Cyclone DEBBIE: Evacuations Ordered amid Threat of ‘Significant Tidal Surges’

Cyclone DEBBIE Bears Down on QLD Coast

Evacuations have been ordered in coastal towns and communities in north Queensland as Tropical Cyclone DEBBIE threatens to generate damaging tidal surges.

DEBBIE is forecast to cross the Queensland coast early on Tuesday morning with winds of up to 230 km/h and significant tidal surges.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) warns that it could be the worst cyclone since Cat 5 YASI, which devastated the same region in 2011.

BOM satellite showing Cyclone Debbie’s approach on Sunday afternoon./www.abc.net.au/

Details of Tropical Cyclone DEBBIE at 1:00 am AEST (UTC + 10:00) on Monday, March 27, 2017 issued by BOM:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the center of 100 km/h with wind gusts to 150 km/hr.

Location: within 35km of 18.5 degrees South 150.6 degrees East, estimated to be 405km east northeast of Townsville and 300km northeast of Bowen.

Movement: west southwest at 6 km/h.

Tropical cyclone DEBBIE remains a category 2 cyclone. It is continuing to move WSW towards the north Queensland coast and is forecast to intensify to a category 3 system during Monday. Tropical cyclone DEBBIE is likely to continue on a similar track and may intensify further to category 4 prior to making landfall between Rollingstone and Proserpine on Tuesday morning. [BOM]

 

500 Evacuated following Chemical Leak in Stockholm, Sweden

People hospitalized after experiencing “symptoms of gas poisoning”

Hundreds of people were evacuated and several have been hospitalized after experiencing symptoms of gas poisoning due to a chemical leak at a laboratory in Stockholm, Sweden, and there is a risk of an explosion, local media quoted police as saying.

“There has been a discharge of gas in this room. It is probably the chemical toluene. In concentrated form it constitutes a fire and explosion hazard,” police spokesperson  told the the Aftonbladet newspaper.

“The Karolinska Institute is one of the largest and most prestigious medical universities in the world. The institute lies within the Stockholm urban area,” said a report.

“The Royal Institute of Technology and several private companies were also affected.” Read more…

 

State of Emergency Declared in NW Bulgaria amid Overflowing Dams

Extreme rain events lead to overflowing of multiple dams in Vratsa region, Bulgaria

State of emergency has been declared across northwestern Bulgaria’s municipalities of Mizia and Hayredin in Vratsa region, amid overflowing dams.

At least three dams—Rogozen, Rogozen-1 and Barzina—are overflowing after recent extreme rain events in the region, according to reports.

The regional governor of Vratsa has declared a state of emergency which is in force from 21 o’clock (EET) on Saturday to 21 o’clock (EET) on Monday.

Some of the people living in areas prone to flooding along the course of the Skat river have been evacuated.

Flooding turned deadly in the town of Mizia in August 2014, said reports.

.

Raging Texas Wildfire Destroys Homes, Forces Hundreds of Evacuations

Wildfire consumes thousands of acres, destroys a dozen homes, threatens hundreds more

The Hidden Pines Fire wildfire in Smithville, Bastrop County, about 45 miles east of Austin, Texas has consumed about 4,500 acres, destroying a dozen homes, and threatening hundreds more, according to local reports.

“Buescher State Park and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center campus in Smithville remained closed after being evacuated Tuesday,” said a report.

In 2011, the worst fire in the state history consumed more than 30,000 acres, destroying more than 1,200 homes.

UK Sinkhole Forces Midnight Evacuations

Large sinkhole opens up in St Albans, UK

A large sinkhole has opened up on a street in St Albans forcing the evacuation of dozens of residences in the night.

The sinkhole opened up in Fontmell Close, a cul de sac in the city of St Albans, Hertfordshire, leaving many homes in the area without water, gas and electricity, said the council.

“The return to normal is likely to take weeks and all agencies in Hertfordshire are working together to support families affected,” said the council spokesman.

Sinkhole in Fontmell Close, St Albans, UK. Credit: Hertfordshire County Council, Fire and Rescue Service

 

Wildfires Burning in AK, AR, CA, FL, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, WA

U.S. Wildfires: 14 Large fires burning across 5 states

• Alaska (4)
• California (3)
• Montana (3)
• Oregon (2)
• Washington (2)

Year-to-date statistics 2015 (1/1/15 – 7/23/15)
Fires: 34,115
Acres: 5,583,190

Annual average prior 10 years (2005-2014)
Fires: 43,894
Acres: 3,569,966

Evacuation and Fire Updates

• Reynolds Creek Fire
• Blue Creek Fire Wildfire: Evacuation Levels as of 07/24/15 at 7:00pm
• Cabin Gulch Fire – Deep Creek Canyon, Eastern Montana
• California Wragg Fire (FM-5091)
• Shasta-Trinity National Forest Fire Update
• Tanana Are Fires Update 7/24/2015
• Modoc NF Lightning Fires 2015
• Rye Fire, Joseph Canyon, Oregon – Update
• All other Updates

Deadly Landslide Buries Indonesian Village

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC DISASTERS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
DEADLY LANDSLIDE
LOSS OF HABITAT
MASS DISPLACEMENT
SCENARIOS  900, 888, 444, 111, 071, 047, 027, 022, 09, 02
.

