Reports are posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT +10 hr).
Archived Volcano News
Thursday 30th October 2008
Nyiragongo Volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo
Travel to Nyiragongo is currently not possible due to the worsening security situation. The United Nations says a "catastrophic" humanitarian crisis is being created in the area around Goma. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the rebels' four-day offensive was "creating a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic
dimensions and threatens dire consequences on a regional scale." Rebels advanced on the eastern Congolese city of Goma on Wednesday, scattering civilians
and soldiers and threatening to overwhelm a 17,000-strong U.N. force trying to halt a return to all-out war. Fierce fighting since the Tutsi rebels launched their latest offensive on Sunday displaced tens of thousands of civilians in North Kivu province, which has seen continuous violence despite the end of Congo's regional war in 2003. The head of the U.N. force, MONUC, says it is "stretched to the limit", but a request to the U.N. Security Council for reinforcements has not yet been met. Civilians attacked the U.N. mission's headquarters near the airport, forcing the evacuation of most staff to a compound on the shore of Lake Kivu, nearer the Rwandan border. John Seach climbed Nyiragongo volcano in August 2008, and filmed the active lava lake. It is likely that access to Nyiragongo volcano will not be possible for some time into the future. Nyiragongo is one of the world's most impressive volcanoes. It is noted for the long active lava lake which is regularly occurs in the summit crater. In 2002 a large eruption of Nyiragongo volcano partially buried the town of Goma and forced the evacuation of 400,000 people.
More on Nyiragongo Volcano...
Volcanoes of Democratic Republic of Congo...
Thursday 30th October 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Lava has resumed flowing into the sea at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Lava is moving through tubes from the east rift zone to the sea. Surface lava was visible in the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision on Tuesday evening. A small amount of ash is being emitted from Halemaumau vent at the summit of Kilauea.
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Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Thursday 23rd October 2008
Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
Lava flows are occurring at Pacaya volcano in Guatemala. Seven lava flows originate from a location on the SW flank of the volcano. Seismic activity consists of harmonic tremor and surface earthquakes from gas exhalations. Strombolian eruptions are possible from the crater.
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Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Thursday 16th October 2008
Klyuchevskoy Volcano, Russia
Eruptions intensified at Klyuchevskoy volcano in Kamchatka today. Ash and gas were erupted high above the volcano. Incandescence is becoming more intense indicating new lava is appearing in the crater. The eruption poses a mudflow risk caused by melting snow. There were Strombolian eruptions on 8th October when moderate explosive eruption began. Seismic activity of the volcano was above background levels all week. Eruptions of the volcano pose a hazard to aircraft.
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Volcanoes of Kamchakta...
Thursday 16th October 2008
Galeras Volcano, Colombia
There has been a significant increase in seismic activity at Galeras Volcano in Colombia. Between 6-12 October there was a four-fold increase in daily long-period earthquakes compared to September. Over the past week, white emissions were visible to a height of 2300 m above the crater. A lava dome continues to grow in the crater. The volcano remains at alert level 3 (Yellow).
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Volcanoes of Colombia...
Tuesday 14th October 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
A number of small explosions occurred at the summit of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii on 12th October. The explosions ejected ash and projectiles. The explosions were accompanied by earthquakes. One explosion produced a booming noise which was heard by nearby observers. On the east rift zone, lava continues to flow through tube system to the sea.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Thursday 9th October 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Eruptions continue at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii. Lava flows have resumed on the east rift zone after several days pause. Surface lava flowed over the pali to the east of the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision. Waikupanaha ocean entry is restarting. Tephra and sulphur dioxide continues to be emitted from the vent at Halemaumau, at Kilauea's summit. The following areas remain closed at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park due to volcanic activity. Crater Rim Drive between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction, is closed. The Ka`u Desert Trail is closed from Jaggar Museum to Pepeiao Cabin. The Ka`u Desert Trailhead on Hwy 11 and the trail leading to the Footprints area and beyond to Mauna Iki and Hilina Pali Road are closed. All trails leading to and across Kilauea Caldera are closed. Napau Crater, Pu`u `O`o, and the park's eastern boundary are closed.
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Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Wednesday 8th October 2008
Nevado del Huila Volcano, Colombia
Seismic activity has increased at Nevado del Huila volcano in Colombia. During the week of 1-7 October there were 1405 seismic events. Of these, 273 are related to fracturing of rocks, 1199 with the fluid dynamics within the volcanic conduits, 22 hybrids and 11 pulses of low-magnitude tremor. The seismic activity indicates movement of magma towards the surface. Sulphur dioxide emissions reached a rate of 10,590 tons/day on 2nd October. The volcano is at alert level YELLOW.
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Volcanoes of Colombia...
Tuesday 7th October 2008
Soputan Volcano, Indonesia
An eruption occurred at Soputan Volcano in Indonesia yesterday. Ash was emitted to a height of 1000 m. The nearest villages are 8 km from the crater, and no evacuations were necessary. A lava dome has continued to grow in the crater since 1991. Eruptions are usually occurring from the lava dome. The volcano has been increased to level 3 alert (Siaga), out of a maximum 4.
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Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Monday 6th October 2008
Chaitén Volcano, Chile
Seismic activity has increased at Chaiten volcano in Chile since 20th September. Some earthquakes reached magnitude 3. The earthquakes are related to breaking of rocks and movement of magmatic fluids at shallow levels of the system. There is continued extrusion of the lava dome. The increase in seismic activity has not been correlated with a significant upturn in the eruptive activity, which has remained stable with a low emission rate. Gas and ash is being emitted from the dome. On 27th and 28th September, eruption columns reached 4.0 km above sea level. This activity is similar to that observed by John Seach during a climb to the summit in August 2008.
More on Chaitén Volcano...
Volcanoes of Chile...
Sunday 5th October 2008
Nyiragongo Volcano, Democratic Republic of Congo
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit 40 km north of Nyiragongo volcano today at 2:02 am local time. The shallow focus earthquake was also close to Nyamuragira volcano. Nyiragongo volcano contains an active lava lake which continues to pose a hazard to Goma, a town of 500,000 people living on its southern flank.
More on Nyiragongo Volcano...
Volcanoes of Democratic Republic of Congo...
Sunday 5th October 2008
Raoul Volcano, Kermadec Islands
Another large earthquake has hit near Raoul Volcano in the Kermadec Islands. The magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit 140 km SE of Raoul Island today at 9:12 pm local time. This follows a magnitude 7.1 earthquake which hit the same area 5 days ago.
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Saturday 4th October 2008
Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
Overflights of Redoubt volcano in Alaska have revealed new areas of fumaroles and steaming. On September 16, a pilot flying nearby reported a strong smell of hydrogen sulphide. The following week, residents of a cabin near Wadell Lake 25 km northeast of Redoubt volcano reported loud noises coming from the volcano. An overflight on 27th September showed several fractures and circular openings in the upper Drift glacier that had not been seen before. No abnormal seismic activity has been detected. Redoubt Volcano remains at aviation color code GREEN and alert level NORMAL.
More on Redoubt Volcano...
Volcanoes of Alaska...
Wednesday 1st October 2008
Garbuna Volcano, Papua New Guinea
Eruptions resumed at Garbuna Volcano in Papua New Guinea on 23rd September. A pale grey ash column was observed rising to 1000 m altitude. Sustained volcanic tremor was recorded at the volcano on 29th and 30th September. Incandescent lava eruptions were observed in August.
More on Garbuna Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...