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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
February 2002
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 28th February 2002
In an event known as a "silent earthquake," a 72-square-mile chunk of the south slope of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano slipped 3.5 inches toward the sea several months ago, leading one scientist to warn of a possible disaster for Pacific Rim nations.
The slide was measured by Global Positioning System satellites in November 2000. A 12- by 6-mile area moved 3.5 inches over a 36-hour period in the first "silent earthquake" ever recorded at an active volcano. Such earthquakes are virtually undetectable on the surface, but can be measured by GPS recordings. Since the GPS system is relatively new, there is very little data on the phenomenon.
The 12- by 6-mile chunk that moved extends five miles into the earth's crust, making its mass roughly equal to that of a quarter-mile thick, Rhode Island-sized object, the researchers said. If it slid into the ocean in one cataclysmic event -- could trigger an enormous tsunami that could imperil coastlines as far away as California, Chile, or Australia.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Manam Volcano, Papua New Guinea
4.10 S, 145.06 E, summit elevation 1807 m, Stratovolcano
Thursday 28th February 2002
Mild eruptive activity was observed at Manam during January through late
February. Beginning on 13 January weak puffs of ash clouds were emitted
from Southern Crater at 5-10 minute intervals. On several days in January
fine ash fell on the NE side of the island for periods of several hours.
During 8-24 February ash fell to the SE and was occasionally deposited in
Warisi village. Main Crater released only weak-to-moderate volumes of white
vapor during the report period. No instrumental measurements were made.
More on Manam Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Goma Volcano Eruption Fear
Nyamuragira Volcano (Democratic Republic of Congo)
1.408 S, 29.20 E, summit elevation 3058 m, shield volcano
Thursday 28th February 2002
A second volcano is showing signs that it may erupt in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, say volcano experts in the region. And they are worried that poisonous gases trapped underneath a nearby lake could be released - with lethal consequences.
This comes nearly six weeks after the eastern town of Goma was devastated by a volcanic eruption. A church in Goma has already been sealed off because of gas seeping through cracks. Scientists noticed the "dramatic" rise in seismic activity of the Nyamuragira volcano - 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Goma - on Monday.
Vulcanologists expect an eruption in a matter of days or weeks.
The chief concern was the impact of possible seismic activity under nearby Lake Kivu.
It is feared such activity could upset layers of carbon dioxide and methane gas which have built up in the water over many years. If this occurs, the lake could emit these toxic gases, posing a lethal threat to the populations surrounding the lake.
Renewed seismic activity was also widening some existing fissures in the area, threatening additional lava and toxic gas flows.
One such crack had been discovered beneath a church - the Kanisa La Mungu - in the centre of Goma, the UN statement said.
Although it was emitting only weak concentrations of carbon dioxide, two women cleaning the church had recently fainted and the site had now been sealed off.
Nyriragongo and Nyamuragira are the only two active volcanoes in the region.
Nyamuragira erupts every one or two years. Its last eruption a year ago did not threaten local people because the lava flowed into the Virunga national park.
More on Nyamuragira Volcano...
Nyamuragira Volcano (Democratic Republic of Congo)
1.408 S, 29.20 E, summit elevation 3058 m, shield volcano
Thursday 28th February 2002
According to a report from an U.N. volcanologist in Goma a dramatic
increasing of the seismic activity has been detected on Monday 25th of
February. The renewed seismic activity was also widening some existing
fissures in the area, threatening additional lava and toxic gas flows. One
such fissure had been discovered beneath the Kanisa La Mungu church in
central Goma church. While the fissure was now emitting only weak
concentrations of carbon dioxide, two women cleaning the church recently
fainted and the site has now been sealed off. Nyamuragira volcano is
located to the northwest of Goma. Goma lies on the Democratic Republic of
Congo's eastern border with Rwanda and is close to neighboring Uganda,
Burundi and Tanzania. Nyamuragira is neighbor of Nyiragongo which erupted in January causing the evacuation of 500,000 people.
More on Nyamuragira Volcano...
Aid Continues in Goma
Monday 25th February 2002
More than a month after Nyiragongo volcano sent three huge lava flows into the city of Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), local residents are still struggling to recover. Thousands remain homeless and are in need of food, health care and assistance in rebuilding their homes. Two of the city's four hospitals, three out of the 11 health centers and 80 out of Goma's 150 pharmacies were simply buried under two meters of lava.