Landslide kills or injures dozens, leaves scores missing

A major landslide buried a village in central Java, Indonesia, killing or injuring dozens of people, leaving score of of others missing and forcing hundreds to evacuate the area.

At least 17 corpses have so far been recovered. The rescuers  found 15 victims alive, 11 of whom have been seriously injured. Scores of others are reportedly missing after Friday’s landslide which occurred after an extreme rain event pounded Banjarnegara district in central Java, said officials.

 

Deadly Storms Cut Power to 600,000+ Homes, Businesses in Midwest

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
HIGH WINDS
DEADLY STORMS
SCENARIOS 900,  888, 444, 178, 111, 070, 066, 064, 08, 07 
.

Killer storms wreak havoc in U.S. Midwest

A line of killer storms brought heavy winds, torrential rains and lightning to Illinois and Michigan, uprooting trees, downing power lines and leaving at least two people dead, said officials on Saturday, Reuters reported.

Hundreds of thousands of Michigan residents were left without power, with the the Detroit area being  the hardest hit, AP reported.

Wind gusts of more than 120 km/h (75 mph) downed more than 2,000 power lines Friday, said DTE Energy Co, leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power.

“An Illinois woman died Saturday of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a falling tree and a Michigan man was electrocuted after touching a power line,” Reuters reported local media as saying.

Other Global Disasters/ Significant Events

“Mystery virus” infecting hundreds of children across the US

A severe respiratory illness is sickening hundreds of children across the U.S., according to reports describing disease as a “mystery virus.”

“The disease hasn’t been officially identified but officials suspect a rare respiratory virus called human enterovirus 68. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus is related to the rhinovirus, which causes the common cold,” ABC reported.

The disease is said to be similar to a common cold, but is more severe. Symptoms include high fever,  breathing difficulty, and a wheezing couch.

“Officials at Children’s Hospital Colorado said they have treated more than 900 children since Aug. 18 for severe respiratory illness and admitted 86 to the hospital,” said a report.

Hundreds of additional cases have also been reported in Illinois, Missouri and Ohio.

Significant Seismic Activity Continues at Bardarbunga Volcano

Researchers monitoring Iceland’s massive volcano reported a total of 70 earthquakes between midnight and 08:00GMT on September 7,  2014, said IMO. The largest quake measuring magnitude M5.7  occurred at 07:08 in the Bárðarbunga caldera. “The lava has reached Jökulsá á Fjöllum. Steaming occurs.”  [The quake was later downgraded to magnitude 5.4  — Editor]

Another significant quake measuring M5.0 occurred Saturday morning some 7.2km NE of Bárðarbunga, said IMO.

Large changes on the ice surface: up to 15 m subsidence has occurred in the centre of Bárðarbunga caldera [which corresponds to a volume change of 0.25 km³]. There are no signs of eruption or increased geothermal activity in the caldera.The main eruptive activity is on the fissure that has been active since the eruption began. In addition, the fissure that opened yesterday morning is still active. Depressions in the ice have grown deeper.

The shape of the subsidence area is in accordance with the elevation of the caldera floor having lowered by that amount. [IMO]

 Deadly Floods Force Evacuations in S. Italy

Several people are dead or reported missing as severe floods inundated large parts of southern Italy forcing more than 1,000 families to evacuate.

Rainfall in the region has been the heaviest in at least 80 years, officials said.

Thousands evacuated as Hurricane NORBERT lashes Mexico’s Pacific coast

More than 2,500 people were evacuated as Hurricane NORBERT inundated large areas along Mexico’s Pacific coast, damaging at least 1,500 homes, officials said.

The hurricane also severely flooded the coastal town of San Carlos [population: ~7,000,] after levees protecting the area were breached by storm surges.

10,000+ Lightning Strikes Spark Scores of New Wildfires in OR, WA

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME DROUGHT
LIGHTNING STORMS
DESTRUCTIVE WILDFIRES
STATE OF EMERGENCY
MAIN SCENARIOS 900, 800,797, 777, 444, 311, 111, 101, 100, 070, 03, 02
.

