summit, still remain on the mountain, including the injured who are waiting to be rescued.
The 3,067-meter tall volcano, located about 200km west of Tokyo, last erupted 7 years ago. A previous eruption in 1979 caused significant damage to crops in the nearby farms.
“It’s all white outside, looks like it has snowed. There is very bad visibility and we can’t see the top of the mountain,” a worker at a mountain hut for trekkers told Reuters.
“There are 15cm of ash on the ground,” she said.
“All we can do now is shut up the hut and then we are planning on coming down… This is a busy season because of the changing autumn leaves. It’s one of our busiest seasons.”
Authorities have warned that the eruption could eject pyroclasts as far as 4km from the caldera.
A thick plume of ash was still hanging over the volcano at dusk, TV footage showed.
“We expect a lot of injured people so we are now getting ready for their arrival,” said an official at Kiso Prefectural Hospital located near the mountain.
Meantime, the local meteorological agency upgraded its 5-stage volcanic alert for Ontake to “Orange” or Level 3—Do not approach the volcano.
Sakurajima also Erupted Today
Meantime, Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory issue an eruption alert for SAKURAJIMA-WAKAMIKO (AIRA-CALDERA) 282080, earlier today.
The volcano erupted at 10:16UTC (2014/09/27) with the ash cloud climbing to FL070 and extending southwesterly.
Mayon in high state of unrest, explosive eruption possible
Thousands of people have been evacuated from around the foot Mt Mayon, Philippines’ most active volcano, as the crater glow became observable indicating presence of molten lava and superheated volcanic gases.
PHIVOLCS released the following bulletins earlier:
MAYON VOLCANO BULLETIN 16 September 2014 8:00 A.M.
Mayon Volcano’s (13.2500°N, 123.6833°E) seismic network recorded thirty-two (32) volcanic earthquakes and seventy-two (72) rock fall events during the past 24-hour observation period. Intensity III (bright) crater glow was visible last night, although rain clouds prevented visual observation of the crater during the day. Rolling incandescent rockfall within the uppermost reaches of the Bonga Gully last night indicates that the summit lava dome is breaching the crater in its southeastern side. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) flux was measured at an average of 611 tonnes/day on 02 September 2014. Ground deformation data showed inflationary changes in the edifice from February 2014 based on precise leveling surveys on the 3rd week of August 2014, and edifice inflation from January 2012 baselines based on continuous tilt measurement. All the above data indicate that the volcano is exhibiting relatively high unrest due to the movement of potentially eruptible magma.
Mayon Volcano’s alert status has been raised to Alert Level 3. This means that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks. It is recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rock falls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
NOTICE OF INCREASE TO ALERT LEVEL 3:
In the past several hours, a noticeable escalation of unrest was recorded by the Mayon Volcano monitoring network. Since 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM today, 39 rockfall events that are ascribed to incipient breaching of the growing summit lava dome across the southeastern crater rim, and 32 low frequency volcanic earthquakes that indicate magma intrusion and/or volcanic gas activity, have been detected. Crater glow has become observable, indicating incandescence of the crater from molten lava and hot volcanic gas.
In view thereof, PHIVOLCS-DOST is now raising the alert status of Mayon Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3. This means that Mayon is exhibiting relatively high unrest and that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks. It is therefore recommended that the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) around the volcano and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone (EDZ) on the southeastern flank be enforced due to the danger of rockfalls, landslides and sudden explosions or dome collapse that may generate hazardous volcanic flows. PHIVOLCS maintains close monitoring of Mayon Volcano and any new development will be communicated to all concerned stakeholders.
Significant Earthquakes
Iceland has been rattled by 7 significant quakes measuring between magnitudes 4.6 and 5.3Mw since September 10.
The largest quake measured 5.3Mw, which occurred 108km WNW of Hofn at depth of 10.0 km on 2014-09-15 at 08:05:02 UTC.
Sweden registered a rare earthquake measuring 4.7Mw, which struck about 59km (37mi) N of Mora, said USGS/EHP.
The quake occurred at a depth of about 14.3km (8.9mi), at 13:08UTC on September 15, 2014.
Oklahomans were rattled by at least 4 earthquakes over the last 24 hours. The quakes measured between magnitudes 2.7 and 4.0Mw.
The largest quake measuring 4.0Mw occurred about 6km S of Guthrie, Oklahoma at a depth of 4.4 km on September 15 at 20:08UTC.
Japan recorded a magnitude 5.6 shock striking Ibaraki Prefecture about 44km (27mi) NNE of Tokyo, which scared the living daylight out of millions of local kamikazes.
The quake registered 5- (Five Minus) on the local 7-point seismic scale.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts
For detailed earthquake forecasts tune into FIRE-EARTH Reports daily @ 06:32UTC.
FIRE-EARTH Earthquake Forecasts for California and Japan
FIRE-EARTH Science Team has suspended its research on California seismicity to protest Internet censorship, Google’s manipulation of information, theft of FIRE-EARTH intellectual property and other reasons, as previously stated.
The Team has suspended its research also on Japan seismicity due to resurgence of militarism in Japan and other reasons, as previously stated.
VOLCANIC HAZARDS STATE OF EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION MASS EVACUATIONS LOSS OF HABITAT CROP DESTRUCTION SCENARIOS 787, 444, 070, 047, 017, 07, 02 .
Lava from Kilauea Volcano advancing 250 meters per day
Hawai‘i County Mayor has signed a state of emergency proclamation due to the advancing lava flow in the Wao Kele O Puna area after the flow extended to less than 1.5km from the edge of the Ka‘ohe Homesteads subdivision, said the mayor’s office.
