Volcano activity of July 26, 2012 – Bagana, Sakurajima (video), Batu Tara, Mt. Tongariro, Kerinci, Karymsky, Cleveland, Ijen, Pacaya, Santa Maria, Fuego, Popocatepetl and Ambrym

This (almost) daily post intends to follow up the activity changes of volcanoes all over the world.
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. -

July 26, 2012 volcano activity

A lot to report today!

In Guatemala, Pacaya shows some renewed seismic activity while Fuego shows a lot of activity today. Santa Maria volcano showed a lot of ash bursts today (see seismogram and picture).

In New Zealand Mt. Tongariro is still seismically active, but less than a couple of days ago. No further news from GNS science. The alert level remains at 1.

Popocatepetl (Mexico) and Ambrym (Vanuatu) are showing strong activity on the NOAA SO2 satellite pictures

KVERT reported mostly weak seismic activity from Karymsky volcano (Russia, Kamchatka) during 13-23 July. Satellite imagery showed a weak thermal anomaly on the volcano during 13-19 July. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

AVO reported that elevated surface temperatures from Cleveland volcano (Alaska) were detected in satellite images during 18-20 July. Images revealed nothing unusual during 20-22 July. Cloud cover mostly prevented observations during 22-24 July; a steam plume rose from the crater on 23 July. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.

CVGHM reported that, although weather conditions at Ijen volcano (Java, Indonesia) often prevented views during July 1-24, white plumes were occasionally observed rising 50-100 m above the crater. Seismicity indicated unrest, and along with visual observations, prompted CVGHM to raise the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) on 24 July.

Activity observed by satellites
VAAC Darwin reports that Indonesian, Lesser Sunda Island volcano, Batu Tara has emitted a volcanic ash cloud. The cloud was observed at 7000 ft (2.1 km).

VAAC Darwin has reported yesterday that the status of the Sumatran Kerinci volcano was raised to Yellow. This decision was based on visual satellite imagery. After careful examination VAAC detected a “meteorological cloud”! We do not expect additional bulletins …

Sakurajima, Japan’s explosive spectacular volcano, shows a strong SO2 cloud on the NOAA satellite picture.

Featured volcanoes

Our featured volcano of today is Bagana volcano, a very remote but highly active volcano located at Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea.

Video
ITN has published a very good and short video from Tuesday’s Sakurajima eruption (we published the webcam video already on Tuesday). The text on the video is a little exaggerated as Sakurajima has a lot of explosive eruptions. What we see on the video is not so exceptional as commented.

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