Raindrops evaporate before hitting the ground due to extremely dry air in parts of Oregon

Some 60 of the new fires are located in Oregon and 14 others in the state of Washington. Currently, three fires are spreading, according to the authorities.

Two fire are spreading in Oregon.

• The Rogue River Drive fire north of Medford, which has blackened  more than 600 acres and threatens more than 130 homes, as of Wednesday morning local time.
• 15 Cent fire southeast of Burns, which has  consumed 15,000 acres.

The third fire is in Washington state:  Lost Ridge Fire west of Ellensburg has charred 200 acres.

In Oregon, raindrops evaporated before reaching the ground because of extremely low humidity on Tuesday night, allowing lightning and winds to start and fuel new fires, said a spokeswoman for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

Oregon Governor Kitzhaber has issued a state conflagration emergency for the fire zone. He proclaimed a state of emergency, also due to the wildfires, on July 16.

Fire crews are currently tackling at last 26 large fires across the two states including

In Oregon:

• The South Fork complex south of John Day has consumed more than 64,700 acres, and  is  30 percent contained.
• The 5 Mile fire east of Joseph has charred 4,500 acres.
• The Sommers Fire northeast of Enterprise has exploded to 27,000 acres, ttreateings ranches, historic structures, and is zero percent contained.
• The Beaver Complex northwest of Medford has grown to 35,300 acres. The fires are about 90 percent contained.
• The Staley complex southeast of Oakridge has burned more than 300 acres and is 15 percent contained.
• The Bald Sisters Fire in Grant County east of Prairie City has consumed more than 1,200 acres. It is  zero percent contained.
• The Rowena fire northwest of The Dalles has charred 3,680 acres, but is now 100 percent contained.
• The Camp Creek complex in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, has blackened about 800 acres and is 45 percent contained.
• The Nene Creek fire north of Warm Springs has consumed about 350 acres and is 90 percent contained.
• The Incident 769 fire north of Condon has burned 3,000 acres. It is zero percent contained.
• The Blaylock Canyon fire west of Arlington has consumed about 1,000 acres. The fire is also zero percent contained.

In Washington:

• The Devil’s Elbow complex northeast of Nespelem has burned about 21,000 acres and is 10 percent contained. The fire is threatening homes, with many residents under a mandatory evacuation order.
• The Snag Canyon fire has grown to 12,000 acres. It is 50 percent contained.
• The Hansel Creek fire south of Leavenworth has scorched more than 1,000 acres. It is 15 percent contained.
• The Duncan fire north of Leavenworth has consumed more than 10,500 acres and is also 15 percent contained.
• The Little Bridge Creek fire west of Winthrop has burned about 4,200 acres and is 14 percent contained.
• The Upper Falls fire north of Winthrop has scorched more than 8,000 acres and is only 6 percent contained.
• The South Cle Elum Ridge fire southwest of Cle Elum has grown to about 1,000 acres, and is 15 percent contained.
• The Chiwaukum complex near Leavenworth has charred about 14,200 acres and is 40 percent contained.
• The Carlton Complex south of Twisp has consumed about 256,200 acres and is now 95 percent contained.
• The Haven Lake fire northwest of Olympia has scorched about 200 acres and is zero percent contained.
• The Enterprise fire south and southeast of Colville, which had charred more than 150 acres is now 100 percent contained, according to Inciweb.

Record Rainfall Causes Flash Floods in NY Suburbs

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC HAZARDS
EXTREME RAIN EVENTS
SEVERE FLOODING
SCENARIOS 888, 023
.

Up to 33cm of rain turns roads into rivers in New York Area

Record rainfall in parts of New York’s Long Island triggered severe flash floods turning roads into rivers during the morning rush hour on Wednesday.

Up to 33 cm of rain was recorded at MacArthur Airport in Islip over a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) breaking the previous record of 29 cm that was set in August 2011 in the Hudson Valley during Tropical Storm Irene.

During a particularly intense two-hour period the area received “more than two months of rainfall in two hours,” said NWS.

The record rainfall contributed to at least one fatality.

Flooding shut down parts of major commuter routes and forced the closure of the Long Island Rail Road, the largest commuter railroad in the U.S.

Floodwaters reportedly destroyed a number of homes and caused sewage backup, forcing dozens of people to evacuate in southern New Jersey.

The same weather system was responsible for extreme rain events in Washington and Baltimore on Tuesday,  said NWS.

Earlier this week, at least one person died in Detroit floods after record rainfall.

State of Emergency Declared in 31 Montana Counties due to Wildfires

Explosive wildfires prompt state of emergency declaration in Montana

Gov Bullock has issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in 31 Montana counties, enabling the state to tap the Montana National Guard for helicopters, personnel and other resources.

