Volcano Live
volcanolive.com
Archived Volcano News - John Seach
December 2001
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador)
1.467 S, 78.442 W, summit elevation 5023 m, stratovolcano
Monday December 31, 2001
Ash eruption visible over volcano at 0621 hr (local time) on Monday. Ash rising to 21,000 ft and moving West at 10-20 knots.
More on Tungurahua Volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano.
Sunday December 30, 2001
The ocean entry at Kamoamoa continues its fine show this morning, with at least two areas feeding lava into the sea.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Mt Ruapehu Volcano (New Zealand)
39.28 S, 175.57 E, summit elevation 2779 m, stratovolcano
Friday December 28, 2001
IGNS reports that seismic activity at Ruapehu is slightly elevated during the past week.
More on Mt Ruapehu Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano, (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Friday December 28, 2001
A new significant eruption has taken place at Soufriere Hills volcano at 17:30 hr (local time) on Friday 28th December. A thick ash cloud is moving towards the West-Northwest at 10 to 15 knots and reaching 10,000 ft. The area of ash is 150 km long and 70 km wide.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Sheveluch Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
56.653 N, 161.360 E, summit elevation 3283 m, stratovolcano
Friday December 28, 2001
Unrest at the volcano continues. A lava dome is growing in the active crater and, at any time with little warning, explosions could produce pyroclastic flows and ash plumes that could rise as high as 7-10 km (23,000- 33,000 ft) above sea level (ASL), as well as localized ash fall. For the past week seismic activity has slightly decreased, but it continued to remain above background levels. About 20 earthquakes of MI>=1.7, many weak shallow earthquakes within the volcano's edifice, other local shallow seismic events (possible collapses, avalanches, possible weak gas-ash explosions), and episodes of weak volcanic tremor were registered.
More on Sheveluch Volcano...
Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador)
1.467 S, 78.442 W, summit elevation 5023 m, stratovolcano
December 27, 2001
Eruption of Tungurahua volcano at 1500 hr (local time).
Ash to 23,000 ft moving West- South West at 10-15 knots.
More on Tungurahua Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano, (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
December 27, 2001
Soufriere Hillls volcano vented steam and ash at 0715 (local time).
The ash plume is extening South and South-West below 8,000 ft.
Drift rate is less than 10 knots.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano.
December 26, 2001
The ocean entry at Kamoamoa continues its fine show. Lava enters the sea from at least two entry points, creating bright glow visible from all along the Chain of Craters Road.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Solomon Islands Earthquake (Mag 7.0)
December 23, 2001
A major earthquake occurred IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS, about 30 miles (50 km) W of HONIARA at 3:52 PM MST today, Dec 23, 2001 (Dec 24 at 9:52 AM local time in Solomon Islands). A PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE OF 7.0 WAS COMPUTED FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE. The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. There have been no reports of damage.
Volcanoes of the Solomon Islands...
Popocatepetl Volcano (México)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcanoes.
December 22, 2001
Eruption of steam and ash from Popocatepetl Volcano at 12:35 local time on 21st December. Ash rising to 23,000 ft and moving NE at 20 knots.
This continues the eruptions which began 4 days ago.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Deception Island Volcano (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica)
62.97 S, 60.65 W, summit elevation 576 m, caldera.
A group of international experts will visit Deception island in the next few weeks to discuss a new management plan which will involve cleaning up the area. For Britain, it is part of a £4m five-year programme to clean up all its abandoned bases. The aim is to remove all disused buildings that have not been designated a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty.
More on Deception Island Volcano...
New Volcanic Power Plant at Mutnovsky Volcano
A new power unit, exploiting volcanic energy, went into operation Thursday 20th December in the northeastern Kamchatka Peninsula. The power unit at Mutnovsky Volcano, though officially unveiled, will start energy generation in the first quarter of the next year due to remaining equipment tests. It will be able to produce 50 megawatts of electricity.
More on Mutnovsky Volcano
Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion)
21.22 S, 55.71 E, summit elevation 2631 m, shield volcano.
Eruption likely within weeks (Posted December 20, 2001)
Seismic activity at the volcano has been increasing since August. Three seismic crisis events occurred on November 5 (89 earthquakes), November 11 (27 earthquakes), November 29 (88 earthquakes). For all the period, the inclinometers of Southern Dolomieu and Sulphur mine showed significant increase (Southern Dolomieu surroundings 150 microradian) and extensometers with Magne and Strong Château showed a continuous opening of the cracks, in agreement with slow swelling of the top.
More on Piton de la Fournaise Volcano...
Popocatepetl Volcano (México)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcanoes.
December 20, 2001
Another eruption of Popocatepetl Volcano occurred at 0127 UT on Thursday 20th December. Ash was reported between 21,000 and 28,000 ft elevation. The ash was moving NE at 25 knots.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Mauna Kea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.82 N, 155.47 W, summit elevation 4206 m, Shield volcano.
December 19,2001
A serious accident on snow-covered Mauna Kea has underscored a recent warning about hazardous conditions atop the 13,796-foot volcano.
