GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 3-9 January 2007

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GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

3-9 January 2007

http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/

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New Activity/Unrest: | Telica, Nicaragua | Shiveluch, Russia | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat

Ongoing Activity: | Bagana, Papua New Guinea | Fuego, Guatemala | Karymsky, Russia | Kilauea, USA | Pacaya, Guatemala | Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island | Popocatépetl, México | Rabaul, Papua New Guinea | Santa María, Guatemala | St. Helens, USA | Suwanose-jima, Japan | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

New Activity/Unrest

TELICA Nicaragua 12.602°N, 86.845°W; summit elev. 1061 m

On 9 January, INETER reported that a gas-and-ash plume from an eruption of Telica reached an altitude of 1.5 km (4,900 ft) a.s.l., drifted W, and then reached a greater altitude. The eruption was accompanied by increased seismic activity. The Washington VAAC reported that a possible ash plume was visible on satellite imagery and on a web camera, drifting SW.

Geologic Summary. Telica, one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, has erupted frequently since the beginning of the Spanish era. The Telica volcano group consists of several interlocking cones and vents with a general NW alignment. Sixteenth-century eruptions were reported at symmetrical Santa Clara volcano at the SW end of the Telica group. However, its eroded and breached crater has been covered by forests throughout historical time, and these eruptions may have originated from Telica, whose upper slopes in contrast are unvegetated. The steep-sided cone of 1061-m-high Telica is truncated by a 700-m-wide double crater; the southern crater, the source of recent eruptions, is 120 m deep. El Liston, immediately SE of Telica, has several nested craters. The fumaroles and boiling mudpots of Hervideros de San Jacinto, SE of Telica, form a prominent geothermal area frequented by tourists, and geothermal exploration has occurred nearby.

Sources: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER) http://www.ineter.gob.ni/geofisica/geofisica.html,

Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html,

Telica Information from the Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1404-04=

SHIVELUCH Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 56.653°N, 161.360°E; summit elev. 3,283 m

Activity at Shiveluch continued above background levels during 29 December-5 January, with 200 shallow earthquakes occurring daily. Based on seismic interpretation, ash plumes rose to 13.7 km (45,000 ft) a.s.l. According to visual and video data, a large hot avalanche occurred on the SE flank on 4 January. Fumarolic activity was noted during 29-31 December and 2-4 January. The Tokyo VAAC reported eruption plumes to altitudes of 4.3-7.6 km (14,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. during 5-7 January based on information from the Kamchatkan Experimental & Methodical Seismological Department (KEMSD) and satellite imagery.

Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Shiveluch volcano (also spelled Sheveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya volcano group and forms one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanoes. The currently active Molodoy Shiveluch lava-dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within a large horseshoe-shaped caldera formed by collapse of the massive late-Pleistocene Strary Shiveluch volcano. At least 60 large eruptions of Shiveluch have occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Frequent collapses of lava-dome complexes, most recently in 1964, have produced large debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of the breached caldera. During the 1990s, intermittent explosive eruptions took place from a new lava dome that began growing in 1980. The largest historical eruptions from Shiveluch occurred in 1854 and 1964.

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/updates.shtml,

Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/JP/messages.html

Shiveluch Information from the Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1000-27=

SOUFRIÈRE HILLS Montserrat, West Indies 16.72°N, 62.18°W; summit elev. 1,052 m

Activity including rapid lava-dome growth, pyroclastic flows, and ash venting increased at Soufrière Hills during 3-9 January. Dome growth was concentrated in the NW quadrant which was the highest part of the dome. Pyroclastic flows, originating from the NW, were observed in Tyres Ghaut (NW), Gages Valley (W), and N, behind Gages Mountain and accompanied by ash venting. On 4 January, a notable event resulted in simultaneous pyroclastic flows in Tyres Ghaut and Gages Valley, and a resultant ash cloud reached an altitude of 2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. The maximum distance for the Gages Valley flow was 4 km. During 6-7 January, distances of pyroclastic flows increased in Tyres Ghaut and possibly exceeded 1.5 km.

On 8 January, audible explosive activity produced pyroclastic flows that traveled down Gages Valley and Tyres Ghaut into the head of Belham Valley (NW), and later to a distance of 4 km in the Belham Valley. The resultant ash cloud reached an altitude of 9 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. Pyroclastic-flow activity in Tyres Ghaut was preceded by a pulse of ash and continued at almost regular 7-minute cycles for about 1.5 hours. Seismic activity returned to low levels and ash-and-steam venting continued from the W side of the dome. On 9 January, four pyroclastic flows in Tyres Ghaut were observed to distances of about 1.5 km. Seismicty remained low and low-level ash venting continued. Due to prevailing winds, no ashfall was reported from areas on the island.

