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If you see interesting news, live near / work on a volcano, don't hesitate to post a message or contact us at info(AT)volcanodiscovery.com if you want to contribute. Thank you!
News & updates from VolcanoDiscovery:
Wednesday, Feb 22, 2012
A nocturnal visit to the West Crater of Turrialba volcano on 2 February by volcanologists from OVSICORI-UNA revealed several incandescent spots: The SW vent (Boca 2010), N vent (Boca 2011) and the SE vent (Boca 2012) show differential gas and vapor outputs, while showing different incandescence levels. The latter one (opened on January 12th ) registers temperatures above 700ºC. ...more(message from Eliecer Duarte, Volcano Monitoring Team, OVSICORI-UNA) [ less] [ read all]
Lokon volcano had 2 probably smaller eruptions yesterday (21 Feb) at 11:52 local time. According to local news, the eruption was not seen because of cloud cover on the mountain, but strong explosion sounds were heard in Tomohon, the town located at the foot of the volcano. The eruption was accompanied by hundreds of shallow volcanic earthquakes registered by the local observatory. ...moreNo evacuations were taken, but people were advised to stay at least 2.5 distance from the crater. [ less] [ read all]
Tuesday, Feb 21, 2012
1-5 weak steam and ash eruptions per day, incandescence observed at night from the crater [ read all]
Three 50 m wide cracks have appeared on on the upper flank of Canlaon volcano (also spelled Kanlaon) near the crater after the M6.7 earthquake on Negros island in the Philippines on 6 Feb 2012. ...moreAccording to PHILVOLCS, the Philippine volcano monitoring agency, the cracks were caused by the earthquake and are not likely a precursor for a new eruption, which would be the first since 2006, although Canalon is one of the country's most active volcanoes. A more detailed investigation is planned and the mountain was for now closed for climbers. Erik Klemetti on his more detailed post on Eruptions Blog mentions rightly that a major hazard from Canlaon volcano are landslides and mud flows, and that these are not necessarily related to an eruption, but can be triggered as well by heavy rain and gravitational instability caused by earthquake movements. In this context, the cracks should be examined and monitored carefully. [ less] [ read all]
The tremor continues its gradual increase towards suspicious levels, but unfortunately, the weather is very bad at the moment to see what is going on. No explosions were noted during the previous 3 days, but an incandescent spot on the southern rim of the New SEC was visible, suggesting that temperatures there were increasing. Something might be in the making... [ read all]
Monday, Feb 20, 2012
Volcanic tremor (a low frequency vibration often caused by magma rising to the surface) has been observed under Katla volcano in southern Iceland, Jón Frímann reports on his Iceland volcanoes blog (see below), closely following seismic activity in Iceland recorded both by national instruments and his own private geophone network. ...moreAccording to Jón, there are 2 possible explanations: one could simply be an increase in hydrothermal activity in the northern part of Katla volcano. The second could be magma movements at depth although there have been no significant earthquakes that usually would accompany an intrusion or small (sub-glacial) eruption, although this still could occur in the near future as often observed in the past during similar episodes of tremor followed by earthquakes. [ less] [ read all]
 Recent seismic activity near Tambora volcano
A swarm of earthquakes has occurred near Tambora volcano on 16 and 17 February. About 12 quakes larger than magnitude 2 were recorded at depths between 10 and 40 km, concentrated in an area near the coast about 30 km NE of the volcano. The largest quake a 4.8M quake at 18:12:39 WIB on 16 February. ...moreSeismic unrest near the volcano has started last summer and could be an indicator of possible new activity in the foreseeable future. [ less] [ read all]
After a quiet period, a small (but not worrying) swarm of weak quakes have started to occur again under the caldera of Santorini during the past 48 hours [ read all]
More than a month after the 17 January attack on tourists and scientists at Erta Ale volcano, in which 5 were killed, several wounded and 4 people kidnapped, there is still no reliable news about the fate of the kidnapped. ...moreThe rebel Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF) has claimed responsibility for the attack, and added that the kidnapped 2 German tourists and two Ethiopian guides are in good health and will be released if there is a "positive" diplomatic outcome with Ethiopia who blames Eritrea to support ARDUF, Reuters reported. In the meanwhile, tour groups are returning to the area again. The Ethiopian government was said to have established a semi permanent military unit to increase safety for tourists at the volcano. [ less] [ read all]
