Santa Ana volcano, El Salvador: news & activity updates
Updated: Aug 17, 2022 03:09 GMT - Refresh
Wed, 29 Mar 2006, 06:00
During 24-31 March, activity at Santa Ana decreased to low levels in comparison to the previous 4 months of moderate activity. During the report period, seismicity was at relatively low levels, steam plumes occasionally rose ~200 m above the volcano (or 8,400 ft a.s.l.), and the daily sulfur-dioxide flux was between 500 and 1,000 metric tons. The Alert Level remained at red, the highest level, within 5 km of the volcano's summit crater. Read allWed, 1 Mar 2006, 06:00
During 24 February to 6 March, seismicity at Santa Ana was relatively stable, and the sulfur-dioxide flux was lower than during previous weeks. The level of water in the lagoon within the crater decreased significantly. The Alert Level at Santa Ana remained at Red, the highest level, within a 5-km radius around the volcano's summit crater. Read allShow more
Wed, 22 Feb 2006, 06:00
During 17-24 February, volcanic activity was at moderate levels at Santa Ana. Seismicity was relatively stable, and steam plumes rose to low levels above the volcano. The sulfur-dioxide flux was similar to measurements from previous weeks. Read allWed, 8 Feb 2006, 06:00
During 3-10 February, volcanic activity was at moderate levels at Santa Ana. Seismicity was relatively stable, and steam plumes rose to low levels above the volcano. The sulfur-dioxide flux averaged 1,200 metric tons per day. Read allWed, 1 Feb 2006, 06:00
During 27 January- 3 February, volcanic activity was at moderate levels at Santa Ana. On the 2nd, there was an increase in seismicity at the volcano, possibly related to an earthquake on the coast of Guatemala. There was also an increase in the sulfur-dioxide flux, with an average of 2,000 metric tons measured daily. Read allWed, 18 Jan 2006, 06:00
Seismicity at Santa Ana during 14-20 January 2006 was at normal levels. Degassing continued, with sporadic gas-and-steam emissions that rose about 200 m before dispersing. Sulfur dioxide flux, measured 6 km SW of the volcano, ranged from 163 to 1,578 metric tons/day. Read allWed, 11 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 6-13 January, volcanic activity was moderate at Santa Ana. Seismicity was a bit over normal levels with small earthquakes occurring, which were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. Continuous low-level emissions of steam and gas originated from the lagoon and from fumaroles within the crater. Read allWed, 4 Jan 2006, 06:00
During 30 December to 6 January, volcanic activity was moderate at Santa Ana. Seismicity was a bit over normal levels with small earthquakes occurring, which were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. Continuous low-level emissions of steam and gas originated from the lagoon and from fumaroles within the crater. Read allWed, 28 Dec 2005, 06:00
Observations of Santa Ana's crater on 28 December revealed that there were continuous emissions of steam and gas from the lagoon and fumaroles located within the crater. Gas rose 200-500 m above the crater (or 8,400-9,400) and drifted SW. On 30 December, seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels. Read allWed, 21 Dec 2005, 06:00
During 21-23 December, seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels. Small earthquakes occurred, which were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. Gas emissions rose to low levels. Read allShow more
Wed, 14 Dec 2005, 06:00
During 14-20 December, seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels. Small earthquakes occurred, which were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. Gas emissions rose to low levels. Read allWed, 7 Dec 2005, 06:00
Seismic activity began to increase at Santa Ana on 26 November. At that time, hundreds of metric tons of sulfur dioxide were emitted from the volcano each day, which was not as high as levels measured prior to the 1 October eruption. Gas emissions rose to ~300 m above the volcano and only slight changes were noted in the color of the lagoon in the interior of the crater. Read allWed, 23 Nov 2005, 06:00
During 23-28 November, seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels. Small earthquakes occurred that were interpreted as being associated with gas pulses. The amount of gas emitted was low. Read allWed, 16 Nov 2005, 06:00