The DR Congo government is expected to select a relocation site — most likely outside the city limits — for the tens of thousands of homeless people now living in Goma.
In Goma, scientists say the population remains at risk of further volcanic eruptions. Although the lava flow ended a few days after Jan. 17, it could recur at any time. Large fissures have developed along the slopes of Mount Nyiragongo, prompting fears that lava and toxic gases could be released and cause even more damage than the last eruption.
More on Nyiragongo Volcano...
Krakatau Volcano (Indonesia)
Saturday 23rd February 2002
Two earthquakes have hit Krakatau volcano at 9pm (local time on Friday 22nd February). The first earthquake measured 4.7 M, and the second 4.8 M. Depths 33 km.
More on Krakatau Volcano...
Bacteria in Extreme Environments
Friday 22nd February 2002
Two ordinary microbes survived under almost a quarter-million pounds of pressure in an experiment that suggests bacteria may thrive in extremes on Earth and in the solar system where life was thought impossible, researchers say. Scientists at the Carnegie Institution squeezed the bacteria between the jaws of a diamond anvil at up to 17,000 times normal atmospheric pressure. Some of the bugs were able to live and consume their chemical diet. It was the first time that scientists have demonstrated that common bacteria could adapt to such pressures and survive. In recent years, researchers have found bizarre Earth organisms, generally called "extremophiles," that thrive in very hostile conditions of extreme heat, dryness, radiation and acidity. Microbes have been found at the bottom of the ocean around volcanic vents, in polar ice and in boiling pools. As a control, the scientists ran the same experiment using microbes that had been killed by heat.
Merapi Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation. 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Tuesday 19th February 2002
Observations from 11-17 February.
Based on visual and instrumental monitoring Merapi activity is still high. The volcano continued to eject white thin-medium of plume which is rose 100 m height above the summit. Observers also noticed 65 events of glowing lava avalanche which travelled down to the upstream of Lamat and Senowo rivers, and partly to Sat and Bebeng rivers with the maximum distance was about 2.5 km. During this week there were 6 events of minor pyroclastic flow, travelled 2.5 km down to the upstream of Lamat and Senowo rivers.
Seismic activity was still high and dominated with avalanche earthquakes but less than the last data. Seismograph also recorded low frequency (LF) earthquake, the type of earthquake which is appears rarely during Merapi activity is normally. Detail seismicity during this week are listed as follow: 7 events of low frequency (LF), 600 events of lava avalanche, 31 events of multiphase (MP), 1 event of shallow volcanic (VB), 4 events of tectonic and 5 events of pyroclastic flow earthquake. There was no data of SO2 gas emission using COSPEC measurement.
Merapi volcano is in level 2 alert.
Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Karangetang Volcano (Siau Island, Indonesia)
2.47 N, 125.29 E, summit elevation 1784 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 19th February 2002
Observations from 11-17 February.
Although seismicity of Karangetang volcano decreased, again the volcano had ejecting ash explosion which is accomapined with glowing lava flows on 11 February 2002. Ash explosion drifted to the west - southwest, reache Kanawong, Lehi, Mimi, Kinali, and Pehe villages, and partly fell to the sea. The thickness of the deposit is about 0.5-1 mm. While glowing lava flow travelled down to the Beha river (west slope) and Kahetang river (east slope) as far as 1000-1500 m away.
Thundering sounds and strong sulphur smels are continuing. Observer also reported that they also still noticed red colored reflection at night which rose to about 25 m height. Although decreasing, seismograph still recorded a high number of sesimicity both volcanic and tectonic earthquakes. Complete seismicity are listed as follows: deep volcanic (VA) 281 events, shallow volcanic (VB) 73 events, multiphase 3 events, tectonic 102 events, and felt earthquake 16 events. Karangetang volcano is in level 2 alert.
More on Karangetang volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Where did the Lava Go?
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Tuesday 19th February 2002
At Kilauea volcano lava is no longer entering the ocean, for the first time since last May.
The tube leading to the East Kupapau entry, chief attraction of the county's lava viewing site, began a gradual decline in early December, carrying less and less lava until it stopped completely by Jan. 22. The demise of the Kamoamoa entry was more abrupt, with activity fluctuating for the last half of January, then coming to a halt at the end of the month.
So where's the lava now?