The remote Kanaga stratovolcano in the Aleutian Islands might have begun erupting, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reports. ...moreA possible ash cloud about 39 km (24 mi) NE of the volcano, likely from weak explosive activity, was detected on satellite imagery, and volcanic tremor was detected under the volcano from 15:23-15:27 UTC (6:23 AM AKST) on 18 February, followed by numerous small events for about an hour at Kanaga Volcano. AVO has placed the volcano at Aviation Color Code YELLOW. "This new unrest indicates a possibility for sudden explosions of ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. If a large, explosive, ash-producing event occurs, the local seismic network, satellite ash alarms, infrasound, and volcanic lightning will alert AVO to the new activity." [ less] [ read all]
Sunday, Feb 19, 2012
Photos from our last tour to Guatemala (Jan 2012) - Pacaya, Atitlan, Santiaguito and Fuego volcano are now online! The next tours to Guatemala: 8-21 Dec 2012 and 22 Dec 12 - 4 Jan 13. [ read all]
Saturday, Feb 18, 2012
Reports are appearing about unrest and signs of a possible awakening of Mt Fuji volcano in Japan. ...moreAccording to a report which includes an unclear photo of the area, a row of new craters, the largest 50 m in diameter, has appeared on the eastern flank of the volcano at 2200 m elevation. Steam was observed erupting from these vents. The observation joins other signs suggesting a gradual reawakening: A swarm of earthquakes including 4 of magnitude 5 have occurred northeast of Mt Fuji on and after 28 January. An earlier 6.4M quake occurred under the volcano on 15 March 2011. The report also mentions increased activity from a fumarole vent at 1500 m elevation and hot spring areas at the eastern flank observed since 2003. [ less] [ read all]
A slight increase at Fuego volcano has been observed in the past days. Occasional strombolian explosions are producing light gray ash columns between 200-500 m height above the crater, accompanied by rumblings. The explosions eject incandescent material to about 100 m. The bombs fall back in the area of the crater rim and cause weak avalanches. ...moreThe lava flow in the direction of Taniluyá is between 150-200 m long, and incandescent blocks detach from the front, tumbling down into the forested area. [ less] [ read all]
Moderate explosions continue producing small gray ash columns, and ashfall in the areas of the nearby farms to the west. Weak avalanches occur from the front of the small active lava flow on the southeast side of Santiaguito. [ read all]
Friday, Feb 17, 2012
Seismic activity has increased beneath Mount Merapi volcano in Central Java, Indonesia, in the last few days. The increase in so-called multiphase earthquakes is thought to indicate the beginning of the formation of a new lava dome. ...moreA volcanologist from the Selo observation post on the north side of the volcano is quoted "there is movement in the magma chamber in the form of a new lava dome formation. But we do not know the emission point because from Selo it is not visible". It is planned to check the situation at the summit in the near future. "The status of Merapi still active normal." [ less] [ read all]
 Steam plume above Tinakula Island (NASA image taken on 14 Feb 2012)
Tinakula volcano is probably erupting a recent satellite image published by NASA's Earth observatory shows. ...moreTinakula is a small, volcanic, South Pacific island located about 2,300 kilometers (1,400 miles) northeast of Brisbane, Australia. The natural-color satellite image shows a plume of volcanic gas, possibly mixed with a little ash, rising above the island’s summit. On February 13th and 14th, 2012, NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected heat signatures on Tinakula, and a small plume was apparent in visible imagery (lower image). Over the past decade satellites have detected intermittent “thermal anomalies” that suggest eruptions have taken place, but eyewitness observations are infrequent. [ less] [ read all]
Thursday, Feb 16, 2012
 Emissions of ash on the morning of February 16, 2012
New ash eruptions have started from Etna's New SE crater. Etna-walk.com informs weak ash emissions were first seen this morning on the webcam and were occurring at a frequency of a few minutes of each other, originating from the summit crater of the cone. The ash plumes rose a few tens of meters beyond the crater edge and were then blown to the east into the Valle del Bove. It was not possible to estimate the exact time this activity has started (due to bad weather preventing detailed observations in recent days). At the moment, visibility is limited due to intermittent cloud cover in the summit area. ...moreWhether this heralds another slow (or fast?) build-up towards paroxysm nr 21, the next days or weeks will tell! [ less] [ read all]