It’s believed that at least 8,211 people (based on 2010 Census) residing in the subdivision of Hawaiian Beaches are directly threatened by the lava flow. However, the number is unrepresentative of the present population since the District of Puna is the fastest growing population in the State, said the Mayor’s Proclamation.
“We are taking this step to ensure our residents have time to prepare their families, their pets, and their livestock for a safe and orderly evacuation from Ka‘ohe in the event the flow continues to advance,” said Mayor Kenoi.
No evacuation orders have yet been issued, said Hawaii County Civil Defense; however, the risk of lava flow affecting the subdivision is increasing daily.
Kilauea Volcano Warning Issued by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Thursday, September 4, 2014, 10:45 AM HST (2014-09-04 @ 20:45UTC)
Volcanic Activity Summary: On June 27, 2014, new vents opened on the northeast flank of the Pu‘u ‘O‘o cone that fed a narrow lava flow to the east-northeast. On August 18, the flow entered a ground crack, traveled underground for several days, then resurfaced to form a small lava pad. The sequence was repeated twice more over the following days with lava entering other cracks and reappearing farther downslope. In this way, the flow had advanced approximately 13.2 km (8.2 miles) from the vent, or to within 1.3 km (0.8 miles) of the eastern boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve, by the afternoon of September 3. Overnight, lava did not appear to advance farther east within the crack system, but surface flows advanced about 100 m to the northeast. At the average rate of advancement of 250 m/day (820 ft/day) since July 10, we project that lava could reach the Kaohe Homesteads boundary within 5-7 days should lava resume advancing within the crack system.
Kaohe Homesteads is located between the Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve and the town of Pāhoa in the Puna District of the County of Hawai`i.
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Recent Observations: [Volcanic cloud height] SO2, low ash emissions continue from Kīlauea caldera, TFR in place. [Other volcanic cloud information] none [Lava flow/dome] June 27th Lava Flow continues to advance.
Hazard Analysis: [Lava flow/dome] Lava Flow from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent could advance to Kaohe Homesteads within a week.
Remarks: The Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent in the East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano began erupting on January 3, 1983, and has continued erupting for more than 31 years, with the majority of lava flows advancing to the south. Over the past two years, lava flows have issued from the vent toward the northeast. The June 27th flow is the most recent of these flows and the first to threaten a residential area since 2010-2011.
June 27th lava flow front reemerges from ground crack, continues advancing eastward (HVO)
The June 27th lava flow remains active, with lava at the flow front issuing from a ground crack and advancing through thick forest, creating dense plumes of smoke. The farthest lava this afternoon was 13.2 km (8.2 miles) from the vent on Puʻu ʻŌʻō, and 1.3 km (0.8 miles) from the eastern boundary of the Wao Kele o Puna forest reserve. This forest reserve boundary is at the western boundary of Kaohe Homesteads subdivision, a portion of which is visible at the bottom of the photograph. (Source: HVO)
The surface flows at the front of the June 27th lava flow are fed by lava that is supplied through a lava tube that originates at the vent on Puʻu ʻŌʻō. This thermal image shows the lava tube close to Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Although the lava is several meters (yards) beneath the surface, it heats the surface sufficiently to be easily detected with thermal cameras.
3 Earthquakes measuring magnitude 5.0 or greater strike near Bardarbunga volcano
At least 22 earthquakes measuring magnitude 3.0 or greater, including 3 measuring magnitudes 5.0, 5.1 and 5.3 have occurred near Bardarbunga volcano since Saturday, reported IMO.
Volcanic activity in Holuhraun Lava Field
Meantime, the fissure eruption continues “at a stable level,” said IMO. “No explosive activity is observed, the eruption remains an effusive lava eruption. Visual observation by webcam and low level volcanic tremor on seismometers do not show any obvious changes since [Sunday] evening.”
New fissure eruption near Bardarbunga prompts ‘Red Alert’
Iceland has once again raised its aviation warning to the highest level after a new fissure eruption in Holuhraun lava field near Bardarbunga volcano.
Volcanologists monitoring restive Bardarbunga observed a fissure eruption at 05:15GMT on Sunday, said IMO.
“It appears that the eruptive fissure is longer than in the last eruption. It is extending north and south on the same . The eruption is a very calm lava eruption and can hardly be seen on seismometers. Visual observation confirm it is calm, but continuous.”
Currently, only lava is erupting, but no ash has been observed, added IMO.
Sunday eruption from a new fissure in Holuhraun lava field
Image via Xinhua.
Photo: Benedikt Gunnar Ófeigsson/IMO. Image may be subject to copyright
The eruption prompted IMO to raise the aviation warning code to ‘red’ for the large area that houses the Bardarbunga volcanic system.
The new fissure is located very close to the Friday’s, with the fracture extending further to the north, said a researcher.
The latest eruption is said to be far more more intense than Friday’s, with the lava flow estimated to be more than 10 times greater.
Meantime, seismicity continues on a 15-km-long region of the dyke intrusion, said IMO, “extending both into the Dyngjujökull glacier and the region north of the ice margin. Earthquakes have not migrated northwards during the last two days.”
An estimated 500 million cubic meters of lava has flowed from beneath the volcano in a long dyke since last week.
MAJOR DISASTERS/ SIGNIFICANT EVENTS VOLCANIC ERUPTION RED ALERT (AVIATION) BARDARBUNGA VOLCANO ERUPTING SCENARIOS 023, 09, 08, 07 .
