Reports Written by John Seach
Reports are posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT +10 hr).
Archived Volcano News
Thursday 24th April 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
High levels of sulphur dioxide at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii have forced the closure of the summit area for the second time this month. About 2,000 people were forced to leave the park when a lack of wind kept gas from Halemaumau Crater at the summit. The evacuation included Volcano House hotel and the Kilauea Military Camp. No evacuations were ordered for communities outside the park, but residents from Volcano Golf and Country Club Estates experiencing respiratory problems should consider leaving the area.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Tuesday 22nd April 2008
Ibu Volcano, Indonesia
Ibu volcano in Indonesia has been raised to alert level 2 (out of maximum 4) after an increase in seismicity since 15th April. On 18th April emissions were visible 800 m above the crater. Residents have been warned about the danger of inhaling volcanic ash. There is a 2 km exclusion zone around the volcano.
More on Ibu Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Tuesday 22nd April 2008
Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia
The alert status at Krakatau volcano in Indonesia has been raised to level 2 (out of a maximum 4). Since 15th April there has been an increase in volcanic earthquakes. Ash emissions have resumed at Anak Krakatau. Booming noises were heard at Pasauran, 42 km from the volcano. Hazards at the volcano include glowing projectiles, landslides, and gas emissions. There is a 2 km exclusion zone around the volcano.
More on Krakatau Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Thursday 17th April 2008
Papandayan Volcano, Indonesia
Papandayan Volcano in Indonesia has been upgraded to level 2 alert (out of maximun 4) after an increase in seismic activity, and solfatara temperature. On 15th April there were 113 volcanic earthquakes compared to 6 on 11th April. There has been an increase in solfatara temperatures in two craters, Kawah Mas (245-262 deg C), and Kawah Balagadama (91-116 deg C). Mineral concentration has increased and pH decreased at two water filled craters ((Kawah Baru and Kawah Balagadama). Visual observations at the crater on 15th April showed thin white emissions 50 m above the crater. There is a 1 km exclusion zone around the crater.
More on Papandayan Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Thursday 17th April 2008
Gareloi Volcano, Indonesia
Two large earthquakes (magnitude 6.6 and 6.4) occurred close to Gareloi Volcano in Alaska on 15th April, local time. The focus of both earthquakes were shallow at 10-13 km depth. The last eruption of Gareloi volcano was in 1996 when there was a minor eruption of ash and steam.
More on Gareloi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Alaska...
Wednesday 16th April 2008
Egon Volcano, Indonesia
A phreatic eruption occurred at Egon Volcano, Indonesia yesterday. An ash column was ejected to an altitude of 4000 m above the crater. Between 6th and 14th of April there was a significant reduction of volcanic earthquakes. About 600 people living close to the volcano have been evacuated. The alert level at Egon Volcano in Indonesia has been raised to level 3 (out of a maximum 4).
More on Egon Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Tuesday 15th April 2008
Huila Volcano, Colombia
Huila Volcano in Colombia erupted today at 1:08 am local time. Up to 15,000 people have been evacuated from near the volcano. This follows an increase in seismic activity yesterday.
More on Huila Volcano...
Volcanoes of Colombia...
Monday 14th April 2008
Protector Shoal Volcano, South Sandwich Islands
A large earthquake (magnitude 6.0) occurred at Protector Shoal Volcano, South Sandwich Islands, today at 07:45 am local time. The earthquake focus was located 14 km SW of the volcano at a depth of 162 km. Protector Shoal last erupted in 1962 producing pumice which floated to New Zealand.
More on Protector Shoal Volcano...
Volcanoes of South Sanswich Islands...
