Tungurahua Eruopts, Baños Evacuated

VOLCANIC HAZARD
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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.

Related Links

• Hundreds Evacuated as Ecuador’s Tungurahua Erupts July 16, 2013
• State of Emergency‎ Declared in Ecuador March 9, 2012
• Volcano Ash Threatens Ecuador’s Ambato City January 29, 2010

Hundreds Evacuated as Ecuador’s Tungurahua Erupts

The “Throat of Fire” Erupts

Hundreds of people were evacuated on Sunday as Tungurahua volcano [“Throat of Fire” in Quichua] in central of Ecuador erupted.

The volcano ejected “ashes and hot solids into the air,” said the National Risk Management Secretariat, as they raised the volcano alert level to “orange.”

“The explosion from the volcano could be heard from various cities such as Riobamba, Ambato, and Guayaquil [which is 250 km from the volcano] and the tremor was felt in volcano’s region, ” said the Ecuadorian Geophysics Institute.

The eruptions and smoke could be seen from the capital, Quito, some 140 km  north of the volcano.

The 5,023-m “Throat of Fire” has been active since 1999.

Tungurahua eruption viewed from the city of Banos in this AFP photo dated December 17, 2012. Image may be subject to copyright.

-oOo-

Volcanic Activity Continues at Popocatépetl

Latest Activity at Popocatépetl. Image Credit: CENAPRED

Close-up of Popocatépetl Summit Crater – July 15,2013. Image Credit: CENAPRED – Mexico

Latest statement issued Mexico’s CENAPRED, as Popocatépetl continued to spee ash and volcanic matter Late Monday.

July 15 18:00 h (July 15 23:00 GMT)

During the last 7 hours the monitoring system at Popocatepetl volcano registered 6 low intensity exhalations, which were probably followed by emissions of gases and ash, although this could not be corroborated due to the prevailing cloud cover. Aditionally, two volcanotectonic microseisms of Mc 2.0 and 2.1 were detected at 12:03 and 15:32, respectively.

Today an overflight was made with the aid of the mexican Navy, in which it could be seen that the dome reported on the previous overflight was destroyed by the explosions which ocurred and were reported on the last few days. In its place a new crater 200 m in diameter and 20 to 30 m deep was seen (see image) (see image) (see image) (see image).

The Volcanic Alert Level is at Yellow, Phase 3.

M7.2 Quake Rocks Ecuador, Peru

Powerful earthquake rattles Ecuador for about 45 secs.

Magnitude 7.2 earthquake, epicentered at 1.260°S, 77.312°W, struck a remote Amazon region at a depth of more than 200km, rattling Ecuador and parts of neighboring Peru for about 45 seconds.

The shock was the strongest to strike Ecuador in 12 years. A 7.2Mw quake struck off the country’s coast in 1998, according to USGS/EHP records.

In 1949 a 6.8Mw earthquake in Ambato killed at least 5,000 people, and destroyed hundreds of homes.

The quake occurred about 128km ENE (79 degrees) of the 3km tall Tungurahua, one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes, which has been active this year. FEWW forecast more explosive activity from Ecuador volcanoes in 2010 through 2012 and beyond.

Snow-capped Tungurahua, seen from near the town of Baños on its northern flank, rises 3,200 m above steep-walled canyons. Historical eruptions, separated by long reposes, have produced powerful explosions, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lava flows. All historical eruptions have originated from the summit crater, and have typically lasted for several years. The largest historical eruptions took place in 1886, 1916, and 1918. Photo by Minard Hall, 1976 (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito). Caption: GVP.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 7.1 [USGS/EHP estimate]
• Date-Time:
  • Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 11:54:16 UTC
  • Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 06:54:16 AM at epicenter
• Location: 1.260°S, 77.312°W
• Depth: 211 km (131.1 miles)
• Region: ECUADOR
• Distances:
  • 145 km (90 miles) E of Ambato, Ecuador
  • 155 km (95 miles) ENE of Riobamba, Ecuador
  • 155 km (95 miles) SSW of Nueva Loja, Ecuador
  • 175 km (110 miles) SE of QUITO, Ecuador
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 3.3 km (2.1 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010zwa5

10-degree Map Centered at 0°N,75°W

EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.

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• FEWW Volcano Links
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• FEWW Earthquake Links

VolcanoWatch Weekly [2 July 2010]

Summary of Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

[Source: SI/USGS]

New Activity/Unrest (23 June – 29 June 2010)

• Gorely, Southern Kamchatka (Russia) —  [Group J]
• Pagan, Mariana Islands (Central Pacific) — [Group L]
• Tungurahua, Ecuador [Group D]
• Ulawun, New Britain   [Group K]

NOTE: More volcanic activity/unrest may be expected in areas/groups shown in red.

Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog. Click image to enlarge.

Ongoing Activity:

• Dukono, Halmahera
• Eyjafjallajökull, Southern Iceland
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
• Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
• Kirishima, Kyushu
• Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Sakura-jima, Kyushu
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

For additional information, see source.

Related Links:

• Taal Volcano Alert Raised to Level 2 ‎
• Philippines Taal Volcano Could Erupt Anytime

Other Volcano Links:

• VolcanoWatch [1 June 2010]
• Messages From Earth’s Powerhouse
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 19 March 2009

• A New Era of Intense Volcanic Unrest May Have Begun
• Tonga’s Metis Shoal may be erupting
• Rumble III Volcano “blew its top!”

FEWW Volcanic Activity Forecast

• Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci Erupts
• Volcano Watch Weekly: 23 April 2009
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 16 April 2009
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 2 April 2009

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Earth’s Climate: A Solar Powered System

Other Related Links:

• U.S. Volcano Status Map
• Elevated Activity Page
• U.S. Volcano Webcams

VolcanoWatch [1 June 2010]

Mount Pagan Ejects a Small Plume

False-color satellite image of Mount Pagan, located in the Northern Marianas Islands, shows a small gas and steam plume rising from the volcano on June 3, 2010. “The blue tint of the volcanic plume hints that it may be rich in sulfate aerosols, which could be acting as nuclei for the condensation of water droplets, resulting in cloud formation in the plume.” Iimage was acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Emission and Reflection Radiometer aboard NASA’s Terra satellite. Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge. Download large image (2 MB, JPEG)

Cleveland Volcano Restive

False-color image of Mount Cleveland was acquired by ASTER on NASA’s Terra satellite. “Snow is white, clouds are pink, vegetation is red, and water is almost black.”  The Alaska Volcano ObservatoryThe volcano is located about 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) SW of  Anchorage, Alaska. reported an plume of ash above Cleveland volcano rising to a height of about 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) on May 30th. Source: NASA E/O. Click image to enlarge. — Download large image (931 KB, JPEG)

Summary of Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

[Source: SI/USGS]

New Activity/Unrest (26 May-1 June 2010)

• Arenal, Costa Rica –  [Group F]
• Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka (Russia)  –  [Group J]
• Cleveland, Chuginadak Island – [Group H]
• Kirishima, Kyushu –  [Group J]
• Pacaya, Guatemala – [Group F]
• Pagan, Mariana Islands (Central Pacific) – [Group L]
• Sarigan, Mariana Islands (Central Pacific)  –  [Group L]
• Tungurahua, Ecuador –  [Group D]
• Ulawun, New Britain –  [Group K]
• Yasur, Vanuatu (SW Pacific)  – [Group L]

Map of Volcanoes. Background Map: University of Michigan. Designed and enhanced by Fire Earth Blog. Click image to enlarge.

Ongoing Activity:

• Alaid, Kuril Islands (Russia)
• Bagana, Bougainville
• Eyjafjallajökull, Southern Iceland
• Fuego, Guatemala
• Gaua, Banks Islands (SW Pacific)
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)
• Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
• Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Reventador, Ecuador
• Santa María, Guatemala
• Sarychev Peak, Matua Island
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

For additional information, see source.

Related Links:

• Messages From Earth’s Powerhouse
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 19 March 2009

• A New Era of Intense Volcanic Unrest May Have Begun
• Tonga’s Metis Shoal may be erupting
• Rumble III Volcano “blew its top!”

FEWW Volcanic Activity Forecast

• Sumatra’s Mt Kerinci Erupts

• Volcano Watch Weekly: 23 April 2009

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

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

• Earth’s Climate: A Solar Powered System

Other Related Links:

• U.S. Volcano Status Map
• Elevated Activity Page
• U.S. Volcano Webcams

Recent Posts on Chaitén:

• Chaitén: A New Phase of Activity?
• Chaitén Still Awake!
• Chaitén: Volcano with a Mission?
• Chaitén: Volcano that Doesn’t Sleep

VolcanoWatch Weekly [21 January 2010]

New activity/Unrest

13 January – 19 January 2010
SI /USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

• Kharimkotan, Kuril Islands (Russia)
• Nyamuragira, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Soufrière Hills, Montserrat
• Tungurahua, Ecuador
• Turrialba, Costa Rica

Volcano News (Source: GVP)

MVO reported that during 8-15 January activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome increased significantly. One explosion on 8 January and two on 10 January generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 5.5-7.6 km a.s.l. Ash fell in occupied areas to the NW. On 18 January, a partial lava-dome collapse generated a pyroclastic flow. Smoke from burning houses in Kinsale was visible after the event.

