Volcano Live
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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
September 2002
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Ruang Volcano Alert Reduced (Indonesia)
2.28 N, 125.425 E, summit elevation 725 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 30th September 2002
VSI advise that there has been no recent volcanic activity at Ruang volcano, and the alert level has been reduced to 3 (out of 4). Precautionary advisories were being issued daily by Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre while Ruang was at alert level 4.
More on Ruang volcano...
Ruang Volcano Eruption Summary (Indonesia)
2.28 N, 125.425 E, summit elevation 725 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 30th September 2002
The new eruption at Ruang volcano was preceded by earthquakes on the 24th of Sept. Ash eruptions began on the 25th by 0100, with continuous ash emisions by 0300. By 0400 evacuations had begun. At 1140 the first strong eruption commenced, black clouds rising 3000m. Second big event just ten minutes later, ash clouds rising 5000m. At 1210 the activity slowed down, permitting the sighting of glowing material on E flank of Ruang. 2002
eruption site presumed to be either Crater II or where the 1949 lava originated (E side of summit). The activity of Ruang volcano is still continuing with magmatic type eruption, chronologically the events are as follows:
24 September 2002 the seismic activity was rose drastically from 3 events and went up to 24 events/day.
25 September 2002 at 01.00 (local time) the people near the volcano heard an eruption of the volcano and it was the beginning of ash eruption.
03.00 again it was ash eruption and ash rain around Ruang and Tagulandang, the sound of eruption a bit weak and on and off continuously.
04.00 People nearby the volcano at Laimpatehi and Pompente villages were evacuated to the safer area.
08.00 Ruang is stated in level IV (Awas Ruang).
11.40 the first big eruption occurred, the ashes are black and thick and rose about 3000 metres from the summit.
11.50 the second eruption and the ash went up to 5000 metrres and blown to the north.
12.10 the eruption slow down and we could see the glowing material from the east side of Ruang. We presumed that point of eruption was at crater II or the origin of lava 49 east side from the summit.
More on Ruang volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Monday 30th September 2002
Lava continues to enter the ocean at Kilauea volcano.
Both lava benches are active, though the active part of the Middle Highcastle delta has extended about 110 m southeastward. Multiple entry points into the ocean are present along the fronts of both deltas. A lava breakout on the coastal flat near the eastern edge of the Mother's Day flow, far from the end of the Chain of Craters Road, created incandescence and glow yesterday evening that resembled that of the formerly active Boundary flow. Pu`u `O`o's crater is glowing slightly this morning, from several incandescent areas on the floor and south wall.
More on Kilauea volcano...
Mauna Loa Volcano (Hawaii)
19.47 N, 155.60 W, summit elevation 4170 m, shield volcano
Monday 30th September 2002
The permanent continuous GPS network indicates ongoing lengthening of a distance across the summit caldera (Moku`aweoweo). In May 2002, the distance between the two stations abruptly began extending, reversing an almost decade-long trend of contraction. This indicates resumed swelling of the magma reservoir within the volcano. Seismicity remains low, though it may be at a slightly higher level than it was before the swelling began.
More on Mauna Loa volcano...
Mt Ruapehu Volcano (New Zealand)
39.28 S, 175.57 E, summit elevation 2779 m, stratovolcano
Monday 30th September 2002
Ruapehu has experienced volcanic tremor during the week. Early in the week the tremor was moderate to strong, but it has now dropped back to weak to moderate levels. There has been no reported surface activity.
More on Mt Ruapehu volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Monday 30th September 2002
Activity on the dome complex has increased over the past week with a major switch in direction of extrusion following the hybrid earthquake swarm last week. Growth of the previously active northeast lobe stagnated over the weekend. A near vertical spine was extruded in the central area in the early part of this week, possibly indicating a switch in growth direction.
Spectacular incandescence and semi-continuous rockfall activity was observed on the northeastern and northern flanks of the dome on the night of 26 and early hours of 27 September.
More on Soufriere Hills Volcano...
