Volcanic Activity ReportEarth Changes News |
The alert-level system for all volcanoes monitored by the USGS was changed on 1 October from a numerical system to a descriptive system. In the new system, alert-level Normal indicates background conditions and is equivalent to aviation color-code Green. The previous alert levels of Volcanic Unrest (Alert Level 1), Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2) and Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3) have changed to "Advisory," "Watch," and "Warning," respectively. There is a subtle change to the aviation color-code definitions in that there is no longer an ash-plume threshold given for either Orange or Red. Watch; Aviation color code ORANGE." The alert-level "Watch" is used for two different situations: (1) heightened or escalating unrest indicating a higher potential that an eruption is likely, but still not certain; or (2) an eruption that poses only limited hazard.
ABBREVIATED COLOR CODE KEY :
GREEN volcano is dormant; normal seismicity and fumarolic activity occurring = Normal
YELLOW volcano is restless; eruption may occur
ORANGE volcano is in eruption or eruption may occur at any time
RED significant eruption is occurring or explosive eruption expected at any time
CONGO - Nyamulagira volcano
January 8th, 2010
As of the 7th of January, five days after it began the eruption of Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo is continuing, with fire fountains and very liquid and free-flowing lava. The flows are directed towards the south-west. Information from the UN reported that the advance of the lava has slowed, with only 100 metres of advance in the last 24 hours, not because the eruption rate has slowed the activity of the volcano remains intense but because the lava front has widened from 15 metres to about 200 metres. As of the 5th of January GVO reported that the eruption which began early on 2 of january was continuing and seems to be increasing in intensity, raising concerns about local human and animal populations. Lava flows are causing forest firesaround the volcano and some reports say nearby villages are threatened by the eruption.
ECUADOR - Reventador volcano
January 6th, 2010
As of the 6th of January, the Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG) has reported that the activity of the volcano stays in a level moderate and characterized by the generation of seismic signals related to the mobilisation of fluids. Observations have not been realised. A total of 60 events of long period (LP), 19 episodes of harmonic tremor, 18 episodes of spasmodic tremor and 3 explosions has been entered
MEXICO - Popocatepetl volcano
January 6th, 2010
As of the 6th of January, CENAPRED has reported that in the last 24 hours, the monitoring system of Popocatepetl volcano recorded 9 low intensity exhalations, accompanied by steam and gas emission. The other monitoring parameters remain without important changes. At this moment there is no visibility due to clouds. However, during previous hours small steam and gas emissions were observed. From high to low probability the expected activity scenarios in the next hours, days or weeks are: moderate exhalations, some with ash emissions; occasionally mild incandescence during nights and sporadic low level explosions with low probabilities of incandescent fragment at short distance to the crater. There is a permanent monitoring of the volcano to detect any change. The traffic light of volcanic alert remains in YELLOW Phase 2.
GUATEMALA - Fuego volcano
January 6th, 2010
A s of the 6th of January, the National Institute Of Sismología, Volcanology, Meteorology And Hidrologia, (INSIVUMEH) has reported that from the 1800 hours to the 0910 hrs, 20 explosions, 12 weak and 8 moderate ones, have been registered expelling columns of gray ash to 300 and 800 metres of height, forming a plume of 12 kilometres in length approximately; in a South, southwestern direction. In their majority the explosions generate audible rumblings to several km. Of the volcano; as well as degassing sounds that can last several minutes. By flanks of the volcano avalanches of incandescent blocks are observed that arrive until the vegetation.
GUATEMALA - Santa Maria - Santiaguito
January 6th, 2010
As of the 6th of January, the National Institute Of Sismología, Volcanology, Meteorology And Hidrologia, (INSIVUMEH) reported that in the morning, 2 explosions have been observed: at 0602 hrs a weak explosion and at 0705 hrs a moderate explosion, expelling columns of gray ash to 500 and 900 metres on the crater, moving to the southwest, on the region of the properties El Patrocinio, La Florida, villages of San Marcos and Loma Linda, Palajunoj. Constant avalanches have been observed from the Southwestern cupola.
GUATEMALA - Pacaya volcano
January 6th, 2010
As of the 6th of January, the National Institute Of Sismología, Volcanology, Meteorology And Hidrologia, (INSIVUMEH) has reported that for moments, moderate fumaroles were observed of low height on the South skirt, this due to the strong wind of the volcanic zone. The lava effusion stays on the South flank east day with 4 flows of 150 and 200 metres in length.