“To the extent that we need to, we can call on the National Guard to use their assets — their air assets and individuals to help out on state fires,” Bullock said. “First and foremost, we need to ensure individuals are safe, that firefighters are safe. We can figure out the cost of resources later.”

Hundreds under evacuation order as Lolo Complex wildfire spreads

West Fork Fire approx 10 miles west of Lolo, Missoula, MT. August 20, 2013. Credit: Lolo National Forest/USFS.

West Fork Fire approx 10 miles west of Lolo, Missoula, MT. August 20, 2013. Credit: Lolo National Forest/USFS.

Sparked by lightning on August 19, the ferocious Lolo Creek Complex Wildfire has grown explosively consuming more than 5,000 acres, destroying at least 8 structures, prompting hundreds of evacuations and threatening to join the Schoolhouse fire.

“This is a troubling fire for a number of reasons,” said Montana State Forester Bob Harrington. “All along this canyon, along with the side canyons, we have hundreds of homes, as well as the commercial districts in the town of Lolo. This is very problematic.”

U.S. Weather Hazard Map

Red Flag Warnings, other Warnings, Watches and Advisories for August 20, 2013. Source: NWS. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH.

Image of the Day: While You Were Away …

NO: A Ghost Town

A copy of The Times-Picayune is displayed on a deserted downtown street after the evacuation of New Orleans, prior to the arrival of Hurricane Gustav, August 31, 2008. REUTERS/ Mark Wallheiser. Image may be subject to copyright.

Related Links:

• Ghost towns
• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities

Fay Heads North Toward SW Florida Coast

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHWESTERN COAST OF FLORIDA FROM FLAMINGO TO ANNA MARIA ISLAND.  A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION. (NOAA)

TS Fay – Short Wave IR Image – GOES Floater Imagery – 30 minute updates – NOAA

Fay struck Cuba’s south coast with 80km winds and heavy rain. She was expected to drop as much 20cm (8 inches) of rain over the island, having left a deadly trail across the Caribbean.

National Weather Service Enhanced Radar Mosaic

Base Reflectivity – Southeast Sector – NOAA – NWS

About 10,000 people including tourists in western and central areas of Cuba have been evacuated, boats were pulled out of water, temporary shelters and food distribution centers were set up.

State of Florida have deployed 500 National Guards, and Florida Keys are being evacuated.

In Haiti a bus plunged into a swollen river, killing 50 people. Many of the dead were swept away like “driftwood,” said the Mayor of Bomont, Haiti. Others, including several children, drowned while trapped in the sunken vehicle.

Five others were killed in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic in flood-related accidents.

A couple died in Kingston, Jamaica when their car was swept away by floodwater.

Shell Oil and Marathon Oil have reportedly pulled as many as 700 workers from offshore facilities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Related Links:

• TS Fay Public Advisory No. 13A
• Fay May Strengthen to Hurricane Force
• Weather
• World Now (Weather and Image Links)
• Tropical Storm Fay Forms

Llaima Volcano Erupts Again!

Chile’s Llaima Volcano, one of the largest and most active volcanoes in South America renews activity!

The Llaima volcano dribbles lava. Cherquenco town July 2, 2008. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado. Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Llaima volcano, a stratovolcano, is spewing lava, Chilean Govt said, issuing an evacuation order which imposed a 15 km exclusion zone. The lava, flowing towards the Calbuco River, has reached about 1 km from the crater.

Llaima volcano eruption viewed from Temuco (Araucanía Region, Chile) January 1, 2008
Source: Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8556851@N04/2170301355/); License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0; via Wikimedia Commons,

Llaima volcano erupted on New Year’s Day and spewed ash and smoke on february. The volcano’s last major eruption occurred in 1994. On January 1, 2008, another eruption forced hundreds of residents from nearby villages and tourists in the national parkto evacuate the are. A column of smoke reaching 3000 m high spewed above the volcano. The volcanic ash expelled by Llaima reached Argentina.

It is feared that that the lava could cause an abrupt melting of snow and producing waves of lahars that could bury the nearby villages.

The snow-capped Llaima’s renewed activity starts just two months after the eruption of the Chaiten volcano about 525 km further south.

The top of Llaima rises about 3, 120 meters above the sea level and consists of two summits. Pichillaima, the lower summit is about 2,920 meters high. The ski center Las Araucarias lies on Llaima’s western slopes.

Llaima is located about 85 km northeast of Temuco and 665 km southeast of Santiago, within the borders of Conguillío National Park, and overloks the Sierra Nevada and the Conguillío Lake. Llaima’s slopes are drained by the rivers Captrén, Quepe and Trufultruful.

