GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 8-14 August 2007

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**************************************************************
GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report
8-14 August 2007
http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/
**************************************************************




New Activity/Unrest: | Fuego, Guatemala | Karangetang, Indonesia |
Kilauea, USA | Llaima, Chile | Turrialba, Costa Rica



Ongoing Activity: | Arenal, Costa Rica | Cleveland, USA | Karymsky,
Russia | Merapi, Indonesia | Rabaul, Papua New Guinea | Shiveluch,
Russia | Soputan, Indonesia | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat | St.
Helens, USA | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Ubinas, Perú





New Activity/Unrest





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



INSIVUMEH reported that on 8 August, a Strombolian eruption of Fuego
produced gas-and-ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.8-5.6 km
(15,700-18,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and SW. Lava flows advanced
and avalanches of incandescent blocks traveled down river valleys,
including the Ceniza river valley to the SW. Several pyroclastic flows
descended the flanks and ashfall was reported in villages to the W,
SW, and S. CONRED raised the Alert Level to Orange (level 3 on a scale
of 1-4) in surrounding communities on 8 August, based on a later
report from INSIVUMEH.



On 9 August, there was a substantial decrease in vigor of the
Strombolian eruption. Explosions produced plumes to altitudes of
4.4-4.8 km (14,400-15,700 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. A lava flow
traveled 1.5 km SW down the Ceniza river valley and landslides of
incandescent blocks were observed. INSIVUMEH issued a report later
that day stating that the activity had further decreased to normal
levels. A few explosions produced plumes to an altitude of 4.3 km
(14,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.



On 10 August, CONRED decreased the Alert Level to Yellow. INSIVUMEH
reported that the lava flows that were active during 8-9 August were
no longer visible. On 10 and 13 August, small explosions produced
plumes to an altitude of 4.3 km (14,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW.



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.



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

Coordinadora Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres (CONRED)
http://www.conred.org/boletines/2007/mayo2007/boletin250507a.php



Fuego Information from the Global Volcanism Program

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





KARANGETANG [Api Siau]  Siau Island, Indonesia 2.47°N, 125.29°E;
summit elev. 1,784 m



The Alert Status of Karangetang was raised on 11 August from 2 to 3
(on a scale of 1-4) due to increased eruptive activity. Tremors
increased during 5-8 August. According to news articles, lava and
pyroclastic flows that were observed on 10 August, prompted
authorities to evacuate more than 500 people from villages on the
slopes. During the reporting period, a lava fountain rose 25-75 m
above the summit.



Geologic Summary. Karangetang (also known as Api Siau) lies at the
northern end of the island of Siau, N of Sulawesi. The 1,784-m-high
stratovolcano contains five summit craters along a N-S line. One of
Indonesia's most active volcanoes, Karangetang has had more than 40
recorded eruptions since 1675. Twentieth-century eruptions have
included frequent explosions, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic
flows and lahars.



Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation
(CVGHM) http://portal.vsi.esdm.go.id/joomla/,

NEWS.com.au http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22231198-23109,00.html



Karangetang Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0607-02=





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



HVO reported that fissure segment D from Kilauea's 21 July fissure
eruption remained active during 8-14 August. The 'a'a flow from
segment D advanced 760 m during 8-11 August and overflowed the N side
of the channel multiple times during 10-12 August. On 13 August, an
extension of the lava flow formed in an area of frequent overflows.
Smoke from burning vegetation was visible near the flow front. Fissure
segment C produced small lava flows during 8-10 August but only fumes
during 11-14 August.



Incandescence was visible on the web camera from E and W vents in Pu'u
'O'o's crater on 11 August. A few small earthquakes were located
beneath Halema'uma'u crater, the S flank, and the SW rift zone during
8-13 August. On 13 August, a M 5.4 earthquake was located beneath the
S flank at a depth of 9 km.



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-





LLAIMA central Chile 38.69°S, 71.73°W; summit elev. 3,125 m



Based on pilot observations, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an
ash plume from Llaima rose to an altitude of 5.2 km (17,000 ft) a.s.l.
on 8 August and drifted E. Ash was not identified on satellite
imagery.



Geologic Summary. Llaima, one of Chile's largest and most active
volcanoes, contains two historically active craters, one at the summit
and the other to the SE. The massive 3,125-m-high, glacier-covered
stratovolcano has a volume of 400 cubic kilometers. A Holocene edifice
built primarily of accumulated lava flows was constructed over an
8-km-wide caldera that formed about 13,200 years ago, following
eruption of the 24 cu km Curacautín ignimbrite. More than 40 scoria
cones dot the volcano's flanks. Following the end of an explosive
stage about 7,200 years ago, construction of the present edifice
began, characterized by strombolian, hawaiian, and infrequent
subplinian eruptions. Frequent moderate explosive eruptions with
occasional lava flows have been recorded since the 17th century.



Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AG/messages.html



Llaima Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1507-11=





TURRIALBA Costa Rica 10.025°N, 83.767°W; summit elev. 3,340 m



OVSICORI reported that from mid-June through 8 August, several changes
occurred at Turrialba, including opened fractures, spreading
fumaroles, and an acute impact of gases on vegetation. Wide spreading
of fumaroles on the upper edifice correlated with enhanced seismicity
in mid-July. The principle fumarole in the bottom of the W crater
reached 138 degrees C and produced a distinctive sound of a "high
pressure valve" heard as far as 500 m away. The fumarole melted
observable amounts of sulfur, a phenomenon not seen by the OVSICORI
team in 25 years of continuous monitoring.



Multiple cracks associated with the expansion of the fumarolic areas
around crater W were noted. A wide fumarolic field resided between two
cracks about 100 m in length that propagated radially from the W and
NW crater edges. Vegetation on the NW, W, and SW flanks appeared
yellowish and dark brown, and patches of forest burned. Effects from
the gases were observed in commercial farming areas.



Geologic Summary. Turrialba, the easternmost of Costa Rica's Holocene
volcanoes, is a large vegetated basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano
located across a broad saddle NE of Irazú volcano overlooking the city
of Cartago. The massive 3340-m-high Turrialba is exceeded in height
only by Irazú, covers an area of 500 sq km, and is one of Costa Rica's
most voluminous volcanoes. Three well-defined craters occur at the
upper SW end of a broad 800 x 2200 m wide summit depression that is
breached to the NE. Most activity at Turrialba originated from the
summit vent complex, but two pyroclastic cones are located on the SW
flank. Five major explosive eruptions have occurred at Turrialba
during the past 3500 years. Turrialba has been quiescent since a
series of explosive eruptions during the 19th century that were
sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows. Fumarolic activity
continues at the central and SW summit craters.



Source: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa
Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/



Turrialba Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-07=





Ongoing Activity





ARENAL Costa Rica 10.46°N, 84.70°W; summit elev. 1,657 m



In July, activity originating from Arenal's Crater C consisted of gas
emissions, sporadic Strombolian eruptions, lava flows traveling SW and
S, and occasional avalanches from lava-flow fronts. Blocks from the
lava-flow fronts periodically reached vegetation and started small
fires. Volcanic activity was at relatively low levels and few
eruptions occurred. Small amounts of pyroclastic material were ejected
and affected the NE and SE flanks. Eruptions produced ash plumes that
rose about 2.2 km (7,100 ft) a.s.l. Ash and acid rain fell on the NE
and SE flanks. Small avalanches of volcanic material traveled down
several ravines. Crater D showed only fumarolic activity.



Geologic Summary. Conical Volcán Arenal is the youngest stratovolcano
in Costa Rica and one of its most active. The 1,657-m-high andesitic
volcano towers above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal, which has been
enlarged by a hydroelectric project. The earliest known eruptions of
Arenal took place about 7,000 years ago. Growth of Arenal has been
characterized by periodic major explosive eruptions at
several-hundred-year intervals and periods of lava effusion that armor
the cone. Arenal's most recent eruptive period began with a major
explosive eruption in 1968. Continuous explosive activity accompanied
by slow lava effusion and the occasional emission of pyroclastic flows
has occurred since then from vents at the summit and on the upper
western flank.



Source: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa
Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/



Arenal Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-033





CLEVELAND Aleutian Islands, USA 52.82°N, 169.95°W; summit elev. 1,730 m



Clouds obscured satellite and web camera views of Cleveland volcano
during 8-13 August. A few clear views of the crater during 13-14
August revealed multiple thermal anomalies. The Aviation Color Code
remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch
<http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php>.



Geologic Summary. The symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is
situated at the western end of the uninhabited dumbbell-shaped
Chuginadak Island in the east-central Aleutians. The 1,730-m-high
stratovolcano is the highest of the Islands of Four Mountains group
and is one of the most active in the Aleutians. Numerous large lava
flows descend its flanks. It is possible that some 18th to 19th
century eruptions attributed to Carlisle (a volcano located across the
Carlisle Pass Strait to the NW) should be ascribed to Cleveland. In
1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian
eruption. Recent eruptions from Mt. Cleveland have been characterized
by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava
fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.



Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory http://www.avo.alaska.edu/



Cleveland Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1101-24-





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



Seismic activity at Karymsky was above background levels during 3-10
August, with 300-800 shallow earthquakes occurring daily. Based on
seismic interpretation, ash plumes may have risen to an altitude of 3
km (9,800 ft) a.s.l. 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 (KVERT)
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=





MERAPI  central Java, Indonesia 7.542°S, 110.442°E; summit elev. 2,947 m



Based on a pilot observation, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash
plume from Merapi rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and
drifted W on 9 August. Ash was not identified on satellite imagery.