COSTA RICA - Turrialba volcano
January 6th, 2010
As of the 5th of January OVSICORI reported that at 14:48 local time an inhabitant of the La Central area located to the south-west of Turrialba volcano reported hearing a strong eruption of Turrialba, much later people living near the volcano reported ashfall. Also, officials of the Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú reported the presence of ash in vehicles parked in the car park inside the national park. Additionally, residents of Turrialba, Tres Ríos and owners of properties on the slopes of Turrialba volcano reported ashfall. From mid-December 2009 until 4 January 2010, LP-type earthquakes (low frequency) had been predominantly registered, with a significant decrease of volcanic tremor. On 4 January 2010 there was a significant increase in volcanic tremor, both in duration of registration and in the amplitude of the signal. Coinciding with the increase in the recording of tremor there was a significant decrease in LP-type earthquakes.
FRANCE - Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion island)
January 8th, 2010
As of the 7th of January, the volcanic eruption begun January 2nd of this year is always in progress in the crater Dolomieu. Yesterday evening, the eruptive trémor weakly increased but remained stable.No volcano-tectonic earthquake was recorded and only two small collapses were observed. As of the 5th of January, OVPLF reported that intensity of the at present current volcanic eruption in the sommital crater Dolomieu is stable. It is however necessary to indicate from time to time some renewals of activity comparable to one pulse of more important intensity. This day two of these phases were observed at 9:30 am and 11:30 am (GMT 4).A mission of measure of the deformations of the sommitale zone led this morning also allowed a visual recognition of the activity. Some lava flows and a main eruptive vent remained active. As of the 4th of Jnanuary OVPLF reported that eruptive activity was continuing but with a reduced outflow.. Only lava fountains with small high and one active lava flow were visible. Tremor was slighly decreasing but remained stable.
CONGO - Nyamulagira volcano
January 8th, 2010
As of the 7th of January, five days after it began the eruption of Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo is continuing, with fire fountains and very liquid and free-flowing lava. The flows are directed towards the south-west. Information from the UN reported that the advance of the lava has slowed, with only 100 metres of advance in the last 24 hours, not because the eruption rate has slowed the activity of the volcano remains intense but because the lava front has widened from 15 metres to about 200 metres
PHILIPPINES - Mayon Volcano
January 8th, 2010
As of the 8th of January, PHIVOLCS reported that Mayon Volcano's seismic monitoring network recorded five (5) volcanic earthquakes and twenty nine (29) rock fall events related to the detachment of lava fragments at the volcano's upper slopes during the past 24-hour observation period. Steaming activity and crater glow were not observed due to thick clouds that covered the summit crater. Sulfur Dioxide (SO 2 ) emission rate was measured yesterday at an average of 1,077 tonnes/day.
RUSSIA - Bezymianny volcano (Kamtchatka)
January 2nd, 2010
As of the 1st of January, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that activity of the volcano continues.
RUSSIA - Sheveluch volcano ( Kamchatka)
January 2nd, 2010
As of the 1st of January, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that activity of the volcano continues: a new viscous lava flow effuses at the lava dome. Ash explosions >10 km (>32,800 ft) ASL could occur at any time. Seismicity was above background levels all week. According to seismic data, possibly ash plumes rose up to 4.9 km (16,070 ft) ASL last week. According to video data, moderate fumarolic activity was observing on December 28th and 30th, clouds obscured the volcano in the other days of week. According to satellite data, a big thermal anomaly was registering over the lava dome all week
RUSSIA - Karymsky volcano (Kamchatka)
January 2nd, 2010
As of the 1st of January, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that activity of the volcano continues. Possibly, seismic activity of the volcano was above background levels all week.
RUSSIA - Kliuchevskoy volcano (Kamchatka)
January 2nd, 2010
As of the 1st of January, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano continues. The activity of the volcano could affect international and low-flying aircraft. Seismicity of the volcano was above background levels all week
COLOMBIA - Galeras volcano
January 5th, 2010
As of the 4th of January, the Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Pasto reported that the eruption of the 2nd of January. started at 1943 hrs, of explosive character, lasted in its seismic registry of approximately 30 minutes, with the phase more energetics in the first 10 minutes. Associated with the eruption, acoustic waves took place that had sound effects and vibratory perceived by inhabitants of the zone of influence of the volcano. Additionally, one appeared the emission of blocks and ashes to high temperatures, that produced incandescence and that when falling fires generated in slopes of the volcanic complex. In agreement with information provided by the Center of Alert of Ash Emission of Washington, the height of the eruptive column was considered in 12 km on the top. By action of winds, the ash dispersed towards the West and Northwest of Galeras. At the moment, reports of ash fall are had in sectors of the municipalities of Sandoná, Consacá, Ancuya, Linares, Samaniego, Santacruz-Guachavéz and the Lowland, this last population to 37 km to the noroccidente of the active cone. A s far as the released seismic energy, this eruption is similar to the one of January 17th of 2008 and is superior in near 9 times to the energy considered for the eruption of November 20th of 2009. At the time of emission of this report, the fires persist in the high part of the volcano, which are intensified or increased by action of winds. After the eruption a considerable diminution in number as in energy of the seismic signals is observed as much
MONTSERRAT - Soufriere Hills volcano - West-Indies
January 1st, 2010
Report for the period from 9th of December 2009 to 31st of December 2009- Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano has been at a high level this week from 24th to 31st of December. Cycles of increased activity associated with vigorous ash-venting and pyroclastic flows are occurring every 6 to 8 hours. Between cycle peaks activity has been lower. The intensity of cycles has varied considerably, with at least one particularly strong episode occurring on most days this week. Audible rockfalls, roaring and occasional thunder has occurred associated with the most intense events. There have been two hundred and seventy rockfall signals, fifty-two long period events, and six hybrid earthquakes recorded this week. Frequent pyroclastic flows have occurred from the northern flank down Whites Ghaut, Farrells plain and Tyers Ghaut.