Geologic Summary. The complex, dominantly andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano occupies the southern half of the island of Montserrat. The summit area consists primarily of a series of lava domes emplaced along an ESE-trending zone. English's Crater, a 1-km-wide crater breached widely to the east, was formed during an eruption about 4000 years ago in which the summit collapsed, producing a large submarine debris avalanche. Block-and-ash flow and surge deposits associated with dome growth predominate in flank deposits at Soufrière Hills. Non-eruptive seismic swarms occurred at 30-year intervals in the 20th century, but with the exception of a 17th-century eruption that produced the Castle Peak lava dome, no historical eruptions were recorded on Montserrat until 1995. Long-term small-to-moderate ash eruptions beginning in that year were later accompanied by lava-dome growth and pyroclastic flows that forced evacuation of the southern half of the island and ultimately destroyed the capital city of Plymouth, causing major social and economic disruption.

Sources: Montserrat Volcano Observatory http://www.mvo.ms/,

Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html

Soufrière Hills Information from the Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1600-05=

Ongoing Activity

BAGANA Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea 6.14°S, 155.19°E; summit elev. 1,750 m

A diffuse plume from Bagana was visible on satellite imagery drifting SE on 9 January.

Geologic Summary. Bagana volcano, occupying a remote portion of central Bougainville Island, is one of Melanesia's youngest and most active volcanoes. Bagana is a massive symmetrical lava cone largely constructed by an accumulation of viscous andesitic lava flows. The entire lava cone could have been constructed in about 300 years at its present rate of lava production. Eruptive activity at Bagana is characterized by non-explosive effusion of viscous lava that maintains a small lava dome in the summit crater, although explosive activity occasionally producing pyroclastic flows also occurs. Lava flows form dramatic, freshly preserved tongue-shaped lobes up to 50-m-thick with prominent levees that descend the volcano's flanks on all sides.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AU/messages.html

Bagana Information from the Global Volcanism Program http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0505-02=

FUEGO Guatemala 14.47°N, 90.88°W; summit elev. 3,763 m

INSIVUMEH reported that during 4-5 January, constant avalanches of incandescent material from Fuego’s central crater and lateral crater (about 70 m from the S edge of the central crater) descended SW towards the Taniluyá River ravine. Several explosions produced shock waves and gas-and-ash clouds that reached altitudes of 4.2-4.8 km (13,800-15,700) a.s.l. Fine ashfall was noted in areas S and about 9-15 km SW of the summit.

Geologic Summary. Volcán Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. The scarp of an older edifice, Meseta, lies between 3,763-m-high Fuego and its twin volcano to the N, Acatenango. Construction of Meseta volcano continued until the late Pleistocene or early Holocene, after which growth of the modern Fuego volcano continued the southward migration of volcanism that began at Acatenango. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded at Fuego since the onset of the Spanish era in 1524, and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows. The last major explosive eruption from Fuego took place in 1974, producing spectacular pyroclastic flows visible from Antigua.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/geofisica/boletin%20formato.htm

Fuego Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1402-09=

KARYMSKY Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 54.05°N, 159.43°E; summit elev. 1,536 m

Activity at Karymsky continued during 29 December-5 January, with 100-300 shallow earthquakes occurring daily. Weak explosions possibly produced ash plumes during 1-3 January. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange <http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php>.

Geologic Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed about 7,600-7,700 radiocarbon years ago. Construction of the Karymsky stratovolcano began about 2,000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2,300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been Vulcanian or Vulcanian-Strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions has originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, which is located immediately S of Karymsky volcano and erupted simultaneously with Karymsky in 1996.

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/updates.shtml

Karymsky Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1000-13=

KILAUEA Hawaii, USA 19.43°N, 155.29°W; summit elev. 1,222 m

During 3-9 January, lava from Kilauea continued to flow off of a lava delta into the ocean at the East Lae'apuki, Kamokuna, and East Ka'ili'ili entries. Incandescence was intermittently visible on the pali and from the East Pond and January vents, South Wall complex, and Drainhole vent in Pu'u 'O'o's crater. Tremor near Pu`u `O`o continued at low levels.

Geologic Summary. Kilauea, one of five coalescing volcanoes that comprise the island of Hawaii, is one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Eruptions at Kilauea originate primarily from the summit caldera or along one of the lengthy E and SW rift zones that extend from the caldera to the sea. About 90% of the surface of Kilauea is formed by lava flows less than about 1,100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years. The latest Kilauea eruption began in January 1983 along the E rift zone. This long-term ongoing eruption from Pu`u `O`o-Kupaianaha has produced lava flows that have traveled 11-12 km from the vents to the sea, paving broad areas on the S flank of Kilauea and adding new land beyond the former coastline.