Earthquake Hits London (Magnitude 4.8)
Friday 27th September, 2002
Large parts of England and Wales were hit by an earthquake measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale, last Monday 23rd September. Buildings shook for up to 30 seconds in parts of the West Midlands, Wales, North Yorkshire, London, and Wiltshire. The tremor began at 0053 BST and its epicentre was in Dudley in the West Midlands. There was minor structural damage as homes were shaken, but no reports of any injuries. Aftershocks were felt later on Monday morning from what is thought to be the UK's largest earthquake for 10 years. Between 200 and 300 quakes occur in Britain each year, but only about 10% are strong enough to be felt. Buildings are deemed to be at risk from a quake over 5 on the Richter scale, according to the Environment Agency.
Pago Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 26th September, 2002
According to the latest report from USGS team (September 22), eruptive activity is still continuing.This week as many as 10,000 people are still evacuated from the immediate area around Pago. Sporadic explosions, ashfall, and an erupting lava flow are clear signs that the volcano is not yet finished. Pago can produce large explosive eruptions that would endanger as many as 30,000 people within 19 miles. Scientists are now establishing the first ever monitoring network on the volcano, even while it erupts unpredictably. Volcano monitoring is desperately needed to track the volcano's activity and assess the possibility of more intense and more hazardous activity.
More on Mt Pago Volcano...
Ruang Volcano (Indonesia)
2.28 N, 125.425 E, summit elevation 725 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 25th September 2002
ERUPTION DETAILS: VSI advise Ruang began erupting at 0100hr local
time on 25th September. A second larger eruption occured at 1140hr local time.
Latest GMS and NOAA satellite imagery indicates eruption to 5500 ft.
The people of Laepuahu and Kupete villages, situated around the volcano, have been evacuated to nearby Tagulandang island. No report of casualties has been made available.
Explosive eruptions of Ruang recorded since 1808 have often been accompanied by lava dome formation and pyroclastic flows that have damaged inhabited areas. Ruang volcano last erupted in 1949.
More on Ruang Volcano...
Asama Volcano (Japan)
36.40 N, 138.53 E, summit elevation 2560 m, complex volcano
Monday 23rd September 2002
On 19 September, the Asama Volcano Observatory reported a new event of high seismic activity in the volcano that started around 6:20 a.m., 18 September, 2002. Relatively large amount of volcanic gas trailed from the summit. Asama volcano has been relatively active since September 2000, a seismic crisis occurred in June 2002, when the daily number of volcanic quakes reached 360, and the daily number had ranged 30 to 50 since then. The seismicity increased after 8 a.m., 18 September, such that 243 times of volcanic earthquakes took place on 18 September, and 128 on 19 September. The activity was lower in the afternoon of 19 September. However, the temperature of the crater bottom has been high since May 2002. There was no ground deformation.
More on Asama Volcano...
Semeru Volcano (Indonesia)
8.10 S, 112.92 E, summit elevation 3676 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 23rd September 2002
A report from Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center noted a larger than normal eruption from Semeru volcano. Ash observed at 0753 hr on Sunday 22nd rising to 25,000 ft.
Mt Semeru volcano has been in continuous eruption since 1967 with short-lived vulcanian explosions several times per hour.
More on Semeru volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Saturday 21st September 2002
Lava started trickling over the sea cliff Thursday night, a few meters west of the Highcastle visitor overlook. By Friday morning the flow is still small but is building a pad on the black sand beach below that is slowly trickling into the water. The feeding flow, the Highcastle lobe, is fairly wide above the cliff, with numerous breakouts right at the top of the cliff and within a couple of hundred meters of it. Another flow is threatening the sea. It is the one that was the easternmost of the three that were nearing the sea a week ago. It stagnated in the meantime but has been rejuvenated this morning, sending lava onto the 1995 lava delta. This is about two-thirds of the way between West Highcastle and Highcastle. The West Highcastle lava entry is going full throttle. Lava is entering the sea at several entry points, and a new section of delta (bench) has been built seaward of the old one. The Wilipe`a entry system is down a bit but still putting out nice glow for visitors.