 Recent earthquakes beneath Katla and Hekla volcanoes (Icelandic Met Office)  Time and depth of recent quakes
Two of Iceland's most known and active volcanoes are showing signs of unrest. Another seismic swarm (after the last one around 3 Feb) occurred at Katla volcano yesterday, although it was weaker than the previous ones. Most likely, the swarm was caused by another shallow dike injection (magma intrusion) beneath the crater, confirming the ongoing unrest at the volcano. ...moreA small, but very shallow 1.2 magnitude quake happened beneath the summit of Hekla volcano at just 100 m. [ less] [ read all]
The Instituto Espaniol de Oceanografia (IEO) has published the results of a recent bathymetric survey of the submarine topography of the ongoing eruption south of La Restina (see map). The data were collected on boar of the Spanish Ramón Margalef research vessel during 9-13 February. ...moreThe most interesting finding is perhaps that the submarine edifice, which sits on the steeply descending floor of a submarine canyon, and is about 100-150 tall, has not grown significantly over the past weeks and there is a secondary prominent vent that has accumulated enough lava to form a small flank cone about 80 m tall and peaking at 200 m depth. The depth of the principal vent is still at about 120 m below sea level. If current eruption rates continue, it seems extremely unlikely that the eruption, within a foreseeable time, is able to breach the surface to produce Surtseyan explosions or even form a new island. [ less] [ read all]
The submarine eruption south of El Hierro Island could be in a process of change: While visible activity on the sea surface above the vent, as well as harmonic tremor signal (thought to be more or less proportional to erupting magma flux) have nearly ceased, the number of earthquakes under the island has increased sharply since yesterday. ...moreOn 15 February, more than 20 quakes were measured. Most of the earthquakes were very small, well below magnitude 2, and were clustered beneath the NW and SW sectors of the island at depths of around 10 km. There is no conclusive interpretation of this measurement. A possible (and usually assumed) scenario is that rising new magma from the mantle reservoir is creating new intrusions and rupturing rock to create pathways in the crust under El Hierro, not using the same paths as until now. That would explain why less magma is currently being erupted at the current vent(s). In that scenario, the eruption will continue, perhaps even from a different vent, and an increase in magma output is going to be expected any time soon. However, this is speculation. [ less] [ read all]
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2012
The new USGS / GVP weekly activity updates report is now available. The summary: ...more [ read all]
Tuesday, Feb 14, 2012
Weak ash explosions continue at Fuego volcano. INSIVUMEH reported for 13 February that 9 eruptions were counted, producing plumes up to 500 m high and occasional rumbling noises. A steam plume is rising constantly about 100 m from the crater. The ash drifted 8 miles WSW. ...moreThe new lava flow on the southwest flank in the direction of the Taniluya ravine is still active and about 200 m long. Blocks that detach from its front form small block avalanches that reach the vegetation. [ less] [ read all]
Monday, Feb 13, 2012
The alert status of Galunggung volcano in West Java, Indonesia, was raised today (Mon 13 Feb 2012) due to an increase of its water temperature and a change in color. ...moreDiscoloration of the crater lake had started to be noticed in September 2011, but the changes have increased recently. According to the local volcanologists monitoring the volcano, the whole lake is now of muddy khaki color. In addition to the color change which could be caused by an increase of lake fumarole activity, an steep sudden increase by 13°C of the lake water temperature was detected, based on measurements taken on and before 5 February when it was at normal 27°C, and on 8 Feb, when it was 40°C warm. [ less] [ read all]
Sunday, Feb 12, 2012
Mount Lokon volcano in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, erupted again yesterday (Friday 11 Feb) at around 20h20 local time. According to local news, the eruption produced a loud thumping noise and a 2 km tall ash eruption column, suggesting that this was a vulcanian-type, vent-clearing explosion. ...moreThe eruption followed an increase in earthquakes since the previous day recorded by the local observatory that monitors Mount Lokon and Mahawu volcanoes flanking the town of Tomohon, near Manado. Residents from nearby villages such as Kinilow I, Kinilow, and Kakaskasen were reported to have fled their homes. [ less] [ read all]
Saturday, Feb 11, 2012
