Worldwide Volcano News and Updates
As the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology reports, an increased number of small to medium earthquakes have occurred lately at Etna volcano, the largest one being today (Sun, 30 Oct. 05) at 3.7 magnitude Richter at 08h06 on the southeastern slopes near Pedara, Trecastagni et Nicolosi. Etna has been without eruptive activity since March 2005; new eruptions are expected within a near to medium future (months or few years, possibly less if the recent seismic activity is taken as possible precursor).
The eruption of Sierra Negre continues with lava flows confined to the vast caldera; it does not pose risks to populated areas. In the meanwhile, a group of scientists from the Geophysical Institute of Ecuador have visited the site and posted a detailed report about the eruption's first 3 days: it can be downloaded here.
The eruption is continuing from a fissure inside the E part of the caldera of Sierra Negre, with lava fountains up to 200 m tall and large lava flows that have now covered about 20% of the caldera floor. Good eruption viewing possibilities are from a lookout on the caldera rim in the El Cura area.
First photographs and more detailed information about the large eruption of Sierra Negre are emerging. As on Monday, 24 October, lava flows from a fissure have travelled 9-10 km away from the fissure. The eruption is accompanied by strong lava fountains. Near the eruption site, the terrain consists mainly of older, unvegetated lava flows. Two flows are travelling towards Elizabeth Bay, while a third one is heading towards Cartago Bay, both uninhabited areas.
The popoluation of Puerto Villamil is not threatened because of its sheltered position at the S of the island.
Sierra Negra volcano, also called "El Chico", on Isabela Island, Galapagos, erupted yesterday at 17h30 local time. As the Ecuadorian newspaper "El Universo" reports, an ash column estimated between 20 to 30 km high was observed. According witnesses from Santa Cruz island, two lava flows reached Elizabeth Bay, an uninhabitated settlement area close to the volcano. The island's main town, Puerto Villamil, 25 kilometers (15 miles) away, is not threatened by the eruption. Sierra Negro last erupted 1978.
Read allVolcanic activity at Erta Ale reported previously actually occurred at Dabbahu:
Read allExplosions and pyroclastic ejections continued at Dukono during 10-16 October. Ash columns rose 100-950 m above the summit (or 1,200-7,000 ft a.s.l.) and mainly drifted SE. Seismicity was dominated by explosion earthquakes. Dukono remained at Alert Level 2.
Read allThis year's second eruption of Piton de la Fournaise volcano was ufficially declared to have ended today, after tremor had ceased abruptly yesterday at 13:10h local time on the 18th of Oct. 2005 while visual observations had yesterday not been possible due to bad weather.
Marco Fulle sends this report based on observations made by a VolcanoDiscovery group, who climbed Stromboli on 11 Oct. 2005: Stromboli's activity was significant, with 8 active vents in three clusters (corresponding to the former W, Central and E craters): during 1 hour, they observed 2 faint eruptions from the W vent nr. 1, which is hidden from Pizzo, while stong glow was visible from the second vent in the W crater. During the same time, 5 eruptions occurred from the westermost vent in the central vent complex (the former Central crater), emitting few bombs but lots of gas during its eruptions, and seven (!) eruptions ejecting lava to up to 250 m height were observed from the second central vent, which is now found at the top of a tall cone.
The eastern vent complex conprises 4 active vents: Blue flames were visible from E vent nr.1, while two simulataneous eruptions occurred from a second and third vent in the E crater, ejecting lava to up to 150 m. One of these vents is glowing visibly, the other one is hidden from Pizzo. A 4th vent, at the far E end of the E crater, is also hidden from Pizzo and was showing continuous spattering.
The eruption at Piton de la Fournaise continues at stable low levels. According to the volcano observatory on the island, the new cone is slowly growing, showing moderate degassing, slightly increased today, weak spattering, and emitting lava flows that are still visible. By now, the new flows have covered 30-50% of the crater floor of Dolomieu crater.Tremor is low.
Read allAt shiveluch volcano, the lava dome continues to grow. At any time explosions could produce ash plumes that rise as high as 8 km (or 25,000 ft.) ASL.
Since today, access to the Enclos has been reopened to the public on a temptative basis (on condition that visitors "behave"), but access is limited to the time between 6am and 5:30pm. More details (in French) on the following article.
