General Volcanic Activity Thread!

[yamkin]

Volcanic Activity Under Icelandic Ice Caps Causes Ripple Formation In Icebergs

These stunning images of Iceland's Vatnajökull ice cap reveal ancient forces of nature at work above and below the mammoth glacier.

Covering eight percent of the island, the sharp, icy-blue scenery was created as subterranean volcanoes erupt under the ice melting the giant mass of frozen water.

Littered with glacial lagoons filled with icebergs, the area around Vatnajökull is essentially a picture postcard for Iceland.

The area has been used as a location in two James Bond films, as well as Tomb Raider and Batman Begins.

With tourism forming over 30 percent of the island's income, visitors to the ice flows are also treated to wonders such as dramatic ice walls and numerous icebergs.

Read More............http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/pics-volcanic-activity-under-icelandic-761757

[yamkin]

INCREASED ACTIVITY AT YELLOWSTONE ?????

http://www.isthisthingon.org/Yellowstone/daythumbs.php

[karyo]

INCREASED ACTIVITY AT YELLOWSTONE ?????

http://www.isthisthi...e/daythumbs.php

Imagine if Yellowstone and Santorini erupted at the same time!

Ok, I'll get my coat...

Karyo

[Methuselah]

I thinks she's gonna blow, Captain...

[yamkin]

Lamongan Volcano (East Java, Indonesia): Alert Raised To Yellow Due To Increased Seismic Activity

A new volcano in Indonesia, Lamongan volcano in Eastern Java, is showing signs of unrest: weak steaming from its active crater and increasing earthquakes were reported by Indonesian scientists. The increase in earthquakes started on 23 February and seismicity increased again significantly on 8 March when tremor was recorded continuously the next day.

CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) on 9 March. Residents and tourists were prohibited from going within a 1-km-radius of the active crater.

Lamongan is a small, relatively unknown stratovolcano east of the large Tengger massif (which contains the famous Bromo volcano). It was very active in the 19th century when it produced several lava flows, but has remained more or less silent during the past 110 years.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6551/Lamongan-volcano-East-Java-Indonesia-signs-of-unrest-alert-raised-to-yellow-due-to-increased-seismic.html

[yamkin]

Popocatepetl Volcano Recorded Nine Exhalations In The Last Hours - Mexico

The National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) reported that in the last hours the volcano Popocatepetl has been nine low-intensity exhalations accompanied by emissions of water vapor and gas, and sometimes small amounts of ash.

The body of the Ministry of the Interior (Interior Ministry) reported that the monitoring parameters remain without important changes.

He explained that on the night glow was observed in the crater of the volcano and for now has constant emission of steam and gas.

He said the traffic light is yellow in color phase 2 and the likelihood of prevailing moderate exhalations, some with ash emissions, sporadic bursts of low to moderate probability of emission of incandescent fragments within walking distance of the crater.

The Cenapred called for authorities to continue with the safety radius of 12 kilometers, and that staying in that area is not allowed and maintain controlled traffic between Santiago and San Pedro Nexapa Xalitzintla via Paso de Cortes.

Civil Protection urged to maintain preventive procedures, according to their operational plans and people to be attentive to the official information that is disseminated................http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=645351 (Translated)

[yamkin]

Kamchatka Volcano Throws Ash Column To A Height Of Two Miles

The Karymsky volcano, erupting in Kamchatka, has been awarded the Code Orange threat to aviation, although all routes on the peninsula are stretched so that the planes do not appear in the action zone of active volcanoes.

The height of gases and ash that accompanies the eruption has reached three thousand one hundred meters above sea level. From the slopes of volcano lava precipitates.

The volcano poses no danger to the localities.

The Karymsky hill, with a height of 1536 meters, is one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. Its latest eruption began in January 1996 and continues today.

http://spanish.ruvr.ru/2012_03_16/68621128/ (Translated)

[yamkin]

Scientists Publish First Video Of The Active Submarine Volcano At El Hierro (Canary Islands)

Scientists from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) aboard the research vessel Atlantic Explorer have published the first videos of the underwater volcanic cone in the Sea of ​Las Calmas south of El Hierro. The videos, taken by an underwater robot during their latest campaign, show that the eruption is continuing, but also suggest that the summit is still at 120 m rather than the 88 m found during the previous research campaign just 2 weeks earlier.

Screenshot of the video taken at the southwestern flank of the main submarine cone at 170 m depth, showing what looks like round lava bombs (or pillow lava?)

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6704/Scientists-publish-first-video-of-the-active-submarine-volcano-at-El-Hierro-Canary-Islands.html

[yamkin]

Etna volcano - Current Activity: Another Paroxysm From New SE Crater

The strombolian activity from the New SE crater which had started yesterday continued during the night.