More on Kilauea volcano...
Mt Ruapehu Volcano (New Zealand)
39.28 S, 175.57 E, summit elevation 2779 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 17th September 2002
Since September 6 there have been four short-lived episodes of volcanic tremor
at Ruapehu. The duration of these episodes have ranged from 8 to more than 40
hours. Several similar episodes have been recorded this year,
namely February 21 (~12hrs duration); May 17 (~24hrs) & 29 (~18hrs); June 17
(~24hrs) and July 15 (~8 hrs). The earlier episodes all had similar
characteristics to the recent activity.
This time, the unusual characteristic is four of these tremor episodes in a
ten day period. Ruapehu Crater Lake was last visited on August 30, when the
lake temperature was 19.4° C. The lake temperature has been below 20° C since
mid June 2002. There have been no reports of any changes at Crater Lake. GNS
volcanologists intend to visit the lake and collect water samples and further
updates will be issued as necessary.
As there is no change in activity the Alert Level for Ruapehu remains at Alert Level 1.
More on Mt Ruapehu volcano...
Toliman Volcano (Guatemala)
14.612 N, 91.189 W, summit elevation 3158 m, Stratovolcano
Sunday 15th September 2002
At least 31 people have been killed and many are missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rains struck a coffee-farming village in south-west Guatemala. A torrent of mud, rocks and tree trunks poured down the slopes of the nearby Toliman volcano late on Thursday, burying much of the village of El Porvenir. Villagers fled in panic to seek higher ground as more than 20 houses were engulfed. Eleven people are still missing, feared dead. El Porvenir - about 170 kilometres (106 miles) west of the capital, Guatemala City - lies in a narrow valley, near one of the country's best known tourist attractions, Lake Atitlan. Most residents work on nearby coffee plantations.
More on Toliman Volcano...
Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Large Earthquake hits India (Magnitude 6.5)
Saturday 14th September 2002
A large earthquake hit India's southeast early Saturday, killing at least two people and damaging some homes on the Andaman islands, officials said.
The epicenter of the magnitude-6 tremor was in the sea some 1,500 miles southeast of the Indian capital, said J.L. Gautam, an official at the New Delhi Meteorology Department. The first tremor was at 3:59 a.m. and was followed by several aftershocks. The U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo., said the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.5. Two people were killed when a wall collapsed in the Andaman Islands, and a jetty at Ariel Bay on Middle Andaman island was damaged, said Jaidev Sarangi, a New Delhi-based liaison officer for the islands. The tremors, that lasted for about two minutes, set off a tidal wave and damaged several shops and houses near the jetty, according to shipping officials in the southern coastal city of Madras. The region, a string of more than 300 forested tropical islands with a population of more than 340,000 people, is highly prone to earthquakes. Strong tremors were also felt in Smith Island, Ross Island, and Kalaghat Baratang, but they were mild in Mayabunder and Port Blair — the gateway to the islands.
Volcanoes of India...
PNG Earthquake Update
Saturday 14th September 2002
Authorities in Papua New Guinea were still struggling Friday to get assistance to up to 5,000 people affected by a major earthquake that struck the north coast five days ago, officials said. Around 2,000 people lost their homes and another 2,000-3,000 are without adequate water or shelter following the magnitude 7.5 quake on Monday, said Henry Mokono, director of the National Disaster Management office. The pre-dawn earthquake was centered just 40 kilometers (25 miles) off the northern coast of Papua New Guinea and did most of its damage around the provincial capital of Wewak and on six nearby islands.
"Field officers are still out collecting information from remote areas and these figures for the number of people affected are preliminary," Mokono told AFP.
