SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 3-9 June 2009 11 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, Batu Tara, Chaitén, Chile, Colombia, Dukono, Ecuador, eruptions, Fuego, Galeras, Guatemala, Hawaii, Japan, Kamchatka, Karangetang, Karymsky, Kelut, Kilauea, Llaima, Manam, Mexico, Pacaya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Popocatépetl, Rabaul, Redoubt, Russia, Sakura-jima, Santa María, Shiveluch, Slamet, Tungurahua, Ubinas, United States, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.comments closed
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 3-9 June 2009 is available on the Global Volcanism Program website. The following is a summary and not a substitute for the full report.
- The current report: Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
- Previous reports: Weekly Reports Archive.
- The SI/USGS map of volcanoes discussed this week.
New activity: Galeras (Colombia), Karangetang (Indonesia), Sangeang Api (Indonesia), Slamet (Indonesia).
Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Chaitén (Chile), Dukono (Indonesia), Fuego (Guatemala), Karymsky (Russia), Kelut (Indonesia), Kilauea (USA), Llaima (Chile), Manam (Papua New Guinea), Pacaya (Guatemala), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Redoubt (USA), Sakura-jima (Japan), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Russia), Tungurahua (Ecuador), Ubinas (Peru).
Chaitén bulletin no. 96 (8 June 2009) 10 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chaitén, Chile, eruptions.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Bulletin no. 96 on the eruption of Chaitén volcano, covering the period 2-8 June 2009, is now available as a PDF via the informes page of the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) website. There is also a summary version (combined with a report on Llaima) on the SERNAGEOMIN website. Translation as follows.
ERUPTION OF CHAITÉN VOLCANO
TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 96
2-8 JUNE 2009
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
1. Visual monitoring
Personnel of the Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN) in the area have been able to observe that the volcanic activity continues, shown by the column of gas, water vapour and ash, which on occasion reaches a height of 1.5 km above the dome complex (Fig. 1a). From the northern sector, near a portable seismological station, continuing block-and-ash flows have been seen, indicating that the dome complex continues to grow, mainly towards the western sector of the caldera, although the major fumarolic and ash emission activity is currently exclusively in its central portion (Fig. 1b). Ashfall has been detected particularly towards the Santa Bárbara area, and occasionally on the town of Chaitén.
Figure 1a. View of the column of gas and ash from Chaitén.
Figure 1b. Detail of the domes and block-and-ash flows, principally in the western sector.
2. Seismic activity
The seismicity registered by the Chaitén volcano monitoring network has shown a slight tendency towards greater seismic activity, with an average of 15 events per day and maximum magnitudes of 4.4. Additionally, there has been a growth in seismicity of under [magnitude] 2.5, which has climbed to an average of 8-12,with a slight reduction during the last few days. The greater part of the seismicity consists of very similar wave forms, suggesting that it originates from the same source, particularly for the smaller earthquakes. When the seismicity of greater magnitude is evaluated, the events are shown to have increased slightly in number and amplitude, indicating a higher level of energy than in previous days. With regard to the seismic energy released RSAM, this has not exceeded 150,000 units.
3. Conclusions and interpretation
The eruptive activity continues with the sustained growth of the dome complex, which is rising and expanding, with the generation of block-and-ash flows (in different areas), sometimes perceptible from Chaitén. In general, the seismic activity during this period has increased. There is a continuing latent danger of collapse because of the growth of the domes, with possible explosions and generation of block-and-ash flows, which may affect the valleys adjacent to Chaitén volcano. In consequence, given that the seismic activity remains elevated as an effect of the growth of the dome complex, with the possibility of the generation of block-and-ash flows in random directions that may affect surrounding valleys, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert.
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
08.06.09
[End of SERNAGEOMIN bulletin.]
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén – summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén – extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
Undersea volcanic action on video 10 June 2009
Posted by admin in eruptions, Pacific, submarine volcanism.Tags: submarine volcanism, volcanic eruptions, volcano videos, West Mata
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Over at Discovery News there’s a fascinating report on the undersea eruptive activity revealed at West Mata in the South Pacific by a team of scientists investigating neovolcanism in the NE Lau Basin. There is some dramatic video footage of the actively erupting (and appropriately-named) Hades and Prometheus vents on West Mata, captured by the team’s Jason-2 ROV.
