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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
February 2004
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Morocco Earthquake (Magnitude 6.4)
Thursday 26th February, 2004
The earthquake epicentre was located in the Strait of Gibraltar, approximately 15 kilometres west of the Mediterranean port city of Al Hoceima (185 miles or 295 km east-northeast of the capital Rabat). This is the most powerful earthquake to have affected this area since 1964 when a similar quake registering 6.0 occurred near Al Hoceima. The death toll has climbed to nearly 600, with thousands injured and an estimated 200,000 homeless.
Morocco Earthquake (Magnitude 6.4)
Wednesday 25th February, 2004
A large earthquake occurred at 02:27:46 (UTC) on Tuesday, February 24, 2004. The magnitude 6.4 event hit rural areas near the Mediterranean city of Al Hoceima, and there were worries about the fate of three outlying villages - Ait Kamra, Tamassint and Imzourn - where 30,000 people live in mud structures unable to withstand a major natural disaster. At least 300 people have been killed by the earthquake.
Kilauea Volcano (USA)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Monday 23rd February, 2004
Lava is erupting from a vent on the south side of Pu`u `O`o crater, at Kilauea volcano. A bright glow lights the sky for 1 km south of the vent, and this lava eruption was accompanied by a large deflation of the crater as measured on the electronic tiltmeter.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Karymsky Volcano (Russia)
54.05 N, 159.43 E, summit elevation 1486 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 15th February, 2004
Crew of a Russian aircraft on Friday observed a powerful ash emission at Karymsky volcano, with the plume rising to an altitude of 5.5 kilometers above the crater. Since Friday morning, about 190 local tremors have occurred near the volcano, and thermal anomalies were also registered.
More on Karymski volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (USA)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Saturday 14th February, 2004
There has been an increase in volcanic activity at Kilauea volcano on Friday 12th February. From the town of Glenwood, lava can be seen flowing from cones at the top of West Gap shield, and feeding a lava flow at its base. The night glow can be seen by residents of Puna district. The start of the event was seen by hikers at the end of Napau trail, who saw three-quarters of the side of the eastern cone in West Gap break apart, and lava started pouring out in large amounts. The event was caused by a surge in lava entering the cone, breaking it apart. This corresponded to an increase in tilt of Pu`u `O`o crater, as measured on instruments at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Mt Etna Volcano (Italy)
37.73 N, 15.00 E, summit elevation 3350 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 12th February, 2004
There are signs that Mt Etna volcano is starting to reactivate after 12 months of inactivity at the summit craters. On 10th February, ash emissions were observed at Bocca Nuovo, according to observers on the mountain. The southern slopes of the volcano were covered with pyroclastic material, above an elevation of 2200 m. The Western mouth of Bocca Nuova continuously emits vapor plumes, while in Voragine, only the mouth close to Bocca Nuova crater emits vapour plumes, while the second vent is quiet. A fracture on the south slope of SE crater emits gas.
More on Mt Etna Volcano...
Indonesia Earthquake (Magnitude 7.1)
Sunday 8th February 2004
A second major earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit west Papua (Indonesia) on Saturday 7th February, at 02:42:35 UTC, 11:42 a.m. local time. The earthquake was located 73 km southwest of Nabire, which was affected by Friday's magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Reports say at least 27 people have been killed, and scores have been injured by this second earthquake. Electricity and telecommunication systems continue to be down in Nabire. The airport was damaged, and only small, single-engined planes are able to use the runway. Many of the roads in the area have also been damaged, hampering the efforts of rescue teams to assess the damage.
