New Zealand to fund volcano monitoring improvements in Vanuatu 6 March 2012
Posted by admin in natural hazards, Pacific, Vanuatu, volcano monitoring.comments closed
Vanuatu has plenty of volcanic activity: Ambrym, Aoba, Gaua, Yasur are perhaps the best-known of the archipelago’s historically active volcanoes, all of which have produced violent and disruptive eruptions in the past, and have plenty of destructive potential for the future.
The news that Vanautu’s volcano monitoring capacity is to be enhanced in a five-year programme with the help from New Zealand is therefore very welcome. The New Zealand Government’s aid agency is providing NZ$500,000 for real-time seismic and camera monitoring of Ambae (Aoba), Gaua and Tanna (Yasur) volcanoes. A programme of community outreach and education, technical training and volcanic emergency response plan development is also being supported in a partnership between GNS Science in New Zealand and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department.
News
Five-year project to see seismic cameras placed on three Vanuatu volcanoes – Radio New Zealand International, 6 March 2012
NZ volcano project to help Vanuatu – MSN NZ, 6 March 2012
NZ scientists introduce volcano life-saving monitoring devices to Vanuatu – Bernama, 6 March 2012
Information
Volcanoes of the world: Vanuatu – information from the Global Volcanism Program on Vanuatu’s volcanoes
Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 22-28 June 2011 4 July 2011
Posted by admin in activity reports, Africa, Ambrym, Batu Tara, Chile, Eritrea, eruptions, Fuego, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indonesia, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kirishima, Kizimen, Nabro, Pacific, Planchón-Peteroa, Russia, Sakura-jima, Shiveluch, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: Global Volcanism Program
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Here’s the Smithsonian Institution and United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for the week 22-28 June 2011, compiled by Sally Kuhn Sennert. Some of the highlights:
- Ambrym: degassing, occasional explosions, light ashfall
- Nabro: eruption continues, with plumes of water vapour and sulphur dioxide, lava flows and ashfall
- Puyehue-Cordón Caulle: eruption continues, with active lava flow, and ash clouds affecting air traffic
- Planchón-Peteroa: ash and gas-and-steam plumes detected
Click on the map for a larger version (1211 x 784 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 22-28 June 2011 is now 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/unrest: Ambrym (Vanuatu), Kirishima (Japan), Nabro (Eritrea), Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile).
Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Fuego (Guatemala), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kizimen (Russia), Planchón-Peteroa (Chile), Sakura-jima (Japan), Shiveluch (Russia).
Note: ‘a.s.l.’ = ‘above sea level’.
Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 8-14 June 2011 16 June 2011
Posted by admin in activity reports, Africa, Aso, Batu Tara, Caribbean, Chile, Dieng Volcanic Complex, Eritrea, eruptions, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kizimen, Mayon, Nabro, Pacific, Puyehue, Russia, Sakura-jima, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Tengger Caldera, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports, Yasur.Tags: Global Volcanism Program
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The Smithsonian Institution and United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, compiled by Sally Kuhn Sennert, has been issued for the week 8-14 June 2011. Another week high in volcanic interest:
- Kizimen: eruptive episode with ash plumes reaching 4-5 km altitude
- Nabro: eruption following an earthquake swarm sent ash to 13.7 km altitude
- Puyehue-Cordón Caulle: eruption continues with continuous ash emission and pyroclastic flows
- Mayon: slight inflation detected at the summit
Click on the map for a larger version (1211 x 784 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 8-14 June 2011 is now 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/unrest: Aso (Japan), Dieng Volcanic Complex (Indonesia), Kizimen (Russia), Nabro (Eritrea), Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile), Yasur (Vanuatu).
Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Mayon (Philippines), Sakura-jima (Japan), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Tengger Caldera (Indonesia).
Note: ‘a.s.l.’ = ‘above sea level’.
Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 1-7 June 2011 9 June 2011
Posted by admin in activity reports, Aso, Batu Tara, Chile, Dieng Volcanic Complex, Dukono, eruptions, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Kamchatka, Karangetang, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kizimen, Kliuchevskoi, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Popocatépetl, Puyehue, Rabaul, Russia, Sakura-jima, Shiveluch, United States, Vanuatu, Villarrica, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports, Yasur.Tags: Global Volcanism Program
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The Smithsonian Institution and United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, compiled by Sally Kuhn Sennert, has been issued for the week 1-7 June 2011. It’s been a lively volcanic week – highlights include:
- Dieng Volcanic Complex: carbon dioxide emissions and seismicity both remain elevated
- Popocatépetl: ash plumes reaching altitudes between 1 and 3 km create ashfall in nearby regions
- Puyehue-Cordón Caulle: an eruption began on 4 June following intense seismicity
- Kilaeua: two lava lakes were active during 1-7 June
Click on the map for a larger version (1211 x 784 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 1-7 June 2011 is now 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/unrest: Aso (Japan), Dieng Volcanic Complex (Indonesia), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Puyehue-Cordón Caulle (Chile), Yasur (Vanuatu).
Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Dukono (Indonesia), Karangetang [Api Siau] (Indonesia), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kizimen (Russia), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Sakura-jima (Japan), Shiveluch (Russia), Villarrica (Chile).
Note: ‘a.s.l.’ = ‘above sea level’.
Vanuatu: alert level raised for Yasur 3 June 2011
Posted by admin in activity reports, eruptions, Pacific, Vanuatu.comments closed
The stratovolcano Yasur on Tanna Island in Vanuatu is highly active: the Global Volcanism Program notes that Yasur has ‘been in more-or-less continuous strombolian and vulcanian activity since Captain Cook observed ash eruptions in 1774’. Cook himself compared the volcano to Stromboli because of its continuous lava fountaining. Yasur is also highly accessible, and is one of Vanuatu’s most important tourist attractions.
Early last month satellite sensing revealed strong degassing from Yasur, and local residents reported strong explosions. The hazard level for Yasur was then at 2 (on a scale of 0-4, where 4 is the highest). In bulletin no. 1, issued on 12 May, the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory noted that this strength of degassing ‘is not common for this volcano’ , possibly indicating ‘magma intrusion in the volcano conduit’, and warned of further potential explosive activity. The bulletin described the then level of activity at Yasur as ‘a minor eruption phase with persistent strong explosions that could be heard and felt’.
A geohazards team from the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory carried out further assessments on 31 May and 1 June. In its bulletin no. 2 of 1 June 2011 the Observatory reports a ‘moderate to large eruption’ of Yasur under way with ‘strong explosions and ash bombs/emissions from all three active vents’. The hazard level has therefore been increased with effect from 1 June to level 3. Access to Yasur has been closed, with a 500-metre-radius exclusion zone in place around the volcano.
[Image of Yasur above by Verity Borthwick, taken on 24 February 2009. Reproduced here under a Creative Commons licence.]
News
Vanuatu officials raise alert level over Mt Yasur volcano – Radio New Zealand International, 2 June 2011
Vanuatu volcano access closed after explosions – Australia Network News, 3 June 2011
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Yasur – summary information for Yasur (0507-10=)
Vanuatu volcanoes and volcanics – information from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory – home page for geohazards monitoring in Vanuatu
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 29 December 2010 – 4 January 2011 8 January 2011
Posted by admin in activity reports, Bezymianny, Bulusan, Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador, eruptions, Etna, Fuego, Gaua, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kizimen, Machín, Manam, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Sakura-jima, Santa María, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Stromboli, Suwanose-jima, Tengger Caldera, Tungurahua, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: Global Volcanism Program
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The Smithsonian Institution and United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports enter their second decade of chronicling what the world’s volcanoes are up to with this week’s report, which covers 29 December 2010 to 4 January 2011 and is compiled by Sally Kuhn Sennert. Some selected highlights:
- Etna: light ashfall, incandescence, vigorous strombolian activity
- Manam: new eruptive episode – ash plumes, some dense; incandescence; pyroclastic flows
- Stromboli: increase in the frequency and intensity of explosions from the S1 vent
- Machín: increase in low-magnitude volcanic-tectonic seismicity recorded
Click on the map for a larger version (1280 x 898 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 29 December 2010 – 4 January 2011 is now 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/unrest: Etna (Italy), Kizimen (Russia), Manam (Papua New Guinea), Stromboli (Italy).
Ongoing activity: Bezymianny (Russia), Bulusan (Philippines), Fuego (Guatemala), Gaua (Vanuatu), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Machín (Colombia), Sakura-jima (Japan), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Suwanose-jima (Japan), Tengger Caldera (Indonesia), Tungurahua (Ecuador).
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 18-24 August 2010 26 August 2010
Posted by admin in activity reports, Ambrym, Batu Tara, Caribbean, Colombia, Dukono, eruptions, Galeras, Hawaii, Indonesia, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Pagan, Papua New Guinea, Popocatépetl, Russia, Sakura-jima, San Cristóbal, Sangay, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Suwanose-jima, Ulawun, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: Global Volcanism Program
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Here’s the regular review of the past week’s volcanic activity, compiled by Sally Kuhn Sennert and published by the Global Volcanism Program:
- Galeras: erupted on 25 August
- Popocatépetl: produced a 1-km steam plume on 23 August
- San Cristóbal: a report of a steam plume on 20 August
Click on the map for a larger version (1280 x 898 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 18-24 August 2010 is now 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/unrest: Galeras (Colombia).
Ongoing activity: Ambrym (Vanuatu), Batu Tara (Indonesia), Dukono (Indonesia), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii USA), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Pagan (Mariana Islands), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Sakura-jima (Japan), San Cristóbal (Nicaragua), Sangay (Ecuador), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Suwanose-jima (Japan), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea).