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php

Kilauea information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1302-01-

PACAYA southern Guatemala 14.38°N, 90.60°W; summit elev. 2,552 m

INSIVUMEH reported that during 4-5 January, Strombolian eruptions from Pacaya produced incandescent material that was expelled at 2-40-second intervals, up to 100 m above the crater. Gas clouds reached an altitude of 2.7 km (8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S. A lava flow 50 m in length pooled near the NE edge of MacKenney Cone.

Geologic Summary. Eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. Pacaya is a complex volcano constructed on the southern rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the caldera floor. The Pacaya massif includes the Cerro Grande lava dome and a younger volcano to the SW. Collapse of Pacaya volcano about 1,100 years ago produced a debris-avalanche deposit that extends 25 km onto the Pacific coastal plain and left an arcuate somma rim inside which the modern Pacaya volcano (MacKenney cone) grew. During the past several decades, activity at Pacaya has consisted of frequent Strombolian eruptions with intermittent lava flow extrusion on the flanks of MacKenney cone, punctuated by occasional larger explosive eruptions.

Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)

http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/geofisica/boletin%20formato.htm

Pacaya Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1402-11=

PITON DE LA FOURNAISE Réunion Island, Indian Ocean 21.23°S, 55.71°E; summit elev. 2,631 m

OVPDLF reported that the eruption of Piton de la Fournaise that began on 30 August 2006 ceased on 1 January.

Geologic Summary. The massive Piton de la Fournaise shield volcano on the island of Réunion is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Most historical eruptions have originated from the summit and flanks of Dolomieu, a 400-m-high lava shield that has grown within the youngest of three large calderas. This latter caldera is 8 km wide and is breached to below sea level on the eastern side. More than 150 eruptions, most of which have produced fluid basaltic lava flows within the caldera, have been documented since the 17th century.

Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPDLF) http://ovpf.univ-reunion.fr/

Piton de la Fournaise Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0303-02=

POPOCATÉPETL México 19.02°N, 98.62°W; summit elev. 5,426 m

According to the Washington VAAC, puffs with little ash content emitted from Popocatépetl were reported from the MWO and visible from the camera operated by CENEPRED during 7-8 January. The resulting eruption clouds drifted NE and N. A hotspot at the summit was detected in satellite imagery.

Geologic Summary. Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5,426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City and is North America's second-highest volcano. Frequent historical eruptions have been recorded since the beginning of the Spanish colonial era. A small eruption on 21 December 1994 ended five decades of quiescence. Since 1996 small lava domes have incrementally been constructed within the summit crater and destroyed by explosive eruptions. Intermittent small-to-moderate gas-and-ash eruptions have continued, occasionally producing ashfall in neighboring towns and villages.

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html

Popocatépetl Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1401-09=

RABAUL New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea 4.271°S, 152.203°E; summit elev. 688 m

RVO reported that during 1-3 January, Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone emitted steam plumes with small amounts of ash that rose to 1.0-2.7 km (3,300-8,900 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and N. Roaring noises accompanied emissions on 2 January.

Geologic Summary. The low-lying Rabaul caldera on the tip of the Gazelle Peninsula at the NE end of New Britain forms a broad sheltered harbor. The outer flanks of the 688-m-high asymmetrical pyroclastic shield volcano are formed by thick pyroclastic-flow deposits. The 8 x 14 km caldera is widely breached on the E, where its floor is flooded by Blanche Bay. Two major Holocene caldera-forming eruptions at Rabaul took place as recently as 3,500 and 1,400 years ago. Three small stratovolcanoes lie outside the northern and NE caldera rims. Post-caldera eruptions built basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic cones on the caldera floor near the NE and western caldera walls. Several of these, including Vulcan cone, which was formed during a large eruption in 1878, have produced major explosive activity during historical time. A powerful explosive eruption in 1994 occurred simultaneously from Vulcan and Tavurvur volcanoes and forced the temporary abandonment of Rabaul city.

Source: Herman Patia, Rabaul Volcano Observatory

Rabaul Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0502-14=

SANTA MARÍA Guatemala 14.756°N, 91.552°W; summit elev. 3,772 m

INSIVUMEH reported 37 weak to moderate explosions from Santa María's Santiaguito lava-dome complex on 4 January. The moderate explosions caused ashfall S and SE in the ranching areas of Monte Bello and Monte Claro. About 21 block-and-ash flows were also observed. On 5 January, explosions produced ash clouds that rose to 4.3-4.8 km (14,000-15,700 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was noted from areas S and SE. The Washington VAAC reported that ash puffs were visible on satellite imagery during 7-8 January.

