Ethiopian eruption: scientists on ground, shoes melt 13 July 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Africa, eruptions, Ethiopia, Manda Hararo.Tags: activity reports, Africa, eruptions, Ethiopia
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The first on-the-ground reports from the location of the recent eruption in the Manda Hararo volcanic field in Ethiopia have come from David Ferguson, a doctoral student in geology at the University of Oxford. He is reporting on his work on the volcanics of the Afar region in a series of blog postings for The Guardian.
Part 1 describes how he dropped everything and flew out there to take a look at what was going on, part 2 and part 3 (with photographs, including a wonderful aerial view of an eruptive fissure) see him reach the location courtesy of the Ethiopian Army, while part 4 (with more pictures) is an account of what he found once he got there with his Ethiopian colleagues:
As we reached the front of the lava flow one of our group, Dr Elias Lewi, walked out over its brittle surface, quickly turning back as his shoes begin to melt. Although only a few days old, the lava had a dark black crust and was deceptively similar to other, much colder flows. The real temperature was revealed by Talfan Barnie, a PhD student from Cambridge, who used a thermal infra-red camera to ‘see’ temperatures of up to 162C around the cracks and fractures across the flow surface.
We had to be very careful where we trod.
David Ferguson reports extensive (~10 square km) fresh lava flows from the eruption, about 3 m high at the margins, gas emissions, and a 5-kilometre fissure and central vent producing a small plume. There is more on Manda Hararo in the Global Volcanism Program’s Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 1-7 July.
- News from Afar: my date with a volcano – The Guardian, 3 July 2009
- News from Afar: diversionary tactics – The Guardian, 6 July 2009
- News from Afar: Ground Zero – The Guardian, 7 July 2009
- News from Afar: melting shoes and choking gas – The Guardian, 9 July 2009
‘Continuous ash plume’ at Redoubt 30 March 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, eruptions, Redoubt.Tags: eruptions, Redoubt, United States, volcanic activity reports, volcanic eruptions
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Redoubt 30 March 2009, 09:55 AKDT.
Redoubt 30 March 2009, 11:28 AKDT.
The latest Status Report from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (issued at 11:56 AKDT) observes:
Over the past twelve hours, ash emissions at Redoubt Volcano have become more frequent, but lower in altitude than during the highly explosive events of the past week. A continuous ash plume has been observed in web camera, satellite and radar images, and by pilots. These plumes vary in their intensity and have generally been at low altitude (less than 20,000 feet above sea level). Occasional, short lived events have produced ash clouds that rise as high as 27,000 feet above sea level. Ash fall from these events is currently not likely to reach population centers in the Cook Inlet.
A continuous ash plume has been visible from the Redoubt Hut Webcam since the ice/ash on the glass cleared enough to make anything visible, about six hours ago. There’s still a bit of muck in the top left corner, but otherwise it’s providing a clear and very dramatic view of Redoubt with its plume heading north-east, just to one side of the camera’s position (see above).
UPDATE: A new report from the AVO (2009-03-30 13:25:32) says that ‘Seismic activity and webcam views suggest that ash production has diminished over the last hour’.
For all our Redoubt coverage: Redoubt « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Redoubt – summary information for Redoubt (1103-03-)
Alaska Volcano Observatory – Redoubt – AVO information and updates for Redoubt
Alaska Volcano Observatory – main page for the AVO
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 4 February 2009 – 10 February 2009 12 February 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, Asama, Barren Island, Chaitén, Chile, Colima, Dukono, Ecuador, eruptions, Fuego, Guatemala, Hawaii, Indian Ocean, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Popocatépetl, Rabaul, Redoubt, Russia, Sakura-jima, Sangay, Santa María, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Tungurahua, United States, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: eruptions, Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports
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The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 4 February 2009 to 10 February 2009 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: Asama (Japan), Redoubt (Alaska, USA), Sakura-jima (Japan).
Ongong activity: Barren Island (Andaman Islands), Chaitén (Chile), Colima (Mexico), Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia), Fuego (Guatemala), Karymsky (Kamchatka, Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Sangay (Ecuador), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Kamchatka, Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Tungurahua (Ecuador).