Mount Rainier 2.3 quake and swarm, September 20, 2009
A swarm of small earthquakes started on the morning of September 20, 2009, at about 09:00 PDT beneath Mount Rainier. To date, the swarm has consisted of hundreds of earthquakes, most occurring on Sept. 20. Most locate at a depth of 2-3 km (1-2 miles) beneath the northeast flank of the volcanic edifice, centered ~1 km (0.5 miles) northeast of the summit. The largest event was a M 2.3 on Sept. 20. As of Sept. 23 swarm events continue, but at a greatly reduced rate since early on September 22. Seismic swarms are concentrations of earthquakes that typically are not initiated with a mainshock, and are common features at volcanoes. The vast majority of volcanic swarms are not associated with eruptive activity. Rainier itself has had several such swarms: in the past 7 years there have been similar days-long swarms in 2002, 2004, and 2007, two of which (2002 and 2004 )included M 3.2 earthquakes. The Sept. 20 swarm has produced the largest number of events of any swarm at Rainier since seismic monitoring began over two decades ago, so we will continue to closely monitor seismicity and other geophysical parameters at Rainier.
Expedition to seabed volcanoes: Monday, 02 March 2009: Mineral deposits and marine life around three active undersea volcanoes near New Zealand will be the focus of an international research expedition that leaves Lyttelton today. Scientists and students from the United States, Britain and New Zealand are bound for the Kermadec Arc, a chain of about 90 submarine volcanoes that runs from north-east of the Bay of Plenty to Tonga. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor around the volcanoes eject super-heated water at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius. These are home to a range of marine life and are a rich source of mineral deposits, including copper, zinc and gold....
Scientists are using infrared images to track potentially deadly patterns
of heat in the Earth in and around active volcanoes. One aim: to save lives
by predicting eruptions.
Giant Undersea Volcano Found Off Iceland
National Geographic News - April 22, 2008: A giant and unusual underwater volcano lies just offshore of Iceland on the Reykjanes Ridge, volcanologists have announced. The Reykjanes formation is a section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which bisects the Atlantic Ocean where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart.
Video: Ecuador Volcano Erupts:The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador erupted again this week. The volcano has been active on and off since 1999.
Ecuador Volcano Erupts, Thousands to Be Evacuated: Ominous rumblings from the Tungurahua volcano has prompted evacuation orders for 3,000 nearby villagers by officials fearing a repeat of a 2006 disaster. Current status is Orange (Feb. 28, 2008)
Volcanic eruption may be linked to quakes - October 17, 2007:Scientists are setting up seismographs in a wilderness region of the British Columbian Interior today to determine if a pending volcanic eruption is the cause of hundreds of small earthquakes the area has been experiencing non-stop since last week. Volcano Information
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POPOCATEPETL México 19.023°N, 98.622°W; summit elev. 5426 m
CENAPRED reported that emissions of steam and gas from Popocatépetl were visible during 6-12 February. The plumes occasionally contained slight amounts of ash. On 8 February, ash emissions were occasionally accompanied by explosions and propelled incandescent fragments that landed in the vicinity of the crater. Two explosive events on 11 February resulted in ashfall in the town of Huejotzingo, Puebla.
Geologic Summary. Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5,426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City and is North America's second-highest volcano. Frequent historical eruptions have been recorded since the beginning of the Spanish colonial era. A small eruption on 21 December 1994 ended five decades of quiescence. Since 1996 small lava domes have incrementally been constructed within the summit crater and destroyed by explosive eruptions. Intermittent small-to-moderate gas-and-ash eruptions have continued, occasionally producing ashfall in neighboring towns and villages.more than 8000 people to be evacuated amid fears of an imminent eruption, according to officials.
