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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
April 2003
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Fuego Volcano (Guatemala)
14.47 N, 90.88 W, summit elevation 3763 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 30th April 2003
Intermittent ash emissions occurred at Fuego Volcano on 30th April at 0345 UT. Extensive clouds have prevented any satellite images of the eruptions.
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Chikurachki Volcano (Russia)
50.32 N, 155.45 E, summit elevation 1816 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 30th April 2003
Eruptions continue at Chikurachki Volcano in Kurile Islands, Russia. On 26th April there was a 300 km long ash plume extending from NE to SE of the volcano. On April 27th there was a white plume rising 500 m above the crater. On 28th April ash was deposited on snow 3 km south of the volcano.
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Mt Etna Volcano (Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Tuesday 29th April 2003
A sustained ash emission occurred at Mt Etna's Northeast crater on Monday 28th April. A thick grey-brown plume was emitted on the eastern side of the volcano. Seismic activity at the volcano is low, indicating that this is not the start of an eruption. However it is expected that the volcano will resume eruptions within weeks or months. Lengthy dormant periods at Mt Etna volcano are rare.
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Santa Maria Volcano (Guatemala)
14.756 N, 91.552 W, summit elevation 3772 m, stratovolcano
Monday 28th April 2003
Eruption of ash and steam from Santa Maria Volcano on Sunday 27th April.
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Popocatepetl Volcano (Mexico)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 26th April 2003
APRIL 25 11:00 (16:00 GMT) : In the last 24 hours the Popocatépetl Volcano monitoring system registered 7 exhalations of moderate intensity, accompanied by water vapor emissions, gas and occasionally ash. On 25th April there was a moderate explosion that launched incandescent fragments to a distance of 1.5 to 2 km around the crater and generated a column of ash of approximately 2.5 km above the crater. A plume was visible 60 NM West of the summit and hotspots visible on satellite images. Subsequently, the volcano recovered its prior levels of activity. Likewise, there were two earthquakes detected, the first one at 02:38h with magnitude 2.0 to 6.4 km depth, located 1 km al North of the crater; the second at 05:41h with magnitude 1.9, to 6 km depth, located under the crater. Also episodes wereharmonic tremor of low amplitude, that lasted less than 1 hour. The activity registered in previous days, could be related to the formation of a small dome of lava. The possibility still exists that explosive activity with emissions of ash and incandescent expulsion of material may occur in the proximity of the crater. The volcanic warning level is maintained in YELLOW phase 2, and a restriction of access to a radius of 12 km.
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Semeru Volcano (Indonesia)
8.10 S, 112.92 E, summit elevation 3676 m, stratovolcano
Friday 25th April 2003
Within the report period (April 14-20), volcanic activity of Semeru volcano continually on high level. White-grey ash plume observed and rose 400-500 m over the summit. There was pyroclastic event on 14 and 18 April toward Besuk Bang (3500 m) and Besuk Kembar (2500 m). Seismograph continually recorded events of earthquake activities, and during this period comprises of : 697 explosion events, 70 avalanches, 20 tremor, 7 tectonic, and 12 pyroclastic flow. Semeru volcano is in level 2 activity.
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Anak Krakatau Volcano (Indonesia)
6.10 S, 105.42 E, summit elevation 813 m, caldera
Friday 25th April 2003
Within this report period (April 14-20), seismograph recorded volcanic and tectonic earthquakes which is decrease in number than last week. No result of visual observation due to foggy weather. Seismic record comprises of : 10 events of deep volcanic earthquakes, 38 events of shallow volcanic earthquakes, and 6 tectonic earthquakes. Anak Krakatau Volcano is in level 2 activity.
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Chikurachki Volcano (Russia)
50.32 N, 155.45 E, summit elevation 1816 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 23rd April 2003
Chikurachki volcano located in the North Kuriles began erupting on April 18, 2003. According to data from the Aviation Meteorological Center at Yelizovo Airport on April 19, ash plumes rose 2,000 m above the crater of the volcano. The eruption of the volcano continues. According to visual data from Paramushir Island, on April 21, ash plumes rose 500-1,000 m above the crater of the volcano.
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Kliuchevskoi Volcano (Russia)
56.06 N, 160.64 E, summit elevation 4835 m, stratovolcano
Friday 18th April 2003
A moderate eruption of Kiuchevskoi volcano began on April 15. Seismic activity was above background levels during the past week. ~70 earthquakes per day at a depth of 30 km were recorded on April 15. Continuous spasmodic volcanic tremor up to 4.0x10-6 mps was registered. A great number of weak shallow earthquakes were noted. According to visual data from Klyuchi, from 21:15 UTC on April 15, a series of ash plumes rose up to 300 m above the crater of the volcano (5,000 m or 16,400 ft. ASL) and extended to the east for 10 km. The same vulcanian activity continues on April 16 UTC.
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Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador)
1.467 S, 78.442 W, summit elevation 5023 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 17th April 2003
The Geophysical Institute observed ash to 23,000 ft over the volcano at 2215 hr UTC on 16th April. No ash is visible on satellite images but detection may be hindered by low low level clouds in the area.
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Semeru Volcano (Indonesia)
8.10 S, 112.92 E, summit elevation 3676 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 14th April 2003
Eruptions of Semeru volcano continue.