From 03:30 local time, the glow had been continuous and the frequency of explosions rose to 25-30 per hour. Large incandescent bombs were observed landing on the outer flanks of the cone.

At the time of writing (8:30 local time), another paroxysm is about to occur. Strong explosions generating a rising ash plume and a steep increase of tremor can be observed.

The intervals between paroxysms are becoming shorter, as well as the precursor activity!

Webcam image showing strong explosive activity at the NSEC

The steep rise of volcanic tremor (INGV Catania)

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/etna/current-activity.html

[yamkin]

Volcano Etna Eruption - 18th March 2012

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DNe36IlKPM&feature

Edited March 18, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

ALERT - YELLOWSTONE IS SHOWING ACTIVITY SIGNS

http://www.isthisthingon.org/Yellowstone/daythumbs.php

[john pike]

Santorini: The Ground is Moving Again in Paradise

“After decades of little activity, a series of earthquakes and deformation began within the Santorini caldera in January of 2011,†said Newman, whose research is published by Geophysical Research Letters. “Since then, our instruments on the northern part of the island have moved laterally between five and nine centimeters. The volcano’s magma chamber is filling, and we are keeping a close eye on its activity.â€

http://www.gatech.edu/newsroom/release.html?nid=116501

[Moomin]

ALERT - YELLOWSTONE IS SHOWING ACTIVITY SIGNS

http://www.isthisthi...e/daythumbs.php

Yamkin this isn't very helpful at all, Yellowstone is not showing signs of activity anything above those observed over the last few decades. The earthquakes recorded are low magnitude ones and not in any way frequent. Yellowstone has always recorded such earthquakes from time to time, sometimes in a sort of 'flurry' of quakes all over the place, ground bulging and subsidence has also been observed regularly over the years none of which are a precursor to any sort of eruptive activity.

I agree from the geological record Yellowstone os probably overdue on average assumptions, but the error margin could mean it may not erupt for another 20,000 years, what is being seen at the moment does not point to any eruption in the near future.

[yamkin]

Volcanologists Watch Increase Of Activity At Mount Iliamna

Iliamna became code yellow at the beginning of March

Mount Iliamna is showing more seismic activity than normal, so scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) are keeping an eye on it.

AVO upgraded Iliamna to a code yellow at the beginning of March after an increase in earthquakes and gas emissions.

It's been about 16 years since Mount Iliamna has shown this kind of activity.

The fumaroles, or gas vents, near the summit usually produce about 100 tons of carbon dioxide per day. Now that's up to 1,000 tons per day...............http://www.ktva.com/home/outbound-xml-feeds/Volcanologists-Watch-the-Increase-of-Activity-at--143428346.html

[yamkin]

Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador): New Eruption And Ash Fall

Another series of explosions has occurred early today at Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador, the Instituto Geofísico (IG) reports. The eruption was reported to be very noisy and caused minor ash fall in nearby villages, but no damage.

From 23:39 (local time) on March 19, a rapid increase of tremor was detected and observers reported roaring noises from the volcano in up to 14 km distance. About an hour after the onset of tremor reports of ash fall came from El Manzano and Choglontús.

At 00h22 today, there was an loud explosion whose cannon-shot like shock wave was heard in Choglontús, El Manzano and Puntzán. Incandescent lava bombs could be seen ejected from the summit crater and landing up to approx. 200 m distance on the upper slope.

From the 01h08 (local time) tremor decreased and also the noises from the volcano. Cloud cover prevented detailed observations this morning.

According to a first analysis, only the south-west sector received ash fall. In the Choglontús area, ash continued to fall until 07:00 (local time) and was measured to have accumulated 383 grams per square meter, corresponding to less than 1 mm of ash..................http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/6877/Tungurahua-Volcano-new-eruption-and-ash-fall.html

[yamkin]

Katla Volcano Has Another Quake Swarm

Katla volcano in Iceland is having another quake swarm today, during what some say is supposed to be a quiet time geologically for Iceland, during the harsh Winter months. Seismicity is elevated today at the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, with some quakes even occurring at the neighboring Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Eleven tremblors struck within the Katla caldera within the last 24 hours. As I write this, the swarm is ongoing. Most of the quakes except for two were below 2.0 in magnitude, with the largest being a 2.5. Many smaller >1.0 quakes occurred.

This again is probable dike intrusion into Katla, which has seen elevated seismicity and geothermal activity since its very small eruptive event last year (which produced a glacier outburst flood, and caused minor damage to bridges and roads).

Katla has been seismically active for months, with most scientists expecting an eruption soon.When is impossible to say, however this will likely be larger than last time due to the amount of magma intruded into the system. Swarms have occurred at the volcano at least a few times in any given month since June of 2011, but so far has not resulted in a large eruptive event like its neighbor Eyjafjallajökull, who's eruption in April 2010 produced a large ash cloud, carried by the jet stream, and stranded millions of travelers in Europe as airliners were grounded due to ash concerns.

