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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
April 2002
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Ijen Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
8.05 S, 114.24 E, summit elevation 2386 m, Stratovolcanoes
Tuesday 30th April 2002
As of the 27th of April, the Volcanological Society of Indonesia (VSI) has reported that the seismograph continued to record shallow volcanic (VB), far tectonic and tremor earthquakes and increase compare to the previous data. Tremor earthquake has recorded continuously and amplitude was about 0.5-6 mm, increase than previous week (0.5-2 mm). Detail seismicity during the reporting timeare: continuous of tremor, 9 events of shallow volcanic (VB) and 2 events of tectonic earthquake.
More on Ijen Volcano...
Dieng Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
7.2 S, 109.9 E, summit elevation 2565 m, Complex Volcano
Tuesday 30th April 2002
As of the 27th of April, the Volcanological Society of Indonesia (VSI) has reported that since 19 April 2002 Dieng activity increased which was indicated with a raising number of deep and shallow volcanic earthquake. Visual monitoring to Sileri crater, there was observed white thin-thick plume which reached 25-50 m height. Although the seismograph recorded deep volcanic (VA), shallow volcanic (VB) and far tectonic earthquakes, temperature data which took on 20 and 21 April from some crater didn't show an increasing. Temperature of Sikidang crater 90-94°C, Sibanteng crater 91--94°C, Sileri crater 68°C, Condrodimuko crater 90-93°C, Sinila 70-74°C, Siglagah 90-94°C. While, seismic data are: 14 events of deep volcanic (VA), 10 events of shallow volcanic (VB) and 1 event of far tectonic earthquake.
More on Dieng Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Monday 29th April 2002
Activity from 19 to 26 April 2002.
Activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano remains high. This week the seismograph network recorded 990 rockfall signals, 114 long-period events, 66 long-period rockfalls, 31 hybrid earthquakes, 1 volcano-tectonic earthquake and 4 regional events.
At the beginning of the week, activity consisted of rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows, all generated in the south-eastern sector of the dome. A swarm of hybrid earthquakes on 22nd April was followed by increased numbers of long-period events and a surge in the number of rockfalls over the next four days. By the end of the week, rockfalls and pyroclastic flows were being generated over the entire eastern flank of the dome.
The daytime entry zone (DTEZ) remains open, weather permitting. Activity could increase quite suddenly, with a dangerous situation developing very quickly. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions. The Belham Valley should be avoided during and after heavy rainfall due to the possibility of mudflow activity.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Guam Earthquake (Mag 7.2)
Saturday 27th April 2002
A major earthquake occurred about 30 miles (50 km) southwest of Agana, Guam or 165 miles (270 km) south-southwest of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands at 10:06 AM MDT, Apr 26, 2002 (Apr 27 at 2:06 AM local time in Mariana Islands). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. At least 5 people were injured and some damage occurred on Guam. The quake was felt on Saipan.
This earthquake occurred off the south-west shore of the island of Guam. Seismicity in this region results from the convergence of the Pacific plate and the Philippine Sea plate. The Pacific plate is subducting beneath the Philippine Sea plate at a rate of about 5 cm per year. The region near the epicenter contains several significant tectonic features including, the Mariana Trench and the Mariana Ridge. The Mariana trench is about 150 km south-east of the epicenter and marks the surface contact of the Pacific plate and Philippine Sea plate.
Subduction zones produce numerous earthquakes from multiple sources. Shallow earthquakes occur within the crust of the overriding plate and deeper earthquakes mostly occur within the subducting plate and at the interface between the plates. Given the earthquake's fault mechanism and depth, it likely results from internal deformation of the Pacific plate as it descends into the mantle (see the cross-section link to the left).
There is an average of two earthquakes per year with magnitude 5 or greater occurring within a 1 by 1 degree zone surrounding the epicenter. In August of 1993, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck about 35 km to the east of the recent quake. The 1993 quake injured 48 people on Guam and caused extensive damage to hotels in the Tumon Bay area.
Volcanoes of Mariana Islands...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Friday 26th April 2002
Since 23 April it seems that there has been a marked diminution of the ash emissions from the Bocca Nuova that had been going on nearly continuously since early March. All visible summit activity on 24-25 April consisted of apparently ash-free gas emission, mostly from the Bocca Nuova and the Northeast Crater. (Etna News)
More on Mt Etna Volcano...
Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Friday 26th April 2002
The crater of Pu`u `O`o continues to fill with lava this morning at 0437. Lava is being emitted from the January 2002 Cone and from two or more vents of the South Wall Complex. The crust of the lava lake has risen to about 11.4-12 m below the east rim of the crater, a rise of at least 5 m since April 6.
More on Kilauea volcano...
Merapi Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation. 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Friday 26th April 2002
Based on visual observation, solfatara appeared in white thin color, low in pressure, and 800 m high. Glowing lava avalanche is continuing to increase, travelling down
the Sat, Lamat, Bebeng and Senowo rivers with the maximum runout
distance of approxiamtely 2.5 km. Within the week there were 2 events of
minor pyroclastic flow which traveled 1.3 km to Sat river. Based on seismic
data Merapi activity seems to increase significantly which is represented by an increasing amount of low frequency (LF) earthquakes within the week (135 in total). Higest rain intensity was about 65 mm/hour, was reached in around Babadan post observatory on 4 April 2002, but no lahars were triggered.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Ijen Volcano (East Java, Indonesia)
8.05 S, 114.24 E, summit elevation 2386 m, Stratovolcanoes
Friday 26th April 2002
VSI reports that during the week 1-7 April Ijen lake activity was still higher than normal, but the volcano could not be observed during the week just because of cloud cover. During the reporting time, seismograph recorded continuous of tremor earthquakes which have amplitude of about 0.5-2 mm and 2 events of tectonic earthquake. Ijen volcano is in level 2.
More on Ijen Volcano...
Lamington Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
8.95 S, 148.15 E, summit elevation 1680 m, Stratovolcano
Thursday 25th April 2002
False Eruption Reported at Lamington Volcano
The Darwin VAAC stated on 24 April that reports of an eruption at Lamington on 22 April were false. Based on information from Geoscience Australia and satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC originally reported that an E-drifting ash cloud from Lamington seemed to be evident on satellite imagery on 22 April at 1741. Thunderstorms near the volcano made it difficult to locate possible ash on satellite imagery. On 23 April at 1135 a flight service reported that no volcanic activity was observed at Lamington. A team from the Rabaul Volcano Observatory is investigating rumors of activity around the volcano.
More on Lamington Volcano...
Chile Earthquake (Mag 6.7)
Friday 19th April 2002
A strong earthquake occurred about 25 miles (40 km) east of Copiapo or about 425 miles (685 km) north of Santiago, Chile at 10:08 AM MDT, Apr 18, 2002 (12:08 PM local time in Chile). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. The earthquake was felt at Santiago, Chile. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused damage due to its location and size.
Volcanoes of Chile...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Friday 19th April 2002
Earthquakes and rumbling noises at Mt Etna
A dense plume of brownish-gray ash is continuosly drifting from Etna's summit across the eastern sky of Catania as the Bocca Nuova contines to emit pulverized rock from its southeastern vent. This activity was observed by a local mountain guide on 18 April, who also noted that the northwestern vent of the same crater was filled with vapor and no eruptive activity was visible. No noises were audible due to a gale-force wind. The Voragine emitted a dense, but ash-free gas plume, while dense white vapor rose from the Northeast Crater. Earthquakes have been affecting SE and NE side of Etna. The "Ragabo" mountain hut has been affected. It lies near Piano Pernicana, an area that is cut by a conspicuous east-west trending strike-slip fault, reports that earthquakes were felt daily between 12 and 15 April. The movement during each of the tremors was vertical and accompanied by rumbling noises or "bangs". No such earthquakes had affected the area prior to 12 April. The Pernicana fault was the source of a shallow local earthquake in December 1985 that destroyed the Hotel "Le Betulle" at Piano Provenzana a few kilometers further southwest, killing one person. "Le Betulle", rebuilt after the 1985 event, is the starting point for guided excursions on the northern flank of Etna.
More on Mt Etna volcano...
Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador)
1.467 S, 78.442 W, summit elevation 5023 m, stratovolcano
Friday 19th April 2002
Lahars possible at Tungurahua volcano
As of the 17th of April, the Instituto Geofisico (IG), has reported that GOES-8 imagery indicates that there continues to be ongoing steam and ash emission from volcano Tungurahua. Ash not identifiable from satellite data. The Geophysical Institute reported only steam emissions at the present time which were moving westward. From the 2 of April a new period of tremor activity has been registered. The parameters that characterize the activity of the volcano (seismicity, lines of vision, etc) indicate that this one is alternating between periods of low to moderate activity. On the other hand due to the climatic conditions it is possible for the generation of mud flows or "lahars", thus it is necessary that the population stay alert to safety messages.
