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Gunung Hobal volcano (Iliwerung volcano, Lomblen Island, Indonesia): submarine eruption

Tue, 20 Aug 2013, 10:21 10:21 AM | BY: T
A submarine eruption has likely occurred this morning in Indonesia. VSI raised the alert level of Iliwerung volcano from 1 (normal) to 2 (watch) following increased seismic and visual activity from an underwater flank vent called Gunung Hobal.
Iliwerung volcano forms a peninsula on the south coast of Lembata (Lomblen) Island (East Indonesia). Mount Hobal (Gunung Hobal) is a submarine flank vent of Iliwerung located about 800 m from the coast. It has had several historic eruptions during which several temporary islands were formed.
The latest bulletin of VSI describes that the water around Hobal has recently shown significant color changes to yellow, intense bubbling and white steam plumes rising up to about 1000-2000 m from 7:14 local time this morning. Half an hour later, from 7:46 am, glow even began to be visible.
Strangely, no plume or other strong evidence of an eruption have been available so far from satellite data, except tiny spots visible on the latest images of the area which could be floating pumice (s. Culture Volcan's blog post)
It appears that the eruptive phase (if any) lasted only shortly, which could explain the absence of a clearly visible plume on satellite data.
VSI points out that there is an elevated risk of tsunamis associated with potential more eruptive activity, and recommends not to approach the coast within 30 m from the sea.
The last recorded eruptions of Gunung Hobal were in 1973-74 and between 17-18 August 1983.

Previous news

Wed, 14 Aug 2013, 06:00

Iliwerung volcano (Lomblen Island, Indonesia) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 14 August-20 August 2013 (New Activity / Unrest)

CVGHM reported that observers at a post 590 m a.s.l. and 6 km away from Iliwerung reported that diffuse fumarolic emissions from the crater were visible during the mornings from 1 to 19 August. Seismicity fluctuated during the month, but 81 shallow volcanic earthquakes were detected between 1606 and 1741 on 19 August, compared to a total of 30 the previous 18 days. ... Read all
Wed, 31 Oct 2001, 06:00

Iliwerung volcano (Lomblen Island, Indonesia) - Report for 31 October-6 November 2001 (Continuing Activity)

An increase in tectonic earthquakes around Iliwerung during 17-26 October led VSI to raise the Alert Level from 1 to 2 (on a scale of 1-4). From 2 to 11 earthquakes were felt per day with Modified Mercalli intensities of I-II. Visual and instrumental monitoring did not show a significant change in volcanic activity. ... Read all
Iliwerung volcano
complex volcano 1018 m / 3,340 ft
Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia), -8.53°S / 123.57°E
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) Iliwerung volcano eruptions:
2013, 1993, 1983, 1976 (?), 1973-74, 1952, 1951, 1950, 1949, 1948, 1941 (?), 1928, 1910, 1870
Typical eruption style
Explosive
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