Europeans fear a repeat of this event should Katla erupt, however it is anyone's guess whether an ash cloud from Katla would even follow the same pattern. It is entirely possible that the ash cloud going go East, and give the United States East Coast a taste of the headaches that Europeans suffered. Or the ash could simply blow South, into the ocean, harming no one. In any case, Katla rumbles on, gearing up for its inevitable show.

http://volcanoscience.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/katla-volcano-has-another-quake-swarm.html

[yamkin]

Alert Level Lowered For Alaska Volcano

The alert level for a remote Alaska volcano has been lowered for lack of activity in the past 10 days.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Friday reduced the alert status for the Cleveland Volcano.

The center in a release says there have been no explosions detected since March 13, and there's no evidence the lava dome has grown in that time.

The center says there are no significant deposits of ash on the volcano, suggesting earlier eruptions might have been relatively ash-poor.

Cleveland is a 5,675-foot peak on an uninhabited island 940 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Authorities say sudden eruptions still could occur at any time, and ash clouds 20,000 feet above sea level are possible..............http://www.sacbee.co...for-alaska.html

[yamkin]

Increase In Seismic Activity At Montserrat Volcano Forces Zone Closure

An “noticeable†increase in seismic activity at the Soufirere Hills Volcano has resulted in the closure of the Zone C area near the volcano, which had been reopened for daytime entry in December.

Dr Paul Cole, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, told a radio station Friday that it was a precautionary measure as authorities continue to monitor the volcano.

“Following two volcano-tectonic swarms on the March 22 and 23, 2012 involving 49 and 54 events respectively, mild ash venting began at Soufriere Hills Volcano at around 8:00am local time on March 23,†the MVO said in a statement. “The venting was sourced from the floor of the Feb. 11, 2010 collapse scar, immediately south of the old English’s crater wall and to the west of the long-lived hottest fumarole previously identified.â€

The Zone C area, which is comprised of Cork Hill, Weekes, Foxes Bay, Richmond Hill, Delvins and extends 500 metres out to sea is part of the island’s exclusion zone.

It reopened in December 2011, after the hazard level in the area was lowered. The level will likely not be lowered, however, despite the area’s closure.

According to the statement, the ash venting was “clearly pulsatory,†and sent ash 6,000 feet above sea level. It sent black jets of ash rising a few hundred metres above the floor of the collapse scar.

The activity was described as “phreatic,†meaning activity formed when superheated rock meets groundwater, causing the rocks to fragment and generate ash.

“[Volcano-tectonic] earthquakes are related to fracturing rocks probably as a result of increases in pressure,†the statement said. “It is likely that these increases and the resulting earthquakes are related to uprising magma below the volcano.â€

Similar types of activity have apparently occurred at the volcano up to several months prior to magma extrusion, both in 2005 and 2008.

http://www.caribjournal.com/2012/03/23/increase-in-seismic-activity-at-montserrat-volcano-forces-zone-closure/

[The PIT]

So Monserrats twitching again could be some impressive eruptions in the months ahead. Been going on and off since 1995.

[yamkin]

Popocatepetl 33 Emits Low-Intensity Exhalations

The National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) reported that in the last 24 hours the Popocatepetl volcano registered 33 exhalations of low intensity, accompanied by emissions of water vapor and gas.

The body of the Ministry of the Interior (Interior Ministry) explained that on Saturday the most important issues of the colossus of Puebla occurred at 22:29, 23:21 and 23:56 hours on Sunday while they were at 5:14, 5:41 and 8:32 hours.

In a statement, adding that Cenapred at 08:42 hours, an earthquake of low magnitude volcanotectónico and 96 minutes of spasmodic tremor segments, while the other parameters remain unchanged monitoring important.

He said that on Saturday night showed intense incandescence in the crater of the volcano and at the time of this report the view to that point is partly due to cloud cover over the area.

The light of volcanic alert remains at phase two and yellow prevails likely moderate exhalations, some with ash emissions, sporadic bursts of low to moderate probability of emission of incandescent fragments short and mild glow of the volcano in the crater.

The Cenapred recommended maintaining the safety radius of 12 kilometers, so staying in that area is not allowed, and called for maintaining the controlled traffic between Santiago and San Pedro Nexapa Xalitzintla via Paso de Cortes.

He also urged the Civil Protection authorities maintain preventive procedures, according to their operational plans, and suggested the public be aware of the official information is disseminated.

http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=648293 (Translated)

[yamkin]

Batu Tara Volcano In Lesser Sunda Islands Of Indonesia Erupts

The volcano Batu Tara in the Sunda Sea off the island of Flores in Indonesia had a larger than usual ash eruption today, which triggered an alert of the VAAC Darwin, who raised the aviation color code to "orange", as the drifting ash cloud is be a hazard to local air traffic.