ScienceDaily (Dec. 3, 2009) - Hawaii may be paradise for vacationers, but for geologists it has long been a puzzle. Plate tectonic theory readily explains the existence of volcanoes at boundaries where plates split apart or collide, but mid-plate volcanoes such as those that built the Hawaiian island chain have been harder to fit into the theory. A classic explanation, proposed nearly 40 years ago, has been that magma is supplied to the volcanoes from upwellings of hot rock, called mantle "plumes," that originate deep in the Earth's mantle. Evidence for these deep structures has been sketchy, however. Now, a sophisticated array of seismometers deployed on the sea floor around Hawaii has provided the first high-resolution seismic images of a mantle plume extending to depths of at least 1,500 kilometers (932 miles).
January 2010 Proclaimed Volcano Awareness Month - January 3, 2010, marks the 27th anniversary of K?lauea's ongoing east rift zone eruption. In 2010, it will also be 20 years since Kalapana was buried beneath lava and 50 years since Kapoho was inundated by fast-moving lava flows. The destruction of these two communities is a sobering reminder of why it's important to understand how Hawai'i's volcanoes work.
Volcanoes are integral to life on Hawai'i Island. Volcanoes provide the soils in which we grow coffee, macadamia nuts, and other agricultural products, and supply energy for our electricity. When they erupt, they can be spectacularly beautiful, mesmerizing both residents and visitors who are lucky enough to witness the drama.
Volcanoes were so significant to early Hawaiian settlers that an entire theology-the goddess Pele and her family-was founded on them. Today, as in the past, awareness is essential for us to live in harmony with the volcanoes that make our island home.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY UPDATE
KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Kilauea continues to erupt from two vents. At the summit, sloshing, circulating lava was visible via webcam at the bottom of a deep pit inset within the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater and its glow was visible from Jaggar Overlook overnight. Lava from the east rift zone vents made another attempt down the tube system again yesterday evening. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from both vents probably remain elevated.
Summary - The Pu`u `O `o-Kupaianaha eruption of Kilauea, now in its twenty-fourth year and 55th eruptive episode, ranks as the most voluminous outpouring of lava on the volcano's east rift zone in the past five centuries. By January 2007, 3.1 cubic km of lava had covered 117 km2 and added 201 hectares to K?lauea's southern shore. In the process, lava flows destroyed 189 structures and resurfaced 14 km of highway with as much as 35 m of lava.
Beginning in 1983, a series of short-lived lava fountains built the massive cinder-and-spatter cone of Pu`u `? `?. In 1986, the eruption migrated 3 km down the east rift zone to build a broad shield, Kupaianaha, which fed lava to the coast for the next 5.5 years.
When the eruption shifted back to Pu`u `O `o in 1992, flank-vent eruptions formed a shield banked against the west side of the cone. From 1992 to 2007, nearly continuous effusion from these vents has sent lava flows to the ocean, mainly inside the national park. Flank vent activity undermined the west and south sides of the cone, resulting in the collapse of the west flank in January 1997.
Since 1997, the eruption has continued from a series of flank vents on
the west and south sides of the Pu`u `O `o cone. During this time the composite
flow field has expanded westward, and tube-fed pahoehoe forms a plain that
spans 15.6 km at the coast.
HAZARD ALERT: The lava delta and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent ocean, and can produce large but local waves. The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php. A daily update summary is available by phone at (808) 967-8862.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
Definitions of terms used in the update:
HAVO: Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
UHH: University of Hawai`i at Hilo
glow: light from an unseen source; indirect light.
FLIR: Forward Looking InfraRed, a camera which directly images heat rather than visible light. If volcanic fume is not too rich in water vapor, a FLIR can see through it to image hot surfaces.
pali: Hawaiian word for cliff or steep incline. In the context of the TEB flow field, 'pali' usually refers to Pulama pali that bisects the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision.
CD: Hawai`i County Civil Defense
DOH air quality monitoring: see Hawai`i State Department of Health Air Quality website http://hawaii.gov/doh/air-quality/index.html .
bomb: lava fragment ejected into the air while molten acquiring aerodynamic shapes in flight; the term is restricted to pieces larger than 6.4 cm (2.5 in.). See http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/bomb.html
hybrid, or explosion, seismic signals: complex earthquakes that are a hybrid of different signals. They start as a high frequency earthquake, similar to typical rock-breaking or rock fall events, that transitions to very long, 20-30 second, period (VLP) oscillations that continue for several minutes. At HVO, we observed these signals with the four small Halema`uma`u explosive eruptions in March, April, and August 2008. Several more similar signals, some as strong as the explosion signals associated with the four explosive eruptions, have been recorded without obvious evidenceof surface eruption such as rock fragments or other debris.