Undersea volcanic eruptions spotted in action – Discovery News, 5 June 2009
Landslide mitigation works get under way at San Salvador 10 June 2009
Posted by admin in El Salvador, natural hazards, San Salvador.Tags: El Salvador, geohazards, landslides, natural hazards, San Salvador
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A little while ago we ran a report here at The Volcanism Blog on San Salvador volcano in El Salvador, which overlooks the country’s capital city (also called San Salvador). This massive compound volcano, which last erupted in 1917, presents – in addition to its violent eruptive character – a serious non-eruptive volcanic hazard in the form of lethal and destructive landslides generated by collapses of its unstable flanks. The populations of communities around the volcano have been campaigning to get mitigation measures put in place to protect them from this threat.
The appearance of a new large crack in the flank of the volcano that faces the capital has apparently helped to concentrate minds on the potential dangers. Last week the Salvadorean ministers of the interior and of public works visited the area to discuss what measures the government may take to deal with the problem. The mitigation techniques being considered include the planting of ‘living barriers’ of foliage on affected slopes and the construction of dykes and drainage channels. The main element is planned to be an 800-metre long and 10-metre wide drainage channel capable of carrying the large volumes of water runoff produced during the rainy season, which runs from May/June to November. A total of $10 million (or possibly $6 million, initially) is being sought from the government’s Special Investments Fund to begin work on the project.
The Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is now beginning a geological, geotechnical and hydrological survey of the area, which is expected to take four weeks. The MOP says that the work itself will probably be carried out this winter, once the imminent rainy season for this year is over.
News
MOP realizará obras de mitigación por grieta en volcán de San Salvador – La Prensa Grafica, 5 June 2009
Gobernación pedirá $10 Mlls. para obras en volcán – El Diario del Hoy, 5 June 2009
MOP inicia procesos para obras de mitigación en volcán de San Salvador – Diario Co Latino, 8 June 2009
Obras de mitigación en volcán de San Salvador costarán unos $6 millones – La Prensa Grafica, 8 June 2009
MOP inicia trabajos preventivos en volcán – Diario El Mundo, 8 June 2009
Information
Global Volcanism Program: San Salvador – summary information for San Salvador (1403-05=)
Volcano Hazards in the San Salvador Region – USGS report, 2001, available at the CVO website
Volcano Landslides and their Effects – USGS Volcano Hazards Program
More on yesterday’s Galeras eruption 9 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Colombia, eruptions, Galeras.Tags: Colombia, Galeras, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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The Colombian volcano Galeras erupted explosively yesterday, the second eruption within 24 hours. The INGEOMINAS Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto issued a bulletin giving more details on the eruption at 19:40 local time yesterday, providing the following information:
- The eruptive event of 8 June 2009 consisted of two explosive phases, the first at 06:38 and the second at 06:45.
- The beginning of the eruption was accompanied by a magnitude 3.9 earthquake ~1 km east of the main crater of Galeras and ~2 km below the summit.
- Ashfall occurred to the north-west of the volcano at distances of up to 180 km from the crater, and the ash column produced by the eruption reached an altitude of between 9 and 10 km above the summit of Galeras, according to Washington VAAC.
- This eruption was similar in energy levels to the event of 24 April 2009.
- Since the eruption levels of seismicity and of SO2 flux have declined.
The Colombian newspaper La Patria reports that the red alert remains in place at Galeras following the eruptions, and notes that only 35 people have evacuated the area around the volcano. The evacuation orders currently in force potentially affect around 7000 people.
For all our Galeras coverage: Galeras « The Volcanism Blog.
News
Se mantiene alerta roja en el Galeras – La Patria, 9 June 2009
El volcán Galeras erupcionó dos veces más – El País, 9 June 2009
Galeras volcano erupts for 2nd time in 24 hours – Colombia Reports, 8 June 2009
Second eruption rattles Colombia’s Galeras volcano – Reuters, 8 June 2009
Information
Global Volcanism Program – Galeras – summary information for Galeras (1501-08=)
Portal Corporativo de INGEOMINAS – Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto – Pasto volcanological observatory main page
Galeras: another explosive eruption 8 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Colombia, eruptions, Galeras.Tags: Colombia, Galeras, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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A further explosive eruption of the Colombian volcano Galeras is being reported by the INGEOMINAS Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto. There is currently only a very brief bulletin (issued 07:30 local time 8 June 2009) on the Pasto observatory site, as follows:
The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Pasto announces that on 8 June 2009 at 06:38 an eruption of explosive character was registered at Galeras volcano.
Consequently, the current activity level for Galeras volcano is Red (I) (eruption imminent or under way).
This eruption comes a little under 24 hours after the explosive eruption of 07:18 local time yesterday. There is no detailed information as yet about today’s eruption.