Batu Tara is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia and is characterized, similar to Stromboli volcano, by semi-permanent explosive summit activity.

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/view_news/7100/Batu-Tara-volcano-Indonesia-larger-ash-eruption.html

[yamkin]

Seismic Activity Triples At Chile’s Ilaima Volcano – Yellow Alert - UPDATE

Chilean authorities maintain state of alert in the Araucania region, due to increased seismic activity at Llaima volcano, one of the most active in the country and in South America. The regional governor, Andres Molina, confirmed that a yellow alert continues to be in effect for the communities of Melipeuco, Cunco, Vilcún, Curacautín and Lonquimay, because there are clear signs of “out-gassing in the inner perimeter†of the Llaima. Molina said that on Monday will meet the emergency committee to assess the status of the volcano, then it is found that in recent weeks the number quakes have tripled within the massif, which is located in the Andes, about 600 kilometers south of this capital. In geology, a massif is a section of a planet’s crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures.

The regional authority also noted that access was restricted in a radius of four kilometers around the volcano, especially in the tourist area of Conguillío Park, where last weekend, authorities evacuated over a hundred people. According to records provided by the expert technicians Fernando Gil, Volcano Observatory of the Southern Andes, one cannot rule out an eruption and although volcanic activity cannot be perceived by the inhabitants of the towns that are on yellow alert. The Llaima, more than three thousand meters in elevation, is located 76 kilometers northeast of the city of Temuco, capital of the region of La Araucania. The Llaima volcano last erupted in 2009. On March 25, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck northeast of the region at a depth of about 35 km (21 miles) and this may further acerbate the volcanic belt of this region of Chile.

http://www.prensa-la...491302&Itemid=1 (Translated)

Edited March 27, 2012 by yamkin

[yamkin]

Guatemalan Volcanoes Increase Activity

Guatemala, Mar 26 (Prensa Latina) Guatemalan volcanoes Santiaguito and Fuego increased their activity in the last hours and the authorities recommended on Monday took all the necessary precautions with the surrounding air traffic.

The dispersion of ash in various directions and changes in wind pattern led to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh) to warn about the civil aviation.

An Insivumeh report that Santiaguito volcano recorded 33 explosions in 24 hours, with a range of up to 800 meters above the crater, leaving ashes scattered in the southwest and southeast.

Santiaguito volcano is located in Quetzaltenango district, and its height is 2,550 meters above sea level.

The Insivumeh reported white and blue plume up to 100 meters above the crater, with displacement to the southwest, in the case of Fuego volcano, whose height is 3,763 meters above sea level and is located between the departments of Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango and Escuintla (center south).

http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=491538&Itemid=1

[yamkin]

Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador): Constant Ash Emissions And Ash Fall - UPDATE

Tungurahua volcano's activity has been increasing, Ecuador's Instituto Geofísico reports. Throughout the morning of March 26, a constant column of steam and ash was rising from the summit crater, reaching up to 3 km height and drifting towards the northeast, where ash fall occurred. Ash fall was significant in the San Francisco and Black River areas, and mild in Baños, the Ventanas en Runtún, Juive, Pondoa, Puntzán and Cusúa sectors.

Occasional roaring explosion sounds were heard from small to moderate explosive events. Seismic activity remains characterized by volcanic tremor episodes lasting several minutes, interspersed with tremor bursts and long-period events, which are related to fluid movements within the volcano.

Eruptive column above Tungurahua volcano reaching about 2 km height and heading towards the Northeast. 26th March 2012, 09:30 (local time), L. Troncoso - IGEPN

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/tungurahua/news/7110/Tungurahua-Volcano-Ecuador-constant-column-emission-and-ash-fall-in-some-sectors.html

[yamkin]

Turrialba Volcano Emits Gas And Steam

Two large steam and gas emissions were spotted Tuesday morning atop the Turrialba Volcano in the province of Cartago, east of San José, authorities from the National Seismological Network (RSN) at the University of Costa Rica said.

Turrialba residents said the two gas columns measure nearly 1 km in height and are moving towards the north face of the volcano.

“These gases are mostly water vapor, 90 percent, and the rest are volcanic gases,†Raúl Mora Amador, the RSN’s lead volcanologist explained.

One of the gas trails comes from the main crater, and the other rises from the east wall of the volcano, he added.

RSN geologists this Wednesday will conduct a flyover sponsored by the National Emergency Commission to perform regular measurements of temperature and observe changes at the top. On Thursday, RSN experts will visit the zone.

Access to the Turrialba Volcano National Park has been closed to visitors since last January, when spewing gas and ash alarmed locals and tourists.

Edited March 28, 2012 by yamkin