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Stromboli Volcano (Italy)
38.79 N, 15.21 E, summit elevation 926 m, stratovolcano
Monday 14th April 2003
Saturday update: Explosions continue at the summit craters of Stromboli at a frequency of 12 per hour. Medium levels of tremor are recorded similar to that of the past month. Four lava flows are present at the base of crater 1. Three of these lava flows travel down the Sciara del Fuoco: two to reach 300 m asl, and one stops at 500 m asl. The inside of crater 3 has a temperature of 230 deg C, and there is a fracture on the southern wall.
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Ulawun Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.04 S, 151.34 E, summit elevation 2334 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 13th April 2003
An ash eruption occurred at Ulawun volcano today at 0035 hr (UTC). A thin plume was visible on satellite images extending 30 nautical miles NW of the volcano. Ash was located below 1000 ft elevation.
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Colima Volcano (Mexico)
19.514 N,103.62 W, summit elevation 3850 m, Stratovolcano
Sunday 13th April 2003
Effusive activity finished at Colima Volcano in February. Nocturnal incandescence is registered at the volcano summit, corresponding to degassing at the rate of 10 to 20 per day. Volcanologists cannot discount a sudden rise in activity which may occur in a matter of hours, so caution shouild always be exercised near the volcano. The 6.5 km exclusion zone remains.
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Popocatepetl Volcano (Mexico)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 13th April 2003
In the last 24 (Friday) hours the Popocatepetl volcano activity remained in a steady level. There were 4 low intensity exhalations accompanied by steam and gas emissions. Also episodes of low amplitude harmonic tremor were recorded. The other monitored parameters remain without important changes. The traffic-light of volcanic alert is maintained yellow-2. It is recommended not to enter the 12 km from the crater restricted area. However, the road between Santiago Xalitzintla (Puebla) and San Pedro Nexapa (Mexico State), including Paso de Cortés, is open for controlled circulation.
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Mt Etna Volcano (Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 10th April 2003
A small emission of ash occurred from the summit of Mt Etna volcano on 7th April. Initial indications are that the emission was caused by collapse at the summit crater. There were no seismic signals corresponding to explosions. There has also been an increase in fumarolic activity at SE crater. Some small emissions of ash have been accompanied the fumarolic activity. This shows that magma is rising towards the surface, causing heating of the ground. Mt Etna is in the process of recharging its magma reservior. There is no sign that an eruption is about to occur, but this situation could change within a few weeks or months.
More on Mt Etna Volcano...
Asama Volcano (Japan)
36.40 N, 138.53 E, summit elevation 2560 m, complex volcano
Tuesday 8th April 2003
Mt Asama in Nagano, central Japan, spewed a column of grey smoke, but the Meteorological Agency said it posed no immediate danger to nearby residents. The 2560-metre-high mountain, some 150 kms northwest of Tokyo, puffed the smoke for two minutes early Monday. The activity was very small and posed no threat to humans.
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Stromboli Volcano (Italy)
38.79 N, 15.21 E, summit elevation 926 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 6th April 2003
A summit eruption has occurred at Stromboli volcano. This is the first eruption at the summit since the landslides and lava flows in December 2002. The eruption occurred on 5th April at 9:15am local time (crater 1). The explosion sent ash several hundred metres above the crater and glowing fragments fell on the lower flanks of the volcano setting fire to vegetation. There are reports of two houses being damaged by metre sized bombs thrown into the town of Ginostra. This event marks the beginning of the re-opening of the summit craters. It is likely that further explosions with the ejection of lithic material will occur, resulting in the return to the typical Strombolian eruptions in the near future.
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Mayon Volcano (Philippines)
13.257 N, 123.685 E
summit elevation 2462 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 5th April 2003
Following a small ash explosion last 17 March 2003, a brief burst of ash and steam occurred at Mayon Volcano at about 6:00 A.M. today. The ash column rose up to about 1.5 km above the summit crater before being drifted to the Southwest by prevailing winds. The explosion was recorded as a low-frequency type volcanic earthquake signifying a shallow source. Prior to the explosion, the volcano’s seismic network detected three (3) small low frequency volcanic earthquakes and three (3) low frequency short duration harmonic tremors for the past 24 hours. Electronic tiltmeters indicated continuing slight inflation of the volcano edifice.
The status of Mayon Volcano remains hoisted at Alert Level 1. The above observations and increases on Mayon’s recent and current activity strongly indicate the likelihood of sudden occurrence of ash explosions from the volcano. Although no major eruption is expected immediately after today’s ash explosion, there is now growing evidence that magma is persistently ascending the volcano’s conduit. Hence, PHIVOLCS reminds the public to continue avoiding entry into the six (6) kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) especially in the Southern and Eastern sectors where life threatening volcanic flows may be channeled by the Miisi, Bonga, and Basud gullies.
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Stromboli Volcano (Italy)
38.79 N, 15.21 E, summit elevation 926 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 5th April 2003
It is now possible for tourists to land on Stromboli island. The island has been closed since the landslides and lava flows of December 2002. Tourists are allowed to climb to the end of the road above Semaforo Labronzo, i.e. up to 270 m. a.m.s.l. From this point there are good views of Sciara del Fuoco and incandescent landslides at night. Access to the summit area is still forbidden.
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Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 3rd April 2003
A sluggish finger of lava made its way across the end of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park yesterday, cutting off and burning part of another 80 yards of asphalt.
The tip of the flow stagnated as soon as it got across the road, leaving a portion of the pavement cut off but untouched. The latest flow posed no immediate threat to a portable national park visitor station a quarter-mile from the flow. Viewing for park visitors is super said a park ranger. Although there was no visitor count available for this week, the count reached 2,300 one day last week.
More on Kilauea volcano...