Bardarbunga erupting subglacially
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has issued a red alert for aviation, warning that Bardarbunga volcano could spew significant ash emissions.
A small sub-glacial eruption is currently occurring at Bardarbunga, said the Met Office.
“Warning: It is believed that a small subglacial lava-eruption has begun under the Dyngjujökull glacier. The aviation color code for the Bárðarbunga volcano has been changed from orange to red.”
The red alert is Iceland’s highest warning level on their five-point scale.
On Wednesday, authorities evacuated hundreds of people from several areas north of the volcano, fearing that the volcano could erupt and cause significant flooding and mudslides.
Bardarbunga, a part of a large volcanic system, sits under up to 400 meters of ice, the Vatnajokull glacier, in central Iceland.
23rd August 2014 14:10UTC – small eruption Occurring beneath Dyngjujökull
A small lava-eruption has been detected under the Dyngjujökull glacier.
An estimated 150-400 meters of ice covers the area.
The aviation color code for the Bárðarbunga volcano has been changed from orange to red.
At 14:04UTC, an earthquake measuring 4.5Mw occurred near the volcano.
Bardarbunga (Bárðarbunga Icelandic spelling), is a stratovolcano, located under the Vatnajökull glacier. It is the second highest mountain in Iceland, standing 2,010 meters a.s.l. The volcanic system that includes Bardarbunga is more than 200km long and 25km wide.
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull (Glacier of Lakes), also known as the Vatna Glacier, is Iceland’s largest and most voluminous glacier, located in the south-east of the island. With an area of 13,600 km², Vatnajökull covers more than 8 percent of the country. It is also the largest ice cap in Europe by volume (3,100 km³).
Sakurajima’s eruption on Friday was the most powerful one at the volcano since last month when the volcano spewed large columns of ash with rivers of lava flowing in the direction of nearby Ibusiki City.
Ash clouds from Mt. Sakurajima explosion reached a height of 4,500 meters, the second-highest since 1955. A record of 5,000 meters was set in 2013.
Ash fall was reported late Friday evening in areas southeast of the volcano.
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Sakurajima is located in Kagoshima Bay, southern Kyushu, Japan (about 1,100km WSW of Tokyo). The composite volcano has three peaks: Kitadake, Nakadake and Minamidake (southern peak).
Mt. Sakurajima Eruption on June 6, 2014. Photo credit: Kagoshima Meteorological Observatory
Ongoing Eruptions
Since 1955 the Minamidake crater has been continually active. The ongoing activity includes strong strombolian to ash explosions at least once and as many as 8 times a day.
The volcano was placed under a Level 3 (orange) alert by the Japan Meteorological Agency on March 21, 2012.
Level 3 (orange) alert means the volcano is active (do not approach crater).
A major lava flow in 1914 connected the volcano island to the Osumi Peninsula on the Kyushu Island.
Plumes of smoke, steam and ash from Pavlof continue to reach heights of about 7,500m (24,000 feet), according to Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO).
Meantime, PenAir, a regional airline, canceled flights from Anchorage to Cold Bay and Dutch Harbor on the Aleutian Islands on Wednesday.
Pavlof eruption with lava fountaining, early June 3, 2014, as viewed from Cold Bay. Photo credit: AVO/ Robert Stacy.
So far, no ash has reached any of local communities, according to AVO.
LAST ACTIVITY REPORT: ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY
Thursday, June 5, 2014 5:16 AM AKDT (Thursday, June 5, 2014 13:16 UTC) UPDATED by FIRE-EARTH at 13:35UTC
PAVLOF VOLCANO (VNUM #312030)
55°25’2″ N 161°53’37” W, Summit Elevation 8261 ft (2518 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Two strong explosions were recorded in seismic data early this morning (10:05 and 10:45 UTC; 02:05 and 02:45 AKDT) at Pavlof. Lightning was detected by the WWLLN system but there is no indication of higher altitude ash in satellite data. Meteorological cloud tops are up to 29,000 ft. ASL and winds are to the west-southwest.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014 12:14 PM AKDT (Wednesday, June 4, 2014 20:14 UTC)
The eruption of Pavlof Volcano continues. Seismicity remains stable and unchanged in the past 24 hours. Persistent elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite images. FAA web camera views yesterday afternoon showed a towering steam plume above the vent and lower-level ash from pyroclastic flow activity on the north flank. Wind direction has shifted in the past 24 hours to a more westerly direction and recent satellite views show a plume rich in SO2 gas, steam, and minor ash extending variably between 30 and 100 km downwind and passing over Cold Bay. There have been no reports of ash fall in Cold Bay or any other community. Incandescence from lava fountaining was visible in early morning web camera images, however low-level weather clouds obscure more recent views.
Alerts at Other Alaska Volcanoes
Shishaldin: Color Code: ORANGE/ Alert Level WATCH
Cleveland: Color Code YELLOW / Alert Level ADVISORY
Veniaminof: Color Code YELLOW / Alert Level ADVISORY
Index map showing location of Pavlof volcano and other Alaska Peninsula volcanoes. Credit: Janet Schaefer/AVO
Pavlof Eruption Ongoing, Conditions Could Worsen Rapidly: AVO
Intense activity at Pavlov Volcano prompted the authorities to issue a red alert on Monday, the first in five years. The alert level has since been changed to “ORANGE.”
Plume of smoke and ash reached as high as 7,500 meters on Tuesday; however, seismic activity has decreased over the past 12 hours to much lower levels than that of Monday, Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported.