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Mt Pinatubo Volcano (Philippines)
15.13 N, 120.35 E, summit elevation 1486 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 8th February 2004
The waters of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake have turned into dark brown, almost black, prompting government volcanologists to advise tourists to refrain from swimming in the lake or drinking the water. The discoloration was first observed on 22nd January. Two days later, tourists who trekked to the Pinatubo crater expressed alarm over the almost blackened waters of the crater lake, which has a diameter of about two kilometers and which has become a major attraction in Central Luzon. the lake’s waters used to be bluish to blue-green and at times milky depending on the climate or the occurrence of landslides within the crater. The change in color does not indicate any renewed volcanic activity since the seismicity remains at normal levels. The change in color could be due to algae and lichens; tadpoles and leeches have been observed in the crater lake in the past months. The volcano has entered a period of repose since 1995. An eruption in June 1991 produced the second largest eruption of 20th century.
More on Mt Pinatubo Volcano...
Egon Volcano (Indonesia)
8.67 S, 122.45 E, summit elevation 1703 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 7th February, 2004
More than 1,000 of about 5,600 refugees who fled the slopes of Mount Egon after it began erupting last week, returned home as volcanic activity continued to die down on Thursday. As many as 1,000 refugees have already returned home. Some of them went home on their own initiative. The local government has helped them by providing transportation. Their return followed an announcement by a local scientific monitoring agency that volcanic activity on Mount Egon had significantly reduced. Pregnant women and children have been urged to stay at refugee camps until the volcano returns to normal.
More on Egon Volcano...
Indonesia Earthquake (Magnitude 7.0)
Friday 6th February 2003
A major earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale hit Papua in Indonesia on Friday 6th February at 0605 hr local time. The epicenter was located at 3.60 degrees South and 135.52 degrees East, approximately 7 km east of Nabire town. Twenty-two people have been killed, including a policeman who was guarding the local legislative building in Nabire. The building was badly damaged. Ninety people have been injured and are being treated in hospitals, although the local hospital has been badly damaged. More fatalities are likely because not all of the data had been collected because many communication lines were cut. The airport in Nabire is closed due to damage. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed with many buildings on fire. There have been reports of a tsunami in the nearby Cendrawasih Bay, but this has not been confirmed. Relief activities have been undertaken by local disaster response agencies.
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Egon Volcano (Indonesia)
8.67 S, 122.45 E, summit elevation 1703 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 3rd February, 2004
Shortages of food, medicine and bedding have been blamed for the spread of disease among thousands of refugees who fled their homes after Mount Egon erupted. 5,600 refugees, mostly women and children, were evacuated from the slopes of the volcano to the neighboring town of Maumere for fear of larger volcanic eruptions. At least 27 victims were receiving medical care in Maumere, while others were being treated at local community health centers. Most of the sick refugees are suffering from respiratory problems, malaria, dengue fever and diarrhea. The stock of medicine for the refugees is very limited and is enough to cover basic needs for only a week. The local volcanology agency has still maintained top alert status for the volcano.
More on Egon Volcano...
Egon Volcano (Indonesia)
8.67 S, 122.45 E, summit elevation 1703 m, stratovolcano
Monday 2nd February, 2004
Most of the evacuees are in bad shape after breathing sulfurous gases and are now facing shortages of food and bedding at accommodation centers. Officials from the Sikka administration said that the refugees had began to suffer dysentery. What was most needed was food, medicine and bedding. At least one person was reported dead amid the influx of refugees. The death toll is likely to increase as the local authorities continue to collect information on the victims. Residents began to evacuate the area after Mount Egon erupted on Thursday, spewing dark clouds of ash and molten lava over at least one subdistrict. Other subdistricts on the slopes of the volcano are now being evacuated. Three subdistricts on the eastern side of the mountain are next to be evacuated because they may be next to be affected by the eruption. According to the latest estimates, renewed eruptions may also affect three other subdistricts on the northern side of the mountain, so residents of those subdistricts may have to evacuate as well. Evacuations are necessary to avoid fatalities should a major eruption occur. Those residents who have already been evacuated are now living in 10 makeshift shelters in Maumere city. The government has also established a public kitchen to help feed the evacuees. Maumere and Sikka administrations would also provide doctors to treat the evacuees.
More on Egon Volcano...