Note: a.s.l. = ‘above sea level’.
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 16-22 June 2010 24 June 2010
Posted by admin in activity reports, Batu Tara, Caribbean, Colombia, Dukono, Ecuador, eruptions, Etna, Gaua, Gorely, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indonesia, Ioto, Italy, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Nevado del Huila, Pacaya, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Sakura-jima, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Tiatia, Tungurahua, Ulawun, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Some highlights from the last week of volcanic activity reported by the Global Volcanism Program:
- Etna: hot landslides generate ash clouds
- Nevado del Huila: seismicity increases, sulphur dioxide plumes detected
- Tungurahua: steam-and-ash plumes, daily ashfall
- Kliuchevskoi: strombolian activity
- Sakura-jima: 550 eruptions so far in 2010, a new record for this hyper-active volcano
Click on the map for a larger version (1280 x 898 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 16-22 June 2010 is now 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/unrest: Etna (Italy), Gorely (Russia), Ioto (Japan), Nevado del Huila (Colombia), Pacaya (Guatemala), Tiatia (Russia), Tungurahua (Ecuador), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea).
Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Dukono (Indonesia), Gaua (Vanuatu), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii USA), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Sakura-jima (Japan), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat).
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 9-15 June 2010 22 June 2010
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, Bagana, Batu Tara, Bezymianny, Caribbean, Chile, Cleveland, Dukono, Ecuador, eruptions, Eyjafjöll, Fuego, Gaua, Guatemala, Hawaii, Iceland, Indonesia, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Melimoyu, Mexico, Nicaragua, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Popocatépetl, Russia, Sakura-jima, San Cristóbal, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Tungurahua, Ulawun, United States, Vanuatu, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Some highlights from the last week of volcanic activity reported by the Global Volcanism Program:
- Melimoyu: increased seismicity leads to heightened alert level
- Tungurahua: daily explosions and ashfall
- Eyjafjallajökull: earthquakes, steam plumes
- Soufrière Hills: rockfalls and pyroclastic flows
Click on the map for a larger version (1280 x 898 pixels).
The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 9-15 June 2010 is now 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/unrest: Bezymianny (Russia), Cleveland (Alaska, USA), Melimoyu (Chile), Pacaya (Guatemala), San Cristóbal (Nicaragua), Sarigan (Mariana Islands), Tiatia (Russia), Tungurahua (Ecuador), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea).
Ongoing activity: Bagana (Papua New Guinea), Batu Tara (Indonesia), Dukono (Indonesia), Eyjafjallajökull (Iceland), Fuego (Guatemala), Gaua (Vanuatu), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii USA), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Sakura-jima (Japan), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat).
Continuing Gaua activity at the NASA Earth Observatory 27 April 2010
Posted by admin in activity reports, eruptions, Gaua, NASA Earth Observatory, Pacific, Vanuatu, volcanoes.Tags: Gaua, NASA Earth Observatory, Vanuatu, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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As reported here last week, activity is continuing at Gaua volcano in Vanuatu, with the government planning for evacuations of Gaua Island. The NASA Earth Observatory has been providing some excellent satellite imagery of Gaua, most recently the above image, captured on 24 April 2010 by the Advanced Land Imager aboard NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. The brown areas on the left of the image, to the west and south-west of the volcano, show where volcanic emissions and ashfall have damaged and killed vegetation.
The world is paying little attention to the activity at Gaua, but it is shaping up to be a very nasty, hazardous and disruptive eruption. Ashfall, poisonous gases, volcanic bombs and mudflows are being produced by the active cone, Mount Garet, and emissions are tainting local crops and water supplies. Rising water levels in the crater have been reported, increasing the risk of still more dangerous mudflows. The population of Gaua has already had to abandon the western side of the island and seek refuge in the east, away from the worst of the volcano’s ash and fumes, but as the activity increases they may have to evacuate completely. Radio Australia News quotes Vanuatu Geohazards Technical Advisor: ‘The current risk is mainly ash falls and then mudflows. It’s true that we have an increase in activity but not like a level 3. Evacuation is ready the plan is ready the location is ready, it’s a very tough situation for the local population of Gaua, they’re scared they’re afraid, it’s a very new situation for them’.
The alert level for Gaua is still at level 2, according to the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory.
For all our coverage of Gaua: Gaua « The Volcanism Blog.
News
Vanuatu volcano may force evacuations – Sydney Morning Herald, 20 April 2010
Vanuatu volcano taints water supplies – Sydney Morning Herald, 21 April 2010
Vanuatu authorities monitor Gaua volcano – Radio Australia News, 23 April 2010
South Seas volcano threatens thousands – Earthweek, 23 April 2010
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Gaua – summary information for Gaua (0507-02=)
Vanuatu volcanoes and volcanics – information from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory – home page for geohazards monitoring in Vanuatu
The Volcanism Blog 