For all our Galeras coverage: Galeras « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program – Galeras – summary information for Galeras (1501-08=)
Portal Corporativo de INGEOMINAS – Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto – Pasto volcanological observatory main page
Galeras erupts again 7 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Colombia, eruptions, Galeras.Tags: Colombia, Galeras, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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The INGEOMINAS Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto reports that an explosive eruption of Galeras volcano began at 07:18 today, and raised the alert level to the highest level of Red, ‘eruption imminent or under way’.
At 12:40 the observatory issued a bulletin reporting that a magnitude 4 earthquake occurred at the beginning of the eruption, 3 km south-south-east of the principal crater of Galeras, at a depth of 2 km below the summit. An ash column was estimated to have reached 2.5 km above the volcano’s summit, and ash dispersal took place towards the north-west, with ashfall reported in the municipalities of Sandoná and Samaniego. The energy level of today’s eruption was similar to that of 29 April 2009, and about half that of 24 April 2009.
There are no reports of injuries or property damage. An evacuation plan affecting 7000 people has been activated, and will almost certainly be largely ignored as usual.
For all our Galeras coverage: Galeras « The Volcanism Blog.
News
Entra en erupción el volcán Galeras, en el sur de Colombia – AFP, 7 June 2009
En alerta roja se encuentra el Volcán Galeras – El Espectador, 7 June 2009
Volcán Galeras hace nueva erupción en Colombia, alerta roja – Reuters América Latina, 7 June 2009
Galeras volcano erupts again – Colombia Reports, 7 June 2009
Information
Global Volcanism Program – Galeras – summary information for Galeras (1501-08=)
Portal Corporativo de INGEOMINAS – Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería
Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Pasto – Pasto volcanological observatory main page
Saturday Volcano Art: John Martin, ‘The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum’ (c.1821) 6 June 2009
Posted by admin in Saturday volcano art.Tags: Saturday volcano art, Vesuvius, volcano culture
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From the moment of their recovery in the mid-eighteenth century, the buried cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum became the centre not only of an archaeological but a moral narrative. These flourishing centres of Roman life – exemplars of a great civilization at the height of its power – could do nothing to protect themselves against the natural calamity that destroyed them. Johann Joachim Winckelmann reflected in his Critical Account of the Situation and Destruction by the First Eruptions of Mount Vesuvius, of Herculaneum, Pompeii, and Stabia (1764) that the remains of these cities ‘afford the most striking moral reflections’, showing ‘that Empires, however firmly founded, and that cities, however embellished, are like man, subject to mortality, and liable to dissolution’ (pp. iv-v).
For some the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum afforded matter not only for moral reflection, but for moral judgement: these ancient centres of luxury, decadence, arrogance, paganism and vice had been swept away, and perhaps it was a case of serve them right. Such views became particularly prominent during the nineteenth century, when Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s phenomenally popular novel The Last Days of Pompeii (1834) described the city as ‘the miniature of the civilization of that age’, containing within its walls ‘a specimen which every gift which luxury offered to power … in the energy yet corruption, in the refinement yet the vice, of its people, you beheld a model of the whole empire’ (p. 17). The destruction of the Roman cities, argued the American writer Nathaniel Hazeltine Carter in 1827, was not merely a fluke of nature but an act of well-deserved divine retribution: ‘Sodom and Gomorrah, when like Herculaneum and Pompeii, they were deluged in fire and overwhelmed in ruin, could not have sunk to greater depths of depravity, or have presented vice under more brutal and disgusting forms’ (Letters From Europe, vol. II, p. 232). Both Pompeii and Herculaneum, observed John Kennedy in his Volcanoes: Their History, Phenomena, and Causes (1852), ‘were prosperous and luxurious. The excavations of Pompeii reveal Roman life in all its grandeur and meanness, and, alas! in all its frivolity and licentiousness’ (p. 66). Kennedy’s book, it should be pointed out, was published by the Religious Tract Society, and for some religious writers the lesson taught by the fate of the Roman cities was clear. In 1872 the British Baptist preacher Charles H. Spurgeon, perhaps the most celebrated and influential Christian preacher of modern times, paid a visit to Pompeii and referred to it in a subsequent sermon, ‘Voices from Pompeii’, as ‘that fair abode of luxury and vice’. Pompeii is held up, not only as an instance of the vulnerability of man to natural catastrophe but of the inevitability of divine judgement upon immorality, luxury and vice.
Chaitén bulletin no. 94 (27 May 2009) 5 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chaitén, Chile, eruptions.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Bulletin no. 94 on the eruption of Chaitén volcano, covering the period 20-27 May 2009, is now available as a PDF via the informes page of the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) website. There is also a summary version on the SERNAGEOMIN website. Translation as follows.
