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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
March 2005
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Papua New Guinea Earthquake (Magnitude 5.4)
Monday 21st March 2005
A medium sized earthquake hit Papua New Guinea on Monday 21st March at 0813 hr local time. The earthquake epicenter was located in West New Britain, close to Langila volcano. Langila is one of the world's most active volcanoes, with yearly eruptions since1950's.
More on Langila Volcano...
Two Large Earthquakes hit Tonga and Fiji
Sunday 20th March 2005
Two separate large earthquakes hit Tonga and Fiji this morning. The first hit 125 km NE of Nuk'u'alofa, Tonga on Sunday, March 20 at 04:02 am local time. The magnitude was 6.3. The second earthquake hit 2½ hours later located 160 km SSW of Ndoi Island, Fiji on Sunday, March 20 at 05:34 am local time. The magnitude was 6.3. The earthquakes were at vastly differing depths, so were not related. Fiji has one active volcano which last erupted in 1658. Tonga has 12 active volcanoes, with a possible most recent eruption in 2001. Tonga lies on a very seismically active area, and earthquakes in this region are capable of producing tsunamis which could reach the east coast of Australia. No tsunami was generated from these earthquakes.
Volcanoes of Tonga...
Volcanoes of Fiji...
Guatemala Earthquake (Magnitude 6.2)
Friday 18th March 2005
A large earthquake hit Guatemala on Thursday 17th March 2005 at 07:37 am local time at epicenter. The epicenter was located close to active volcanoes including Santa Maria and Fuego.
Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Volcanic Activity on Enceladus?
Thursday 17th March 2005
The Cassini spacecraft has discovered an atmosphere on one of Saturn's moons, indicating possible volcanic activity. Enceladus is moon with a diameter of 500 km, and a because of a weak gravity, a continuous source must be creating the atmosphere. The source could be volcanic activity, or other subsurface process. Another moon of Jupiter, Io, is the only confirmed location of active volcanoes outside the earth. One of Neptune's moons, Triton, contains active nitrogen geysers. Extinct volcanoes are found on the Moon, Venus, and Mars.
Solar System Volcanoes...
Bagana Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
6.14 S, 155.19 E, summit elevation 1750 m, lava cone
Thursday 17th March 2005
Bagana volcano on Bougainville Island is currently active. Hotspots were visible on satellite images commencing at the end of December 2004, and have continued into March 2005. Bagana is one of the three most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea, along with Manam and Rabaul.
More on Bagana Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Ulawun Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.04 S, 151.34 E, summit elevation 2334 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 15th March 2005
Rabaul Volcano Observatory advises increasing activity at Ulawun volcano in Papua New Guinea. There has been an increase in seismic activity, and a faint plume is visible on 15th March at 0945 hr, local time.
More on Ulawun volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Two Volcanoes Erupt in Mexico
Friday 11th March 2005
Two volcanoes erupted in Mexico on 10th March. Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City erupted hot ash and lava, which started fires. The fire occurred near the town of San Nicolas de los Ranchos, but did not pose any threat to area residents. A second volcano, Colima erupted twice. The first eruption at 1410 hr (UT) lasted 5 minutes and sent ash to a height of 30,000 ft. The second eruption at 1755 (UT) was less intense than the first, with a plume reaching 22,000 ft.
More on Popocatepetl volcano...
More on Colima Volcano...
Volcanoes of Mexico...
Mt St Helens Volcano (USA)
46.20 N, 122.18 W, summit elevation 2549 m, stratovolcano
Thursday 10th March 2005
Tuesday's eruption of Mt St Helens volcano deposited ash on Ellensberg, Yakima, and Toppenish, and Washington. Satellite images showed faint ash cloud over western Montana. Observations in the crater by scientists found no obvious source for the eruption and the new lava dome was intact. Ash deposits in the crater indicate that the plume was very narrow and directed upward. The eruption was photographed by many residents in the Portland-Vancouver area. A research camera about 2.3 kilometers from the vent caught the base of the plume as the eruption began. The eruption was not preceded by any unusual seismic activity. The volcano poses a hazard to aircraft within 100 miles of the volcano, to an altitude of 30,000 ft.