He said four people were confirmed killed in the earthquake, down from earlier reports that six people had died. Monday's earthquake ruptured the main water supply pipe in Wewak and emergency services teams sent from the capital were not expected to restore supplies until the weekend. Mokono said it could take up to two weeks to get emergency supplies and water tanks to other areas hit by Monday's quake. Officials were concerned about possible outbreaks of waterborne diseases as people drank impure water, but Mokono said there had not yet been any reports of widespread illness. He also said large cracks had opened up on some of the islands off Wewak as aftershocks continued to rumble through the area.
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Suwanose-jima Volcano (Japan)
29.53 N, 129.72 E, summit elevation 799 m, stratovolcano
Friday 13th September 2002
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, Suwanose-jima volcano showed a high level of activity at Otake crater. Though the activity of the volcano had been relatively quiet since 26 August, it increased to a high level on 12th September morning with frequent explosive eruptions. According to the Suwanose-jima office of Toshima village, rumbling had been heard intermittently at the place about 4 km SSW of the summit and small ashfall was observed on 12 September. Explosions occurred at 0816, 1246, 1746 and 1754 on 12 September, and 0853, 1016 and 1027 on 13 September.
More on Suwanose-jima Volcano...
Veniaminof Volcano (Alaska)
56.17 N, 159.38 W, summit elevation 2507 m, stratovolcano with summit caldera
Thursday 12th September 2002
Low frequency tremors have been occurring every 3-5 minutes since September 10. Tremors began on September 8. Historical eruptions of the volcano have produced ash plumes to 6 km (20,000 ft), with ashfall blanketing areas within 40 km (25 NM) of the volcano. Previous eruptions in 1993-1995 produced intermittent low-level ash emissions, steam and a small lava flow. No anomolous activity has been reported. Alert level has been raised to yellow.
More on Veniaminof Volcano...
Ulawun Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.04 S, 151.34 E, summit elevation 2334 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 12th September 2002
ERUPTION DETAILS: Small low level plume detected on visible satellite imagery at 2100 hr on 11th September. Plume extended 60nm from summit in the sector NNW to NNE.
More on Ulawun volcano...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat, West Indies)
16.72 N, 62.18 W,summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 12th September 2002
According to Montserrat Volcano Observatory there was a large rockfall oat 1330 hr on Wednesday 11th September which created an ash cloud visible on satellite images. A thicker plume of ash was visible throughout the morning. Ash cloud 5 NM wide and extending between North 1643 - West 0611 and North 01642 - West 06215 moving West 20-25 KTS.
More on Soufriere Hills volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Wednesday 11th September 2002
Lava continues to pour into the sea as of 10th September. The northeast addition to the Wilipe`a bench, noted yesterday, has extended only slightly farther northeast but has widened seaward to reach 25-20 m from the old sea cliff. On Monday a cusp separated the new growth from the main Wilipe`a bench. Tuesday morning the cusp has been filled, and the new growth is now best considered as the eastern part of the Wilipe`a bench. Numerous entries are distributed along a 370 m front from the northeast end of the bench to well along the older part of the bench. The new growth has continued to inflate but still remains some 3-4 m below the old sea cliff.
The flow that feeds the bench is now more than 50 m wide, with numerous breakouts and more abundant, very hot, crust. It sends lava not only into the sea but also onto and across large parts of the Wilipe`a surface. This flow passes across the old Chain of Craters Road very near the end of the pavement. Visitors can walk up to flowing lava with only a few hot steps.
Lava is slowly approaching the Highcastle-West Highcastle area but still remains a couple of hundred meters from the water.
A broad flow on the flat area above the eastern end of active Paliuli is cascading down the pali Tuesday morning, about half a dozen narrow streams lighting up the sky. Farther west, the western part of the flow field near the base of Paliuli is casting subdued glow this morning, but there are no visible cascades down the nearest part of the pali. Above Paliuli, the usual train of incandescent spots extend to the top of Pulama pali, and bright glow remains visible above the pali.
More on Kilauea volcano...
PNG Earthquake
Tuesday 10th September 2002
This situation report is based on information provided by sources in Papua New Guinea (PNG) including the UNDP Office, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO), the University of PNG, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies regional delegation, through the OCHA Regional Disaster Response Adviser, based in Suva.