The bright glow from the upper flow field (between Puu Oo and the top of Pulama pali) gives the story away. Persistent breakouts from the upper portion of the tube began in early December, probably in response to constrictions forming within the lower extremities of the tube system.
The breakouts fed short flows that fanned out in all directions from the breakout point, forming broad low mounds of lava flows known as "rootless shields." The shields are merging together to form a broad, elongate ridge aligned along the tube system. In the last month, the upper flow field has also produced several hornitos - rootless spatter cones that form over lava tubes.
The hornitos quickly attained heights as great as 26 feet and assumed fantastic shapes
It's not clear how long the rootless shields and hornitos will remain active, but judging from the shields' predecessors in 1999, it probably won't be more than a month or two before a new tube forms to the coastal plain and robs the rootless shields of their supply.
Before then, the Kamoamoa tube, which is still producing breakouts, may recapture its original share of the lava.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Mount Pinatubo Volcano (Luzon, Philippines)
15.13 N, 120.35 E, summit elevation 1486 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 17th February 2002
The Philippines government’s chief volcanologist assured Central Luzon folk yesterday that Mt. Pinatubo remains calm and is definitely not erupting again. Last week local tribsemen reported seeing fireballs and hearing rumbling sounds in their area. Nagsasa used to be a marshland where organic debris from mangrove vegetation could have accumulated and spawned natural gas which ignites and produces balls of fire. Fireballs are a common phenomenon in mangrove areas. The rumbling sounds could have been caused by landslides on Mt. Pinatubo’s slopes. Such landslides could also produce clouds of dust. The government's seismograph on Mt. Pinatubo’s slopes is just about five or six kilometers from the crater and it has not recorded any activity (indicating) that the volcano is acting up again.
More on Mt Pinatubo Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...
Sheveluch Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)
56.653 N, 161.360 E, summit elevation 3283 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 16th February 2002
Alert level raised to Orange
According to visual reports from Klyuchi town the frequency of occurrence
of the ash-gas explosions have increased. The ash-gas explosion to a
height ~1500 m above the dome was visible at 12:33 KST (00:33 UTC) on
February 15. At 15:01 KST (03:15 UTC) short-lived explosive eruptions sent
an ash-gas plume to heights of 2000 m above the dome (~4500m or ~15,000 ft
ASL). Pyroclastic flow went down up to 2500 m to the southeast direction
from the dome. According to reports from 16:13 KST and 17:15 KST (04:13 and
05:15 UTC) a continuous dense ash plume rose 2000 m high above the dome
(~4500m or ~15,000 ft ASL) and extended for 10 km (6.2 mi) to the west.
Seismic activity remains above background levels.
More on Sheveluch Volcano...
Mount Pinatubo Volcano (Luzon, Philippines)
15.13 N, 120.35 E, summit elevation 1486 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 16th February 2002
Unusual activity at Mt Pinatubo
Government volcanologists are keenly watching for new signs of another Mt. Pinatubo eruption following reports by Aetas of unusual activities on the volcano's Pampanga and Zambales flanks. People in San Antonio town (20 km southwest of the volcano) have reported balls of fire and underground rumblings since Wednesday (13th Feb). Tribesmen in Porac (15km South of Pinatubo) reported seeing an unusually large number of snakes descending from Pinatubo's slopes daily since last week. The snakes appeared by the dozens, similar to what happened months before the 1991 eruptions.
The tribesmen, specifically those from Yamot in Botolan, Zambales, were the first to report the initial signs of Mt. Pinatubo's imminent eruption in April 1991.
Dr. Raymundo Punongbayan, Phivolcs chief (Philippines volcano agency), did not dismiss the reports although recent seismograph readings on the volcano did not in any way suggest fresh signs of volcanic activity. The seismograph installed on the volcano's northeast side recorded only a series of tectonic quakes that were regularly monitored in the area.
The volcano erupted on June 12, 1991, ending its more than 600 years of slumber.
More on Mt Pinatubo Volcano...
Volcanoes of Philippines...
Fuego Volcano (Guatemala)
14.47 N, 90.88 W, summit elevation 3763 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 14th February, 2002
Residents in the risk areas have been warned to be ready for possible evacuation and shelters have been prepared. Volcano de Fuego is one of Central America's most active volcanoes, and one of the three large volcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital Antigua. The last major explosive eruption from the Volcano de Fuego took place in 1974. Media report that the volcano's activities have increased. On 1 February, ash and steam were emitted from the volcano forming a cloud, which rose to 4.5 km above sea level, and over the last few days two flows of lava have formed.