“Recent satellite data and web camera views of the eruption plume indicate that there are now two distinct parts of the plume. The part of the plume that reaches high above the volcano appears to be mainly steam and gas with minor ash present, extending south of the volcano. Additionally, pyroclastic flow activity on the north flank is producing diffuse ash emissions that result in areas of hazy air, with variable concentrations of ash below 10,000 ft.”
Ongoing pyroclastic and lahar activity have created hazardous conditions on the north flank and north side drainages heading on the volcano, said AVO, adding that large, more ash-rich plumes could develop with little or no warning.
Lava fountaining from the summit vent on Pavlof. View is from the southwest. Ash and steam clouds rise up to about 20,000 ft. ASL. Date: June 2, 2014 11:36 AM. Photo credit: AVO/ R. Kremer
Volcano: Pavlof (VNUM #312030)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Previous Aviation Color Code: RED
Issued: Tuesday, June 3, 2014, 5:54 PM AKDT (20140604/01:54UTC)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
Notice Number: 2014/A8
Location: N 55 deg 25 min, W 161 deg 53 min
Elevation: 8261 ft (2,518 m)
Area: Alaska Peninsula, Alaska
Alerts at Other Alaska Volcanoes
Shishaldin: Color Code: ORANGE/ Alert Level WATCH
Cleveland: Color Code YELLOW / Alert Level ADVISORY
Veniaminof: Color Code YELLOW / Alert Level ADVISORY
Index map showing location of Pavlof volcano and other Alaska Peninsula volcanoes. Credit: Janet Schaefer/AVO
Location of Cleveland volcano and other Aleutian volcanoes with respect to nearby cities and towns. Credit: Janet Schaefer/AVO
Mass evacuations ordered as Santa María continues to erupt
Santa María volcano (volcán Santiaguito) is a large active volcano located in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, near he city of Quetzaltenango. The volcano has been eruting since May 9, 2014, forcing the authorities to evacuate hundreds of people.
Lahar races down a river valley near El Palmar
Original caption: Image provided by Guatemala’s Prensa Libre Newspaper on May 9, 2014 shows a man watching the volcanic material descending at El Palmar municipalty of Quetzaltenango department in Guatemala. The Santiaguito volcano continues its explosive activity with less intensity, according to technicians of Guatemala’s Disaster Reduction National Coordinator, according to local press. (Xinhua/Prensa Libre)
Santa María volcano erupts. Credit Daniel Leclair/ Reuters
Santa María’s eruption in 1902 is recorded as the fourth largest volcanic explosion of the 20th century with a VEI of 6 [‘Colossal’.]
The volcanic ash from the eruption was detected as far away as San Francisco, more than 4,000 km away.
Rivers of of lava and large columns of ash moving in the direction of Ibusiki City
Sakurajima’s eruption on Sunday was the most powerful one at the volcano so far this year.
The explosion ejected a column of ash and smoke to a height of about 4.5km above the Minamidake crater, according to local reports.
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Sakurajima is located in Kagoshima Bay, southern Kyushu, Japan (about 1,100km WSW of Tokyo). The composite volcano has three peaks: Kitadake, Nakadake and Minamidake (southern peak).
Since 1955 the Minamidake crater has been continually active. The ongoing activity includes strong strombolian to ash explosions at least once and as many as 8 times a day.
The volcano was placed under a Level 3 (orange) alert by the Japan Meteorological Agency on March 21, 2012.
Level 3 (orange) alert means the volcano is active (do not approach crater).
A major lava flow in 1914 connected the volcano island to the Osumi Peninsula on the Kyushu Island.
There were no immediate report of damage or casualties, as of posting.
Mount St. Helens remains active, but no signs of impending eruption: CVO
The magma reservoir beneath Mount St. Helens has been slowly re-pressurizing over the past 6 years, according to the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO).
The re-pressurization is probably due to the arrival of a small amount of additional magma some 4 to 8 km beneath the surface, said CVO.
“Since the end of the 2004-2008 dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, scientists at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN) have been monitoring subtle inflation of the ground surface and minor earthquake activity reminiscent of that seen in the years following the 1980-1986 eruptions. Careful analysis of these two lines of evidence now gives us confidence to say that the magma reservoir beneath Mount St. Helens has been slowly re-pressurizing since 2008.”
The re-pressurization in not unexpected because Mount St. Helens is in an active period, as it has been since 1980, said CVO, adding that there was no indication the volcano could erupt anytime soon.
St Helens 1980 Eruption
The eruption on May 18, 1980, which was heralded by a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, covered an area larger than 600 km² with volcanic matter, destroying entire forests, killing 57 people and causing about $1.2buillion in property damage.
Prior to 1980, Mount St. Helens had the shape of a conical, youthful volcano sometimes referred to as the Mount Fuji of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 400 m (1,300 ft) of the summit was removed by a huge debris avalanche, leaving a 2 x 3.5 km (1.2 x 2.2 mi) horseshoe-shaped crater now partially filled by a lava dome and a glacier. It is primarily an explosive dacite volcano with a complex magmatic system.