Geologic Summary. Merapi, one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes,
lies in one of the world's most densely populated areas and dominates
the landscape immediately N of the major city of Yogyakarta. The
steep-sided modern Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to
frequent eruptive activity, was constructed to the SW of an arcuate
scarp cutting the eroded older Batulawang volcano. Pyroclastic flows
and lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active
summit lava dome have devastated cultivated and inhabited lands on the
volcano's western-to-southern flanks and caused many fatalities during
historical time. The volcano is the object of extensive monitoring
efforts by the Merapi Volcano Observatory.



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



Merapi Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0603-25=





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



RVO reported that during 7-13 August, ash plumes from Rabaul caldera's
Tavurvur cone rose to an altitude of 1.7 km (5,600 ft) a.s.l. and
drifted N and NW. On 8 August, ashfall greater than 5 mm thickness was
reported in Rabaul Town. During 10-13 August, ashfall was reported
from areas downwind, including Rabaul Town. Rumbling and jet-like
noises were heard and incandescence was seen at the crater during the
reporting period.



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 and Steve Saunders, Rabaul Volcano Observatory



Rabaul Information from the Global Volcanism Program

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





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



KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was slightly above
background levels during 3-10 August. Based on seismic interpretation,
avalanches and ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 6 km (19,700 ft)
a.s.l. occurred during the reporting period. Observations of satellite
imagery revealed that a thermal anomaly was present in the crater
during 2-5 and 8-9 August. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at
Orange <http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php>.



Based on information from KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that ash
plumes rose to altitudes of 4.6-10.1 km (15,000-33,000 ft) a.s.l.
during 12-13 August. Based on seismic interpretation, a high plume
occurred again on 13 August. Ash was not identified on 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.



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

Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
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=





SOPUTAN  Sulawesi, Indonesia 1.11°N, 124.73°E; summit elev. 1,784 m



According to news articles, an eruption from Soputan on 14 August
produced ash plumes to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. Lava
and rock avalanches were also observed. On 15 August, seismic activity
decreased. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4).



Geologic Summary. The small conical volcano of Soputan on the southern
rim of the Quaternary Tondano caldera is one of Sulawesi's most active
volcanoes. During historical time the locus of eruptions has included
both the summit crater and Aeseput, a prominent NE-flank vent that
formed in 1906 and was the source of intermittent major lava flows
until 1924.



Sources: Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSJAK317595,

Associated Press
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070814/world/indonesia_volcano_3,

Antara http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/8/15/mt-soputan-shows-signs-of-decreased-activity/



Soputan Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0606-03=





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



MVO reported that during 3-13 August the lava dome at Soufrière Hills
changed very little, based on visual observations. Seismic activity
was very low and low-level rockfall activity continued. On 10 August,
lahars were detected in all drainages due to heavy rainfall. The Alert
Level remained elevated at 4 (on a scale of 0-5).



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.



Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory http://www.mvo.ms/



Soufrière Hills Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1600-05=





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



Data from deformation-monitoring instruments indicated that during
8-14 August lava-dome growth at Mount St. Helens continued. Seismicity
persisted at low levels, punctuated by M 1.5-2.5, and occasionally
larger, earthquakes. In some instances, clouds inhibited visual
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-





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



IG reported that during 8-9 August, steam-and-ash plumes from
Tungurahua rose to a maximum altitude of 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. and
drifted W and SW. Ashfall was reported from areas SW and W on 8
August. Explosions on 9, 12, and 13 August sounded similar to "cannon
shots" and vibrated windows in areas to the W and SW. Incandescent
material was observed inside the crater and fell on the flanks. On 11
August, lahars traveled down NW drainages and disrupted the route
between Ambato and Baños. Clouds obscured views during 10-12 August.



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=





UBINAS  Perú 16.355°S, 70.903°W; summit elev. 5,672 m



Based on satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an
eruption plume from Ubinas rose to an altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft)
a.s.l. and drifted SE on 9 August.



Geologic Summary. A small, 1.2-km-wide caldera that cuts the top of
Ubinas, Peru's most active volcano, gives it a truncated appearance.
Ubinas is the northernmost of three young volcanoes located along a
regional structural lineament about 50 km behind the main volcanic
front of Peru. The upper slopes of the stratovolcano, composed
primarily of Pleistocene andesitic lava flows, steepen to nearly 45
degrees. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit caldera contains an ash
cone with a 500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200 m deep.
Debris-avalanche deposits from the collapse of the SE flank of Ubinas
extend 10 km from the volcano. Widespread plinian pumice-fall deposits
from Ubinas include some of Holocene age. Holocene lava flows are
visible on the volcano's flanks, but historical activity, documented
since the 16th century, has consisted of intermittent minor explosive
eruptions.



Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AG/messages.html



Ubinas Information from the Global Volcanism Program

http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1504-02=



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sally Kuhn Sennert
SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Editor
Global Volcanism Program
http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/
<http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/>
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
Department of Mineral Sciences, MRC-119
Washington, D.C., 20560
Phone: 202.633.1805
Fax: 202.357.2476

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