Related News Links:

• Llaima volcano erupts again early this morning

Related Links:

• Volcanoes
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China

• Mt Ruapehu Eruption Alert
  

Mt. Kurikoma Coughs, Still Comatose!

The Year of Volcanoes, Too?

Steam, hot volcanic plumes rise near Mt. Kurikoma

Japan’s Self-Defense Forces personnel observed Monday hot volcanic plumes about seven kilometers southwest of the summit of Mt. Kurikoma, a 1,627-meter-high volcano located on the border of Miyagi, Iwate and Akita prefectures, Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

Aerial observation from a helicopter showed plumes rising from several spots near both Hanayama in Kurihara, and Yu no Hama hot-spring spa.

Sadato Ueki of Tohoku University’s Research Center for the Prediction of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions said the plumes might be volcanic gases rising to the surface, or steam coming from underground hot water channels whose course was diverted by the powerful Mw 6.8 quake Saturday. The Iwate quake struck about 22km NW of the Mt. Kurikoma summit.

“There’s a possibility that volcanic gases that had been confined below ground are gushing out through fissures in the mountain created by the earthquake,” he said. However, he ruled out increased volcanic activity on Mt. Kurikoma, because the plumes were very far from the volcano’s summit.

Kurikoma volcano last erupted in 1950.

MT. KURIKOMA is a dormant stratovolcano stretching across three prefectures (states) of Miyagi, Iwate and Akita, standing high at an altitude of 1,627.7m.

Kurikoma volcano seen from the SSE with its summit at the right-center, the satellitic cone of Daichimori on the left, and Higashi-Kurikoma on the right. On the opposite side of the volcano, the summit is cut by a 4-km-wide caldera breached to the north that is partially filled by the Tsurugi-dake central cone, once mined for sulfur. (Caption: Source) Image Copyright: Shingo Takeuchi (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/strata/VOL_JP/index.htm). See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Coordinates: 38° 57′ 0″ N, 140° 46′ 48″ E
Decimal: 38.95°, 140.78°

Related Links:

• 2008: Year of the Expected Unknowns!
• Will 2008 be year of the tornadoes, too?
• 2008: Year of the Fire

• Volcanoes
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China

2008: Year of the Fire

Raging Fire Forces Evacuation in Silicon Valley

As the wildfire consumed more than 3,000 acres with no containment, the governor issued an emergency declaration for Santa Cruz County.

About 300 people whose homes are in the path of the rapidly spreading fire have been evacuated under a mandatory order, according to officials in city of Gilroy, California.

It’s believed that the fire, which is moving southeast toward the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park, could grow to 10,000 acres before it burns out.

Acording to CalFire at least 12 structures have been burned, but no injuries have been reported. Power is out in much of the area due to falling trees.

Some 600 firefighters are fighting the blaze and another 2,000 are expected to arrive soon. (Source)

Sun through the smoke! (Credit: Michael Congdon, via Mercury News.) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

The experts at Creating A Sustainable Future (CASF) believe that 2008-2010 would be the worst ever period for catastrophic wildfires throughout the United States and elsewhere on the globe!

• Fire map

• Acres burned: 3,000, including at least 15 structures. (Fire officials say it could grow to 10,000 or more.) No injuries reported.
• Evacuation information: Evacuation facilities set up at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. For information, 335-6717, 335-6718, 335-6719.
• Volunteer:Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County, call 427-5070
• Animal Services: Santa Cruz Animal Services helping with large animal evacuations. For information, 454-7303.
• Evacuation checklist

Related Links:

• Climate-enhanced catastrophes in the US
• UPDATE 1-Wildfire near Silicon Valley forces evacuations
• California eyes another tough wildfire season
• Fire managers predict bad year for blazes

Video Links:

• California wildfire burns

Semeru Volcano: Alert Level III

Mount Semeru Volcano Restive, Alert Level III

May 22, 2008

Jakarta – Indonesian authorities on Thursday urged residents living around the slopes of Mount Semeru in Indonesia’s crowded East Java province to keep their distance from the active volcano, which appears to be heating up.

Vulcanologists upgraded the alert status of Mount Semeru volcano to level three, one level below a full state of alert, after the 3,676-metre-high volcano on Wednesday sent hot lava as much as 3,000 metres down its slopes.

Villagers and farmers were urged ‘not to conduct activity at a radius of 4 kilometres from the crater, especially around the south-east of the volcano’s slopes,’ said Surono, head of Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation at the directorate general of volcanology.

Surono, who like many Indonesians goes only by one name, appealed to residents living on the riverbanks along three different rivers to be cautious of threats posed by lava streams.