More on Fuego Volcano...
Mt Ruapehu Volcano (North Island, New Zealand)
39.28 S, 175.57 E, summit elevation 2779 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 13th February 2002
Moves to avert Ruapehu disaster.
It is five years since Ruapehu last erupted and fears of another eruption are never far away for people living nearby. The Department of Conservation has unveiled plans to at least keep the area safe from the risk of lahars (volcanic water and debris flows). Rain falling into New Zealand's most active volcano means it might not be silent for long, although the risk of a lahar is considered low. Ruapehu's crater lake is two thirds full and will reach capacity some time in the next three years which could spark a lahar flow down the valley on the eastern flank.
To minimise its effect, DOC has installed three early warning sensors which are activated by movement within the mountain. These will buy time but cannot stop the lahar itself and DOC has built an embankment in the hope of directing any lahar away from areas it could do harm.
If the wall of rock fails, the whole region would be facing an environmental disaster but DOC is confident it will be able to control Ruapehu when the mountain next comes to life.
More on Mt Ruapehu volcano...
Ruapehu Safety Plans
Mt Ruapehu Volcano (North Island, New Zealand)
39.28 S, 175.57 E, summit elevation 2779 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 13th February 2002
There is anger at the rejection of a plan to bulldoze crater lake outlets on Mt Ruapehu. The Government is opting for an early warning system instead of earthworks, but Ruapehu's mayor says conservation could end up costing lives.
Five years after the last eruptions, the risk of another devastating lahar - a mixture of volcanic debris that combines with water to form a mudflow - is rising as rapidly as the water level in the crater lake. Ash left at the lake edge forms a dam, holding back nearly a million litres of water, but experts say it will not hold forever.
Civil defence officials say the lahar is inevitable and could be less than a year away.
"It could well be that we have loss of life either through rail or road, in fact by anyone who happens to be in the area at the wrong time," says mayor Weston Kirton. The Government's answer is an alarm system that would give about two hours warning when the dam breaks, threatening the national grid, railways and state highway one. Digging a trench in the crater dam is one alternative National's Nick Smith began exploring in his time as Conservation Minister.
"Spending $200,000 on a small amount of excavation to prevent a huge and lethal lahar is something that the minister should do, and politically correct arguments like Maori spiritual values on the mountain or it being too environmentally sensitive do not stack up," Smith says. But the Government has ruled out excavation, and calls Smith's stand politicking, saying he had four months to act when he was minister.
The lahar has a deadly history - it swept down the mountain in 1953, and 153 people died that day in the Tangiwai disaster. Some locals fear those will not be the last.
More on Mt Ruapehu volcano...
Fuego Volcano (Guatemala)
14.47 N, 90.88 W, summit elevation 3763 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 12th February, 2002
A sharp increase in activity at Fuego volcano has led to the declaration of an alert in three states in central Guatemala. The number of explosions at Fuego volcano - or Volcano of Fire - has increased to about 400 per hour from the usual average of around 75. A flow of glowing lava was seen running down the volcano's south slope. The volcano threatens a major tourist centre.
More on Fuego Volcano...
Ijen Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
8.05 S, 114.24 E, summit elevation 2386 m, Stratovolcanoes
Sunday 10th February 2002
There is an increasing activity at Ijen . Beside of continuous tremor, seismograph also recorded tectonic, shallow volcanic and small explosion earthquake. List of data are listed as follow: 9 events of shallow volcanic, continuous tremor with 0.5-4 mm of maximum amplitude, 2 events of small explosion, and 1 event of tectonic earthquake. Ijen volcano is in level 2 alert.
More on Ijen volcano...
Merapi Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation. 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Sunday 10th February 2002
Based on visual observations, observers reported that solfatara was in white thin-medium color, high pressure, reached 650 m of maximum height. Observers also notice 194 events of glowing lava avalanches, which is dominantly toward to the upstream of Sat and Bebeng rivers, and partly to the Lamat and Senowo rivers, with the maximum distance was about 2.7 km. Compare to the last data, there was no major changing in Merapi activity based on both visual and seismicity data.
More on Merapi volcano...