More on Tungurahua Volcano...
Volcanic Superplumes
Friday 19th April 2002
Two superplumes of molten rock appear to be powering through the boundary between the Earth's upper and lower mantle, perhaps feeding volcanoes and affecting movement of the planet's crust. New evidence of the superplumes — located beneath the south central Pacific Ocean and southern Africa — comes from studies of seismic waves. Regions above the superplumes tend to bulge upward.
Smaller regions of magma rising to the Earth's crust power volcanoes and other hot spots.
But the superplumes come from far deeper, crossing the boundary between the upper and lower mantle about 400 miles deep, an area that had been thought by some scientists to impede the flow of material.
Emphasis so far has been on the cold down-moving subducted plates and their critical role in mantle dynamics but the superplumes may play an important role as well.
The plateaus of southern and eastern Africa are about 1,600 feet higher than most old continental areas in the world. This is referred to as the ``African superswell.'' There are volcanoes in Africa and in the southern Atlantic Ocean that could be related to the superplume in the same way as Hawaii and other hotspot volcanoes in the southern Pacific may be related to the Pacific superswell.
Volcano Observatory for Goma (DR Congo)
Thursday 18th April 2002
Volcanologists working in the environs of Goma have established an observatory, which should be up to international standards in terms of equipment and trained local volcanologists in a year's time. Nyiragongo volcano is one of eight on the borders of Rwanda, DRC and Uganda. Only two of these are still active: Nyiragongo, which erupted on 17th January 2002, and the more active Nyamuragira, which last erupted in 2001. The situation in the area remained unstable and needs to be watched very carefully according to volcanologists.
Volcanoes of Democratic Republic of Congo...
Lokon-Empung Volcano (Sulawesi, Indonesia)
1.35 N, 124.79 E, summit elevation 1580 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 18th April 2002
An eruption occurred at Lokon-Empung's Tompaluan crater on 10 April at 1104. The dark plume rose about 1 km above the volcano and tephra fell around the crater. Based on a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC first erroneously attributed the ash cloud to an eruption from Mahawu. No ash was visible on satellite imagery.
More on Lokon-Empung volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Monday 15th April 2002
Ash eruptions continue at Mt Etna.
Although Etna is still not erupting fresh magma, the volcano continues to give signs of unrest. On 13 April, two earthquakes (with magnitudes of 2.7-3) were felt by the population on the southeastern flank (between the towns of Zafferana and Santa Venerina), their epicenters lying in an area named "Salto della Giumenta", which is about 5 km NW of Zafferana. Press sources citing scientists of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia of Catania give focal depths of about 4 km below the surface. Numerous earthquakes have occurred in the past few weeks in this area, although their correlation with magma movement within the volcano remains unclear. Ash emissions are continuing nearly without interruptions at the Bocca Nuova; on 14 April these appeared to be dark gray, and at times they were emitted forcefully to form plumes several hundred meters high. No incandescence has been seen so far during night observations.
More on Mt Etna volcano...
Chiliques Volcano (Chile)
23.58 S, 67.70 W, summit elevation 5778 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 15th April 2002
A January 6, 2002 nighttime thermal infrared image from Aster satellite found a hot spot in the summit crater, as well as several others along the upper flanks of the volcano's edifice, indicating new volcanic activity. Examination of an earlier nighttime thermal infrared image from May 24, 2000 showed no such hot spots.
There has been no known eruption of Chiliques volcano in the past 10,000 years.
More on Chiliques Volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 13th April 2002
Summary of volcanic activity from 5-12 April.
Dome growth has continued, over the entire summit region, with rockfalls occurring over a wide sector of the dome, dominantly towards the southeast, east and northeast. In the northeast, rockfalls have spilled over the talus lip left by the 29 July 2001 dome collapse.
A number of pyroclastic flows have reached the sea (2 km) down the Tar River Valley during this reporting period. At the beginning of the week, winds from the southeast led to light ashfall in the northwest and north of the island. The ash was derived from the ongoing rockfall and venting activity of the dome. Heavy rain on 2 April eroded a part of the talus slope on the east side of the volcano but did not affect the dome summit region.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Afghanistan Earthquakes
Saturday 13th April 2002
More than 100 people were feared dead or injured after a new earthquake struck northern Afghanistan Friday, just weeks after some 800 died in a quake in the same area.