Geologic Summary. Symmetrical, forest-covered Santa María volcano is one of a chain of large stratovolcanoes that rises dramatically above the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala. The stratovolcano has a sharp-topped, conical profile that is cut on the SW flank by a large, 1-km-wide crater, which formed during a catastrophic eruption in 1902 and extends from just below the summit to the lower flank. The renowned Plinian eruption of 1902 followed a long repose period and devastated much of SW Guatemala. The large dacitic Santiaguito lava-dome complex has been growing at the base of the 1902 crater since 1922. Compound dome growth at Santiaguito has occurred episodically from four westward-younging vents, accompanied by almost continuous minor explosions and periodic lava extrusion, larger explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars.

Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/geofisica/boletin%20formato.htm,

Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html

Santa María Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1402-03=

ST. HELENS Washington, USA 46.20°N, 122.18°W; summit elev. 2,549 m

Data from deformation-monitoring instruments showed that during 3-9 January the lava dome at Mount St. Helens continued to grow. Seismicity continued at low levels, punctuated by M 1.5-2.5 and occasionally larger earthquakes. Inclement weather inhibited observations.

Geologic Summary. Prior to 1980, Mount St. Helens formed a conical, youthful volcano sometimes known as the Fuji-san of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 400 m of the summit was removed by slope failure, leaving a 2 x 3.5 km horseshoe-shaped crater now partially filled by a lava dome. Mount St. Helens was formed during nine eruptive periods beginning about 40-50,000 years ago, and has been the most active volcano in the Cascade Range during the Holocene. The modern edifice was constructed during the last 2,200 years, when the volcano produced basaltic as well as andesitic and dacitic products from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions in the 19th century originated from the Goat Rocks area on the N flank, and were witnessed by early settlers.

Source: US Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/CurrentActivity/framework.html

St. Helens Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1201-05-

SUWANOSE-JIMA Ryukyu Islands, Japan 29.53°N, 129.72°E; summit elev. 799 m

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an eruption plume from Suwanose-jima on 9 January. The altitude and direction of the plume were not reported.

Geologic Summary. The 8-km-long, spindle-shaped island of Suwanose-jima in the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two historically active summit craters. Only about 50 persons live on the sparsely populated island. The summit of the volcano is truncated by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the E flank that was formed by edifice collapse. Suwanose-jima, one of Japan’s most frequently active volcanoes, was in a state of intermittent strombolian activity from On-take, the NE summit crater, that began in 1949 and lasted nearly a half century. The largest historical eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits blanketed residential areas, after which the island was uninhabited for around 70 years. The SW crater produced lava flows that reached the western coast in 1813, and lava flows reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884.

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/JP/messages.html

Suwanose-jima Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0802-03=

TUNGURAHUA Ecuador 1.47°S, 78.44°W; summit elev. 5,023 m

During 3-9 January, seismicity at Tungurahua remained low to moderate and visual observations were limited due to inclement weather.

Geologic Summary. The steep-sided Tungurahua stratovolcano towers more than 3 km above its northern base. It sits ~140 km S of Quito, Ecuador’s capital city, and is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. Historical eruptions have been restricted to the summit crater. They have been accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. The last major eruption took place from 1916 to 1918, although minor activity continued until 1925. The latest eruption began in October 1999 and prompted temporary evacuation of the town of Baños on the N side of the volcano.

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Poltécnica Nacional http://www.igepn.edu.ec/

Tungurahua Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1502-08=

ULAWUN New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea 5.04°S, 151.34°E; summit elev. 2,334 m

The Darwin VAAC reported that diffuse steam-and-ash plumes from Ulawun were visible on satellite imagery drifting SW on 4 January.

Geologic Summary. The symmetrical basaltic to andesitic Ulawun stratovolcano is the highest volcano of the Bismarck arc, and one of Papua New Guinea's most frequently active. Ulawun rises above the N coast of New Britain opposite Bamus volcano. The upper 1,000 m of the 2,334-m-high volcano is unvegetated. A steep-walled valley cuts the NW side of the volcano, and a flank lava-flow complex lies to the S of this valley. Historical eruptions date back to the beginning of the 18th century. Twentieth-century eruptions were mildly explosive until 1967, but after 1970 several larger eruptions produced lava flows and basaltic pyroclastic flows, greatly modifying the summit crater.

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AU/messages.html

Ulawun Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0502-12=

**+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++**

**Sally Kuhn Sennert**

**Global Volcanism Program**

Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History MRC-119

Department of Mineral Sciences

Washington, D.C., 20560

http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/index.cfm

Phone: 202.633.1805
Fax: 202.357.2476
<http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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