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August 2009 Volcano News | John Seach
Reports by John Seach
Reports are posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT +10 hr).
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Saturday 29th August 2009
Lake Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Gases trapped below the surface of Lake Kivu in eastern Congo could explode any day, threatening the lives of tens of thousands of locals, the environment minister of Democratic Republic of Congo warned on Tuesday. Researchers have discovered a high concentration of gas in the relatively shallow Gulf of Kabuno, in the lake's northwest corner. "The risk of explosion is imminent," Jose Endundo said. There is an estimated three cubic kilometres of carbon dioxide located 12 metres below the surface of the gulf, which sits on a tectonic fault. Scientists fear an earthquake or large lava flow from a nearby Nyiragongo or Nyamuragira volcanoes could create a release of gas, creating a deadly cloud. An eruption of some 1.2 million tonnes of CO2 that had been trapped under Lake Nyos in isolated northwestern Cameroon killed around 1,700 people in 1986. Several large villages lie on the shores of the Gulf of Kabuno, and the city of Goma, with a population of around 1 million, is located around 20 km to the east.
More on Lake Kivu...
Volcanoes of Democratic Republic of Congo...
Friday 28th August 2009
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
There has been an increase in volcanic earthquakes at Mayon volcano, philippines. Today there were 13 volcanic earthquakes, and 68 measured between 17-23 August. On Friday, sulphur dioxide emission was 615 tons per day, compared to a baseline level of 500 tons per day. Crater glow at night can be seen with the naked eye.
More on Mayon Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...
Monday 24th August 2009
Volcanoes of Kamchatka, Russia
For the first time in 60 years, six volcanoes are showing signs of activity in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Koryaksky, Shiveluch, Bezymianny, Gorely, Karymsky and Klyuchevskoy. The volcanoes are emitting gas, although not all have erupted lava. Activity of Koryaksky volcano has increased. Ash explosions over 5 km (>16,400 ft) ASL could occur at any time. Ash plumes could affect international low-flying aircraft. Seismicity of the volcano increased in the last day with over 100 volcanic earthquakes were registered near the volcano. About 30 volcanic earthquakes were recorded in two hours - from 22:00 to 24:00 UT on 23rd August. The volcano was obscured by clouds and no visual observations made. According to satellite data (NOAA-17), probable an ash plume extending 50 km ESE occurred at 23:07 UTC on 23rd August 2009. Shiveluch volcano - Activity of the volcano continues with a new viscous lava flow effusing from the lava dome. Seismicity was above background levels all week. According to seismic data, possibly ash plumes rose up to 5.9 km (19,400 ft) ASL at the lava dome last week. Seismic signals correspond to hot avalanches at the lava dome. Klyuchevskoy volcano - Seismicity was above background levels on 18-20 August, and at background levels during other days. Gas-steam emissions were observed at the volcano on 13-17 August, and the volcano was obscured by clouds on 18-20 August. According to satellite data, a thermal hotspot was recorded the volcano on August 15 and 18-19. Growth of the lava dome continues at Bezymianny volcano. Moderate fumarolic activity of the volcano was observed on August 14-17. Weak hotspots were recorded on satellite images of the volcano on August 15 and 17-18. Seismicity was slightly above background levels at Karymsky volcano on August 14 and 19-20, and at background levels during other days. Visual observations of the volcano on 14th August showed ash plumes rising up to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) ASL. According to satellite data, a hotspot was registered over the volcano on August 15, 17 and 19. Scientists are predicting that Gorely volcano might soon erupt for the first time in twenty two years.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka...
Sunday 23rd August 2009
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
Sulphur dioxide emission increased to 752 tons per day at Mayon volcano in Philippines. Mayon produced two volcanic earthquakes on Sunday. Between 10 to 16 of August 57 volcanic earthquakes were recorded. The crater glow was at Intensity 2 and its steaming activity still remains at moderate levels. Ground deformation shows no change compared to June 2009, but still inflated by 8mm compared to February 2008 baseline data. PHIVOLCS has warned active river channels and those areas perennially identified as lahar-prone in the southeast sector should be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. A 6 km radius Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano and the 7 km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast flank of the volcano remain off-limits due to the threat from sudden explosions and rock fall from the upper slopes.
More on Mayon Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...
Saturday 22nd August 2009
Popocatepetl volcano, Mexico
Eruption of Popocatepetl volcano, Mexico on 20th August 2009. Ash emission to 27,000 ft altitude at 1645 hr (UT). Access is restricted to a radius of 12 km from the crater. The road between Santiago Xalitzintla (Puebla) and San Pedro Nexapa (Mexico State), including Paso de Cortes, is open only to controlled traffic.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Volcanoes of Mexico...