This shallow earthquake is a deadly aftershock of the magnitude 6.1 Afghan earthquake that struck on March 25th. The earthquakes occurred near the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The two plates are converging at a rate of about 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) per year. This convergence generates complex stresses in the region resulting from both subduction and rotation of continental blocks. Major tectonic features in the region include the Darvaz-Karakul fault, the Harat fault, the Chaman fault, and the Indus-Tsangpo suture zone. The aftershock occurred within the earth's crust, at a depth of 4 km. Seismic waves recorded world-wide imply that the earthquake resulted from slip on a north-trending reverse fault. Several mapped faults in the region have orientations similar to the fault that caused the earthquake, although seismologists have not yet associated the earthquake, with a specific mapped fault. The Hindu Kush region is highly seismic. On average, there are about five magnitude 5 or greater earthquakes per year whose epicenters are within 100 miles (161 km) of this event. Earthquake depths in this region range from the surface to depths of 205 miles (330 km). This aftershock and the corresponding March 25th mainshock are the result of geologic processes that have been active for millions of years; their occurrence is independent of the recent bombing in Afghanistan.
Volcanoes of Afghanistan...
Vanuatu Earthquake (Magnitude 6.2)
Saturday 13th April 2002
A large earthquake occurred in northern Vanuatu at 08:56 (local time) on 14th April 2002. The earthquake was located 85 miles (135 km) NNE of Santo (Luganville), Vanuatu. The earthquake hit between two active volcanoes of Gaua and Ambae.
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Australian Volcanoes
Thursday 11th April 2002
Scientists believe a new Australian volcano is in the making after the apparent awakening of a volcanic hot spot off the Victorian coast. Geologists suspect an earthquake 50 kilometres from King Island in February signalled the stirring of the volcano breeding ground, a region in the Earth's crust where the planet expels some of its massive internal heat. There are more than 100 hot spots worldwide. Australia's hot spot is several hundred kilometres wide and lies under the Bass Strait and parts of Victoria and Tasmania. The hotspot could spawn a volcano within 100 years.
Volcanoes of Australia...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Wednesday 10th April 2002
The lava lake in the crater is stagnant and, probably thickly crusted
The spatter cone at the East Pond Vent in Pu`u `O`o's crater is brightly incandescent. Two surface lava breakouts fairly high on Pulama pali have merged into a nearly continous stream. These two breakouts were vigorous yesterday during daylight hours and into the evening which is more vigorous than normal for the past couple of months.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Lava Lake in Hawaii
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii, USA)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Monday 8th April 2002
A lava lake remains active in the crater of Pu`u `O`o. Both the East Pond Vent and the January Cone are still putting on a nice show in Pu`u `O`o's crater. Incandescent cracks on the crust of the lake occasionally flare brightly as overturning takes place. Short flows fed by the January Cone are moving down the mound around the cone and spreading across the crust of the lake.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Saturday 6th April 2002
Bocca Nuova continues to produce weak expulsions of brown-colored (probably lithic) ash, while the Northeast Crater is emitting only white vapor. Two small earthquakes (around magnitude 3) occurred under the southeastern flank of the volcano on 4 April, which indicate that some movement is occurring within the mountain. After the more vigorous ash emissions from the Bocca Nuova and the Northeast Crater in late March everybody is eager to see the next move of the volcano. It is now nearly 8 months that Etna has been unusually quiet; a return to eruptive activity at the summit craters is expected within the near future and would represent nothing else but normal conditions at the volcano. (Etna News)
Note: Local authorities prohibit access to the summit craters, and climbs, not exceding 2700 m altitude, must be made with a guide.
More on Mt Etna volcano...
Volcanoes of Italy...
South Sister Volcano (Oregon, USA)
44.10 N, 121.77 W, summit elevation 3157 m, complex volcano
Saturday 6th April 2002
Steady uplift of W flank of Oregon's South Sister continues.
As of March 2002, the steady, slow uplift of an area of the W flank/base of
South Sister continues, at the rate of one inch/year maximum (~2.5 cm/year).
Spring water collected in late Summer 2001 shows a possible magmatic origin
of carbon and helium. Seismicity remains low. It is thought that magma is
slowly accumulating at 6-7km depth.
More on South Sister Volcano...
Miyake-jima Volcano (Izu Islands, Japan)
34.08 N, 139.53 E, summit elevation 815 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 6th April 2002
Miyake-jima update, Eruptions continue in 2002.