The Alaska Volcano Observatory notes that "satellite observations suggest slow growth of the lava dome may be occurring in the summit crater. No ash emissions or explosions detected." ...moreThe alert level is kept at orange, the second highest level. The active lava dome is estimated to be 50 meters across. It occupies only a small portion of the approximately 200 meter summit crater. [ less] [ read all]
Thursday, Feb 09, 2012
The crater of Ijen is again open for visitors. The Indonesian Geological Survey lowered the alert level for Ijen volcano yesterday back from 3 (where it had been since 18 Dec, on a scale of 1-4) to 2. ...moreThe decision was based on measurements of decreasing seismic, visual and temperature parameters that are regularly monitored at the volcano: 1) Decreasing steaming and bubbling from the lake was visually observed during the past weeks. [ less] [ read all]
Another spectacular paroxysmal eruption occurred from Etna's New SE crater during the night of 8-9 February, marking the 20th such episode since 2011 or the second in 2012. The eruption followed an approximate 10 day period of intermittent strombolian activity which increased during the afternoon of 8 February and reached its peak with tall lava fountains after midnight, and large lava flows into the Valle del Bove. ...moreThe eruption produced a tall plume of ash which drifted to the SW and forced the cancellation of most early flights in and out Catania airport. Later in the morning, after the end of the eruption and the ash plume had dissipated, the operations resumed back to normal. The eruption produced a tall plume of ash which drifted in and forced the closure of Catania airport. [ less] [ read all]
Wednesday, Feb 08, 2012
 Location of the seismic swarm on 8 Feb 2012 (Icelandic Met Office)
A seismic swarm has occurred on the Reykjanes Ridge 70 km offshore the SW tip of Iceland. About 40 earthquakes with magnitudes mostly between 2 and 3 were recorded. The Reykjanes Ridge is part of the active SW rift zone running through the western part of Iceland. ...morePossibly, the swarm marked a magma intrusion in this area. [ less] [ read all]
Tuesday, Feb 07, 2012
The submarine eruption at El Hierro continues at low levels with no significant changes. The stain of the ocean above the vent(s) remains strong, and occasionally, smoking lava balloons are seen rising. ...moreThe tremor signal fluctuates between very periods of low and medium intensity with episodes of bursts, probably corresponding to deep-water magma-steam explosions. Few earthquakes continue to occur, mostly of small magnitude and concentrated in the SW sector of the island. [ less] [ read all]
Sporadic strombolian eruptions continue from the New SE crater of Etna, but - in contrast to previous such episodes - no new paroxysm has yet occurred. The volcanic tremor shows a slightly increasing trend with more fluctuations than normally. ...moreWhat Etna will do next, is still her secret. [ less] [ read all]
Mt Cameroon volcano in Cameroon seems to have started a new eruption. According to local news, mild tremors and explosions were noted at the volcano during the past week, intensifying last Friday. A group of tourists is reported to have fled the volcano after they heard loud explosions, followed by earthquakes. ...more"We heard a heavy explosion followed by some earth vibrations. It lasted about 7 seconds. There were flames and sulphuric acid coming out of a spot where we found ash and we decided to go back down," Peter Linonge Buma, a guide accompanying the tourists is quoted in a news article. The explosions seem to be strong enough to rattle doors and windows in nearby villages where most residents are preparing to evacuate. [ less] [ read all]
Monday, Feb 06, 2012
A slight increase in activity of Semeru volcano's activity has been observed by the Indonesian Geological Survey in recent weeks and its alert level was raised to 3 (out of 4, "watch") on 3 February 2012, after it had been on level 2 since 16 July 2009. ...moreOnly small to moderate eruptions had been occurring over most of the past year. Between 29 December and 15 January, 8 explosions were counted which produced ash clouds up to 600 m high. One explosion threw incandescent bombs to a distance of 300 m from the Jonggring Seloko crater. During 15-29 January, only weak explosions were recorded and a small steam and ash plume rising 25-50 m was observed. Between 30 and 31 January, 5 explosions were recorded. They produced incandescent fallout in up to 400 m distance. On 2 February at 07:47 local time, a stronger explosion produced incandescent bombs that reached 750 m distance and caused a small avalanche of blocks rolling down a distance of up to 2.5 km (note: no pyroclastic flows). The heightened activity triggered the raise in alert level the following day. [ less] [ read all]
Sunday, Feb 05, 2012