The IG reported that during 13-14 January explosions from Tungurahua ejected incandescent material 1 km above and 1.5 km away from the crater, onto the flanks. (SOURCE: GVP)

Ongoing Activity

Arenal, Costa Rica;  Chaitén, Southern Chile; Gaua, Banks Islands (SW Pacific); Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka; Kilauea, Hawaii (USA);  Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia); Planchón-Peteroa, Central Chile-Argentina border; Rabaul, New Britain; Sakura-jima, Kyushu; Sangay, Ecuador; Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia);  Suwanose-jima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program.

Related Links:

• Volcanic Explosions Could Split More Than Africa
• Arabia Shakes
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [28 Oct 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [26 Oct 2009]

More Links:

• Messages From Earth’s Powerhouse
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 19 March 2009

• A New Era of Intense Volcanic Unrest May Have Begun
• Tonga’s Metis Shoal may be erupting
• Rumble III Volcano “blew its top!”
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes

FEWW Volcanic Activity Forecast

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

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

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Other Related Links:

• U.S. Volcano Status Map
• Elevated Activity Page

VolcanoWatch Weekly [14 January 2010]

New activity/Unrest

6 January -12 January 2010
SI /USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

• Mayon, Luzon
• Nyamuragira, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
• Tungurahua, Ecuador
• Turrialba, Costa Rica

Volcano News (Source: GVP)

During 11-12 January, activity from Tungurahua increased; ash plumes rose to higher altitudes and more explosions were detected. Incandescent blocks were ejected almost 1 km above the crater and 1.5 km away from the crater, onto the flanks. Gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l.

MVO reported that during 31 December-8 January pyroclastic flows from the Soufrière Hills lava dome continued to travel predominantly down areas to the N. On 8 January, a large pyroclastic flow event occurred after a collapsing fountain of tephra was observed on the NE side of the volcano. Source: GVP

Ongoing Activity

• Barren Island, Andaman Is
• Chaitén, Southern Chile
• Fuego, Guatemala
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
• Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
• Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Pacaya, Guatemala
• Popocatépetl, México
• Rabaul, New Britain
• Redoubt, Southwestern Alaska
• Sakura-jima, Kyushu
• Santa María, Guatemala
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Soufrière Hills, Montserrat
• Suwanose-jima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program.

Related Links:

• Volcanic Explosions Could Split More Than Africa
• Arabia Shakes
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [28 Oct 2009]
• VolcanoWatch Weekly [26 Oct 2009]

More Links:

• Messages From Earth’s Powerhouse
• Weekly Volcano Watch: 19 March 2009

• A New Era of Intense Volcanic Unrest May Have Begun
• Tonga’s Metis Shoal may be erupting
• Rumble III Volcano “blew its top!”
• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes

FEWW Volcanic Activity Forecast

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

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

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

Other Related Links:

• U.S. Volcano Status Map
• Elevated Activity Page

VolcanoWatch Weekly [27 August 2009]

Volcanic Activity Report: 19 August – 25 August 2009

VOW: Koryaksky

Koryaksky Volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula released a plume on August 27, 2009, caught by MODIS on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The volcano has released intermittent ash and/or steam plumes late August.

This true-color image shows a pale plume, which consists primarily of water vapor, blowing away from the summit east-northeast, toward the Bering Sea.

Vostok Media reported simultaneous activity at six Kamchatka volcanoes, describing  the first concurrent unrest in 60 years as rare. NASA image courtesy MODIS Rapid Response Team, Goddard Space Flight Center. Caption by Michon Scott. [Edited by FEWW.]

New activity/unrest:

Source: Global Volcanism Program (GVP) – SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

• Koryaksky, Eastern Kamchatka, Russia

KORYAKSKY Eastern Kamchatka 53.320°N, 158.688°E; summit elev. 3,456 m

KVERT reported that during 14-21 August seismic activity from Koryaksky was slightly above background levels. During 13-16 August, gas-and-steam plumes rose to altitudes of 3.5-5 km (11,500-16,400 ft) a.s.l. Based on visual observations during 16-20 August, gas-and-steam plumes containing ash rose to altitudes of 3.5-4.2 km (11,500-13,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. Ash plumes were also seen in satellite imagery, drifting 215 km E and W. On 23 August, a probable ash plume detected in satellite imagery drifted 50 km ESE. During 24-25 August, seismicity increased; more than 100 earthquakes were recorded. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Geologic Summary. The large symmetrical Koryaksky stratovolcano is the most prominent landmark of the NW-trending Avachinskaya volcano group, which towers above Kamchatka’s largest city, Petropavlovsk. Erosion has produced a ribbed surface on the eastern flanks of the 3456-m-high volcano; the youngest lava flows are found on the upper western flank and below SE-flank cinder cones. No strong explosive eruptions have been documented during the Holocene. Extensive Holocenefissure vents about 3900-3500 years ago reached Avacha Bay. Only a few moderate explosive eruptions have occurred during historical lava fields on the western flank were primarily fed by summit vents; those on the SW flank originated from flank vents. Lahars associated with a period of lava effusion from south- and SW-flank time. Koryaksky’s first historical eruption, in 1895, also produced a lava flow. (Source: GVP).