1. A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter Scale and depth of 30 km struck the north coast of PNG at 1844 hours UTC on Sunday 8 September 2002 (local time: 0444 hours on Monday 9 September). The epicentre was 3.2 degrees south, 142.9 degrees east; on the coastline one third of the 280 km distance from Wewak, capital of East Sepik Province, to Vanimo, capital of West Sepik, and 830 km northwest of Port Moresby. A tsunami warning was issued for the Pacific from the Philippines in the west, to Japan in the North, Marshall Islands in the east, and New Caledonia in the south.
2. At present damage reports are sketchy, but according to the East Sepik Provincial Disaster Coordinator, the earthquake killed 3 people and injured an as yet unknown number in Wewak Township itself, which suffered some structural damage due to the shaking rather than the effects of the small tsunami the earthquake generated. This report is corroborated by the Governor of the province, who has been in communication with the provincial hospital, where the casualties were taken. The town's electricity and water supplies have been disrupted, and one bridge was damaged. 50 km west-southwest of Wewak and some 60 km from the epicentre, at Maprik Station, the police post reported collapsed houses and burst water tanks, but no landslides, flooding, or damage to the road.
3. Just over the provincial border in West Sepik Province, 7 traditional dwellings built of bush materials collapsed in Suain village, very close to the epicentre, but without causing any injuries. At Aitape village further along the coast, scene of the devastating 1998 tsunami, villagers reported a 1-1.5 m tsunami. The tsunami swept 10-15 m inland in some places, damaging houses and swamping small boats in at least two villages, but again no casualties were reported. The earthquake was also felt in Vanimo, but the District Administrator has reported no major damage.
4. Notwithstanding the relatively light damage and casualties in these first verbal reports, it is possible that more serious incidents have occurred in other more remote areas, particularly further inland and in the tiny Tarawai and Walis Islands adjacent to the epicentre. The toll of casualties may therefore increase over the coming hours and days, as news emerge from outlying locations in the provinces. Houses along the coast may have been damaged by the tsunami, though traditional dwellings are lightly-built and quite resilient to earthquakes. However, many domestic water tanks may have been toppled by the shaking.
5. A proper assessment of the situation is being planned at provincial level under the authority of the Governor, supported by the NDMO in Port Moresby, although the latter is already stretched managing the response to the Pango Volcano eruption in Kimbe, West New Britain Province. The Director-General of NDMO flew to Wewak at 1030 hours today. The NDMO indicated that the provincial government should be able to produce an initial report on the situation soon.
6. Bilateral donors, international agencies, the Red Cross and national NGOs are on stand-by and ready to provide assistance if required, as relevant information emerges from the affected locations.
7. OCHA Geneva has issued an alert for UNDAC members in the Pacific region. The deployment of an UNDAC team is being discussed with the UN Resident Coordinator and the national authorities. OCHA will prepare a second situation report on this disaster as more information becomes available.
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Papua New Guinea Earthquake (Magnitude 7.5)
Monday 9th September 2002
The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: A major earthquake occurred about 60 miles (95 km) west-northwest of Wewak, New Guinea, Papua New Guinea or about 520 miles (840 km) northwest of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea at 12:44 PM MDT today, Sep 8, 2002 (Sep 09 at 4:44 AM local time in Papua New Guinea). A PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE OF 7.5 WAS COMPUTED FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE. The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. No reports of damage or casualties have been received at this time; however, this earthquake may have caused substantial damage and casualties due to its location and size.
This earthquake occurred in a subduction zone environment near the eastern end of the New Guinea trench off the north-east shore of the island of New Guinea, Papua New Guinea. It resulted from stresses developed by the complex interaction between three tectonic plates specifically, the large Pacific and Australian plates and the small Bismarck micro plate. Relative to New Guinea the Pacific plate is moving west-south-west at a rate of about 10 cm per year and underthrusting both the Bismarck and Australian Plates.