Chikurachki Volcano (Kurile Islands, Russia)
50.32 N, 155.45 E, summit elevation 1816 m, stratovolcanoes
Sunday 10th February 2002
Eruption column observed over volcano.
According to the last report from the town of Severo-Kurilsk, on February 07, a hunter walked down around the area of Chikurachki observed a permanent ash column to a height of 2500m (8200 feet) ASL accompanied by thunder. The height is
approximate due to low clouds covering the upper part of the column. The
direction of movement of the ash cloud is unknown. The volcano is not visible from Severo-Kurilsk town, and there are no seismic stations on the island. All information comes from vessels and pilot reports. Chikurachki volcano is a stratovolcano that last erupted in 1986. Its products are primarily basaltic. Chikurachki volcano located on Paramushir Island in the North Kuriles began erupting on January 25, 2002.
More on Chikurachki Volcano...
Chikurachki Volcano (Kurile Islands, Russia)
50.32 N, 155.45 E, summit elevation 1816 m, stratovolcanoes
Sunday 10th February 2002
Chikurachki Volcano has begun spouting ash and smoke over an island in the Russian Far East north of Japan, the Russian Earth Physics Institute said Friday. The activity of Chikurachki Volcano on the island of Paramushir was expected to last several days, and no major explosions or strong earthquakes were likely to occur. The island is sparsely populated and the biggest town on it, Severo-Kurilsk, is about 50 miles from the volcano. There has been several volcanic eruptions on the island — part of the Kuril Island chain — in the 20th century. The Chikurachki Volcano is one of the most active ones on the island and last erupted in 1986. The volcano's activity is being monitored by a seismic expedition.
Paramushir is in the northern Kurils, south of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The four southernmost islands in the Kuril chain were seized by Soviet troops at the end of World War II, and Japan continues to claim them.
The dispute has prevented Tokyo and Moscow from signing a treaty formally ending World War II, but Paramushir is not one of the disputed islands.
More on Chikurachki Volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 7th February 2002
Eruptions resume at summit craters
During a visit to the summit craters of Etna on 30 January, low levels of activity were observed. Deep-seated, loud explosions occurred at intervals of 5-30 minutes within the northwestern pit of the Bocca Nuova, but no solid material was ejected. The rims of the pit were covered with brown lithic ash (which had been emitted in December-January) but there were no blocks or fresh scoriae indicating recent ejections. The conformation of the pit was the same as in September 2001, with a crecent-shaped flat terrace surrounding a deep degassing vent in the SE part of the pit. The southeastern pit of the Bocca Nuova was quietly degassing, and its bottom could not be seen while peering over its S and SW rims.
Most of the present degassing at the summit craters is occurring from a vent in the southwestern part of the Voragine, which had been much less active during the past 1.5 years. The Northeast Crater emitted a fairly dilute plume, and at the Southeast Crater, fumarolic activity was concentrated at its western rim where numerous degassing vents lie in a fracture.
More on Mt Etna Volcano...
Colima Volcano (Mexico)
19.514 N,103.62 W, summit elevation ~3 850 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 6th February 2002
Small eruptions begin at Colima volcano
Red-hot rocks began falling on the slopes of a volcano that has been spewing smoke, ash and vapor for days, prompting authorities on Tuesday to evacuate a hamlet in western Mexico.
Residents of Yerbabuena, near the Volcano of Fire, piled onto buses that took them to shelters in towns further away from the 12,533-foot volcano in Colima state about 300 miles west of Mexico City.Volcanologists say that a huge dome of lava inside the crater could either collapse, sending lava and rock down the peak's southern flanks, or explode, launching rock and ash into the surrounding area. About a dozen people in the hamlet refused to go, fearing they would lose their possessions, crops or farm animals, local media reported. About 300,000 people live within 25 miles of the volcano, a radius that includes Colima city, the state capital, but lava flows have never reached populated areas.
More on Colima Volcano...
Volcano Health Effects Investigated
White Island Volcano (Bay of Plenty, New Zealand)
37.52 S, 177.78 E, summit elevation 321 m, stratovolcanoes.
Tuesday 5th February 2002
Geologists visited White Island off the Bay of Plenty yesterday (4th February) to study the health effects of exposure to volcanic gas. The study is the first of its type on any live volcano in the world. Contaminants under investigation were fluoride, chloride, aluminium, arsenic, rubidium and lead. It was hoped the White Island pilot study of changes in human body chemistry following acute exposure to volcanic gases would be followed up on a larger scale.