Notes:

Based on information from the Tegucigalpa MWO, the Washington VAAC reported that ash was detected within 15 km of Fuego on 19 August. According to INSIVUMEH, rumbling sounds were accompanied by incandescent tephra ejected 75 m high on 21 August. (Source: GVP).

Ongoing Activity:

• Bagana, Bougainville
• Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
• Chaitén, Southern Chile
• Fuego, Guatemala
• Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
• Popocatépetl, México
• Sakura-jima, Kyushu
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Tungurahua, Ecuador
• Ubinas, Perú

Related Links:

• U.S. Volcano Status Map
• Elevated Activity Page
• U.S. Volcano Webcams

FEWW Links:

• Volcanoes
• Earthquakes

Volcanic Activity Report, Volcano Hazard, VolcanoWatch, volcanism, volcanoes. Tagged: Chaiten, Kliuchevskoi, Koryaksky, Kīlauea, Pagan, Reventador, Sumatra, talang.

Volcano Watch: 3 February 2009

Volcanic Activity Report: 28 January-3 February 2009

From: SI / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

New Activity/Unrest:

• Asama, Honshu, Japan
• Redoubt, Southwestern Alaska

Volcano of the Week: Ubinas

Volcán Ubinas, seen here from the west, is Perú’s most active volcano. A small, 1.2-km-wide caldera that cuts the top of Ubinas gives it a truncated appearance. The upper slopes of the stratovolcano steepen to nearly 45 degrees. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep caldera contains an ash cone with a 500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200-m deep. Holocene lava flows are visible on the volcano’s flanks, but historical activity, documented since the 16th century, has consisted of intermittent minor explosive eruptions. Photo by Norm Banks, 1988 (U.S. Geological Survey). Caption: GVP

Volcano Name: Ubinas

Country: Perú
Volcano Type:  Stratovolcano
Last Known Eruption: 2008 (in or after)
Summit Elevation: 5672 m (18,609 feet)
Latitude: 16.355°S 16°21’18″S
Longitude: 70.903°W 70°54’11″W

Based on a SIGMET notice, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 31 January an ash plume from Ubinas rose to an altitude of 6.7 km (22,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Ash was not seen on satellite imagery.

Ongoing Activity:

• Barren Island, Andaman Is
• Chaitén, Southern Chile
• Fuego, Guatemala
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
• Kilauea, Hawaii
• Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Pacaya, Guatemala
• Rabaul, New Britain
• Sakura-jima, Kyushu
• Santa María, Guatemala
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Soufrière Hills, Montserrat
• Tungurahua, Ecuador
• Ubinas, Perú

Volcano Watch No. 42

15 – 21 October 2008

New Activity/Unrest:

• Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Soputan, Sulawesi [Indonesia]

Ongoing Activity:

• Akan, Hokkaido
• Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
• Chaitén, Southern Chile
• Galeras, Colombia
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
• Kilauea, Hawaii
• Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
• Popocatépetl, México
• Rabaul, New Britain
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Soufrière Hills, Montserrat
• Suwanose-jima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)
• Tungurahua, Ecuador
• Ubinas, Perú

This page is updated on Wednesdays, please see the GVP Home Page for news of the latest significant activity.

Week 31 Volcano Watch

30 July-5 August 2008

Breaking News:

Color Code Purple

Recent activity at the Kilauea volcano has increased atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide in the districts of Kau and Puna, Hawaii, resulting in a spike of sulfur of 9 parts per million, which is considered to be extremely high. (Source)

New Activity/Unrest:

• Anatahan, Mariana Islands (Central Pacific)
• Chikurachki, Paramushir Island
• Cleveland, Chuginadak Island
• Llaima, Central Chile
• Manam, Northeast of New Guinea (SW Pacific)
• Okmok, Fox Islands
• Reventador, Ecuador
• Sumbing, Central Java (Indonesia)

Kilauea volcano eruption. Photo dated July 14. 2008. Copyright: Steven and Donna O’Meara. Source: HawaiiMagazine.com. See Fair Use Notice!

Ongoing Activity:

• Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
• Chaitén, Southern Chile
• Fuego, Guatemala
• Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
• Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
• Rabaul, New Britain
• Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)
• Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
• Tungurahua, Ecuador

[The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program.]