MODIS satellite: a NASA satellite pair, Aqua and Terra, which passes over Hawai`i twice a day. During daylight hours, the images are taken at about 11 am and 2 pm H.s.t. This imagery can be viewed about 3-5 hours after acquisition at http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/subsets/?subset=AERONET_Mauna_Loa.
GOES-WEST satellite: a geostationary NOAA satellite used most often for weather tracking. Images are typically acquired every 15 minutes. The loop http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/kilauea/sloop-vis.html is posted by the Washington DC Volcanic Ash Advisory Center for the purpose of tracking emissions from Hawai`i volcanoes. The imagery automatically switches from infrared at night to visual during the day. Recently, it has been useful for tracking volcanic gas emissions from Halema`uma`u, Pu`u `O`o, and the Waikupanaha ocean entry during the day and hot lava flows at night.
Volcano Watch: weekly newspaper-like article written by HVO scientists on a volcano topic of interest. These articles are usually printed in the Sunday editions of the Hawai`i Island newspapers Hawaii Tribune Herald and West Hawaii Today. More than 800 of these articles have been written and are archived on the HVO website (menu at the bottom of the homepage hvo.wr.usgs.gov).
VLP seismic tremor: seismic tremor is continuous ground vibrations simultaneously at many different frequencies. VLP is a very long period or very low frequency component which, at the Halema`uma`u vent, has a period of 20-30 seconds or a frequency of 0.03-0.05 cycles per second (Hertz or Hz).
RB2S2BL earthquakes: earthquakes that were recorded but were too small to be located. These quakes have magnitudes less than 1.7 and may only be recorded by one or two seismometers. Recording at a minimum of 4 seismometer sites is required to locate an earthquake.
wink: an abrupt shutting off of incandescence at a vent lasting for several minutes. At the Halema`uma`u vent, winks usually start with or immediately follow a small, local earthquake. The diminishment of incandescence is due to the plume changing from translucent to opaque with rock dust.
tonne: metric unit equal to 1,000 kilograms, 2,204.6 lbs, or 1.1 English tons.
microradian: a measure of angle equivalent to 0.000057 degrees.
ppm: parts-per-million; 10,000 ppm = 1 %.
littoral cone: usually small cones built near active ocean entries; the cones are constructed of tephra from steam explosions that are sometimes produced when 1,150 degree C lava enters the 25 degree C ocean.
incandescence: the production of visible light from a hot surface. The term also refers to the light emitted from a hot surface. The color of the light is related to surface temperature. Some surfaces can display dull red incandescence at temperatures as low as 430 degrees Centigrade (806 degrees Fahrenheit). By contrast, molten lava displays bright orange to orange-yellow light from surfaces that are hotter than 900 degrees C (1,650 degrees F).
tephra: all material deposited by fallout from an eruption-related plume, regardless of size.
ash: tephra less than 2 mm (5/64 inches) in size.
TEB: Thanksgiving Eve Breakout, the designation used for lava flows that started with a breakout on November 21, 2007.
DI tilt event: DI is an abbreviation for 'deflation-inflation' and describes a volcanic event of uncertain significance. DI events are recorded by tiltmeters at Kilauea summit as an abrupt deflation of up to a few microradians in magnitude lasting several hours to 2-3 days followed by an abrupt inflation of approximately equal magnitude. The tilt events are usually accompanied by an increase in summit tremor during the deflation phase. A careful analysis of these events suggests that they may be related to changes in magma supply to a storage reservoir at less than 1 km depth, just east of Halema`uma`u crater. Usually, though not always, these changes propagate through the magma conduit from the summit to the eruption site, as many of the DI events at Kilauea summit are also recorded at a tiltmeter at Pu`u `O`o, delayed by 1-2 hours. DI events often correlate with lava pulses and/or pauses in the eruption at the Pu`u `O`o/July 21/TEB vents.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php. A daily update summary is available by phone at (808) 967-8862.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov
Listen to a podcast interview with Dr. Eichelberger describing the activity at Kilauea in episode 35 of CoreCast at http://www.usgs.gov/corecast/.
MAUNA LOA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-02=)
19.48°N 155.61°W, Summit Elevation 13681 ft (4170 m)
Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Mauna Loa is not erupting. Minimal extension, as measured by GPS receivers on opposite sides of the volcano, continued. Tiltmeters have recorded no significant changes other than abrupt offsets that are related to instrumental issues, severe weather, or significant earthquakes. Sensors within a fissure in Moku`aweoweo crater floor reported gas concentrations and fumarole temperatures within normal values.
