Archived Volcano News - John Seach
December 2008

Reports by John Seach

Reports are posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT +10 hr).
Archived Volcano News

Wednesday 31st December 2008
Yellowstone Earthquakes, USA

An earthquake swarm has been recorded at Yellowstone volcano. The swarm has been occurring since 26th December beneath Yellowstone Lake, three to six miles south-southeast of Fishing Bridge, Wyoming. A total of more than 250 earthquakes have been measured in the swarm. The largest earthquake was a magnitude 3.9 at 10:15 pm MST on 27th December. There have been nine earthquakes between magnitude 3 to 3.9 and approximately 24 between magnitude 2 to 3. Some events were felt by people in Yellowstone National park. Yellowstone is a dormant super-volcano, and earthquake swarms, ground uplift, and geothermal activity are common. There are no other signs of unrest at the volcano.
More on Yellowstone Volcano...

Volcanoes of USA...

Saturday 27th December 2008
Chaiten Volcano, Chile

The Government of Chile has announced that the area surrounding Chaiten volcano, in Chile is still not safe, following the large May 2008 eruption. A decision regarding the future of of Chaiten town will be made in coming days. The volcano, only 10 km from the town, started erupting on 2nd May, after being dormant for thousands of years, forcing the evacuation of about 7,000 residents. The government has not dismissed the possibility of relocating Chaiten town and making the whole area a no-go zone for years to come, but many locals have said they want to return to their homes. The latest report indicates the volcano is as dangerous as before, and the news is still not good. Dome growth continues at the volcano. The old caldera is almost completely filled by the new dome. This creates an increased danger from the volcano, and future dome collapse may send pyroclastic flows down the flanks of the volcano.
More on Chaiten Volcano...

Volcanoes of Chile...

Sunday 7th December 2008
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

Lava continues to flow through tubes to the ocean, at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. The site is east of the eastern boundary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and about 12 miles from the summit caldera of Kilauea. Steam and light ash emissions are occurring from the vent in Halemaumau crater. A portion of Crater Rim Drive, between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction, is closed indefinitely due to the new vent which opened in Halemaumau Crater in March 2008.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...

Friday 5th December 2008
Karangetang Volcano, Indonesia

The alert level at Karangetang volcano in Indonesia has been raised to second highest level 3, after an increase in activity this week. An exclusion zone has been placed above 500 m altitude. Residents living close to the volcano have been warned of possible pyroclastic flows, lava flows, or lahars.
More on Karangetang Volcano...

Volcanoes of Indonesia...

Thursday 4th December 2008
Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat

An eruption at Soufriere Hills volcano on Wednesday ejected rocks into the island's abandoned capital Plymouth, setting buildings on fire. Buildings burned for several hours. There were no injuries or evacuations from the rest of the island. The ash column reached a height of 40,000 feet above sea level, as was accompanied by lightning. The explosion was smaller than in July this year when the dome partially collapsed.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...