Reports by John Seach
Reports are posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT
+10 hr).
Archived Volcano News
RSS
Friday
30th January 2009
Relocation of Chaiten Town, Chile
The Government of Chile has announced that Chaiten town will
eventually be relocated from its present position 9 km SSW of
Chaiten volcano. Chaiten volcano erupted in May 2008 after being
dormant for over 9000 years. The town was covered in ash and damaged
by flooding from the ash-choked Blanco River. The town's 5,000
inhabitants were evacuated, and nearly 2,000 families received
financial assistance. The government initially prohibited residents
from returning but later lifted its ban. About 100 people now live
in Chaiten town. An announcement, was made on Thursday 29th January
by Interior Minister Edmundo Pérez Yoma about the future of Chaiten
town. He said “As it has been since the eruption first began, our
obligation as the government is to ensure safety and protect human
lives,” said Pérez Yoma. The interior minister also announced that
beginning in March, Futaleufú will replace Chaitén as the
administrative capital of Region X. In order to prevent land
speculation, the government has not yet announced where exactly it
plans to relocate Chaitén. Possibilities reportedly include Bahía
Pumalín, Santa Bárbara and Fandango. Edmundo Pérez Yoma said “We
have told people many times that it is dangerous, that they cannot
remain there, but we cannot force them (to leave)." The minister
assured the government will respect the wishes of those who decide
to stay in the area but insisted that no public funds will be
allocated “to a city that we feel should not be located where it
is”.
More on Chaiten
Volcano...
Volcanoes of Chile...
Thursday
29th January 2009
Chaiten Volcano, Chile
Seismicity associated with the
eruption of Chaitén volcano in Chile has decreased over the past
week. Viscous lava is still being erupted into the dome,
but this is occurring at a reduced rate. Dome collapse is still a
danger, with pyroclastic flows potentially traveling down flanks of
the volcano and valleys. On 19th of January there was a collapse of
spines of the dome, with block and ash moving down the eastern and
southeastern flank. During an overflight on 21st January the
prominent spines were no longer present on the lava dome. Several
steep landslides were visible on the eastern side of the dome.
Thermal imaging shows many hotspots on the dome. The volcano is
still at alert level RED due to the ongoing eruptions.
More on Chaiten
Volcano...
Volcanoes of Chile...
Saturday
24th January 2009
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
A new lava ocean entry has occurred inside Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park, for the first time since 2007. The western Prince
lava flow reached the ocean at Waha`ula on Thursday 22nd January.
The ocean entry was small and didn't produce steam. Waikupanaha
ocean entry continues to be active. On Wednesday 21st January
there were two earthquakes beneath the south summit caldera of
Kilauea, and two on south flank faults. A small ash emission
occurred at Halemaumau crater.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Friday
23rd January 2009
Wurali Volcano, Indonesia
A magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Wurali volcano on Friday 23rd
January 2009 at 5:16 am, local time. The earthquake epicentre was
located 7 km south of Damar Island, and the focus was at 141 km
depth. Wurlali Volcano is located on Damar Island, Indonesia, 375 km
NE of Dili, East Timor.
More on Wurali Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Friday
16th January 2009
Dieng Volcano, Indonesia
Dieng volcano in Indonesia has been raised from level I to II
alert (out of maximum 4) after two phreatic
eruptions on 15th January. The eruptions occurred at Sibanteng
crater at 0800 and 0830 hr. Material was ejected 50 m from the
crater. There has not been any increase in toxic gas at the
volcano. It is recommended that residents and tourists stay more
than 300 m away from the craters.
More on Dieng Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Friday
16th January 2009
Chaiten Volcano, Chile
During the week of 9-15 January, seismicity at Chaiten
volcano in Chile has increased, and is related to dome growth in the
crater. The dome has formed a steep slope and
is at risk of generating pyroclastic flows.
More on Chaiten Volcano...
Volcanoes of Chile...
Saturday
10th January 2009
Rabaul Volcano, Papua New
Guinea
Ash emissions from Rabaul volcano in Papua New Guinea closed
Tokua airport between Monday and Friday this week.
Hundreds of people have not been able to leave, or fly into East
New Britain province. A north-west wind is pushing plumes towards
Tokua airport 20 kilometres away. Some incandescent lava fragments
were emitted from Tarvurvur cone. Most of the lava fragments fell
back into the crater but some fell on the slopes of the volcano. A
local shipping company has offered to take up to 400 passengers to
an airport in nearby New Ireland Province, which is not affected
by the volcano. Moderate level seismicity accompanied the
eruptions. An earthquake occurred at about 07:47 a.m. yesterday
(magnitude 5.6), and was located about 135 km southeast from
Rabaul at a depth of about 40 km. The earthquake was tectonic in
origin. People are advised to stay more than 2 km away from
Tarvurvur cone due to ongoing explosive activity.
More on Rabaul Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Saturday
10th January 2009
Yellowstone Volcano, USA
The continuing earthquake swarm under Yellowstone volcano has
migrated NNE. In the past 24 hours there have been 7 earthquakes
larger than magnitude 2.5, centered at a location 14 km NNE of
Yellowstone lake. The largest earthquake had a magnitude of 3.3.
There have been about 900 earthquakes at the volcano since December
26th. This is the largest earthquake swarm in 20 years at
Yellowstone. There are no other signs of unrest at the volcano.
More on Yellowstone Volcano...
Volcanoes of USA...
Saturday
10th January 2009
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
Lava flows continue along the east rift zone at Kilauea volcano in
Hawaii. Lava is flowing through tubes and entering the sea at
Waikupanaha. Surface lava flows are visible on the coastal plain.
Activity at Kilauea summit has almost ended. There has been no
emission of ash, and the vent in Halemaumau crater is dark.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Friday
9th January 2009
Poas Volcano, Costa Rica
A large earthquake (mag 6.1) occurred at Poas volcano on
Thursday 8th January 2009. The epicentre was located 8 km east of
the volcano summit. This was the largest earthquake to hit costa
Rica in 150 years. Four people were killed by the earthquake. Poás
is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes. The volcano is located
within the Poas Volcano National Park.
More on Poas Volcano...
Volcanoes of Costa Rica...
Thursday
1st January 2009
Chaiten Volcano, Chile
Seismicity at Chaiten volcano has remained stable over the
past few weeks, with 2-6 events per hour. On 25th and 28th December,
ash emissions reached 2 km above the crater. A lava dome continues
to grow in the crater, producing instability on the summit and
flanks. Explosions from the lava dome are
possible and create the risk of pyroclastic flows. The volcano
remains at the highest alert level - RED.
More on Chaiten Volcano...
Volcanoes of Chile...