Since the beginning of January, 2005, HVO analysts have rarely located more than 10 earthquakes per week beneath Mauna Loa summit and 1-5 earthquakes beneath the Kealakekua area of west Mauna Loa. The Kao`iki seismic zone between Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcano summits remained active with an average of about 10-40 earthquakes per week; these numbers may reflect increased seismic activity nearer Kilauea summit rather than increased Ka`oiki activity.
Long Valley Caldera: Volcanic-Alert Level NORMAL - Aviation Color Code GREEN
Long Term Trends:
Seismic Trend: Earthquake activity within and adjacent to the caldera has remained low since mid-1999 averaging just five to ten earthquake per day with magnitudes less than M=2 and an occasional event as large as M=3. see details.
Deformation trend: Renewed uplift of the resurgent dome that began in early 2002 ended in early 2003 largely offsetting the 2 cm of subsidence that accumulated from early 1999 through the end of 2001. The resurent dome has since shown minor fluctuations in uplift and subsidence but remains roughly 80 cm higher than in the late 1970's. see details.
CO2 trend: The diffuse carbon dioxide gas flux in the Horseshoe Lake
tree-kill area has shown little change from the relatively high levels of
50 to 150 tons per day sustained for the past several years
21-Nov-2006: Volcanic eruptions in high latitudes can greatly alter climate and distant river flows, including the Nile, according to a recent study funded in part by NASA. Researchers found that Iceland's Laki volcanic event, a series of about ten eruptions from June 1783 through February 1784, significantly changed atmospheric circulations across much of the Northern Hemisphere. This created unusual temperature and precipitation patterns that peaked in the summer of 1783, including far below normal rainfall over much of the Nile River watershed and record low river levels. Full Article Here
ScienceDaily (Dec. 14, 2009) - The most detailed seismic images yet published of the plumbing that feeds the Yellowstone supervolcano shows a plume of hot and molten rock rising at an angle from the northwest at a depth of at least 410 miles, contradicting claims that there is no deep plume, only shallow hot rock moving like slowly boiling soup.
The Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research recently (20 November 2009) published a special volume on the track of the Yellowstone Hot Spot.
Listing of articles for preview and purchase
By Andrea Thompson, LiveScience Staff Writer: 08 November 2007 02:00 pm ET
Yellowstone's ancient volcanic floor has been rising since mid-2004 because a blob of molten rock the size of Los Angeles infiltrated the system 6 miles beneath the surface, scientists say, but there is no risk of an eruption.
Yellowstone National Park is the site of North America's largest volcanic field, which is produced by a hotspot, or gigantic plume of hot, molten rock, that begins at least 400 miles (643 kilometers) beneath Earth's surface and rises to 30 miles (48 kilometers) underground, where it widens to about 300 miles across.
Updates are compiled for the previous month and posted in the first week of the new month.
YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATE
Monday, January 4, 2010 11:32 AM MST (Monday, January 4, 2010 18:32 UTC)
YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO (CAVW #1205-01-)
44°25'48" N 110°40'12" W, Summit Elevation 9203 ft (2805 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
December 2009 Yellowstone Seismicity Summary
During the month of December 2009, 70 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest event was a magnitude 2.2 on December 18 at 1:38 PM MST, located about 8 miles north northeast of West Yellowstone, MT. No earthquake swarms were recorded in December.
Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone region is at relatively normal background levels.
Ground Deformation Summary: Continuous GPS data show that uplift of the Yellowstone Caldera has slowed significantly and may have stopped. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera, underwent a total of ~23 cm of uplift between mid-2004 and mid-2009. Its record can be found at:
http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw
The general uplift and subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.
An article on the recent uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php
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The currently observed reduction in uplift rate may be related to seasonal changes related to snowmelt and groundwater recharge. In several of the past 5 years, such changes have caused decreased uplift or slight subsidence, but were followed later in the year by continued uplift. The general uplift of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.
An article on the current uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion
of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found
at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php
An article on the recent earthquake swarm during December 2008 and January 2009 can be found at:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2009/09swarm.php
Scientists continue to look at data collected during the swarm and will publish their results over the coming months and years. However, if any findings have direct implications for public safety, they will be released to the public immediately.
The Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research recently (20 November 2009) published a special volume on the track of the Yellowstone Hot Spot
Monday, February 2, 2009 10:52 MST (Monday, February 2, 2009 17:52 UTC)
Seismicity Summary: As of January 8, 2009, the seismic activity has markedly decreased. Beginning Dec 26, 2008, the second largest earthquake swarm of Yellowstone's recorded seismic history occurred beneath the north end of Yellowstone Lake. The swarm continued into Jan. 2009, but subsided rather quickly in activity on January 5. The Lake swarm consisted of 813 well-located earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from -0.8 to 3.9. This sequence contained 19 earthquakes of M>3.0 as well as 141 events of 2<M<2.9. Several of the M>3 swarm events were felt throughout Yellowstone National Park and surrounding area. For the entire month of January, 2009 315 earthquakes were located with 205 of these events associated with the Yellowstone Lake swarm, the largest being M 3.5 on January 2 at 11:32 AM MST. There have not been any reports of damage from the Yellowstone Lake swarm. Note that the largest earthquake swarm recorded in Yellowstone began in the autumn of 1985 on the west side of the caldera and east of West Yellowstone MT. It lasted for ~4 months and contained earthquakes of M>4.