This region has recently suffered several damaging earthquakes. Most significantly, on July 17th, 1998 a tsunami generated from an magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed at least 2,183 people and injured thousands.
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Yasur Volcano (Vanuatu)
Sunday 8th September 2002
19.52 S, 169.42 E, summit elevation 405 m, Stratovolcano
The increasing level of activity at Yasur since October 2001 and the volcanic quake of August 29, 2002 (about 3:00 pm local time), led us to upgrade the hazard rating to Alarm Level 3. Access to the volcano is now closed. The August 29 earthquake, magnitude 6 was strongly felt by the inhabitants of the whole district around the volcano (White Sands, Port Resolution, …). This was the first time since the seismic station was installed in October 1992 that a shock of such magnitude was recorded (see graphs below). Elders of the Yasur district confirm that such a quake had not been experienced within living memory.Two new seismological monitoring stations are about to be installed, to complement the existing alarm system installed 2 km from Yasur and the Isangel station. At this time, evacuation of the roughly 6000 inhabitants of the district has not been considered. Information bulletins will be broadcast by Radio Vanuatu to keep the population concerned informed of new developments. Yasur's activity follows a long volcanic history in the southeastern part of the island , whose main phases, over approximately the last 10,000 years, have produced: 1/ lava flows; 2/ extensive glowing ash flows that covered the entire region from Kwamera to Waisisi, and 3/ the construction of another small volcanic cone, the Ombus. Yasur volcano lies over a large and shallow (less than 10 km from the surface) magmatic chamber whose center is located between Port-Resolution and Sulfur Bay; thus, the possibility of a major eruption within a century or a millennium cannot be ignored. Such an eruption, however, would be preceded by numerous earthquakes. Should this happen, evacuation of the local population toward the west coast, the central districts and the north of the island would have to be carried out rapidly.
More on Yasur volcano...
Sicily Earthquake (Mag 5.9)
Saturday 7th September 2002
The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: A strong earthquake occurred in the TYRRHENIAN SEA about 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Palermo, Sicily, Italy at 7:21 PM MDT today, Sep 5, 2002 (Sep 06 at 3:21 AM local time in Italy). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. The earthquake was felt strongly in Palermo and in other parts of Sicily. 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.
The Italian news agency ANSA said two elderly people died of heart attacks brought on by the quake. The quake had its epicentre about 40 kilometres northeast of Palermo in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It was felt across the island, and thousands of people ran out of their homes into the streets when it struck, ANSA said. It lasted about 20 to 30 seconds, and was followed by two large aftershocks and several smaller ones. One of the largest aftershocks was registered five hours after the initial tremour struck. Some buildings in Palermo's historic centre suffered some damage, with parts of the masonry falling off. Three buildings with some of the heaviest damage were evacuated as a precaution, ANSA said.
Sicily, the island just west of the Italian mainland's toe, has been struck several times by major earthquakes that have killed hundreds of people. In 1968, nearly 400 people died in a quake. In 1908, a quake levelled the city of Messina, killing 83,000 people.
Volcanoes of Italy...
Mud Volcanoes Discovered in China
Friday 6th September 2002
A group of Chinese scientists announced on Tuesday that what they discovered last September in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the China's largest mud volcano group.
"Such a group of active mud volcanoes is very rare in China," said Xiao Jiang, director of the Wusu Tourist Bureau in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
"Tourists coming here will get a vivid knowledge about crustal movements and mud volcanoes."
The 36 volcanoes were discovered last year by scientists studying the area.
Researchers from the Xinjiang University found them oozing mud and seeping gas during their study tour last September north of the Tianshan Mountains.The volcanoes are in a 40,000-square- metre area at Baiyanggou Town, near Wusu.
"The maximum volcano crater is 1.6 metres in diameter and the smallest one is only the size of a bean," said Xiong Heigang, a professor with the School of Resources and Environment Science at the Xinjiang University. Volcanoes spewing gas and mud differ greatly from traditional land volcanoes which spout lava and ash, Xiong said. The emission from the mud volcanoes is greenish and brownish in colour. "Petroleum is found floating in some craters," Xiong said.