Sunday 13th April 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Kilauea volcano in Hawaii continues to erupt from two locations. At the summit, steam and small amounts of ash are emitting from Halema`uma`u vent. Along the east rift zone lava from Pu`u `O`o enters the lava tube system under the TEB vent and and flows southeast to the ocean. At the coast two Waikupanaha and one Ki ocean entries were active on Friday.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Saturday 12th April 2008
Macquarie Island Earthquake (Australia)
A major earthquake (magnitude 7.4) hit 90 km south of Macquarie Island, Australia, this morning at 10:30 am local time. No tsunami was generated. Macquarie Island is a subantarctic island and a part of the state of Tasmania, Australia. Macquarie Island is on the Macquarie Ridge at the junction of the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates, 1500 km SE of Hobart, Tasmania. Large earthquakes (6 or greater on the Richter scale) occur approximately once a year.
More on Macquarie Island...
Volcanoes of Australia...
Saturday 12th April 2008
Vanuatu Earthquakes
An earthquake swarm continues to hit southern Vanuatu. Eighteen earthquakes between magnitude 4.9 and 7.3 have occurred over a period of 54 hours.
Mag
|
Date and Time (UT)
|
Lat
|
Long
|
| 5.9 | 2008/04/11 17:45 | -20.430 | 168.910 |
| 4.9 | 2008/04/11 17:24 | -20.304 | 169.099 |
5.4
|
2008/04/11 16:36
|
-20.072
|
169.006
|
5.1
|
2008/04/11 15:54
|
-20.317
|
168.862
|
5.1
|
2008/04/11 04:17
|
-20.501
|
168.800
|
4.9
|
2008/04/10 13:25
|
-20.281
|
168.817
|
4.9
|
2008/04/10 04:29
|
-20.275
|
168.882
|
5.8
|
2008/04/10 01:10
|
-20.255
|
168.953
|
5.0
|
2008/04/09 16:02
|
-20.402
|
169.023
|
5.0
|
2008/04/09 15:31
|
-20.100
|
168.438
|
6.4
|
2008/04/09 14:47
|
-20.100
|
168.940
|
5.4
|
2008/04/09 14:21
|
-20.094
|
168.730
|
5.4
|
2008/04/09 14:11
|
-20.135
|
168.816
|
5.2
|
2008/04/09 13:03
|
-20.141
|
168.802
|
7.3
|
2008/04/09 12:46
|
-20.058
|
168.858
|
4.9
|
2008/04/09 12:12
|
-20.211
|
168.925
|
6.3
|
2008/04/09 11:23
|
-20.191
|
168.906
|
6.4
|
2008/04/09 11:13
|
-20.168
|
168.768
|
The earthquakes were located SW of Yasur Volcano.
More on Yasur Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Friday 11th April 2008
Rabaul Volcano, Papua New Guinea
A large explosion occurred at Turvurvur crater, Rabaul Volcano last night at 9:29 pm local time. The explosion rattled windows in Rabaul town and covered the cone with fragments of lava. This morning fine ash was falling on Matupit Island. A night glow was visible at the crater.
More on Rabaul Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Friday 11th April 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
A small explosion at 11:08 pm Wednesday night occurred at Halema`uma`u crater, at Kilauea volcano summit. Ejecta reached about 70 m from the vent. Some lava was hot enough to melt plastic ash collectors. Parts of Hawaii volcanoes National Park reopened Thursday after being closed for 2 days due to high gas emissions.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Thursday 10th April 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remained closed on Wednesday due to high levels of sulphur dioxide emission. The cruise ship Diamond Princess is scheduled to arrive in Hilo at 7:30 am Thursday with hundreds of passengers scheduled to visit the National Park. By mid-afternoon Wednesday 5 mph trade winds from the northeast began pushing gas emissions from the volcano away from the park's visitor center and Jaggar Museum. Civil Defense officials lowered the alert status in Volcano Village and surrounding areas from purple to yellow last night, indicating conditions were improving. This is the first time the entire park has been closed since 1982. Only a few people have evacuated from the communities around Volcano Village. Yesterday lava was entering the ocean at four locations at Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Thursday 10th April 2008
Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
Pacaya volcano in Guatemala remains active. On 9th April weak explosions were heard lasting up to 10 minutes. Lava flowed north east a distance of 400 m. Blue/white vapour was visible 300 m above the volcano.