In Jan. 9 to Jan 12, a secondary swarm of 35 earthquakes occurred near the northeast edge of the Yellowstone caldera, about 10 miles (16 km) NNE of the north end of the Yellowstone Lake swarm. This sequence included events with magnitudes of 0.4 to 3.3.
For comparison, Yellowstone commonly experiences 1,000 to 3,000 earthquakes per year and there have been more than 32,000 well-recorded earthquakes in Yellowstone from 1973 to 2009. Earthquakes that are closely spaced in time and area are termed swarms and are a common mode of seismic energy release in the Yellowstone caldera. From 1984 to 2008 there were 80 swarms documented in Yellowstone. The last notable swarm occurred in 2004.
Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone was elevated during the Yellowstone Lake swarm but has returned to relatively normal background levels.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory partners continue to analyze the seismic and ground deformation data from the Yellowstone Lake swarm and are evaluating any changes to the thermal areas located near the epicenters. If any changes are to be verified, they are quite small.
Ground Deformation Summary: Through January 2009, continuous GPS data show that much of the Yellowstone caldera continued moving upward, though at a lower rate than the past several years. The nearest GPS station to the swarm, at Lake Jct., about 2 km from the swarm has experienced ground uplift over the past 55 months of about ~18 cm (A plot of the vertical and horizontal ground motions at the Lake GPS station can be found at: http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=LKWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw). The WLWY station has undergone ~21 cm of uplift over the same time period. These and all other Yellowstone GPS data are being analyzed for unusual properties that may be associated with the Yellowstone Lake swarm. The general uplift of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.
An article on the current uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php.
Small Earthquake Swarm on 9 January 2009 near northeast corner of Yellowstone Caldera
A currently modest swarm of earthquakes began in the northeast corner of the Yellowstone Caldera, about 10 miles (16 km) NNE of the north end of the Yellowstone Lake swarm that was active in late December and early January. As of 1930 MST, 10 earthquakes had been located by the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, the largest with M= 3.3 and two other events with M >2.0. Located depths are between 2 and 4 km.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory staff and collaborators are analyzing the data from this and from the earlier Yellowstone Lake swarm and are checking for any changes to the thermal areas located near the epicenters. We will provide further information as it becomes available.
Yellowstone Lake Earthquake Swarm Summary as of 8 January 2009
Image 1. Yellowstone Lake showing location and times of the recent earthquakes from Dec. 27, 2008 (blue) to Jan. 8, 2009 (red). The M 3.0 and greater earthquakes are shown as stars, the smaller earthquakes are shown as circles. During the swarm, the earthquake locations appear to have moved north. |
Earthquake Summary:
Yellowstone seismicity increased significantly in December 2008 due to an energetic earthquake swarm that commenced on December 26. This swarm, a sequence of earthquakes clustered in space and time, is occurring beneath the northern part of Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park. As of this writing, the largest of these earthquakes was a magnitude 3.9 at 10:15 pm MST on Dec. 27. Through 5:00 pm MST on Dec. 31, the sequence had included 12 events of magnitude 3.0 to 3.9 and approximately 20 of magnitude 2.5 to 2.9, with a total of at least 400 events large enough to be located (magnitude ~1 or larger). National Park Service (NPS) employees and visitors have reported feeling the largest of these earthquakes in the area around Yellowstone Lake and at Old Faithful and Grant Village.
The hypocenters of the swarm events cluster along a north-south-trending zone that is about 7 km long. The vast majority of the focal depths are shallower than 5 km. It is not possible to identify a causative fault of other feature without further analysis.
Analysts are currently processing the backlog of seismic data from these events. The current analyst-processed catalog is believed to include all events of magnitude 2.5 and greater through Dec 31 at 5 pm MST, but hundreds of earthquakes remain to be processed. The total of more than 400 locatable events is based on automatically-determined locations and magnitudes for the swarm events.
The December 2008 earthquake sequence is the most intense in this area for some years. No damage has been reported within Yellowstone National Park, nor would any be expected from earthquakes of this size. The swarm is in a region of historical earthquake activity and is close to areas of Yellowstone famous hydrothermal activity. Similar earthquake swarms have occurred in the past in Yellowstone without triggering steam explosions or volcanic activity. Nevertheless, there is some potential for hydrothermal explosions and earthquakes may continue or increase in magnitude. There is a much lower potential for related volcanic activity.