Mount St. Helens was formed during four eruptive stages beginning about 275,000 years ago and has been the most active volcano in the Cascade Range during the Holocene. Prior to about 12,800 years ago, tephra, lava domes, and pyroclastic flows were erupted, forming the older St. Helens edifice, but a few lava flows extended beyond the base of the volcano. The bulk of the modern edifice (above the 1980 crater floor) was constructed during the last 3,000 years, when the volcano erupted a wide variety of products from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions in the 19th century originated from the Goat Rocks area on the north flank, and were witnessed by early settlers. (Source: CVO/USGS)
Volcano Details (CVO)
Location: Washington, Skamania County
Latitude: 46.2° N
Longitude: 122.18° W
Elevation: 2,549 (m) 8,363 (f)
Volcano type: Stratovolcano
Composition: Basalt to Rhyodacite
Most recent eruption: 1980 (May 18), 2004-2008
Nearby towns: Castle Rock, WA; Olympia, WA; Vancouver, WA; Yakima, WA; Portland, OR
Alert Level: Normal (2014-04-30 09:05:42)
Mount St. Helens, Washington simplified hazards map showing potential impact area for ground-based hazards during a volcanic event.
VOLCANIC HAZARD STATE OF EMERGENCY MASS EVACUATIONS .
Ubinas Volcano spews 3.2km-high plumes of toxic ash
Some 4,000 residents and more than 40,000 animals are being evacuated to a “safety zone” about 20km from Peru’s most active volcano.
Villagers are concerned for the health of their livestock, a major source of income. “In the district of Ubinas alone, there are an estimated 40,000 llamas and alpacas.” A significant percentage of these animals could be seriously affected by the silica ash, which contaminates their grazing areas after each significant eruption, local sources have said.
The silica ash from the eruption damages crops, polluting water sources, and threatening villagers and their livestock.
“The Ollanta Humala’s administration declared a state of emergency in nearby provinces, which will provide financial assistance for those affected by eruption of the Ubinas volcano, in southern Peru’s Arequipa region,” reported Andina news agency.
A major eruption in 2006 forced mass evacuations and killed livestock that consumed ash-contaminated fodder, said the report.
Ubinas Volcano erupted multiple times in September 2013 after three years of dormancy. Image credit: ANDINA
The massive 5,670-meter volcano is located about 70 kilometers from the city of Arequipa (metro pop: ~ 1,260,000), and 1,250km south of the capital Lima, close to the country’s Pacific coast, about 230 km east of the Peru-Chile trench and about 150 km above the Benioff-Wadati plane, where the Nazca plate is subducting under the continental part of the South American Plate.
City of Baños evacuated amid Tungurahua’s spectacular eruption
Tungurahua erupted on Friday, ejecting a massive plume of smoke and ash 10km into the air during a 5-minute episode.
The 5,023-m volcano has been active since 1999, and has shown signs of increased activity since February 1, 2014.
“Throat of Fire,” as it’s known in the in the local Quechua language, is one of nine or so active volcanoes in Ecuador, located about 140 km south of the capital, Quito.
Photo showing Tungurahua volcano eruption associated with an explosion at 18:10 (local time) on April 4, 2014. Source F. Vásconez – OVT/IGEPN
Baños de Agua Santa
Baños de Agua Santa, or Baños, as it is commonly referred to, is located in central Ecuador on the northern foothills of the Tungurahua volcano. It is the second most populous city in Tungurahua Province with a population of about 10,000.
Volcano Location Map
Freeze frame from a local news video clip showing Friday’s eruption.
Mt Sinabung Erupted three times on Saturday leaving at least 14 people dead, including a group of school children from Medan on a science trip, and three others critically injured. Authorities were again forced to evacuate tens of thousands of people from 16 villages from the 5km – 7km exclusion zone near the volcano.
“This is the first direct impact of the Mt. Sinabung eruptions. Before the Saturday incident, the ongoing eruptions have already claimed the lives of 31 evacuees, as a result of various illnesses such as breathing difficulties, depression, asthma and hypertension.” Jakarta Post reported.
Some 14,000 of more than 30,000 evacuees had just been allowed to return home on Friday, following earlier eruptions.
Villagers flee as Mt Sinabung spews plumes of hot ash and smoke engulfing at least 16 villages. Photo credit: ANTARA /Irwansyah Putra. Image may be subject to copyright. More images…
The volcano became restive in 2010, after more than 400 years of dormancy, and has been erupting sporadically since.
Approximate location of Sinabung is marked on the map by FEWW. Mount Sinabung is one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes
Sinabung Volcano: Summary of Details
Country: Indonesia
Region: Sumatra
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Holocene
Last Known Eruption: Unknown [1600?]
Summit Elevation: 2,460m
Latitude: 3.17°N Longitude: 98.392°E
Source: GVP
Sinabung is located in Group K Volcanoes
Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog.Click image to enlarge.
The PVMBG categorizes Sinabung as a type A volcano, or those that have erupted since 1600. Type B volcanoes have not erupted since 1600 but show signs of activity, and type C are those that have not erupted in recorded history.
Indonesian Volcanoes
Indonesian Volcanoes have been responsible for a number of cataclysmic explosions in modern history.
An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 violent explosion of Krakatau.
Based on their models, our colleagues at EDRO forecast that volcanic activity on the island of Sumatra could cause the collapse of Singapore. However, they have not disclosed any further detail.
Mt Sinabung erupted explosively again on November 12, 2013 for a second time in 9 days. Image credit: CRIonLine via Xinhua. More images…
Mount Sinabung Continues to Eject Volcanic Materials into the Air
Some 22,000 people living near Sinabung volcano have been evacuated Since Monday after the volcano erupted in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
The volcano is spewing columns of ash and smoke up to 4.5km above the summit crater, authorities said.