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 28 January 2009 – 3 February 2009 5 February 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Asama, Barren Island, Chaitén, eruptions, Fuego, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Pacaya, Rabaul, Redoubt, Sakura-jima, Santa María, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Tungurahua, Ubinas, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: eruptions, Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports
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The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 28 January 2009 to 3 February 2009 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: Asama (Japan), Redoubt (Alaska, USA).
Ongong activity: Barren Island (Andaman Islands), Chaitén (Chile), Fuego (Guatemala), Karymsky (Kamchatka, Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka, Russia), Pacaya (Guatemala), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Sakura-jima (Japan), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Kamchatka, Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Tungurahua (Ecuador), Ubinas (Peru).
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 21 January 2009 – 27 January 2009 29 January 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, Alaska, Barren Island, Callaqui, Caribbean, Chaitén, Chile, Colombia, Dieng Volcanic Complex, Ecuador, eruptions, Galeras, Hawaii, Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Japan, Kamchatka, Karymsky, Kilauea, Kliuchevskoi, Mexico, Nevado del Huila, Nevados de Chillán, Papua New Guinea, Piton de la Fournaise, Popocatépetl, Rabaul, Redoubt, Shiveluch, Soufrière Hills, Suwanose-jima, Tungurahua, United States, volcanoes, Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports.Tags: eruptions, Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports
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The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 21 January 2009 to 27 January 2009 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: Callaqui (Chile), Dieng Volcanic Complex (Java, Indonesia), Nevados de Chillan (Chile), Redoubt (Alaska, USA).
Ongoing activity: Barren Island (Andaman Islands), Chaiten (Chile), Galeras (Colombia), Karymsky (Kamchatka, Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kliuchevskoi (Kamchatka, Russia), Nevado del Huila (Colombia), Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion), Popocatepetl (Mexico), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Shiveluch (Kamchatka, Russia), Soufriere Hills (Montserrat), Suwanose-jima (Japan), Tungurahua (Ecuador).
Nevado del Huila evacuations get under way 27 January 2009
Posted by admin in Colombia, eruptions, natural hazards, Nevado del Huila, volcano monitoring.Tags: Colombia, eruptions, natural hazards, Nevado del Huila, volcano monitoring
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Above: Belalcázar, May 2008. (Source: Sitio oficial de Paéz en Cauca, Colombia.)
The evacuation plan for the town of Belalcázar near Nevado del Huila volcano (see our post last week) seems to be getting under way, according to this report from CNN today. Around 800 families are being moved out of the town; the report says that emergency officials ‘are asking the 800 families where they want to be moved to’, which is one way of doing it.
I haven’t had time to check what the Colombian press are saying about this yet – will do so later.
Dr Klemetti has further details over at Eruptions, along with an important correction of the CNN report, which he calls ‘almost dangerously erroneous’.
Belalcázar was badly affected during the eruption in November, with lahars destroying bridges and causing serious flooding. The picture at the top of this post was taken in May 2008, while that below was taken on 21 November 2008 and shows the extent of the inundation. Both these pictures come from the Paéz local government website.
Above: Belalcázar, November 2008. Picture by Giancarlo Cifuentes. (Source: Sitio oficial de Paéz en Cauca, Colombia.)
For all our Nevado del Huila coverage: Nevado del Huila « The Volcanism Blog.
News
Evacuations begin near Colombian volcano – CNN, 27 January 2009
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Nevado del Huila – summary information for Nevado del Huila (1501-05=)
Portal Corporativo de INGEOMINAS – main page for the Instituto Colombiano de Geología y Minería
INGEOMINAS Popayán – main page for the Observatorio Popayán, which monitors Nevado del Huila
Chaitén dome collapse image at the NASA Earth Observatory 21 January 2009
Posted by admin in Chaitén, Chile, eruptions, NASA Earth Observatory.Tags: Chaitén, Chile, eruptions, NASA Earth Observatory, South America
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At the NASA Earth Observatory there is a new satellite image capturing the 19 January 2009 dome collapse at Chaitén volcano, which The Volcanism Blog reported on the day. The substantial 70km-long plume released by the event can clearly be seen, blowing to the north-north-east.
