During 22 February-1 March seismic and volcanic activity remained high at Shiveluch; several steam-and-gas and ash-and-gas eruptions occurred, pyroclastic flows traveled down the volcano's flanks, and seismicity remained above background levels. The highest rising ash-and-gas clouds were produced from eruptions on 27 and 28 February, and 1 March; the clouds reached a height of ~2 km. During the week, pyroclastic flows traveled as far as 2 km down the SE side of the lava dome.
During 28 February-5 March, Popocatépetl emitted small clouds of steam, gas, and generally minor amounts of ash. In addition, episodes of harmonic tremor were recorded. According to CENAPRED, volcanic and seismic activity during the report period was probably related to a new episode of lava-dome growth.
During 25 February-3 March 88 incandescent lava avalanches were observed traveling down Merapi's flanks, predominately SW to the upstream portions of the Lamat, Sat, and Senowo rivers and partly in a more southerly direction towards Bebeng River. The maximum run-out distance was ~2.5 km. Four minor pyroclastic flows were observed during the report period; three occurred on 25 February and one on 3 March.
The Tokyo VAAC received reports that Kliuchevskoi began erupting on 27 February at 1455. Reportedly, an ash cloud was produced to a height of ~6.4 km a.s.l. and drifted to the NE.
Lava flowed down Pulama pali, and slowly advanced across the lava fan and adjacent coastal flat. Generally, volcanic tremor remained moderate at Pu`u `O`o, and long-period earthquakes and weak tremor continued at Kilauea's caldera. Tiltmeters across the volcano showed no evidence of significant deformation.
Prior to the failure of the seismic station at Karymsky on 23 February, seismicity was above background levels and similar in comparison to the previous week. During 22 February-1 March, thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery. No ash was detected in any images; only steam and possible airborne volcanic aerosols were visible.
VSI reported that at Karangetang during 25 February-3 March small volcanic plumes were emitted, a "red reflection" extended 25 m above the crater, and seismicity was high although it decreased in comparison to the previous week. A pilot report to the Darwin VAAC stated that a layer of apparent ash was seen on 5 March at 1544. The layer was located 18.5-37 km from Karangetang at an altitude near 7.5 km (winds in the area suggest ash was at least as high as ~5.5 km).
During 27 February- 2 March volcanism at Colima was similar to the previous week. Avalanches of incandescent material continued to travel down the volcano's S, SW, and W flanks. They extended 2-3 km from the volcano's summit and were recorded seismically.
Wed, 27 Feb 2002, 06:00
Reports from the town of Severo-Kurilsk revealed that renewed activity occurred at Chikurachki during 23-27 February. On 25, 26, and 27 February ash plumes occasionally rose above the crater and ash fell in the vicinity of Tukharka River. In addition, snow melted very quickly near the volcano.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 11-24 February, activity at Ulawun's summit vent remained low, and volcanic tremor was recorded. Weak-to-moderate vapor plumes were emitted from the summit vent, and on the 21st weak roaring noises were heard and a weak red glow was briefly visible. During mid-February tremor increased to moderate levels for the first time since December 2001.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
Volcanic unrest continued at Shiveluch during 15-22 February, with several ash-and-gas explosions occurring and seismicity remaining above background levels. An eruption on 15 February at 1501 produced an ash cloud accompanied by pyroclastic flows that traveled 2.5 km down the SE slope of the dome. The highest rising observed ash cloud was produced by an eruption on 19 February at 0800; it reached a height of 3.5-4 km above the lava dome.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
According to news articles, a team of volcanologists from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Goma Volcanological Observatory stated that seismicity dramatically increased at Nyamuragira about 25 February. In a statement released to UN headquarters the team of volcanologists said they expect Nyamuragira to erupt within the next several days or weeks. They added that the population near the volcano should not be worried by the warning.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
A temporary increase in tremor and very small earthquakes occurred at Cerro Negro during 19 February at 2300 to 20 February at 1100. During a visit to the volcano on the 20th, INETER and Civil Defense personnel noted no important changes in activity in comparison to their previous visit on 16 February. They found a small 80- to100-m-long and 45-m-wide landslide, a new fumarole, fumarole temperatures that were slightly higher than normal, and a large amount of sulfur deposited on many fumaroles.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 19-24 February relatively low-intensity Strombolian activity continued at Tungurahua. In addition, there were several emissions of steam, gas, and ash. On the afternoon of 19 February a mixture of rain and ash fell in the Puela sector, and a small lahar traveled W to the Chontapamba sector.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 15-22 February, volcanism was generally high at Soufrière Hills. Lava-dome growth continued to be focused on the E sector. Activity increased during the second half of the report period; near-continuous rockfalls and minor pyroclastic flows traveled down the volcano's E flank.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 11-24 February volcanic and seismic activity were low at Rabaul's post-caldera cone, Tavurvur. Only white vapor was released from Tavurvur; emissions were blown to the SE and E resulting in vegetation being killed in the town of South Daughter (~2 km to the E). The Rabaul Volcanological Observatory stated that this suggests volcanic gases such as SO2 were being emitted.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