About 22,000 people have been evacuated near Mt Sinabung as the volcano continues to erupt. Mount Sinabung has been ejecting columns of ash and smoke up to 4.5km above the summit crater since Saturday. More than 60 pyroclastic flows extending up to 5 km from the crater have also been recorded. Photo credit: Agung Kuncahya B./Xinhua. More images…
“The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has instructed all relevant ministries, government institutions, local disaster mitigation agencies and the Karo regency administration in North Sumatra to prepare for a worst-case scenario following an increase in Mount Sinabung’s volcanic activity during the past week,” said a report.
The “worst-case scenario” comes into if the exclusion zone is extended from its latest 7km radius, southeast slope of the volcano, to between 7.5 and 10 km from the crater.
More than 60 pyroclastic flows extending up to 5 km from the crater have been recorded with the flow volume increasing every day, said The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
The volume of volcanic material ejected so far is about a quarter of the total 2,540,000 cubic meters formed in Mt. Sinabung’s crater. “This means that the pyroclastic potential stored in the volcano’s lava dome is still substantial; so if it should all come out, the threat would be devastating,” Jakarta post quoted an official as saying.
Approximate location of Sinabung is marked on the map by FEWW. Mount Sinabung is one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes
Sinabung Volcano: Summary of Details
Country: Indonesia
Region: Sumatra
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Holocene
Last Known Eruption: Unknown [1600?]
Summit Elevation: 2,460m
Latitude: 3.17°N Longitude: 98.392°E
Source: GVP
Sinabung is located in Group K Volcanoes
Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog.Click image to enlarge.
The PVMBG categorizes Sinabung as a type A volcano, or those that have erupted since 1600. Type B volcanoes have not erupted since 1600 but show signs of activity, and type C are those that have not erupted in recorded history.
Indonesian Volcanoes
Indonesian Volcanoes have been responsible for a number of cataclysmic explosions in modern history.
An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 violent explosion of Krakatau.
Based on their models, our colleagues at EDRO forecast that volcanic activity on the island of Sumatra could cause the collapse of Singapore. However, they have not disclosed any further detail.
18,000 people evacuated as Sinabung activity intensifies
Mt Sinabung’s latest explosive eruption has prompted the authorities to raise the volcanic alert to the highest level, “siaga,” or “red alert,” according to Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center.
The alert level was raised from “orange” or “level III ” to the highest level “red” or “level IV” by PVMBG on Sunday, as the authorities evacuated an additional 11,618 residents from 19 villages and expanded the evacuation zone to a 5-km exclusion zone from 3 km previously.
“This is Sinabung’s highest level of activity. The intensity of the eruptions continues to increase,” said Hendrasto, head of PVMBG.
Villagers evacuate to a safe area, as Mount Sinabung ejects ash into air at Aman Teran village in Karo district, Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, November 24, 2013. Credit: Reuters/YT Haryono. More images…
As of 2 p.m. local time on Sunday, Sinabung was continuing to eject an 8-km high column of smoke and ash into the air, he said.
Some 6,000 villagers had already been evacuated from the 3-km exclusion zone, about 90 km from Medan, capital of North Sumatra province.
The North Sumatra health has distributed 180,000 face masks, medicine and 4 tons of baby formula to relief posts in Karo regency, reported Jakarta Post.
Mt Sinabung erupted explosively again on November 12, 2013 for a second time in 9 days. Image credit: CRIonLine via Xinhua. More images…
Approximate location of Sinabung is marked on the map by FEWW. Mount Sinabung is one of Indonesia’s 130 active volcanoes
Sinabung Volcano: Summary of Details
Country: Indonesia
Region: Sumatra
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status: Holocene
Last Known Eruption: Unknown [1600?]
Summit Elevation: 2,460m
Latitude: 3.17°N Longitude: 98.392°E
Source: GVP
Sinabung is located in Group K Volcanoes
Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog.Click image to enlarge.
The PVMBG categorizes Sinabung as a type A volcano, or those that have erupted since 1600. Type B volcanoes have not erupted since 1600 but show signs of activity, and type C are those that have not erupted in recorded history.
Mount Sinabung ejected tephra into the air as seen from Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Dedy Zulkifli). Image may be subject to copyright.
Indonesian Volcanoes
Indonesian Volcanoes have been responsible for a number of cataclysmic explosions in modern history.
An 1888 lithograph of the 1883 violent explosion of Krakatau.
Based on their models, our colleagues at EDRO forecast that the collapse of Singapore may occur as a result of volcanic activity on the island of Sumatra. However, they have not disclosed any further detail.
Warning issued to Pacific shipping after volcano erupts, forming a new Island
Authorities have warned shipping in the Pacific Ocean to maintain vigilance for airborne volcanic material after a volcano erupted near one of the Ogasawara Islands, some 1,000 kilometers south of Tokyo, NHK reported Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) as saying.
Japan Coast Guard has confirmed black smoke spewing out of a new land mass about 500 meters southeast of Nishinoshima island, JMA said
Video footage shows a plume of black and white smoke and steam rising to a height of more than 600 meters above a new landmass measuring about 200 meters across.
Black and white smoke and steam rising to a height of more than 600 meters above a new 200-m long landmass created by volcanic eruption near Nishino shima, Bonin Islands, south of Japan. Screenshot from NHK news video clip.
Screenshot from NHK news video clip.
“The agency says multiple clusters of white smoke overhead suggest intermittent explosions,” said the report.
Volcanic activity created a new island which was fused to the uninhabited Nishinoshima between 1973 and 1974, the last time when eruptions occurred near the island.
Location Map of Volcano Islands, Ogasawara Islands, Japan region. Image credit: Lim Tor
Bonin Islands (aka, Ogasawara Group, in Japan). Click Image to Enlarge.