The image (scaled-down version above) was acquired by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite. For the full-size image and commentary, visit the NASA Earth Observatory: ‘Continued Activity at Chaiten Volcano’, published 20 January 2009.
Congratulations to the team at the NASA Earth Observatory for their quick work in getting this image online so rapidly, and my thanks to them for crediting The Volcanism Blog as a source.
NASA image courtesy MODIS Rapid Response, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
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
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 24-30 December 2008 1 January 2009
Posted by admin in activity reports, eruptions, volcano monitoring.Tags: eruptions, Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports, volcano monitoring
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Happy new year, volcano-watchers everywhere. The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 24 to 30 December 2008 is now available on the Global Volcanism Program website.
NEW ACTIVITY is reported at Cleveland (Alaska, USA), Koryaksky (Russia), Piton de la Fournaise (Réunion), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat) and Tungurahua, Ecuador.
ONGOING ACTIVITY is reported at Bagana (Papua New Guinea), Chaitén (Chile), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Russia) and Suwanose-jima (Japan).
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is produced jointly by the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program and the United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program.
- The current report: Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
- Previous reports: Weekly Reports Archive.
Image: left, Cleveland (new activity), right, Karymsky (ongoing activity). Pictures from SI/USGS Global Volcanism Program.
Llaima update, 25 December 2008 25 December 2008
Posted by admin in activity reports, Chile, eruptions, Llaima.Tags: Chile, eruptions, Llaima, South America, volcanic activity reports
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Above: Eruptive activity at Llaima volcano, 22 December 2008. Picture: Jean Paul de la Harpe, POVI.
Thanks to Werner Keller and our friends at POVI, the Llaima Visual Observation Project, we have news and a picture of the most recent activity of Llaima volcano, Chile.
Llaima has had a quiet few months since the activity of the winter and early spring (for northern hemisphere readers, that’s summer and early autumn). Since mid-December, however, the level of fumarolic activity has increased gradually, and on 11 December two small debris avalanches descended the west flank of the volcano, rolling through a channel in the ice created by past eruptive activity.
On 22 December there were two weak ash emissions at 13:48 and 21:10 local time; an image of the earlier event, taken from the south of the volcano by POVI-Project member Jean Paul de la Harpe, is reproduced at the top of this post. This activity is probably a precursor to further eruptive activity in the near future. There had been heavy snow fall on the day preceding this activity, indicating that large volumes of melt water were responsible for this phreatomagmatic activity.
Aster thermal images of Llaima captured on 18 December show that the summit temperature of the volcano remains elevated.
Thanks again to Werner Keller and all at POVI for this report and image, and for all the Llaima information and pictures they have contributed to The Volcanism Blog in the course of this year. More activity can confidently be expected in the New Year from Llaima, one of Chile’s most consistently active volcanoes.
For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog.
Information
Global Volcanism Program: Llaima – summary information for Llaima (1507-11=)
Volcán Llaima – information from the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (Spanish)
Oficina Nacional de Emergencia – Chilean government emergencies office (Spanish)
SERNAGEOMIN – Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Chile (Spanish)
Proyecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima – Llaima Visual Observation Project
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 17-23 December 2008 25 December 2008
Posted by admin in activity reports, eruptions, volcano monitoring.Tags: eruptions, Global Volcanism Program, volcanic activity reports, volcano monitoring
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The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 10 to 16 December 2008 is now available on the Global Volcanism Program website.
NEW ACTIVITY is reported at Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Llaima (Chile) Piton de la Fournaise (Réunion), Santa María (Guatemala), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat) and Tungurahua, Ecuador.
ONGOING ACTIVITY is reported at Bagana (Papua New Guinea), Chaitén (Chile), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Machín (Colombia), Manam (Papua New Guinea), Masaya (Nicaragua), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Shiveluch (Russia) and Suwanose-jima (Japan).
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is produced jointly by the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program and the United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program.
- The current report: Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
- Previous reports: Weekly Reports Archive.
Image: left, Llaima (new activity), right, Machín (ongoing activity). Pictures from SI/USGS Global Volcanism Program.
The Volcanism Blog 