Volcano news & eruption updates:
Sangeang Api volcano (Sunda Islands, Indonesia): major explosive eruption with ash to 15-20 km altitude
Fri, 30 May 2014, 15:49
15:49 PM | BY: T
Today's eruption column at Sangeang Api (photo: @Bambang_Bimawan / Twitter)
A major explosive eruption occurred at the remote volcano this morning at around 08:30 UTC. A subplinian eruption column quickly rose to an estimated 50-65,000 ft (15-20 km) altitude and drifted several hundred km to the east and southeast.
Ash fall was reported in areas up to 30 km downwind from the volcano.
Luckily, the island itself is largely uninhabited although visted by farmers who cultivate some land. Evacuations were ordered within 1.5 km radius from the volcano.
Seismic activity preceding the eruption, including a nearby magnitude 4.5 earthquake at 03:05 UTC, was reported felt in the nearby city of Bima (Sumbawa Island) and even on Flores.
Today's explosion was the first at Sangeang Api volcano since its eruptions during 1997-99. Increased steaming and a number of earthquakes in recent years might have been precursors to today's event.
- All news about: Sangeang Api volcano
- Information about: Sangeang Api volcano
Previous news
Sat, 15 Jun 2013, 14:29
VSI decreased the alert level from 3 to 2 ("Waspada", on a scale of 4), as seismic activity has decreased recently. ... read all
Tue, 21 May 2013, 13:50
An increase in seismicity since 26 April triggered VSI to rise the alert status from 2 to 3 on a scale of 1-4 (from "Waspada", "watch" to Siaga", alert). For the moment, only degassing has been observed as surface activity. read all
Thu, 3 Jan 2013, 11:05
CVGHM reported that during November through mid-December observers at the Sangeang, Bima observation post (50 km SW) noted occasional diffuse white plumes rising 5-15 m above Sangeang Api's crater. read all
Fri, 12 Oct 2012, 10:05
An eruption warning was issed for Sangeang Api volcano in the Banda Sea (aka "Etna of the Banda Sea"), based on increased seismic activity recorded by PVMBG. No surface activity has been detected so far, but a new eruption from the summit lava dome would not be a surprise. ... read all
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