In 2010, one of the volcanoes in the region erupted, spewing smoke and ash to a height of about about 100 meters above the sea level. The surrounding sea area changed to a greenish-yellow color with nearby areas turning cloudy.
JMA said the volcano, called Fukutokuokanoba, had erupted seven times since 1904, forming ephemeral islands (temporary land masses) on three occasions, all of which later sank below the ocean surface.
The first known ephemeral island called Shin-Iwo-jima (New Sulfur Island) was formed in 1904, and the most recent in 1986.
What the Volcano Islands Look Like
North Iwo Jima Island (Official Japanese name Kita-iōtō, but commonly known as Kita-iōjima, meaning “north sulfur island”) is the northernmost island of the Volcano Islands cluster of the Ogasawara Islands, about 1175 km south of Tokyo. Image Credit: Chisatos
6 to 8 more EQs may yet strike region[This post referred to the number of significant earthquake that was forecast to occur before the 2011 Mega Quake would strike. FIRE-EARTH Editor]
Researchers have discovered an immense shield volcano on the seabed, northwest Pacific Ocean.
Tamu Massif is said to be the oldest and largest edifice of the Shatsky Rise oceanic plateau in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
A single, immense volcano, Tamu Massif is constructed from massive lava flows that erupted from the center of volcano to form a broad, shield-like dome some 145 million years ago.
Researchers writing in the journal Nature Geoscience suggest the 310,000 km² (119,000 mi²) Tamu Massif could be the largest single volcano on Earth, comparable in size only to the Olympus Mons on Mars, believed to be the largest volcano in the Solar System.
The Tamu Massif Volcano ~ 32.5ºN, 158.4ºE
Rising 3.5km above the seabed, Massif lies about 2km below the sea, and is rooted more than 30 km into the earth’s crust on the Shatsky Rise, some 1,600 km east of Japan.
“We don’t have the data to see inside them and know their structure, but it would not surprise me to find out that there are more like Tamu out there,” said Dr Sager, one of the researchers at the University of Houston.
“Indeed, the biggest oceanic plateau is Ontong Java plateau, near the equator in the Pacific, east of the Solomons Islands. It is much bigger than Tamu—it’s the size of France.” [Tamu is nearly the size of Norway. Editor]
Key point
“One interesting angle is that there were lots of oceanic plateaus (that) erupted during the Cretaceous Period (145-65 million years ago) but we don’t see them since. Scientists would like to know why.” Sager said.
Mount Soputan, one of Sulawesi island’s most active volcanoes, erupted again on Sunday
North Sulawesi’s Soputan volcano erupted on Sunday at about 6:00 am local time, ejecting a column of volcanic gases about 6km into the air.
However, no evacuation order was issued as the volcano did not pose an immediate danger, officials said.
“They nearest residents live some eight kilometers from the mountain and so evacuation is not yet necessary [since the current evacuation zone was set at a 6km radius around the volcano, a forested area that is uninhabited,]” spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) said.
“Last night, at around 11 pm, the mountain entered its eruption phase,” he said.
Mt Soputan is located about 2,160 km (1,340 miles) northeast of Indonesian capital Jakarta. The volcano had previously erupted in 2008.
Soputan volcano spews thick smoke and heat clouds in Minahasa on October 7, 2008. Source: AFP. Image may be subject to copyright.
Indonesia, which sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is home to 150 listed volcanoes, some 109 to 130 of which are regarded as active, according to various sources.
A Map of Listed Volcanoes of Indonesia.
Summary of Volcano Details
Country: Indonesia Region Name: Sulawesi Island Volcano Type: Stratovolcano Last Known Eruption: 2008 Summit Elevation: 1,784 m
Location: 1.108°N, 124.73°E
Soputan on a restful day!
The small Soputan stratovolcano, seen here from the west, was constructed on the southern rim of the Quaternary Tondano caldera in northern Sulawesi Island. The youthful, largely unvegetated Soputan volcano is one of Sulawesi’s most active volcanoes. During historical time the locus of eruptions has included both the summit crater and Aeseput, a prominent NE flank vent that formed in 1906 and was the source of intermittent major lava flows until 1924. Photo (undated) by Agus Solihin (Volcanological Survey of Indonesia). Image and caption:GVP.
Pacific Ring of Fire
The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent siesmic activity and volcanic eruptions caused by plate tectonic movements. Encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean, which contains oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts, the 40,000 km Ring of Fire is home to 452 volcanoes. About ninety percent of the world’s earthquakes including 80% of the world’s major earthquakes occur along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Volcanic arcs and oceanic trenches partly encircling the Pacific Basin form the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The trenches are shown in blue-green. The volcanic island arcs, although not labeled, are parallel to, and always landward of, the trenches. For example, the island arc associated with the Aleutian Trench is represented by the long chain of volcanoes that make up the Aleutian Islands. (Source: USGS.)
… there’s a strong probability that the quakes may have primed one or more regional volcanoes for eruption.
Nabro Volcano erupted around midnight Sunday local time, ejecting a 15-km plume of ash into the air, reports said.
The volcano, which is located about 375 km southeast of the Eritrean capital Asmara, sits within the Afar Triangle, a tectonic triple junction.
Nabro volcano, Eritrea, sits close to the border with Ethiopia. Credit: ESA/NASA. Click image to enlarge.