More on Pacaya Volcano...
Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Thursday 10th April 2008
Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador
Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador remains active on 9th April. Seismology indicates movement of fluids under the volcano. Ash emissions reached 1 km above the crater with ashfall on the western side of the volcano. Roaring noises were heard from the volcano. Residents need to take care around the volcano with possibility of rain mobilising deposits and creating pyroclastic flows and lahars.
More on Tungurahua Volcano...
Volcanoes of Ecuador...
Thursday 10th April 2008
Vanuatu Earthquakes
A cluster of earthquakes has hit southern Vanuatu.
Mag
|
Date and Time (UT)
|
Lat
|
Long
|
6.4 |
2008/04/09 14:47 |
-20.100 |
168.940 |
5.4 |
2008/04/09 14:21 |
-20.094 |
168.730 |
5.4 |
2008/04/09 14:11 |
-20.135 |
168.816 |
5.2 |
2008/04/09 13:03 |
-20.141 |
168.802 |
7.3 |
2008/04/09 12:46 |
-20.058 |
168.858 |
4.9 |
2008/04/09 12:12 |
-20.187 |
168.962 |
6.3 |
2008/04/09 11:23 |
-20.191 |
168.906 |
6.4 |
2008/04/09 11:13 |
-20.168 |
168.768 |
More on Yasur Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Wednesday 9th April 2008
Vanuatu Earthquake (Magnitude 7.3)
A major earthquake (magnitude 7.3) hit southern Vanuatu today at 11:46 pm local time. The earthquake was located east of the South New Hebrides Trench and 97 km SW of Yasur volcano. The Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no tsunami
threat. The main earthquake was preceded by a large and two medium sized earthquakes; magnitude 6.5, 5.9, and 4.9. Yasur is the closest active volcano to the earthquake epicentre and is currently erupting.
More on Yasur Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Wednesday 9th April 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
High levels of sulphur dioxide emissions from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii have resulted in potential evacuations in Volcano Village area and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A change in winds later today (April 8, Hawaii time) is expected to bring conditions in neighboring Volcano to the highest warning level. Hawaii County Civil Defense issued a warning last night based on expected conditions today, advising evacuations as a precaution from Mauna Loa Estates, Ohia Estates, Volcano Village, Keauhou Ranch, and the Volcano Golf Course Subdivision. An evacuation centre has been opened in preparation. sulphur dioxide vog (volcanic smog) has already reduced visibility to half a mile in Hilo and parts of the lower Puna District. Sulphur dioxide from Kilauea volcano comes from two sources, Halemaumau Crater at the summit and Puu Oo on the east rift zone.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Tuesday 8th April 2008
Ibu Volcano, Indonesia
There has been an increase in volcanic earthquakes and emissions at Ibu Volcano in Indonesia. Ash emissions reached 150 m above the crater on 17th March, 300 m on 31st March, and 700 m on 5th April. Ibu volcano has been on level II alert since 1999, and the alert level may be increased if unrest continues. The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation has advised local residents to remain calm and not believe rumours about potential eruptions. Visitors and tourists are not permitted to climb Gunung Ibu. Local resudents should take precautions not to inhale volcanic ash because of the effects on the respiritory system.
More on Ibu Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Sunday 6th April 2008
Active Volcanoes on Venus?
European Space Agency's Venus Express spacecraft has detected sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere of Venus. This could be produced by active volcanoes, or created by an unknown mechanism affecting the upper atmosphere. Sulphur dioxide at high altitude should be destroyed rapidly by solar radiation, but it has been varying in concentration. Plans are being made to look for localised increases in sulphur dioxide that would indicate a plume of the gas from a volcano. Another method is to look for hot spots on the surface that can indicate recent volcanic activity.
Volcanoes of Venus...