The eruption at Piton de la Fournaise and volcanic tremor levels have stabilized and continue at low levels. Activity continues inside Domolieu crater, where a small cone of about 10 m height has been formed at the pricipal vent. Lava fountains and strombolian activity atteign heights of about 30 m occur and several active lava flows depart from the vent, sometimes as overflows from its crater that shows frequent inside collapses.
Read allOne week after the start of the eruption of Erta Ale, some details emerge as news reports come in: the crater of the large shield volcano has rapidly filled with fresh lava and possibly overflowed, destroying farmland and killing much livestock. strong strombolian or hawaiian activity is producing thick clouds of ash that shower over the volcano's surroundings.
Read allDuring 22-27 September, several small explosions occurred at Colima. The largest explosion took place on 27 September at 0507 and produced a plume to a height of ~3.8 km above the volcano (or 25,100 ft a.s.l.). The plume drifted WSW, depositing small amounts of ash in the cities of Colima, Villa de Álvarez, and Comala more than 30 km from the volcano. Due to the threat of lahars forming on the volcano's flanks, Universidad de Colima advised avoiding the ravines of La Lumbre, San Antonio, Monte Grande (in Colima state), and La Arena (in Jalisco state).
Read allErta Ale volcano in northern Afar, Ethiopia, well-known for its long-lived active lava lake that had occupied its crater up until 2004, erupted yesterday according to unconfirmed reports from local authorities. The eruption followed a series of earthquakes of up to 5.5. magnitude Richter scale that occurred in the area the day before.
Shiveluch volcano started a new eruption on Thursday-Friday night. An ash plume has reached 7.5 km above sea level, and a lava flow is descending 15 km from the summit.
Read allColima continues to be at moderately high levels of activity. A strong explosion occurred yesterday on Sept. 16, at 10:46 am local time, producing an ash plume about 5 km high (3 miles). The eruption was accompanied by loud detonations that could be heard in villages up to 15 km away from the volcano. Ash-fall occurred in villages and towns to the northeast of Colima.
A relatively stronger, but still small explosive eruption occurred at Fuego on 17 July during 1715-1945 local time, producing an ash plume that rose 3.5-4 km above the volcano's crater (or 23,800-25,500 ft a.s.l.). The eruption was accompanied by small pyroclastic flows that traveled SW down Santa Teresa and Taniluyá ravines.
Read allNo reports of activity from Anatahan volcano have been received since 3 September, which indicates that the eruption might be over.
"Dozens of small earthquakes near a volcano in southwest Colombia were raising concerns Sunday of a possible eruption. More than 30 temblors have occurred within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the Galeras volcano beginning Saturday Aug. 20, geologist Roberto Torres said. Several had a magnitude near 5 and seven were strong enough to be felt by people."
Galeras volcano is an active "4270-m high andesitic stratovolcano in the southwestern Colombia near the border to Ecuador" whose activity in May 2005 prompted the Colombia government to evacuate the area.
From the GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 17-23 August 2005:
Read allActivity at Kilauea is at low levels at present and only little lava can be seen: during the past week, the lava entry at the East Lae`Apuki point continued to be active, and a few surface lava flows were sometimes visible on the Pulama Pali fault scarp and the coastal flat. By 22 August, surface lava on the W branch of the PKK lava flow was no longer visible.
Eruptive activity continues at Anatahan volcano in the Mariana Islands. Ash plumes, mainly observed by satellite and pilots, rise to heights of ~7.9 km (26,000 ft) a.s.l. Seismic activity continues at moderate levels.
Semeru is in a state of high activity as observed by the VolcanoDiscovery team during the past days. Strong strombolian activity is taking place at frequent intervals of 5-10 minutes, producing billowing ash clouds of 1-2 km height and showering much of the summit cone with fresh gray ash.
Fuego remains in constant activity. Jet-engine like sounds accompany minor gas and small ash emissions from the crater, while a blocky lava flow extends for about 500 m from the crater down the flank of the summit cone.
Colima remains active, although the intensity has decreased during the past weeks. Typically, 3-5 minor to medium ash explosions are occurring per day at the volcano and an intensification of the eruption could occur at any time.
Anatahan volcano remains in constant activity, with frequent explosions that produce an ash plume drifting at about 20,000 ft elevation and extending up to 200km.