He said the most active Wusu volcano erupts more than once every second.Others are less active. The temperature of emissions is between 15 C and 25 C.
Geologists believe Wusu's volcanoes were formed about 1 million years ago when sand and mud beneath the surface was squeezed upwards by compressive forces and expelled at the surface.
Experts believe mud volcanoes often form and dissolve repeatedly underground but rarely break through the earth's surface.
Mud volcanoes are most often found in regions of the world rich in oil and natural gas.
Mud volcanoes have only been discovered in a few countries,like the United States, Mexico and New Zealand. Wusu Tourist Bureau is considering a comprehensive plan to protect and promote the rare volcanoes
Volcanoes of China...
More on mud volcanoes...
Pago Volcano Update (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Friday 6th September 2002
The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) has reported that toxic ash that has rained down on farmland around Papua New Guinea's Mount Pago volcano for a month is making the area uninhabitable and up to 4,000 people will have to find new homes, an official said on Tuesday.
The volcano on New Britain Island is spewing fine silicone ash, suffocating and poisoning trees in palm oil and coconut plantations and drying them out so they catch fire at the slightest spark. William Padio, chairman of the provincial disaster committee, said the area most affected extended for 10 km (6.2 miles) from the volcano through a 45 degree arc. "We are looking at relocation in the long term and immediately," Padio said. "We're talking about 3,000 to 4,000 people. They'll have to learn to live with it." Mt. Pago, about 50 km (30 miles) south of the town of Kimbe, began erupting on August 5.
Up to 15,000 people have been either evacuated or affected although no one has been injured. Australia, New Zealand and Japan have contributed emergency assistance and seismological monitoring equipment and researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey are expected in the area soon to help determine whether there is a risk of a serious eruption. Mt. Pago, a relatively unstudied volcano, last spewed smoke and ash in 1933 and erupted in the 1920s. Volcano experts say there are trench-like deformations in the crater that could indicate that magma is pooling beneath the surface and may one day force its way out in an explosion.
More on Mt Pago volcano...
Rainstorms Could Trigger Volcanic Eruptions
Thursday 5th September 2002
The most dangerous type of volcanic eruption can be triggered by heavy rain, UK researchers have found. This suggests that simply watching the weather forecast could be used to save lives.
The type of eruption in question is a "dome collapse". This form of eruption has caused more than 70 per cent of volcano-related deaths over the past century. They tend to be big, violent eruptions. The Mount St Helens eruption on 18 May 1980, for example, sent a cloud of 520 million tonnes of ash 25 kilometres into the air. Rock and debris fell to Earth up to 30 kilometres from the volcano.
The build-up to an eruption is often easy to see months or years ahead, as magma pushing from below produces a visible dome on the side of the mountain. Small eruptions of lava add to the bulge, making it more unstable until eventually it collapses, releasing the pressure in a massive explosion. But it is extremely difficult to tell exactly when this will happen.
Now researchers studying Soufriere Hills volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat have linked the last three eruptions to an unlikely culprit - the weather. The volcano became active on 18 July 1995 after a break of some 300 years.
On all three occasions, heavy rain destabilised a dome that was already primed to collapse.
Rain may have played a part in triggering other volcanoes too. There is a statistical link between the wettest times of the year and eruptions at Mount Etna and Mount Saint Helens, but the connection is not clear-cut.
It is possible that large amounts of water seep into cracks in the dome and are vaporised by the molten rock. The massive increase in pressure as the water heats up and turns to steam then triggers a blast. Factoring rainfall into eruption predictions could improve accuracy, though she cautions that rain will not necessarily be the trigger in every case.
Being able to predict any dome collapse would be a major step forward. These events are particularly deadly because of the avalanche of searing toxic gas, hot ash and boulders they send down the mountain. These "pyroclastic flows" - which travel at up to 80 kilometres per hour - are much more hazardous than lava.