However, no immediate evacuation is being considered for residents living in a number villages in the potential danger zone, he said, adding that a team of experts is intensively monitoring Mount Semeru’s activity round-the-clock.

The Mount Semeru volcano, 780 kilometres east of Jakarta, is a popular tourist destination, especially for hikers. Semeru is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes.

The Indonesian archipelago, straddling the seismically active ‘Ring of Fire,’ has the world’s highest density of volcanoes. Of its 500 volcanoes, 128 are active and 65 are listed as dangerous. (Source) Copyright respective author or news agency.

The climb to the summit of Semeru is a 2-3 day walk. The mountain stages minor eruptions (like in the photograph) every 20 – 40 minutes. The photo was taken in late afternoon (August 2003) and simply involved walking from the campsite at the base of the climb to the summit around to the west so that the sun was at my back, then waiting for the eruption to start. The most striking aspect of the photo is the colour caused by the almost perpendicular rays of the sun hitting the cloud of dust and steam escaping a couple of thousand metres into the sky from the crater. The photo typifies the fact that Indonesia sits in the middle of the “Ring of Fire”. The many spectacles presented by the landscapes, the festivals and the people of Indonesia never cease to truly amaze me. Photo and caption credit: Campbell Bridge (via Trek Earth at:http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Indonesia/photo109462.htm)

Semeru: The Most Active Volcano of Java

Semeru also Gunung Semeru is the highest and one of most active volcanoes of Java. Known also as Mahameru (Great Mountain), it is very steep and rises abruptly above the coastal plains of eastern Java. Maars containing crater lakes have formed along a line through the summit. Semeru lies at the south end of the Tengger Volcanic Complex. The steep-sided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru (Great Mountain), rises abruptly to 3676 m above coastal plains to the south. Semeru’s eruptive history is extensive. Since 1818, at least 55 eruptions have been recorded (10 of which resulted in fatalities) consisting of both lava flows and pyroclastic flows. More than 500 people have been killed by Semeru’s eruptions during the last 30 years. Semeru has been in almost continuous eruption since 1967. (Source 1 and 2 )

Semeru is one of many volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Graphic courtesy of Darwin VAAC.

Semeru, a stratovolcano, has erupted at least 55 times since 1818. The eruptions are commonly moderate to moderately large (VEI of 2 to 3) and explosive. This photo, taken November 4, 1982, shows a small cloud associated with a Strombolian eruption (relatively low-level volcanic eruptions) . Photo by Jack Lockwood, U.S. Geological Survey. (Source)

Strombolian eruptions are relatively low-level volcanic eruptions, named after the Italian volcano named Stromboli, where such eruptions consist of ejection of incandescent cinder, lapilli and lava bombs to altitudes of tens to hundreds of meters. They are small to medium in volume, with sporadic violence. (Source). Credit: Wolfgang Beyer GNU Free Documentation license, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.

Semeru eruptions are commonly moderate to moderately large (VEI of 2 to 3). Some of the eruptions produced lahars (a type of mudflow composed of pyroclastic material and water that flows down from a volcano). Semeru’s most recent eruption began in 1967 and has continued to the present. In August of 1994, explosions occurred at 15-20 minute intervals. In February of 1995, pyroclastic avalanches traveled about 0.6 mile (1 km) from the summit.

Semeru, 1985. A USGS Photo.

Related News:

• Indonesia raises alert level for Java volcano Radio Australia
• Indonesia Raises Alert For Volcano On Java Island Javno.hr
• Heat clouds raise Indonesian volcano alert AFP

Related Links:

• Satellite picture by Google Maps
• Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program: Semeru
• Indonesia Volcanoes and Volcanics [USGS]
• Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI)

• Volcanoes
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!
• The Power of Chaitén Volcano
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China

• Chaitén Volcano Still Active
• Chaitén Volcano: No End Seen to Second Massive Eruption
• Chile: Volcano activity prompts mass evacuation
• Mt Ruapehu Eruption Alert

Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

UPDATE: Latest From TAAL and other Philippines Volcanoes

Taal May Erupt at Anytime

FEWW team believes there is a strong probability that the Taal Volcano, a Pelean-type active volcano on the island of Luzon, might erupt this month. Taal volcano is designated as one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes by International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (IAVCEI). Located about 50 km south of the capital, Manila, Taal is surrounded by populated areas.

Taal has erupted violently several times (the last eruption was in 1977). The current death toll caused by its activities stands at about 6,000.

More seismic activities in the region should be expected.