ERUPTION OF CHAITÉN VOLCANO
TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 94
20-27 MAY 2009
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
1. Visual monitoring
Some photographs from the DGAC camera at Chaitén (located to the south of the volcano), show that the eruption of the volcano continues in unchanging form with its column of gas and ash, which occasionally climbs to 1.5 km over the dome complex. Although it has not been possible to make observations all this time because of adverse weather conditions, a predominance of water vapour in the column has been observed. Moreover, the block-and-ash flows have persisted, indicating that the dome complex continues to grow, especially towards the western sector of the caldera.
2. Seismic activity
The seismicity registered by the Chaitén volcano monitoring network shows a stable behaviour very similar to that of the preceding weeks, characterized by elevated seismic activity, with a presence of HB-type [hybrid] earthquakes of up to 18 per day and maximum magnitudes of 4.3 in some cases. In relation to the seismic energy released RSAM, this shows values similar to those reported in the preceding bulletin, with data at points exceeding 130,000 units. The epicentres of the HB-type earthquakes of greater magnitude are located on the western edge of the caldera, with depths that are concentrated principally between 5 and 9 km.
3. Conclusions and interpretation
The eruptive activity continues with sustained growth of the dome complex, observable on some occasions, which continues to rise and expand, with the generation of block-and-ash flows, visually perceptible from Chaitén [town] at some moments. The seismic activity occurring during this period has been maintained, both in average number and in magnitude. There is a continuing danger of collapse, possible explosions and generation of block-and-ash flows, which may affect the valleys adjacent to Chaitén volcano. In consequence, given that the seismic activity remains elevated and associated with the sustained growth of the dome complex, with the possibility of the generation of block-and-ash flows that may affect surrounding valleys, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert.
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
28.05.09
[End of SERNAGEOMIN bulletin.]
I am late posting this bulletin because of my absence from the blog during late May. Apologies for the delay.
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén – summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén – extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
Chaitén bulletin no. 93 (19 May 2009) 5 June 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chaitén, Chile, eruptions.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, South America, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Bulletin no. 93 on the eruption of Chaitén volcano, covering the period 12-19 May 2009, is now available as a PDF via the informes page of the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) website. There is also a summary version on the SERNAGEOMIN website. The elevated level of seismicity at Chaitén, now sustained for nearly two months, remains the most notable characteristic. Translation as follows.
ERUPTION OF CHAITÉN VOLCANO
TECHNICAL BULLETIN NO. 93
12-19 MAY 2009
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
1. Visual monitoring
Some photographs from the DGAC camera at Chaitén show that the eruption of the volcano continues in an unchanging form, with its column of gas and ash of white to grey colouring climbing up to 1.5 km above the dome complex. Although observations have not been possible during all this period because of the adverse weather conditions, there has been a notable predominance of water vapour in the column because of the atmospheric humidity and the low temperatures, which have caused condensation. The block-and-ash flows have persisted, indicating that the dome complex has continued to grow, especially towards the south-western area of the caldera.
2. Seismic activity
The seismicity registered by the monitoring network of Chaitén volcano shows stable behaviour, although it should be emphasized that an elevated level of seismic activity has been maintained for a duration of nearly two months. The average of HB-type [hybrid] earthquakes has remained between 9 and 14 events per day, with magnitudes reaching 4.1 in some cases. With regard to the seismic energy released RSAM, this has continued to show values similar to the preceding weeks, with values that exceed 130,000 units. Moreover, it is important to note that there has been at least two groups of earthquakes originating from different sources, although [all] associated with the activity of the volcano. This has been shown by their distinct forms and the different arrival times at the [seismic] stations. The epicentres of the HB-type earthquakes of greater magnitude are located on the western edge of the caldera, with depths principally concentrated between 5 and 9 km.
3. Conclusions and interpretation
The eruptive activity continues with the sustained growth of the dome complex, which continues to rise and expand, and the generation of block-and-ash flows, which are on occasion visible from Chaitén [town]. The seismic activity occurring during the period has remained relatively stable and some of the earthquakes of greater magnitude have been slightly perceptible to people in the area. There is a continuing danger of gravitational collapses, possible explosions and the generation of block-and-ash flows, which could affect the valleys adjacent to Chaitén volcano. In consequence, given that the eruption continues, and the seismic activity associated with the sustained growth of the dome complex remains elevated, with the possibility of the generation of block-and-ash flows which may affect surrounding valleys, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert.
OVDAS-SERNAGEOMIN
19.05.09
[End of SERNAGEOMIN bulletin.]
I am late posting this bulletin because of my absence from the blog during late May. Apologies for the delay.
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén – summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén – extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