A snow bodyboarder suffered severe head injuries after a bodyboard sled was launched into exposed lava rock during a Sunday outing to Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea is used by snowboarders who drive up the volcano's slopes to play in the snow.
More on Mauna Kea Volcano...
Popocatepetl Volcano (México)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcanoes.
December 18, 2001
Exactly one year after its most violent eruption in 1,200 years, Popocatepetl volcano shot out glowing rocks and a towering cloud of ash Tuesday. The two-minute eruption came at 11.24am local time. It sent hot rocks about a kilometre from the crater, according to the National Centre for the Prevention of Disasters, which monitors the volcano 65km south-east of Mexico City.
A column of ash boiled up from the crater to a height of 2.5km above the 5,426-metre volcano.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Taiwan Earthquake (Mag 6.7)
December 18,2001
A strong earthquake occurred about 80 miles (130 km) east of Hua-lien, Taiwan at 9:03 PM MST today, Dec 17, 2001 (Dec 18 at 12:03 PM local time in Taiwan). A PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE OF 6.7 WAS COMPUTED FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE. The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time. This is the largest quake in this area since another magnitude 6.7 event on May 24, 1994.
In Taiwan, the tremor lasted long enough to shake and move objects on shelves. It was felt more strongly in the northern half of the island. Mass rapid transit in the capital, Taipei, was temporarily halted.
Tuesday's quake generated several small tsunamis. Japan's Meteorological Agency estimated that they could reach a height of about 20 inches, but initial waves registered only about 4 inches.
Volcanoes of Taiwan...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano.
December 17,2001
The Kamoamoa entry is sending lava into the water from at least two different locations, one near the point on the bench and the other farther west.
Yesterday afternoon the activity at the East Kupapa`u bench was subdued from that of the previous night. The flow moving eastward along the beach had stagnated, though it was still sending lava into the water. The graceful lava spout from the front of the bench, magnificent the evening before, had stopped.
December 15, 2001
Lava continues to enter the sea at Kamoamoa.
Kilauea's summit seismograms continue to show abundant small long-period earthquakes, with bursts of tremor a little stronger.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
South Sister Volcano (Oregon, USA)
44.10 N, 121.77 W, summit elevation 3157 m, complex volcano
December 15, 2001
Two springs that flow through the recently detected bulge near the west flank of the South Sister have about as much helium isotopes as are found near some active Cascade volcanoes. The isotopes measured 7.4 Ra and 8.6 Ra at the springs running through the bulge, which since 1997 has grown to about six inches over a broad area about nine to 12 miles in diameter. By comparison, helium isotopes in hot springs at Mount Baker have a 7.6 Ra, those at Mount St. Helens have a 5.7 Ra, and at Mount Hood they measure 7.2 Ra. The most likely cause of the uplift is the movement of magma deep beneath the earth’s surface. The results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union.
More on South Sister Volcano...
Bezymianny Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
55.97 N, 160.58 E, summit elevation 2882 m, stratovolcano
14th December, 2001
Seismic activity under the volcano was above the background levels. At the end of the last week the number of shallow earthquakes has increased. On December 10 and 12-13,a gas and steam plume rose 300 m above the volcano and extended up to 40 km to the west, southwest and southeast. On other days, the volcano was obscured by clouds.
More on Bezymianny Volcano...
Sheveluch Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
56.653 N, 161.360 E, summit elevation 3283 m, stratovolcano
14th December, 2001
Unrest at the volcano continues. A lava dome is growing in the active crater and, at any time with little warning, explosions could produce pyroclastic flows and ash plumes that could rise as high as 7-10 km (23,000- 33,000 ft) above sea level (ASL), as well as localized ash fall.
More on Sheveluch Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano.
December 13, 2001 (1315 hr)
Eruption of Soufriere Hills Volcano on 13th December.
An increase in volcanic activity produced a dense low level cloud moving towards the west. The plume extends 60 km to SW and 13 km wide. The ash cloud is below 10,000 ft and movinf West at 15 knots.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Large Earthquake offshore Australia
12th December, 2001
A strong earthquake occurred about 890 miles (1440 km) south-southeast of Perth, Australia at 7:02 AM MST today, Dec 12, 2001 (10:02 PM local time in western Australia). This earthquake is located in a remote area and no damage or casualties are expected. The earthquake was felt slightly at Albany and Esperance. It was followed by several aftershocks. The focal mechanism was of strike-slip movement with southeast to northwest compression, limiting the chance of tsunami generation, and no sign of a tsunami was detected on several tide gauges along the south coast of Australia.
Volcanoes of Australia...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano.
12th December, 2001
The Kamoamoa lava ocean entry is operating, though steam blocks some of the view. Yesterday a surface flow was observed moving across the western part of the bench and plunging into the water. Inland, three small flows were spreading near the shatter ring along the Kamoamoa flow.
Yesterday two lava streams were observed entering the ocean at the East Kupapa`u bench, which now has a vertical front probably owing to recent heavy surf. Several surface flows inland from the bench were still active but were not advancing.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Bezymianny Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
55.97 N, 160.58 E, summit elevation 2882 m, stratovolcano.
Eruption on December 10, 2001.