 Seismicity in Iceland during the past 2 days (Icelandic Met Office)
Small seismic swarms have occurred near Katla volcano (S Iceland), Henggil volcano (SW Iceland) and a weaker swarm near Askja (N-Central Iceland) during the past 48 hours. The cause of the swarms is unclear and their intensity is not alarming. They are not necessarily volcanic, but could related to tectonic stress release around the main Icelandic rift zones. [ read all]
Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador) produced a sudden strong ash explosion yesterday (4 Feb 2012) morning at 05:50 local time, following an increase in seismic activity recorded since around 04:30. The eruption lasted about 5 minutes and produced a plume rising to about 7-8 km altitude and drifting NE and later SE. Ash fall occurred in Baños, Juive, Runtún, Pillate, San Juan and Cotaló. ...moreMore ash eruptions have occurred over the following day and 3 small pyroclastic flows were reported. Authorities have raised the alert level to orange and opened emergency shelters for residents of the communities of Cusúa, Bilbao und Penipe located in the most vulnerable areas on the N and W flanks of the volcano. [ less] [ read all]
Darwin VAAC reported that a possible ash plume from Karkar rose to altitudes of 7.6-10.7 km (25,000-35,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and E on 1 February. ...moreThe last confirmed eruption of the remote volcano was on 12 January 1979, but several similar ash plumes with a possible origin from Karkar volcano were reported in recent years. This could suggest that Karkar has been in an active phase since a few years ago. [ less] [ read all]
Friday, Feb 03, 2012
Thursday, Feb 02, 2012
 Strombolian activity caught on one of the webcams of Etna (thanks to Vanessa B. on facebook)  Undecided tremor signal with a soft rising tendency (INGV Catania)
New strombolian activity from the New SE crater has been observed from webcams, together with a fluctuating, but overall slightly rising tremor signal in the past hours. Whether this is the start of a new paroxysmal eruption will probably be clearer during the next hours or tomorrow. [ read all]
Ert Ale volcano, the site of the deadly terrorist attack 4 weeks ago, in which 5 people were killed, several wounded and 4 abducted, is now open for tour groups again, local sources confirm us, and the first European tour operators have resumed their expeditions (or never cancelled them, despite the accidents...). ...moreAccording to our correspondent in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Government is mobilizing mechanized troops and fenced the near border with Eritrea (where the attackers presumably came from) and establish a permanent special security force in the Dallol and Ert Ale areas. This illustrates the peculiar situation in this region, but according to tour operators in Ethiopia, the area can now be considered "100% safe". Unfortunately, there is no good news yet about the fate of the 4 abducted German tourists and Ethiopian guides, except that negotiations between the various parties involved (governments from Germany, Ethiopia, Eritrea and the local Afar chiefs) are "ongoing". We hope for their liberation soon! [ less] [ read all]
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2012
Why not combine your interest in photography with a winter visit to Iceland? On this tour you get to visit some of Iceland´s most famous sights whilst in winter mode. ...moreThe main sights visited include: Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Geysir, Eyjafjallajökull, Hjálparfoss, Háifoss, Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Dyrholaey Cliffs, Skaftafell, Skeiðará river plain, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. [ less] [ read all]
Cleveland Volcano (Aleutian Islands) is showing renewed activity, which was observed in satellite data, and AVO is raising the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Alert Level to Watch. A new lava dome has been observed in the summit crater, and as of 30 January 2012 was approximately 40 meters (130 feet) in diameter. There have been no observations of ash emissions or explosive activity during this current lava eruption. ...moreThe lava dome that formed throughout the fall-winter of 2011 was largely removed by the explosive activity on 25 and 29 December, 2011. It remains possible for intermittent, sudden explosions of blocks and ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Such explosions and their associated ash clouds may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours. If a large, explosive, ash-producing event occurs, seismic, infrasound, or volcanic lightning may be detected by local and regional monitoring networks. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network on Mount Cleveland. [ less] [ read all]
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