Tuesday 18th August 2009
Talang volcano, Indonesia
Alert level increased to 3 (Siaga) at Talang volcano, Indonesia on 17th August 2009. This follows a series of tectonic earthquakes in Mentawai, 130 km SSW on 16th August, and an increase in tremor at the volcano.
More on Talang Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Monday 17th August 2009
Ryukyu Islands Earthquakes, Japan
Two large earthquakes (mag 6.7 and 6.4) hit 120 km SSW of Iriomote-jima volcano, Japan on 17th August 2009. This follows a magnitude 6.1 earthquake which hit the area 12 days previously. Iriomote-jima is the southern most of the Ryuku Islands volcanoes, and last erupted in 1924.
More on Iriomote-jima Volcano...
Volcanoes of Japan...
Monday 17th August 2009
Koryaksky Volcano, Russia
An eruption occurred at Koryaksky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia on 17th August. Ash emissions reached a height of 4000 m above sea level and extended 20 km from the volcano. Koryaksky volcano is located 28 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the administrative centre of Kamchatka peninsula. Elevated volcanic tremor began on Saturday 15th August. Koryaksky resumed eruptions in 2008 after a 51 years of inactivity.
More on Koryaksky Volcano...
Volcanoes of Kamchatka...
Sunday 16th August 2009
Earthquake in Indonesia (Magnitude 6.5)
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, today at 2:38 pm local time. The epicentre was located 130 km SW of Talang Volcano. Talang volcano last erupted in early 2005 following the great sumatran earthquake in late 2004.
More on Talang Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Saturday 15th August 2009
Pagan Volcano, Mariana Islands
A small eruption possibly occurred at Pagan volcano in the Mariana Islands, at 4:00 am this morning. Volcanic ash moved NW and was preceded by hotspot activity for 2 hours.
More on Pagan Volcano...
Volcanoes of Mariana Islands...
Sunday 9th August 2009
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
Ashfall was reported at Tabaco City and areas of Guinobatan town, surrounding Mayon volcano in the Philippines. Seismic activity did not indicate an eruption, and visual observations were not possible due to meteorological cloud in the area. There is a possibility that strong winds mobilised old ash deposits, or rockfalls caused the ashfall. In the past 24-hour observation period, PHIVOLCS reported 1,308 tons of sulfur dioxide emission from the volcano. Mayon remains at alert level 2, and there is a 6 km permanent exclusion zone, and 7 km extended danger zone at the southeast flank of the volcano. If the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raises the volcano alert to level 3, 13,458 families or 47,018 people from the two cities and five towns would be evacuated to safer areas. People are advised to avoid the danger zone due to risk of pyroclastic flows, explosions and lava flows. Village leaders around the volcano have been issued with mountain bikes, megaphones, whistles, pocket-sized AM/FM transistor radios , flashlights and basic life support kits, to assist any evacuation. At Pinatubo volcano north of Manila, heavy rains caused mudflows which killed 12 climbers.
More on Mayon Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...
Sunday 9th August 2009
Yasur Volcano, Vanuatu
Eruptive activity continues at Yasur volcano in Vanuatu. During a visit to the volcano from 1-3 August, John Seach observed Strombolian explosions ejecting lava to a height of 300 m above the vent. Ash emissions were lower than normal, which allowed good views into the crater. One vent was active in the northern crater, and two vents active in the southern crater.
More on Yasur Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Thursday 6th August 2009
Ibu Volcano, Indonesia
Seismic activity and eruptions have increased at Ibu volcano in Indonesia. Since mid July 2009, between 20 and 37 eruption earthquakes were recorded daily. This increased to 82 events on 4th August. Between 15th July and 4th August, eruptions produced a white-grey plume which rose 400 m above the summit. A lava dome continues to grow and can be seen from the village of Duono. Incandescent material is visible during some eruptions. The alert level at Ibu volcano was raised from Waspada (level II) to SIAGA (level III) on 5th August 2009. A 2 km exclusion zone is in place around the crater.
More on Ibu Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Wednesday 5th August 2009
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
Sulphur dioxide emission rate has doubled to 1,977 tons per day at Mayon volcano in Philippines. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recommended that people not enter the permanent danger zone due to the possibility of an eruption. Police and military are manning checkpoints to enforce the non-entry zone. Alert Level 2 (moderate unrest) remains at the volcano.
More on Mayon Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...