As of 1 April, Japan's Miyake-jima continues to erupt and discharge significant quantites of SO2 gas from the summit pit crater (at the rate of 10, - 20,000 tonnes/day) Small eruptions continue to occur at this volcano. In 2002, eruptions were noted on 23 Jan, 21 Feb and 2 & 31 Mar.
More on Miyake-jima Volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 4th April 2002
Ash emissions are continuing without interruption from the Bocca Nuova, while at the Northeast Crater it has apparently stopped. Light ash falls occurred in downwind areas, at times extending as far as Catania. The emissions formed billowing brown plumes which at times rise several hundred meters above the summit. No incandescence has been seen so far at night. Extremely bad weather has prevented observations since the afternoon of 2 April. This is the first significant visible activity at the summit craters since the end of the July-August 2001 eruption.
More on Mt Etna volcano...
Volcanoes of Italy...
Largest-ever Buried Standing Trees Found
Matsue, Kyodo, Japan
Thursday 4th April 2002
Workers have found the largest two examples in Japan of standing trees buried by lava and volcanic mudflow. The trees were buried when volcano Mount Sambe erupted some 3,500 years ago. The officials said the two cedars, up to 1.78 meters in diameter and 13 meters tall, were among seven standing trees newly found in a forest buried by the volcanic eruption. The trees are estimated to have been 700 years old when they were covered by the volcanic debris.
This brings to 37 the number of standing trees in the Sambe Azukihara forest that were smothered in the volcanic eruption. They were found while workers were digging in the buried forest area to build a facility for the trees' conservation. The tops of the trees surfaced when the workers had dug 6 to 9 meters down. Part of the Sambe Azukihara buried forest was found in 1983 during construction work. Large amounts of trees felled by the eruption were also found in 2000. The exhibition shaft is scheduled to be completed and opened to the public sometime after April 2003.
Volcanoes of Japan
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii, USA)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 4th April 2002
During 27 March-2 April at Kilauea, activity continued at the rootless shields and surface lava flows were visible low on the Pulama pali scarp. On 27 March, just after 0300, a small earthquake beneath the caldera triggered more than 30 minutes of increased tremor and small earthquakes. Sharp deflation at Pu`u `O`o on 28 March accompanied a change in eruptive activity at the cone. Observations from a helicopter overflight revealed that new lava was visible just W of the main crater, as well as fountaining, and a circulating pond. By 31 March a lava flow was visible on the floor of Pu`u `O`o's crater and several vents were incandescent. On the 31st volcanic tremor was at low-to-moderate levels at Pu`u `O`o and weak tremor continued below Kilauea's caldera that was occasionally broken by small, long-period earthquakes. Tilt across the volcano was flat or only changed slightly.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Wednesday 3rd April 2002
Ash emissions continue from Mt Etna.
After nearly three weeks of ash emissions from the Bocca Nuova, the Northeast Crater has joined the party and begun to emit dark brown to gray ash early this week. The first direct observation of these emissions were made on 27 March but local mountain guides report that they began about two days earlier. In that case the beginning of the Northeast Crater emissions would coincide with a series of small earthquakes that shook the southeastern flank of the volcano during the night of 24-25 March. At least three of the shocks were felt by the local population and caused some apprehension but no damage.
On 27 and 28 March the ash emissions from both the Bocca Nuova and the Northeast Crater rose as distinct puffs to several hundred meters above the summit and seemed more energetic, denser and darker than during the previous weeks. To a passing airplane pilot they appeared so spectacular that he sent out a warning of a true eruption of the volcano. On 28 March, a light ash fall occurred over the southern flank of Etna to as far as Catania.
More on Mt Etna volcano...
Volcanoes of Italy...
Miyake-jima Volcano (Izu Islands, Japan)
34.08 N, 139.53 E, summit elevation 815 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 2nd April 2002
A minor eruption occurred Tuesday morning on the volcanic island of Miyakejima, south of Tokyo , the Japan Meteorological Agency said, coinciding with the temporary return of some of the residents to the evacuated island, Kyodo News reports.
Smoke billowed to some 300 meters high and ash fell following the eruption shortly after 10 a.m. , according to the agency. No damage or injuries were reported.
Serious volcanic eruptions caused the evacuation of all the residents of Miyake village in September 2000 . On Tuesday, some 200 of them had returned to the island early in the morning to collect belongings, as part of a series of temporary return programs.
More on Miyake-jima Volcano...