Nabro eruption is captured in this photo-like image by MODIS on the Aqua satellite on June 13, 2011. “Initial reports from news agencies and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Toulouse, France, proclaimed the eruption to be occurring at Dubbi, a volcano further south. But later reports from volcanologists,field scientists, and the satellite image above appear to confirm the eruption at Nabro. There are no historical reports of eruptions at Nabro before today.” Image and caption: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download largest image (4 MB, JPG)
The fact that there was no historic record of eruption at Nabro volcano may explain why the French VAAC got it wrong initially, attributing the eruption to the Dubbi volcano – EDRO
Nabro Volcano
Country: Eritrea
Region: Northeastern Africa
Previous Known Eruption: NOT KNOWN
Summit Elevation: 2,218 m (7,277 ft)
Coordinates : 13.37°N, 41.70°E
Source: GVP
Nabro Volcano Space Shuttle image
The large caldera below and to the left of the center of this Space Shuttle photo of the Danakil Alps of Ethiopia is Nabro. The 2218-m-high Nabro stratovolcano is the highest volcano in the Danakil depression and is truncated by nested calderas 10 and 5 km in diameter. The larger caldera is widely breached to the SW. Nabro was constructed primarily of rhyolitic lava flows and pyroclastics. The 8-km-wide Mallahle caldera is at the lower left, and the dark-colored lava flows at the right are from Dubbi volcano. NASA Space Shuttle image S-61A-36, 1985. Caption: GVP
Nabro (top) and Mallahle (bottom) volcanic calderas. This false-color topographical image of the two volcanoes was produced by NASA. Click image to enlarge.
Map of East Africa showing some of the historically active volcanoes (red triangles) and the Afar Triangle (shaded, center)— a so-called triple junction (or triple point), where three plates are pulling away from one another: the Arabian Plate, and the two parts of the African Plate (the Nubian and the Somalian) splitting along the East African Rift Zone. Source: USGS
A map showing the approximate location of Nabro and Dubbi Volcanoes. The yellow circles mark the epicenters of the recent quakes that struck the area. Red stars are the two largest shocks in the swarm measuring 5.7Mw. Click image to enlarge.
The huge ash cloud ejected by the volcano is said to be moving across the Horn of Africa, threatening air travel. The German airline Lufthansa said on Monday it had cancelled two flights, one a flight out of the Eritrean capital Asmara, and the other into Addis Ababa.
The ash plume also forced the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to curtail her visit to the region. Ironically, Obama was forced to abandon his visit to Ireland when Iceland’s Grímsvötn volcano erupted last month.
Hundreds of small- to medium-sized quakes strike near Hawthorne, Nevada
A large swarm of earthquakes has rattled the Buller Mountain area near Hawthorne, Nevada since March 5, 2010. At least 400 small- and medium-sized earthquakes measuring between M1.0 and M4.6 have struck a 10 sq km area since April 10., NASA-EO reported. “This map shows earthquake locations (white circles) from March 5, 2011, through the early morning of April 27, superimposed on a natural-color satellite image from September 19, 2002… Several abandoned mines are visible as bright scars on the landscape, and the lava flows of Mud Springs Volcano are dark gray. The image was acquired by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) aboard Landsat 7. ” The earthquake swarm is said to be tectonic in origin. Source: NASA-EO. Click image to enlarge. Download largest image (3 MB, JPEG)
Some 2,500 people living near Shinmoedake volcano on Japan’s Kyushu island were advised earlier today to evacuate their homes after heavy rain threatened lahar avalanches, reports say.
VoW: Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake, as seen from Bear Cove. Image Source: U.S. Forest Service via USGS/CVO.
Phreatic eruption of Mount St. Helens, March 28, 1980, as seen from the north. Image by C.Dan Miller, USGS/CVO
Mount St. Helens, Washington Ash Plume Path May 18, 1980
Click image to enlarge.
Mount St. Helens Volcano
Position: 46°12′ N 122°10’48” W,
Summit Elevation: 2,549 m (8,363 ft )
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Source: USGS/CVO
Recent observations:
An M4.3 earthquake struck the Mount St. Helens region this morning, 14 February 2011, at 10:35 a.m. PST (18:35 UTC) and was felt widely through southwestern Washington and Northwestern Oregon (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/uw/02141835/us/index.html). Its exact magnitude may change by a few tenths from this value as records are further analyzed. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks up to M2.8 over the next few hours (http://www.pnsn.org/recenteqs/latest.htm), the three largest of which were also reported felt. All of the earthquakes are located in an area about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the crater of Mount St. Helens, near the Johnston Ridge Observatory, at a depth of about 4 to 6 kilometers (2.5 to 4 miles).
Today’s earthquakes are in the same place as a small swarm that took place about two weeks earlier, on 29 January. These earthquakes are reminiscent of a swarm that took place about 30 years ago, when a swarm of small earthquakes began in August 1980, a few miles northwest of today’s activity. The 1980-1981 sequence climaxed with an M5.5 earthquake on 14 February 1981. Analysis of the 1981 events suggested that they occurred along existing faults in the Mount St. Helens seismic zone, a northwest to southeast trending system of faults in which Mount St. Helens lies. The Mount St. Helens seismic zone exhibits strike-slip motion, with the southwestern rocks slipping horizontally northwest relative to the rocks northeast of the fault zone. The fault zone likely exerts control on the location of Mount St. Helens volcano. Studies following the 1980 eruption suggested that the magma removed during the May 1980 eruption and subsequent lava-dome building caused faults along the seismic zone to slip in response to the magma withdrawal. Similar interaction of volcanic activity and tectonic fault movement is possible in the case of today’s earthquakes, but at present there appears to be no signs of unrest in the volcanic system. USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington
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