A new thermal anomaly at Bezymianny volcano, Kamchatka, was observed in a recent AVHRR satellite image at 06:17 KST on December 10 (18:17 UTC on December 9). Weak shallow earthquakes under the volcano were registered since November 10. From November 22, stronger events have begun to occur. Visual observations have not been possible over the past few days due to clouds.
Current warning level is raised to Yellow.
More on Bezymianny Volcano...
Popocatepetl Volcano (Mexico)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5 426 m, stratovolcanoes.
11th December 2001.
Popocatepetl Volcano erupted late Monday, 10th December.
Television showed a series of moderate explosions and experts said the most powerful threw burning rocks up to a half-mile above the crater, which stands at 17,884 feet. A small dome formed inside the crater last month, creating pressure.
Details of ash cloud: Ash extended 5 nautical miles ENE of the volcano. Ash height 17,000 to 20,000 ft. No ash can be seen on satellite images but eruption is visible on live web cam (see below). Hotspot activity began at 0115 (UT) on 11th December and has continued through to 0245 hr. It is recommended not to approach the volcano to less than 12 km from the crater, although the road between Santiago Xalitzintla (Puebla) and San Pedro Nexapa (Mexico State), including Paso de Cortés, is open for controlled circulation.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano.
December 9, 2001
Ash emissions from Soufriere Hills Volcano has been reported on 8-9 December by the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. An ash plume extended 175 km (95 miles) west of the volcano on 8th December. Continuing emissions on 9th Dec moving West 70 km (40 miles).
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii, USA)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano.
7th December, 2001
The Kamoamoa lava ocean entry is bright and very active this morning at 0447. At least 6 separate entry points are visible, with lava falling several meters into the water at each. The skylight in the feeding lava tube glows brightly.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Undersea Volcano Threatens Caribbean
December 6, 2001.
Seismologists warned residents of the southeast Caribbean to stay alert for a possible eruption of an undersea volcano known as ``Kick 'em Jenny,'' where a series of small earthquakes have occurred recently, Reuters reported.
The volcano, located about 90 miles north of Grenada in the southern Grenadines, was generating occasional small earthquakes on Thursday morning, the Seismic Research Unit of the University of the West Indies said
The summit of Kick 'em Jenny is believed to be about 480 feet below the sea's surface. If it erupts, it can throw debris into the air, but the greater danger would be if it triggers a tsunami.
More on Kick 'em Jenny Volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii, USA)
December 5, 2001
The Kamoamoa entry is active, with bright glow from a single large entry point near the tip of the bench. Breakouts are probably occuring near the shatter ring, based on hiker reports of the past several days.
Yesterday, field work found two surface breakouts coming from a new tube on the coastal flat inland of the Kupapa`u area. The tube has developed over the course of the past several weeks from a prolonged surface flow. The breakouts are within several hundred meters of the coastline. Much of the Kupapa`u bench has fallen into the ocean and remains inactive. The East Kupapa`u bench--the one nearest the visitor overlook--remains healthy, yesterday having a broad entry its eastern side and a much smaller one on its west side. Most of the bench has been resurfaced by a surface flow in the past two weeks; some of this resurfacing was observed in action on Monday evening. (Hawaii Volcano Observatory)
More on Kilauea Volcano...
New Discovery near Pompeii (Italy)
December 4, 2001
A cluster of huts that once formed part of a Bronze Age village have been unearthed some 3,500 years after they were buried in a volcanic eruption from Mt Vesuvius. The site is close to Pompeii, the Roman city which was destroyed in 79 AD by Mt Vesuvuis. Three horse-shoe shaped structures have been found so far, two measuring more than 1,291 square feet each and a third, smaller building. They were part of a village swept under by mud and then covered in volcanic ash during an eruption that occurred around 1500 B.C. Authorities plan to reconstruct the dwellings at a museum in Nola, while more excavations at the site are expected.
More on Mt Vesuvius Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano.
Report for the period midday, 23 November 2001 to midday, 30 November 2001
The level of activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains high. The seismograph network recorded 435 rockfall signals, 145 long-period events, 82 long-period rockfalls and 193 hybrid events during the last week. The hybrid and long-period earthquake swarm which began on the 14th of November continues but is not intensifying.
The summit region of the lava dome was seen clearly this week. Growth is strongly focussed on the western side of the dome complex, with most of the rockfalls occurring down the west. Rockfalls in this area from the active lobe are still confined by the collapse scar formed on July 29th. The dome now consists of the stagnant eastern lobe whose summit is 870m above sea level, an inactive central lobe whose summit is around 930m, and the active western lobe which was 960m above sea level on the 27th of November. The western lobe has produced several small spines, which collapsed and were replaced by new spines.
A local earthquake on 29th November, 12:48 Montserrat time was felt throughout the island. Information provided by the Seismic Research Unit of the West Indies indicates its location was just off the northwest coast of Montserrat, and that it had a magnitude of 3.6.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...