During 16-21 November seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels; a minor increase on 17 November was probably due to strong wind disturbing the seismic equipment. Small earthquakes occurred that were interpreted as being associated with the fracturing of rocks and gas pulses. The amount of gas emitted was low. Read allWed, 9 Nov 2005, 06:00
During 9-14 November, seismicity at Santa Ana was above background levels and slightly increased on 13 November. Small earthquakes occurred that were interpreted as being associated with the fracturing of rocks and gas pulses. The amount of gas emitted was low. Read allWed, 2 Nov 2005, 06:00
During 2-7 November, seismicity and volcanic activity remained at relatively low levels at Santa Ana. Small earthquakes occurred that were associated with the fracturing of rocks and gas pulses. Sulfur-dioxide emissions were low, with 100 to 200 metric tons recorded daily. Read allWed, 26 Oct 2005, 06:00
During 30-31 October, seismicity increased at Santa Ana. Volcanic activity appeared to slightly increase starting on 28 October. Sulfur-dioxide emission rates during 28 and 29 October averaged 257 metric tons per day. Read allWed, 19 Oct 2005, 06:00
During 19-23 October, seismicity was relatively stable and there were low-level gas emissions at Santa Ana. On 22 October, a lahar was reactivated in the Potrero Arriba area, NE of the volcano. During 22-25 October, there was an increase in the amount of tremor at the volcano. Read allWed, 12 Oct 2005, 06:00
During 12-17 October, seismicity was relatively stable and there were low-level gas emissions at Santa Ana. Storms on 12 October caused the generation of lahars that traveled towards Coatepeque. Read allWed, 5 Oct 2005, 06:00
During 5-11 October, small explosions, degassing, and low-to-moderate seismicity occurred at Santa Ana. Inclement weather during much of the report period prohibited ground and satellite observations and sulfur-dioxide measurements. During an aerial inspection of the volcano on 11 October, no changes were observed at the crater. Read allShow more
Wed, 28 Sep 2005, 06:00
SNET reported that a sudden eruption at Santa Ana (also called Ilamatepec) on 1 October around 0820 produced an ash-and-gas plume to a height of ~10 km above the volcano (or 40,600 ft a.s.l.). According to the Washington VAAC, ash was visible on satellite imagery at a height of ~14 km (46,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in towns W of the volcano, including in Naranjos, Nahuizalco, Juayúa, Ahuachapán, and La Hachadura. Read allWed, 21 Sep 2005, 06:00
During 21-26 September, seismicity and gas emissions were above normal levels at Santa Ana as they had been since 27 July. Microseismicity remained at relatively high levels. During the report period, gas plumes rose to a maximum height of ~1 km above the volcano (or 11,000 ft a.s.l.) on 26 September. Read allWed, 14 Sep 2005, 06:00
During 15-19 September, seismicity and gas emissions were above normal levels at Santa Ana as they had been since 27 July. Microseismicity remained at relatively high levels. During the report period, gas plumes rose to ~500 m above the volcano (or 9,400 ft a.s.l.) and the sulfur-dioxide flux reached a maximum of 3,320 metric tons per day on 16 September. Read allWed, 7 Sep 2005, 06:00
During 7-12 September, seismicity and gas emissions were above normal levels at Santa Ana as they had been since 27 July. Microseismicity increased significantly on 12 September. During a visit to the volcano on 8 September, larger areas of incandescence were visible at a field of fumaroles than during a visit on 29 August. Read allWed, 31 Aug 2005, 06:00
During 1-6 September, seismicity and gas emissions were above normal levels at Santa Ana as they had been since 27 July. Tremor continued to be recorded, and on 2 August a cluster of at least eight small earthquakes occurred. The earthquakes were not felt by local residents. Read allWed, 24 Aug 2005, 06:00
SNET reported a significant increase in seismic activity at Santa Ana (also called Ilamatepec) on the night of 27 August. A cluster of 17 volcano-tectonic earthquakes were recorded, with four located S of the volcano. Afterwards, continuous high-frequency tremor was recorded until at least 30 August. Read allWed, 17 Jan 2001, 06:00
Beginning on 12 January several news reports stated that increased volcanic activity occurred at Santa Ana volcano. The Washington VAAC reported that an eruption occurred at 1800 on 16 January that sent ash to ~3.7 km a.s.l. Local observations by volcanologists revealed that an eruption did not occur and no new lava or magma was in the summit crater. Read all
