Volcano Live
volcanolive.com
Archived Volcano News - John Seach
May 2006
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Mt St Helens Volcano (USA)
46.20 N, 122.18 W,, summit elevation 2549 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 31st May 2006
A large rockfall occurred at Mt St Helens Volcano on Monday 29th May. The rockfall coincided with a magnitude 3.1 earthquake shortly after 9 a.m, local time, and sent ash and steam to an elevation of 16,000 ft. The rockfall originated on the north side of the growing lava dome and damaged monitoring instruments. The volcano remains at alert level 2 (3 is highest level).
More on Mt St Helens Volcano...
Volcanoes of USA...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Tuesday 30th May 2006
More than 4,400 evacuees are living in a shelter at Kemalang, 14 kilometers southeast of Merapi volcano. Ten pyroclastic flows were recorded at the volcano today. A 7km exclusion zone remains in place around the volcano.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 29th May 2006
Lava dome growth and collapse continues at Merapi volcano in Indonesia. Glowing lava avalanches and pyroclastic flows still threaten villages near the volcano, with runout distances of 3 km.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Monday 29th May 2006
Lake Vui at the summit of Ambae volcano in Vanuatu has turned from blue to a spectacular red colour. The cause of the colour change is unknown. Ambae volcano erupted in December 2005, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. Activity has been low during recent months.
More on Ambae volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Lopevi Volcano (Vanuatu)
16.50 S, 168.34 E, summit elevation 1413 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 29th May 2006
Volcanic activity continues at Lopevi volcano in Vanuatu. Eruptions began on 15th May, accompanied by ash emissions and lava flows. Satellite images show continued hotspot activity at the volcano.
More on Lopevi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...
Karthala Volcano (Comoros)
11.75 S, 43.38 E, summit elevation 2361 m, shield volcano
Monday 29th May 2006
An overflight by volcanologists showed solfatara and steam emissions at Karthala volcano in Comoros. A plume is visible drifting 90 nautical miles west. Caution is required in the area, as there is still a risk of eruptive activity.
More on Karthala Volcano...
Indonesia Earthquake (Magnitude 6.2)
Saturday 27th May 2006
A large earthquake hit the Yogyakarta region of central Java in Indonesia on Saturday, 27th May at 5:54am local time. The earthquake epicentre was shallow at 17 km, and epicentre was located offshore, but no tsunami was generated. Over 6200 people were killed, and 200,000 people homeless. One of the worst hit areas is the city of Yogyakarta, home to over 400,000 people. Yogyakarta's airport was closed with a damaged runway, and thousands of houses have collapsed. Merapi volcano is currently erupting nearby, and has resulted in the evacuation of many residents. There was an increase in activity at Merapi volcano after the earthquake, with pyroclastic flows descending 4 km down the flank. The earthquake is Indonesia's worst natural disaster since the December 2004 tsunami.
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 24th May 2006
Summit lava dome growth and collapse continues at Merapi volcano in Indonesia. Thick white solfatara gas is visible rising 800 m above the summit. On 22nd May, 309 lava avalanches were recorded, and five pyroclastic flows with a maximum runout distance of 3.5 km. On 23rd May, there were 243 lava avalanches, and 31 pyroclastic flows.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Sunday 21st May 2006
Yesterday, pyroclastic flows were recorded 24 times at Merapi volcano. Maximum runout distances were 3km. The volume of the lava dome is 2.4 million cubic m.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Soufriere Hills Volcano (Montserrat)
16.72 N, 62.18 W,, summit elevation 915 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 21st May 2006
A lava dome collapse has occurred at Soufriere Hills volcano on Montserrat. Ash emissions reached 55,000 ft elevation, and pyroclastic flows descended the east flank of the volcano reaching the sea.
More on Soufriere Hills volcano...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E, summit elevation 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Saturday 20th May 2006
Eruptions at Merapi volcano contine in the form of lava dome collapse and pyroclastic flows. Fluctuations in eruptions are normal at the volcano, and it is not possible to predict if a large eruption will occur. Pyroclastic flow runout distances of 12 km are possible, creating a hazard for residents living near the volcano. The alert status at Merapi remains at maximum level 4.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Tonga Earthquake (Magnitude 7.9)
Thursday 4th May 2006
A major eartquake (magnitude 7.9) hit Tonga in the south Pacific. The earthquake hit on Thursday, May 4, 2006 at 4:26 AM. Location 20.088°S, 174.219°W, depth 40km. Sea level readings indicate a small wave was generated. Earthquakes of this size can disrupt volcanic systems. Active volcanoes near the epicentre are: Metis Shoal, Home Reef, Late, Fonualei, Falcon Island, Tofua, Curacoa, and Niuafo'ou.
Volcanoes of Tonga...
Merapi Volcano (Indonesia)
7.54 S, 110.44 E,, summit elevation, 2911 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 3rd May 2006
A lava dome is growing at Merapi volcano and threatens nearby villages. If the dome collapses, pyroclastic flows and lava avalanches will travel down Gendol, Boyong and Woro river valleys. The lava dome has reached 2.4 million cubic meters in volume. Hundreds of people continue to evacuate from the danger zone.
More on Merapi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Anatahan Volcano (Mariana Islands)
16.35 N, 145.67 E, summit elevation 788 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 3rd May 2006
Volcanic activity has decreased at Anatahan volcano. There are still emissions of gas and steam. Volcanic smog (vog) continues to be produced, and in April was reported at Guam. Seismicity is low and hotspots are occasionally visible on satellite images. Access to the island remains restricted.
More on Anatahan Volcano...