Taal Volcano Seen through Lake Taal (Photo: Jhun Taboga)

A cinder cone in an acidic lake on Taal Volcano (Credit: JG Moore of the US Geological Survey)

Major volcanoes of the Philippines

Pacific Ring of Fire

The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions encircling the basin of the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire has 452 volcanoes and is home to over 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. Ninety percent of the world’s earthquakes and 80% of the world’s largest earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is a direct result and consequence of plate tectonics and the movement and collisions of crustal plates. (Source)

Plate Tectonics

World’s 14 major tectonic plates plus the Scotia plate. Mapped in the second half of the 20th century to explain the observed evidence for large scale motions of the Earth’s lithosphere. The lithosphere is broken up into tectonic plates. The surface of the Earth consists of a further 38 [40] minor plates.

The largest of the major plates are

• African Plate, containing Africa – Continental plate
• Antarctic Plate, containing Antarctica – Continental plate
• Australian Plate, containing Australia (fused with Indian Plate about 50 million years ago) – Continental plate
• Eurasian Plate containing Asia and Europe – Continental plate
• North American Plate containing North America and north-east Siberia – Continental plate
• South American Plate containing South America – Continental plate
• Pacific Plate, covering the Pacific Ocean – Oceanic plate

See also

• Plates list.
• Detailed map showing the tectonic plates with their movement vectors.
• Plate motion based on Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite data from NASA JPL

Earthquakes, volcanic activity, mountain-building, and oceanic trench formation occur along plate boundaries. The lateral movement of the plates is typically at speeds of 5 – 10 cm/yr. (Read more …)

Recent Earthquakes [Kurile through Kermadec trenches]

[Time at epicenter]

• Magnitude 4.8; Depth of 48.7 km; SOUTHEAST OF THE LOYALTY ISLANDS; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 10:03:52 PM
• Magnitude 5.6; Depth of 35 km; SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA; May 18, 2008 at 07:17:24 PM
• Magnitude 4.6; Depth of 74.1km; MINDORO, PHILIPPINES; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 07:24:17 PM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 10 km; SABAH, MALAYSIA; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 02:26:41 PM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 31.3 km; NIAS REGION, INDONESIA; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 09:59:59 AM
• Magnitude 4.4; Depth of 242.4 km;KYUSHU, JAPAN; Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 07:15:06 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 127.1 km, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES, Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 10:17:30 PM
• Magnitude 5.1; Depth of 151.2 km; SOUTH OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS; Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 02:23:17 PM
• Magnitude 5.3; Depth of 150.4 km; NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA; Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 03:35:14 AM
• Magnitude 5.4; Depth of 35 km; SOUTH OF THE KERMADEC ISLANDS; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:06:51 PM
• Magnitude 5.3; Depth of 41 km; SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS REGION; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 09:19:07 AM
• Magnitude 4.9; Depth of 606.3 km; FIJI REGION; Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:46:02 AM
• Magnitude 5.1; Depth of 35 km; TONGA; Friday, May 16, 2008 at 03:06:15 AM
• Magnitude 5.0; Depth of 25.8 km; KURIL ISLANDS; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 08:20:43 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 52.5 km; LUZON, PHILIPPINES; Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 05:48:32 AM
• Magnitude 5.2; Depth of 40.8 km; LUZON, PHILIPPINES; Depth of 40.8 km; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10:14:30 PM
• Magnitude 5.4; Depth of 35 km; NORTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 05:29:19 PM
• Magnitude 5.0; Depth of 36.7 km; TAIWAN REGION; Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 06:57:46 AM
• Magnitude 4.6; Depth of 509 km; SOUTH OF THE FIJI ISLANDS; Monday, May 12, 2008 at 04:34:05 AM

[Source: USGS]

Global earthquake epicentres, 1963–1998 (Image: NASA)

Philippines Other Major Volcanoes: Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano as viewed from Lingñon Hill in Daraga, Albay. Mayon, located between the Eurasian and the Philippine Plate, is a convergent plate boundary. It is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having erupted over 47 times in the past 400 years. Last eruption: 2006. (Copyrigh by Tam3rd via Wikimedia)

Canlaon Volcano

Canlaon, a stratovolcano, is located in the north central part of the island of Negros. Last eruption: 2006.

Weather clouds drape the sparsely vegetated summit of Kanlaon volcano (also spelled Canlaon). Kanlaon is the most active of the central Philippines and forms the highest point on the island of Negros. The massive 2435-m-high stratovolcano is dotted with fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled by lakes. Historical eruptions, recorded since 1866, have typically consisted of phreatic explosions of small-to-moderate size that produce minor ashfalls near the volcano. Photo courtesy of PHIVOLCS. Caption GVP

Ragang volcano

Ragang volcano (above and to the right of the center of image) is located in central Mindanao. Last eruption: 1916. Thanks mainly to the Filipino government and its education authorities, no other image of Ragnag Volcano could be found at the time of writing. NASA Space Shuttle image STS61A-40-71, 1985 (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/).