White Island continuously emits toxic gases and particles - including sulphur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen sulphide, aluminium, arsenic, rubidium and lead - from vents in the crater floor and through the lake at the base of the main crater.
Visitors to the island and scientists who periodically work near active fumaroles are exposed. There is a need to investigate the impacts on their health.
More on White Island Volcano...
Turkey Earthquake
Monday 4th February 2002
A series of earthquakes, the strongest of which measured 6.2 on the Richter Scale, hit the province of Afyon, Turkey at 07.11 GMT on 3 February 2002. The epicenter was at latitude 38.52N and longitude at 31.16E, approximately 300 kms. Southeast of Istanbul, according to the United States Geological Survey and the Swiss Seismological Center. The quake struck shortly after 9 a.m. local time. According to media reports, at least 35 people have been killed and more than 100 have been injured. Most of those who died were in the surrounding villages of the provincial capital of Bolvadin, a town of 40,000 people. The quake was also felt in the central provinces of Ankara, Burdur, Isparta, Eskisehir, Kocaeli and Sakarya. The media also reported that, according to the Istanbul-based seismological Kandilli Observatory, at least eight aftershocks quickly followed the tremblor, the strongest having a preliminary magnitude of 5.9.
Volcanoes of Turkey...
Colima Volcano (Mexico)
19.514 N,103.62 W, summit elevation ~3 850 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 4th February 2002
Army troops stand ready to evacuate hundreds of residents from towns on the flanks of Colima volcano. Scientists said that within days or weeks, a huge dome of lava developing inside the crater would either collapse, sending hot rivers of lava and rock down the peak's southern flanks, or explode, launching rock and ash into the surrounding area. Residents are always barred from going within four miles (6.5 kilometers) of the volcano. Since the lava dome has begun to expand, civil protection authorities are blocking anyone who doesn't live in the area from going any closer than seven miles (11.5 kilometers).
White plumes of smoke curled skyward from the crater Sunday, a sign that pressure was escaping. Area volcanologists said seismic activity remained at stable, non-threatening levels.
Soldiers guarded the perimeters of the danger zone and manned the streets of area towns in case of an evacuation, and some coffee workers were unable to work in fields located within prohibited areas. But it was a quiet Sunday for residents in the small villages of Yerbabuena and La Becerrera, located five and six miles (eight and 10 kilometers), respectively, from the volcano.
Volcanologists consider Colima volcano to be the most active and potentially the most destructive of nine volcanoes located across the middle of Mexico. It has staged violent eruptions dozens of times since its first recorded eruption in 1560.
About 300,000 people live within 25 miles (40 kilometers) of the volcano, and Colima city, the state capital, is within 20 miles (30 kilometers). But researchers say, in recent times, lava has never descended below 6,500 feet (1,980 meters), well above the altitude of the current villages.
More on Colima Volcano...
Large Earthquake Hits Turkey
Sunday 3rd February 2002
Time 2nd Feb 03 07:11:29 UTC
An earthquake registering 6.2 on the Richter scale has struck western Turkey.
State television reported that the quake centred on the town of Bolvadin in Afyon province, and was felt as far away as Istanbul, about 500 kilometres (300 miles) to the north-west.
Initial reports say that at least 21 people have been killed and 150 injured in Boldavin and outlying villages and a number of buildings have collapsed, trapping those inside.
Authorities quoted by the semi-official Anatolia news agency said they feared more bodies would be found. In the province of Konya, one person was reported to have died of a heart attack and seven people were injured jumping out of windows and from balconies.
Volcanoes of Turkey...
Colima Volcano (Mexico)
19.514 N,103.62 W, summit elevation ~3 850 m, Stratovolcano
Saturday 2nd February 2002
Thousands of people in Mexico have been told to be ready for evacuation after warnings that a volcano could erupt within the next 48 hours. A six-kilometre exclusion zone has been set up around the volcano, Colima, in northern Mexico. Special army units are being sent to the region to prepare to evacuate the local population.
Seismologists say the volcano is showing signs of a bulge in its cone, indicating a build up of lava. The governor of the Colima state Fernando Morena said either the lava would start to flow in the next few hours, or the pressure would continue to grow, leading to a big explosion.
Colima, which lies some 500 km west of Mexico City, is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico.
More on Colima Volcano...