More on Mt St Helens volcano...
Volcanoes of USA...
Vanuatu Earthquake (Magnitude 5.1)
Thursday 10th March 2005
A medium sized earthquake hit Vanuatu on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 at 06:37 am local time. The earthquake epicenter was located close to three active volcanoes, Ambrym, lopevi, and Kuwae. Vanuatu is one of the world's most seismically active regions, with many active volcanoes, three of which have erupted this year.
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Mt St Helens Volcano (USA)
46.20 N, 122.18 W, summit elevation 2549 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 9th March 2005
Mt St Helens volcano erupted at 5:25 p.m on Tuesday 8th March, one hour after a magnitude 2.0 volcanic earthquake was registered under the volcano. Pilots reported the cloud of ash reached 36,000 feet (10,800) within a few minutes of the eruption. The main part of the eruption lasted 30 minutes. Three monitoring stations in the crater have stopped operating, and will be checked by scientists when conditions permit.
More on Mt St Helens volcano...
Volcanoes of USA...
Loihi Volcano (Hawaii)
18.92 N, 155.27 W, summit elevation - 980 m, Submarine volcano
Wednesday 9th March 2005
A magnitude 4.2 earthquake hit near Loihi volcano on Tuesday, March 08 at 07:26 am local time. Loihi is Hawaii's youngest active volcano, and is located offshore from Kilauea volcano.
More on Loihi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...
Kliuchevskoi Volcano (Russia)
56.06 N, 160.64 E, summit elevation 4835 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 8th March 2005
The ash plume from Kliuchevskoi volcano in Kamchatka (Russia's Far East) has now stretched more than 70 kilometers. Volcanic bombs are ejected to a height of more than 800 meters. Lava is flowing down the western side of the volcano. Lava is interacting with the ice and snow causing the magmatic material to explode and produce ash. Eruptions from explosions rise as high as eight kilometers. The lava flow has broadened and is claiming fresh portions of the Erman glacier which has melted. Lava emission has increased over the past few days. There is now a high probability of massive mud flows rushing down the slopes of the volcano and reaching the village of Klyuchi, situated 30 kilometers from the volcano. Mud streams carry at high speed rocks up to three meters in diameter and tree trunks. This represent a serious danger for people and property. The population has been warned of the possible danger. The village of Klyuchi is located between two currently erupting volcanoes, Kliuchevskoi and Sheveluch. Volcanic ash periodically rains on the village. There remains a danger for aviation in connection with ash emissions from the craters of the two volcanoes. If particles of volcanic ash, whose diameter may be two millimeters, get into aircraft turbines, they may disable the engines. The eruption of Kliuchevskoi began on January 17. Eruptions from the volcano may last between one month and several years.
More on Kliuchevskoi volcano...
Large Earthquake Near North Pole (Magnitude 6.3)
Sunday 6th March 2005
A large earthquake hit the Arctic, only 5 degrees south of the North Pole, on Sunday, March 06 at 05:21 (UTC). The epicenter was at a depth of 10 km and was located 1575 km N of Tiksi, Russia. The earthquake was situated on the Gakkel Ridge, which is an undersea rift zone containing active volcanoes.
Volcanoes of the Arctic...
Ambrym Volcano (Vanuatu)
16.25 S, 168.12 E, summit elevation 1334 m, Pyroclastic Shield Volcano
Sunday 6th March 2005
Volcanic activity continues at Ambrym Volcano. Remote sensing data indicate the proximity of magma to the surface. Ambrym is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It has been in almost continual eruption since Cook's visit in 1774. Destructive eruptions have affected local communities since March 2004, and residents are calling for food aid. Ambrym volcano is closed to the public due to volcanic activity. Report by John Seach.