There are 22 active volcanoes in the Philippines: Babuyan Claro, Banahaw, Bulusan, Mount Biliran, Bud Dajo, Cagua, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Hibok-Hibok, Iraya, Mount Iriga, Mount Kanlaon, Leonard Kniaseff, Makaturing, Matutum, Mayon, Musuan, Mount Parker (Cotabato), Pinatubo, Ragang, Smith Volcano, Taal.

See also: List of volcanoes in the Philippines

Related Links:

• The Power of Chaitén Volcano
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China
• Chaitén Volcano Still Active

• Parts of pyroplastic chamber fall around Chaitén volcano
• RESIDENTS IN CHILE VOLCANO ZONE WITHOUT DRINKING WATER
• CHILE VOLCANO ZONE MAY BE PERMANENTLY UNLIVABLE

• Volcano gets active, region is evacuated
• Thousands evacuated as Chile volcano spews ash
• Will one or both of New Zealand islands break up and sink in the south-western Pacific Ocean?

• Chile: Volcano activity prompts mass evacuation
• A Shrinking World: Salmon and livestock removed from Chaiten volcano range

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Ghost towns

Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime!

Page Updated:

Tropical storm Halong pounds northern Philippines

Halong triggers floods and landslides

Tropical storm Halong lashes northern Philippines with 95 km per hour winds on Sunday, triggering floods and landslides.

Rescuers are seen pushing their jeep through a street submerged by floodwaters in Iloilo City, central Philippines, on May 15. Tropical storm Halong battered the northern Philippines on Sunday with powerful winds triggering floods and landslides and displacing about 6,000 people, relief officials said.
(AFP/File/Tara Yap) Image may be subject to copyright. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Large areas of the northwestern coast of Luzon, the main Philippine island, experienced a blackout while about 6,000 people were displaced. Residents of low-lying areas and those living near mountain slopes throughout Luzon were urged to “take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides,” as the storm was intensifying the seasonal southwest monsoon winds. (Source)

Related Links:

• The Power of Chaitén Volcano
• Volcanoes, Santorini Eruption and Crops Failure in China
• Chaitén Volcano Still Active

• Parts of pyroplastic chamber fall around Chaitén volcano
• RESIDENTS IN CHILE VOLCANO ZONE WITHOUT DRINKING WATER
• CHILE VOLCANO ZONE MAY BE PERMANENTLY UNLIVABLE

• Volcano gets active, region is evacuated
• Thousands evacuated as Chile volcano spews ash
• Will one or both of New Zealand islands break up and sink in the south-western Pacific Ocean?

• Chile: Volcano activity prompts mass evacuation
• A Shrinking World: Salmon and livestock removed from Chaiten volcano range

• The First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities
• Ghost towns

Chile: Volcano activity prompts mass evacuation

Volcanic Activity prompts Mass Evacuation

Thousands of people in the Patagonian community of Chaiten have been evacuated a day after a volcano spewed smoke and ash, its first eruption in about 10,000 years.

A large column of smoke and ash belches from the “dormant” Chaiten volcano after it erupted south of Santiago. (Credit: Shanghai Daily)

The Patagonian township of Chaiten covered in thick-ash, resembled a ghost town on Saturday after thousands of its inhabitants fled the region.

Chaiten volcano, about 1,220 km (760 miles) south of Santiago, Chile, spewed a vast cloud of smoke and ash May 2, 2008, triggering earth tremors which prompted the evacuation of people in the area. (Photo: REUTERS/ONEMI/Handout )

The snow covered 1,200-meter Chaiten volcano spewed a combination of smoke, ash and fire Thursday night, causing small tremors in the Los Lagos region, about 1,200 kilometers south of Santiago.

Chilean government declared a state of emergency, evacuating the residents from nearby villages and the township of Chaiten,which is situated about 10 kilometers from the volcano.

The falling ash is polluting the water supplies and making breathing difficult prompting the authoruities to hand out about 10,000 protective masks.

The Chaiten volcano has “probably been dormant for about 9,000 or 10,000 years but that’s not unusual,” according to a professor of volcanology at the University of Colorado who specializes in the Andes volcanoes.

“I would really worry about the village of Chaiten. I think they would want to get everybody out of there really soon,” he said.

“In southern Peru, the Ubinas volcano shot out gases and ash twice on Friday, covering local homes and crops. There were no immediate reports of injuries.” (Source: Shanghai Daily )

Related links:

• Volcano gets active, region is evacuated
• Thousands evacuated as Chile volcano spews ash
• Will one or both of New Zealand islands break up and sink in the south-western Pacific Ocean?

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