More on the causes of volcanic eruptions...
Mt Pago Volcano
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Wednesday 4th September 2002
Toxic ash that has rained down on farmland around Papua New Guinea's Mount Pago volcano for a month is making the area uninhabitable and up to 4,000 people will have to find new homes, an official said on Tuesday.
The volcano on New Britain Island is spewing fine silicone ash, suffocating and poisoning trees in palm oil and coconut plantations and drying them out so they catch fire at the slightest spark.
William Padio, chairman of the provincial disaster committee, said the area most affected extended for 10 km (6.2 miles) from the volcano through a 45 degree arc.
"We are looking at relocation in the long term and immediately," Padio said. "We're talking about 3,000 to 4,000 people. They'll have to learn to live with it."
Mount Pago, about 50 km (30 miles) south of the town of Kimbe, began erupting on August 5.
Up to 15,000 people have been either evacuated or affected although no one has been injured.
Australia, New Zealand and Japan have contributed emergency assistance and seismological monitoring equipment and researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey are expected in the area soon to help determine whether there is a risk of a serious eruption.
Mount Pago, a relatively unstudied volcano, last spewed smoke and ash in 1933 and erupted in the 1920s.
Volcano experts say there are trench-like deformations in the crater that could indicate that magma is pooling beneath the surface and may one day force its way out in an explosion.
Papua New Guinea is on the Pacific volcanic belt known as the "Ring of Fire", and has more than a dozen active volcanoes.
Rabaul, the provincial capital of New Britain, was devastated in 1994 when two volcanoes on either side of the town erupted, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents.
Padio said half of the 3,000-4,000 people who will need to be permanently relocated were of school age and moving them would also involve establishing new schools, social services, infrastructure and new plantations. (Reuters)
The human and environmental consequences are becoming increasingly serious as the above combination of elements is deadly and will completely destroy crops and livestock and have adverse effects on human health. The Provincial Disaster Committee has set up evacuation care centres. However, these centres suffer from overcrowding and lack of water and sanitation facilities. Skin problems are prevalent as is malaria and there are fears of a possible gastro-enteritis epidemic. The most urgently needed items at present are: tents, food including milk and baby food, second hand clothes, mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen utensils and baby's nappies. Health and medical supplies/personnel are needed and member churches have been asked to assist in this area.
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Miyake-jima Still Uninhabitable
Miyake-jima Volcano (Izu Islands, Japan)
34.08 N, 139.53 E, summit elevation 815 m, stratovolcano
Monday 2nd September 2002
Two years ago today, the residents of Miyakejima island, a small volcanic island about 180 kilometers south of Tokyo, were evacuated after a volcano on the island blew its top.
The islanders have stoically endured their lives as evacuees, but continue to hope that one day soon they will be able to return to their island home and live normal lives again.
But despite the hard work undertaken to restore the island to a habitable state, the islanders have not been able to return because large quantities of noxious volcanic gases continue to belch out of Mt. Oyama.
According to the Meteorological Agency, Mt. Oyama is emitting between 5,000 and 15,000 tons of toxic sulfur dioxide per day. Although this is only one-fourth of what the volcano produced at the peak of its eruption, it is still far more than the 2,000 tons produced on the volcanic Sakurajima island in Kagoshima.
The Tokyo metropolitan government said that the concentration of the gas was as high as seven parts per million (ppm) per hour in July in the eastern part of the island, a figure far higher than the environmental standard of 0.1 ppm. The Meteorological Agency continues to classify the situation on the island as hazardous.
The islanders are allowed to make day trips to Miyakejima, but cannot stay on the island for more than a few hours.
Restoration work on the island has so far concentrated on erecting debris barriers. Fifteen have been completed and another 13 are under construction. The road that circles the island, which became impassable in several places due to mud flows, has been cleared of obstructions, and the water supply is now up to about 80 percent of capacity.
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