The National Park Service in Yellowstone has been kept fully informed of the ongoing seismic activity via electronic means and by phone contacts with the University of Utah and the U.S. Geological Survey USGS). The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security is reviewing Earthquake Response Plans and monitoring seismic activity.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Yellowstone National Park area, an active volcanic-tectonic area averaging 1,000 to 2,000 earthquakes a year. Yellowstone's 10,000 geysers and hot springs are the result of this geologic activity. A summary of Yellowstone's volcanic history is available on the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory web site (listed below).
The University of Utah operates a seismic network in Yellowstone National Park in conjunction with the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. These three institutions are partners in the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Seismic data from Yellowstone are transmitted to the University in real-time by radio and satellite links from a network of 28 seismographs in the Yellowstone area and are available on the web.
Seismologists continue to monitor and analyze data from this swarm of earthquakes and provide updates to the NPS and USGS and to the public via the following web pages. Information on U.S. earthquake activity including Yellowstone can be viewed at the U.S. Geological Survey web site: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/.
Information on earthquakes can also be viewed at the University of Utah Seismograph Stations web site: http://www.seis.utah.edu/.
Seismographic recordings from Yellowstone seismograph stations can be viewed online at: http://www.quake.utah.edu/helicorder/heli/yellowstone/index.html.
An article on earthquake swarms at Yellowstone is available at the following: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2004/apr04swarm.php
Geologic information, maps, and monitoring information for Yellowstone can be found on the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory web site at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/.
Ground Deformation Summary:
Through December 2008, continuous GPS data show that much of the Yellowstone caldera continued moving upward, though at a lower rate than the past few years. The maximum measured ground uplift over the past 53 months is ~23 cm at the White Lake GPS station, north of Fishing Bridge. An example can be found at: http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw.
The general uplift of the Yellowstone caldera is scientifically important
and will continue to be monitored and studied closely by YVO staff. A discussion
of the current uplift episode at Yellowstone and long-term ground deformation
at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php.
Earthquake Magnitude ranging from barely felt into the 3.6 mag. range have been swarming since Dec. 26, 2008. On Jan. 1, 2009 there have been 241 earthquakes registering in this swarm at 44 degress North, 110 degrees West. For an updated list of this activity, click here.
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake volcano, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California.
Mount St. Helens has been at Volcano Alert Level NORMAL (Aviation Color Code GREEN) since July 10, 2008.
For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/
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Volcano Rekindled: The Renewed Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 2004-2006 November 22, 2006
The current eruption of Washington State's Mount St. Helens, which began about two years ago, has been marked by a series of weak, shallow earthquakes, or "drumbeats," that occur every couple of minutes, a new study says. The "slip/stick" motion of the rocky "plug" being pushed out of the volcano is causing those rhythmic quakes, according to scientists from the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington
Oct. 3 , 2006: In June 1912, Novarupta-one of a chain of volcanoes on the Alaska Peninsula-erupted in what turned out to be the largest blast of the twentieth century.Almost a hundred years later, researchers are paying attention. Novarupta is near the Arctic Circle and its impact on climate appears to be quite different from that of "ordinary" tropical volcanoes, according to recent research by climatologists using a NASA computer model.
When a volcano anywhere erupts, it does more than spew clouds of ash, which can shadow a region from sunlight and cool it for a few days. It also spews sulfur dioxide. If the eruption is strongly vertical, it shoots that sulfur dioxide high into the stratosphere more than 10 miles above Earth.
Up in the stratosphere, sulfur dioxide reacts with water vapor to form sulfate aerosols. Because these aerosols float above the altitude of rain, they don't get washed out. They linger, reflecting sunlight and cooling Earth's surface.
This can create a kind of nuclear winter (a.k.a. "volcanic winter") for a year or more after an eruption. In April 1815, for instance, the Tambora volcano in Indonesia erupted. The following year, 1816, was called "the year without a summer," with snow falling across the United States in July. Even the smaller June 1991 eruption of Pinatubo in the Philippines cooled the average temperature of the northern hemisphere summer of 1992 to well below average.
But both those volcanoes as well as Krakatau were in the tropics.
Novarupta is just south of the Arctic Circle.
For Complete Story - http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/03oct_novarupta.htm
December 25, 2009
No eruptive activity has been detected at volcanoes in Alaska this week.
Because there are no volcanoes at elevated color codes or alert levels,
AVO has suspended its daily reporting procedures and is not issuing its
usual daily status reports.
