Masaya volcano (Nicaragua) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 23 April-29 April 2008 (New Activity / Unrest)

The Washington VAAC reported that Masaya may have erupted on 23 May at ~1300. Ground observations from the capital city of Managua, 20 km NW of the volcano, indicated that there was a reduction in visibility to the SE of the city due to volcanic "smoke" and steam. The presence of the ash cloud could not be confirmed on satellite imagery due to thunderstorms in the area. ... Read all

INETER personnel reported that volcanic activity at Masaya decreased following the 23 April explosion. Small explosions were observed on 24 and 25 April, but by 27 April only the continuous emission of gas at normal levels was observed with few episodes of strong degassing. Likewise, after the 23 April explosion the level of SO2 emission decreased and normal levels of seismic activity were recorded. ... Read all

At 1426 on 23 April a small explosion at Masaya's Santiago crater lasted for ~2 minutes and occurred in three phases. During the first phase volcanic gas under high pressure was explosively released and created a new vent in the bottom of Santiago crater. The eruption sent rock fragments up to 60 cm in diameter as far as 500 m from the crater. ... Read all