More on Ambrym volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Volcanic Activity in Guatemala
Sunday 6th March 2005
Update for 4th March.
Pacaya Volcano. Constant volcanic tremor is registered at the volcano. A lava flow 150 m long descends southwest flank. At Fuego Volcano, incandescent lava is ejected 20 m above the crater accompanied by constant degassing which sounds like a locomotive engine. A 200 m lava flow descends towards the Taniluyá River, with avalanches of incandescent blocks from the lava front. At Santa Maria volcano, a lava flow down the southwestern flank of the volcano causes a landslide of blocks.
Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Rabaul Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
4.271 S, 152.203 E, summit elevation 688 m, Caldera
Saturday 5th March 2005
Low level eruptions are continuing at Rabaul Volcano in Papua New Guinea. Monsoon NW winds are sending ash towards Tokua airport. Ash is reaching 15,000 ft altitude. Alert level is orange.
More on Rabaul volcano...
Ambrym Volcano Situation Report (Vanuatu)
16.25 S, 168.12 E, summit elevation 1334 m, Pyroclastic Shield Volcano
Wednesday 2nd March 2005
Residents of Ambrym Island in Vanuatu are calling for international assistance to help with the disaster caused by the ongoing volcanic eruptions. Ambrym is one of the world's most active volcanoes and has been in almost continuous eruption for the past 200 years. One year ago there was a change in eruptive activity which caused damage to food crops and created health problems for the residents. One year later, the volcano is still creating problems for the local communities, and the population is still calling for food aid to help prevent a famine on the island. Famine is the great forgotten killer of volcanic eruptions. During a survey of the volcano in November 2004, Volcanologist John Seach surveyed the damage to the island and made observations of the changes in volcanic activity. A new report received from the island 4 days ago by John Seach indicated that the situation is getting desperate for some residents who do not have enough food. So far only $1000 USD has been raised to help with food aid. Ambrym Volcano is closed to the public due to volcanic activity.
More on Ambrym volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Indonesia Earthquake (Magnitude 7.1)
Wednesday 2nd March 2005
A major earthquake hit Indonesia on Wednesday, 2nd March at 07:42 pm local time at epicenter. The earthquake was located in the Banda Sea and was felt in Indonesia, East Timor, and Northern Australia. The earthquake forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from the Darwin casino. A destructive tsunami was not expected to be generated, based on historical data.
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Sheveluch Volcano (Russia)
56.653 N, 161.360 E, summit elevation 3283 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 1st March 2005
A large ash cloud hangs over Kamchatka Peninsula from the eruption of Sheveluch volcano. The ash cloud stretches for 700 km west of the volcano, covering the peninsula and neighboring offshore waters of the Okhotsk Sea in a 150 km-wide strip. Ash is covering snow over an area of 310 by 150 km and up to 8 cm thick. Sheveluch volcano is the northernmost active volcano in Kamchatka and burst into life on Sunday night. Shiveluch seismological station, located 8 km from the volcano, stopped working, probably destroyed by a 10 km long pyroclastic flow. The volcano does not present a danger to populations, but may pose a risk to aircraft.
More on Sheveluch volcano...
Rabaul Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
4.271 S, 152.203 E, summit elevation 688 m, Caldera
Tuesday 1st March 2005
Ash emissions from Rabaul volcano have caused the cancellation of flights from Tokua airport in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. An Air Niugini plane travelling from Hoskins to Rabaul had to fly direct to Port Moresby. About 100 passengers were affected due to the cancellation of five flights. Tavurvur cone has been erupting last month with eruptions accompanied by rumbling noises and incandescent lava fragments can be seen at night. Between 250 and 350 volcanic earthquakes have been measured every day.
More on Rabaul volcano...
Sheveluch Volcano (Russia)
56.653 N, 161.360 E, summit elevation 3283 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 1st March 2005
Eruptions continue at Sheveluch volcano in Russia. On 27th February, seismicity was much above background levels registering avalanches and powerful emissions at the volcano.
More on Sheveluch volcano...