After 26 years with no explosive activity, a large eruption began at Reventador on 3 November that sent pyroclastic flows down the volcano's flanks. Based on seismic data and observations made by people near Reventador, IG reported that the first pyroclastic flows produced from the eruption occurred on the 3rd around 0900. Then, during 1000-1900 continuous tremor was recorded that may have been associated with continuous ash emissions and small explosions.
According to news articles, the Alert Level at Mayon was raised from 0 to 1 (on a scale of 0-5) after increased seismicity and gas emission were recorded. The amount of SO2 emitted increased from ~950 tons/per day during the previous week, to ~2,670 tons on 29 October. Residents near the volcano were notified that they must not enter the 6-km radius Permanent Danger Zone, especially on the SE side of the volcano.
Volcanic and seismic activity continued at Etna during 29 October to 4 November after a new eruption commenced on 27 October. The eruption consisted of fissures opening on the volcano's S and N flanks, lava emission from these fissures, and fire fountains rising several hundreds of meters. Significant ash emissions led to the closure of Fontanarossa airport and produced ash clouds that drifted as far as Libya.
Veniaminof remained restless during 25 October to 1 November. Although the current seismic activity is lower than when first noted in early September, it is still above background level. AVO received video footage recorded in early October that showed minor ash emission from the intracaldera cone.
A pilot reported seeing ash from Ulawun on 3 November drifting ESE of the volcano at a height of ~3 km a.s.l.
During 30 October to 5 November, emissions of steam, gas, and ash continued at Tungurahua. Plumes rose to a maximum height of ~5.8 km a.s.l.
Activity at Soufrière Hills during 25 October to 1 November generally increased in comparison to the previous week. The volcano was observed using a remote camera and during a flight on 31 October. The active extruded lobe in the NW continued to steadily grow, bulking out on the N and W sides.
During 25 October to 1 November, seismicity remained above background levels at Shiveluch. During this interval, seismic data indicated that there had been hot avalanches and eight ash-and-gas explosions in which clouds reached 2 km above the lava dome. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to ~2.5 km a.s.l. and thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery.
Wed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
A news report stating that a rockslide released dangerous fumes at San Miguel on 17 October was found to be false.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 21-27 October, a thick low-level ash plume infrequently rose above Ruang. Rainfall on 23 October caused lahars to flow down the volcano's flanks during 1445-1545. Ruang remained at Alert Level 2 (on a scale of 1-4).
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
Based on information from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory, the Darwin VAAC reported that low-level activity continued from Tavurvur volcano at Rabaul caldera through 4 November. Ash emissions occurred at long, irregular intervals and remained below ~3 km a.s.l.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
On the afternoon of 1 November volcanic tremor, centered low on Mauna Loa's SE flank, occurred for 30 minutes. HVO stated that this is a common occurrence, taking place several times a year in the same general region. The permanent, continuous GPS network indicated ongoing lengthening across Moku`aweoweo summit caldera, as it has since late April or May 2002.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
A pilot reported seeing a light brown ash cloud above Manam on 31 October at a height of ~3 km a.s.l. A possible thin low-level plume was visible on satellite imagery extending N of the volcano.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 30 October to 4 November at Kilauea lava continued to enter the sea from two deltas, as it has for several weeks. Surface lava flows were visible extending from the top of Paliuli to the top of Pulama pali, but were not seen on the coastal flat. Generally, seismicity was at normal levels beneath Kilauea's caldera.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
Seismicity remained above background levels at Karymsky during 25 October to 1 November, with ~250 shallow earthquakes occurring per day. The character of the seismicity indicated that ash-and-gas explosions reached heights of 1 km above the volcano and vigorous 5- to 10-minute-long gas emissions possibly occurred. Thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery during 26-28 and 30 October.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 21-27 October, low-level plumes continued to rise above Karangetang's South and North craters. Weak-to-strong thundering sounds emanated from the volcano frequently. Seismicity was dominated by emission earthquakes and there was an increase in the number of volcanic earthquakes in comparison to the previous week.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
Based on information from IG, the Washington VAAC reported that explosions occurred at Guagua Pichincha on 3 November at 2056 and 2115. They could not determine the heights of the plumes produced from the explosions, or if they contained ash, because ash was already in the atmosphere from a large eruption that day at Reventador, ~100 km E of Guagua Pichincha.
Read allWed, 30 Oct 2002, 06:00
KVERT reported that an increased level of volcanic activity has not occurred at Gorely recently, as news articles had indicated. The Concern Color Code at Gorely remained at Green.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
Veniaminof remained restless during 18-25 October. Although the current seismic activity is lower than when first noted in early September, it is still above background level. No new visual observations of Veniaminof were received since the last update.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
A news report stating that a rockslide released dangerous fumes at San Miguel on 17 October was found to be false.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
An eruption on 20 October from Tavurvur volcano took place at Rabaul caldera. The head of RVO stated that rocks were thrown 700 m from the summit and no lava was erupted. Ash from the eruption caused Tokua airport flights to be suspended on 22 October.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
According to a Pravda news article, the Laboratory of Active Volcanism at the Institute of Volcanology reported that a seismic station located atop Gorely registered continuous tremor that was four times stronger than background tremor. In addition, "smoke" and steam rose 300 m above the volcano. Another report from the Kamchatkan Experimental-Methodical Seismological Department, which operates the seismic station, stated that the station is in the vicinity of both Gorely and Mutnovsky, therefore it is difficult to attribute the tremor to a specific volcano.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
A relatively large eruption began at Etna on 27 October, following a series of ~200 small earthquakes the previous evening. The eruption began with fissures opening on the volcano's S and NE slopes around 2,700 m elevation, between Southeast Crater and Montagnola cone. Lava fountains rose 100-200 m, lava flows were emitted from the fissures, and significant ash plumes were produced.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 22-29 October, emissions of steam, gas, and ash continued at Tungurahua. Plumes rose to a maximum height of ~8 km a.s.l.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
Volcanic and seismic activity at Soufrière Hills remained at a similar level during 18-25 October to that of the previous week. Occasional clear views of the lava dome revealed that the active extrusion lobe in the NW continued to grow steadily, increasing in height and bulging out on the N and W sides. The most notable event of the week occurred on the afternoon of 22 October when intense rainfall at midday produced large mudflows NW in the Belham Valley where residents had recently been evacuated.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 18-25 October seismicity remained above background levels at Shiveluch, but the number of earthquakes decreased. During this interval, seismic data indicated that there had been hot avalanches and 10 ash-and-gas explosions in which clouds reached 1 km above the lava dome. Gas-and-steam plumes rose to ~4.5 km a.s.l. and thermal anomalies were visible on satellite imagery.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
As of 28 October Mauna Loa continued to inflate, but seismicity remained at low levels. The permanent, continuous GPS network indicated ongoing lengthening across Moku`aweoweo summit caldera, as it has since late April or May 2002.
Read allWed, 23 Oct 2002, 06:00
During 23-29 October at Kilauea, lava continued to enter the sea from two deltas as it has for several weeks. Surface lava flows were not visible on the coastal flat or Paliuli, and were occasionally seen near Pulama pali. Generally, seismicity was at normal levels beneath Kilauea's caldera.
Read all