This post is written by geologist Richard Wilson who specializes in Volcano seismicity and Armand Vervaeck. Please feel free to tell us about new or changed activity if we haven’t written about it. -
Weekly volcano activity overview (week September 26 – October 2)
Satellite image ash Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia – image courtesy Nasa Modis
HAVRE SEAMOUNT, Kermadec Islands (SW Pacific)
The GeoNet Data Centre reported that on 1 October a pilot observed floating pumice in the Kermadec Islands NE of New Zealand. The area of pumice started about 300 km W of Raoul Island and extended in a NE direction for about 600 km. The report speculated that the pumice was from the 18-19 July eruption of Havre Seamount and noted that there was no evidence that the volcano had erupted again.
FUEGO, Guatemala
INSIVUMEH reported that during 26-27 September explosions from Fuego ejected incandescent tephra 75-150 m above the crater, and produced ash plumes that rose 500-800 m and drifted 7 km N and NW. A hot lahar descended the Ceniza drainage (SSW), carrying logs, branches, and blocks over 1.5 m in diameter. During 29 September-2 October explosions ejected incandescent tephra 200 m above the crater and produced ash plumes that rose 500-1,100 m. Shock waves were detected in areas 12-15 km away. Incandescent avalanches traveled 700 m down the flanks; during 1-2 October avalanches traveled S down the Santa Teresa drainage. Ashfall was reported at the observatory, and in Morelia (8 km SW) and Santa Sofia (12 km SE).
MARAPI, Sumatra, Indonesia
According to news articles, an eruption from Marapi on 26 September produced an ash plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater.
TONGARIRO, North Island, New Zealand
The GeoNet Data Centre reported that researchers visited Tongariro’s Upper Te Mari Craters on 30 September to sample several of the fumaroles, conduct a carbon dioxide soil gas survey, collect ejecta from the 6-7 August eruption, and photograph the area. They found that the average carbon dioxide soil gas flux was lower than the 27 July measurements; 24 sites had increased fluxes while 20 had decreased. The estimated soil gas emission has decreased from about 5.8 to 2.5 tonnes per day based on these measurements.
BAGANA, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 27 September an ash plume from Bagana rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 37 km N.
BATU TARA, Komba Island, Indonesia
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that during 26-28 September ash plumes from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 18-37 km NW, W, and SW.
GALERAS, Colombia
INGEOMINAS reported that during 25 September-2 October cameras around Galeras recorded emissions that were mostly water vapor drifting NW. However, on 27 and 28 September the emissions contained ash. An earthquake swarm detected on 28 September was characterized by M 1.4 events that occurred within 13 km of the crater at depths less than 8 km. The Alert Level remained at III (Yellow; “changes in the behavior of volcanic activity”).
KARYMSKY, Eastern Kamchatka, Russia
KVERT reported moderate seismic activity from Karymsky during 21-28 September. Seismic data indicated that ash plumes possibly rose to an altitude of 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly on the volcano during 23-25 September, and ash clouds near the volcano during 24-25 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
KILAUEA, Hawaii, USA
During 26 September-2 October HVO reported that the circulating lava lake periodically rose and fell in the deep pit within Kilauea’s Halema’uma’u Crater. Periodic measurments indicated that the gas plume from the vent continued to deposit variable amounts of spatter and Pele’s hair onto nearby areas. Lava flows were active above the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision and flowed down the pali. At Pu’u ‘O’o Crater, incandescence was often visible from the S pit, from lava circulating in the E pit, and from the W edge of the crusted N pit. An opening in the roof of the lava tube at the base of the SE flank of Pu’u ‘O’o also continued to glow.
POPOCATEPETL, México
CENAPRED reported that during 25 September-2 October seismicity at Popocatépetl indicated continuing gas-and-steam emissions; cloud cover often prevented visual observations of the volcano. Incandescence from the crater was sometimes observed at night. On most days gas-and-steam plumes rose at most 1.5 km above the crater and drifted in multiple directions. The Alert Level remained at Yellow, Phase Two.
SAKURA-JIMA, Kyushu, Japan
JMA reported that during 24-28 September explosions from Sakura-jima’s Showa Crater ejected tephra as far as 1.8 km from the crater. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions during 26 September-2 October often produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-3.4 km (6,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W, S, SE, and E. During 26-27 September pilots observed ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.2-3.4 km (4,000-11,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE.
SANTA MARIA, Guatemala
INSIVUMEH reported that during 29 September-1 October explosions from Santa María’s Caliente dome generated ash plumes that rose 600-800 m and drifted W and SW. Active lava flows generated block avalanches that traveled S down the Rio Nima I and Rio Nima II during 29 September-2 October.
SHIVELUCH, Central Kamchatka, Russia
Based on visual observations and analyses of satellite data, KVERT reported that during 21-28 September a viscous lava flow continued to effuse on the NW flank of Shiveluch’s lava dome, accompanied by hot avalanches and fumarolic activity. Satellite imagery showed a thermal anomaly on the lava dome on 21, 23, and 27 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
Data courtesy Smithsonian Institute
Video
Time lapse of an explosion at Sakurajima volcano, Japan
[+] Read before you subscribe – click here
- The selection of a weak Magnitude, a 24 hour delivery on a worldwide list would result in an avalanche of emails (each earthquake will generate an E-mail). A more selective Magnitude, delivery option and area of your interest will give the best result.
- As we have decided not to use a control panel or password, the parameters of your subscription can only be changed by canceling your subscription (link in each Email we send). To fine-tune your options, simply generate a new subscription.
- We will not share your E-mail with anyone else, it will be used only for earthquake alerts.
- Please make sure that you are white listing our emails as otherwise they may be deviated to your spam folder.
Delivery frequency Immediately Every 60 minutes Once a day
E-mails start at Magnitude 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6
Enter your email address:
&
&