On 19 February frequent small-to-moderate emissions of steam, gas, and minor amounts of ash occurred at Popocatépetl. In addition, small explosions occasionally threw incandescent volcanic fragments short distances from the crater. During 0750-0900 small amounts of ash fell in Paso de Cortés.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 18-24 February there were 67 incandescent lava avalanches observed traveling down Merapi's flanks, predominately WSW to the upstream portions of the Lamat and Senowo rivers and partly SW toward the Sat and Bebeng rivers. The maximum run-out distance was ~2.2 km. One minor pyroclastic flow was observed; it traveled 2.2 km down the Senowo River.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
Mild eruptive activity was observed at Manam during January through late February. Beginning on 13 January weak puffs of ash clouds were emitted from Southern Crater at 5-10 minute intervals. On several days in January fine ash fell on the NE side of the island for periods of several hours.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
Surface lava flows were visible atop the Pulama pali scarp and at its base. Activity occurred at rootless shields (a pile of lava flows built over a lava tube rather than over a conduit feeding magma) located between 680- and 640-m elevations. Generally, volcanic tremor remained at moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o, and long-period earthquakes and weak tremor continued below Kilauea's caldera.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
The level of seismicity at Karymsky during 15-22 February was similar to the previous week, with about 10 events occurring per hour. Thermal anomalies and small gas-and-steam plumes were visible on satellite imagery. The volcano remained at Color Concern Code Yellow ("volcano is restless").
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 19-24 February, avalanches of incandescent material continued to travel down the S, SW, and W flanks of Colima. They extended 2-3 km from the volcano's summit and were recorded in seismic data. Lava continued to flow down the SW flank of the volcano, extending as far as 200 m from the summit.
Read allWed, 20 Feb 2002, 06:00
According to reports KVERT received from the town of Severo-Kurilsk (~70 km NE of the volcano), volcanism that began at Chikurachki on 25 January had decreased by 20 February. Visual observations from a helicopter on 18 February revealed that a small new crater had formed in the SSE part of the volcano's summit crater. A gas-and-steam plume was visible rising 150 m above the crater and extending to the ESE.
Read allWed, 13 Feb 2002, 06:00
On the evening of 13 February Strombolian activity occurred at Tungurahua; incandescent volcanic blocks were hurled up to 1 km from the volcano's crater. The following day a consistent steam plume rose to 1 km above the volcano. Around 15-16 February explosive activity decreased, and then increased on the 17th.
Read allWed, 13 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 8-15 February volcanism at Soufrière Hills decreased slightly in comparison to the previous week. Lava-dome growth continued to be focussed towards the E and NE, producing numerous rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows in the upper portions of the Tar River Valley. Minor rockfalls of old inactive dome material traveled W to the upper portion of the Gages region.
Read allWed, 13 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 8-15 February volcanism increased at Shiveluch and KVERT raised the Color Concern Code on 15 February from Yellow ("volcano is restless") to Orange ("volcano is in eruption or eruption may occur at any time"). During the report period seismicity was above background levels, thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery, and several gas-and-ash eruptions occurred. The highest rising gas-and-ash cloud was produced from an eruption on 14 February at 0835; it reached ~ 3 km above the volcano's dome.
Read allWed, 13 Feb 2002, 06:00
Seismicity increased slightly at Popocatépetl during 15-16 February after several weeks of low activity. Harmonic tremor and low-magnitude volcanotectonic micro-earthquakes were recorded. During the same period emissions of gas, steam, and some ash occurred.
Read allWed, 13 Feb 2002, 06:00
During 11-17 February there were 65 incandescent lava avalanches observed traveling down Merapi's flanks, predominately WSW to the upstream portions of Lamat and Senowo rivers and partly SW toward the Sat and Bebeng rivers. The maximum run-out distance was ~2.5 km. During the report period, six minor pyroclastic flows traveled up to 2.5 km to the upstream portions of the Lamat and Senowo rivers.
Read all