******************************************************* SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 28 May-3 June 2008 ******************************************************* Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor kuhns@xxxxxx URL: http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/ New Activity/Unrest: | Cerro Azul, Isabela Island | Chaitén, Southern Chile | Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia) | Lewotobi, Flores Island (Indonesia) Ongoing Activity: | Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia) | Fuego, Guatemala | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka | Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) | Rabaul, New Britain (SW Pacific) | Sakura-jima, Kyushu (Japan) | Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Ubinas, Perú The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, notices of volcanic activity posted on these pages are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of all of Earth's volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network. Note: Many news agencies do not archive the articles they post on the Internet, and therefore the links to some sources may not be active. To obtain information about the cited articles that are no longer available on the Internet contact the source. New Activity/Unrest CERRO AZUL Isabela I 0.92°S, 91.408°W; summit elev. 1640 m Based on information from the Galápagos National Park, observations of satellite imagery, and seismicity, the IG reported that Cerro Azul started to erupt on 29 May from several points along a radial fissure on the SE flank in the Cinco Cerros area. A thermal anomaly was present on satellite imagery at about the same time incandescence was seen through cloudiness in the direction of the volcano from ground observations. On 30 May, a plume, possibly with low ash content, was seen on satellite imagery drifting NW. An overflight and further observations revealed that lava flows traveled about 10 km down the SE flank over older flows from eruptions in 1978 and 1998. According to a news article, the lava flows were active during 29 May-1 June and burned vegetation on the flanks of the volcano. Geologic Summary. Located at the SW tip of the J-shaped Isabela Island, Cerro Azul contains a steep-walled 4 x 5 km nested summit caldera complex that is one of the smallest diameter, but at 650 m one of the deepest in the Galápagos Islands. The 1640-m-high shield volcano is the second highest of the archipelago. A conspicuous bench occupies the SW and west sides of the caldera, which formed during several episodes of collapse. Youthful lava flows cover much of the caldera floor, which has also contained ephemeral lakes. A prominent tuff cone located at the ENE side of the caldera is evidence of episodic hydrovolcanism at Cerro Azul. Numerous spatter cones dot the western flanks of the volcano. Fresh-looking lava flows, many erupted from circumferential fissures, descend the NE and NW flanks of the volcano. Historical eruptions date back only to 1932, but Cerro Azul has been one of the most active Galápagos volcanoes since that time. Sources: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG) http://www.igepn.edu.ec/, Agence France-Presse http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iacysr41F38BLSXkgw80qHQuX95g CHAITEN Southern Chile 42.833°S, 72.646°W; summit elev. 1122 m Based on observations of satellite imagery, SIGMET reports, and pilot observations, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 28 May-3 June continuous ash plumes from Chaitén rose to altitudes of 3-6.4 km (10,000-21,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NE, E, and SE. Cloudy conditions occasionally inhibited observations. SERNAGEOMIN reported ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 3.5-4 km (11,200-13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N, NNE, and W during 28 May-2 June. Beaches to the W and N (about 12 km away) continued to accumulate pumice up to 40 cm in diameter carried to the ocean by the Yelcho, Negro, and Chaitén rivers. On 28 May, the ash affected towns and caused airport closings hundreds of kilometers N. A dense layer of mist with suspended ash, about 1.5 km thick and continuous around the volcano on 31 May, resulted in poor visibility. An ash plume at an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. was observed above the layer on 30 May. The Alert level remained at Red. Geologic Summary. Chaitén is a small, glacier-free caldera with a Holocene lava dome located 10 km NE of the town of Chaitén on the Gulf of Corcovado. A pyroclastic-surge and pumice deposit considered to originate from the eruption that formed the elliptical 2.5 x 4 km wide summit caldera was dated at about 9400 years ago. A rhyolitic, 962-m-high obsidian lava dome occupies much of the caldera floor. Obsidian cobbles from this dome found in the Blanco River are the source of prehistorical artifacts from archaeological sites along the Pacific coast as far as 400 km away from the volcano to the north and south. The caldera is breached on the SW side by a river that drains to the bay of Chaitén, and the high point on its southern rim reaches 1122 m. Two small lakes occupy the caldera floor on the west and north sides of the lava dome. Sources: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) http://www.sernageomin.cl/, Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AG/messages.html DUKONO Halmahera (Indonesia) 1.68°N, 127.88°E; summit elev. 1335 m CVGHM reported incandescence at Dukono's summit during 31 March-24 April. On 25 April, incandescent material was ejected 25 m above the summit. During 30 April-2 May seismicty increased. On 25 May, an ash plume rose to an altitude of 1.4-2.1 km (4,600-6,900 ft) a.s.l. and was accompanied by thunderous and booming sounds. On 29 May, an ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.3 km (7,500 ft) a.s.l. and again was accompanied by thunderous and booming sounds. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and visitors were not permitted within 3 km of the summit. Geologic Summary. Reports from this remote volcano in northernmost Halmahera are rare, but Dukono has been one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. More-or-less continuous explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, occurred from 1933 until at least the mid-1990s, when routine observations were curtailed. During a major eruption in 1550, a lava flow filled in the strait between Halmahera and the N-flank cone of Gunung Mamuya. Dukono is a complex volcano presenting a broad, low profile with multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of Dukono's summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been active during historical time. Source: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) http://portal.vsi.esdm.go.id/joomla/ LEWOTOBI Flores Island (Indonesia) 8.542°S, 122.775°E; summit elev. 1703 m On 29 May, CVGHM raised the Alert Level for Lewotobi to 2 (on a scale of 1-4) due to an increase in seismicity during 12-29 May. White plumes typically rose about 25 m above the crater and drifted E; visual observations indicated no changes. Geologic Summary. The Lewotobi "husband and wife" twin volcano (also known as Lewetobi) in eastern Flores Island is composed of the Lewotobi Lakilaki and Lewotobi Perempuan stratovolcanoes. Their summits are less than 2 km apart along a NW-SE line. The conical 1,584-m-high Lewotobi Lakilaki has been frequently active during the 19th and 20th centuries, while the taller and broader 1,703-m-high Lewotobi Perempuan has erupted only twice in historical time. Small lava domes have grown during the 20th century in the crescentic summit craters of both volcanoes, which are open to the N. A prominent flank cone, Iliwokar, occurs on the E flank of Lewotobi Perampuan. Source: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) http://portal.vsi.esdm.go.id/joomla/ Ongoing Activity BATU TARA Komba Island (Indonesia) 7.792°S, 123.579°E; summit elev. 748 m Based on observations of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that low-level plumes from Batu Tara rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WNW and NW during 29 May-1 June. On 1 June a thermal anomaly was noted. Geologic Summary. The small isolated island of Batu Tara in the Flores Sea about 50 km north of Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island contains a scarp on the eastern side similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks of Batu Tara to within 50 m of the 748-m-high summit. Batu Tara lies north of the main volcanic arc and is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first historical eruption from Batu Tara, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow. Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AU/messages.html FUEGO Guatemala 14.473°N, 90.880°W; summit elev. 3763 m During 28-30 May, INSIVUMEH reported explosions from Fuego and ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.1-4.4 km (13,500-14,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and SW. The explosions produced rumbling and degassing sounds, and shock waves detected several kilometers away. Avalanches descended W into the Taniluyá and Santa Teresa ravines. On 2 June, incandescent material was ejected 50-100 m above the crater and a small lava flow traveled 100 m W towards the Santa Teresa ravine. On 3 June, cloudy weather inhibited visual observations, but explosions were heard. 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/ KARYMSKY Eastern Kamchatka 54.05°N, 159.45°E; summit elev. 1536 m KVERT reported that seismic activity at Karymsky was slightly above background levels during 22, 25-26, and 28 May and at background levels the other days during 23-30 May. Gas-and-ash explosions that produced plumes to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. may have occurred during days of slightly elevated seismicity. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. 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/index_eng.php KILAUEA Hawaii (USA) 19.421°N, 155.287°W; summit elev. 1222 m Based on visual observations from HVO crews and web camera views, HVO reported that during 28 May-3 June lava flowed SE through a lava tube system underneath Kilauea's Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to the Waikupanaha ocean entry. Incandescence was occasionally noted from the TEB vent area. Gas continued to jet from a vent about 30 m below Pu'u 'O'o crater's E rim. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high and fluctuated between 2,740 and 4,700 tonnes per day when measured on 27 and 30 May. The background rate was about 2,000 tonnes per day when measured on 25 May and earlier. During the reporting period, Kilauea summit earthquakes were located along the S-flank fault and along the E and SW rift zones. The eruption from the vent in Halema'uma'u Crater continued to produce white plumes with minor ash content that drifted mainly SW. During the night incandescence was seen at the base of the plume. Seismic tremor was elevated. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was high and fluctuated between 550 and 1,840 tonnes per day when measured during 27-31 May and 2 June. The background rate was 150-200 tonnes per day. 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 of lava flows less than about 1,100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years. A long-term eruption from the East rift zone that began in 1983 has produced lava flows covering more than 100 sq km, destroying nearly 200 houses and adding new coastline to the island. Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/ RABAUL New Britain (SW Pacific) 4.271°S, 152.203°E; summit elev. 688 m RVO reported steam plumes and roaring noises from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone during 28 May-2 June. Based on observations of satellite imagery and information from RVO, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 2 June and drifted NW. 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. Sources: Steve Saunders, Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/AU/messages.html SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu (Japan) 31.585°N, 130.657°E; summit elev. 1117 m Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 30 May-1 June eruption plumes from Sakura-jima rose to altitudes of 2.1-3 km (7,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NW, NE, E, and S. Geologic Summary. Sakura-jima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, is a post-caldera cone of the Aira caldera at the northern half of Kagoshima Bay. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow was associated with the formation of the 17 x 23-km-wide Aira caldera about 22,000 years ago. The construction of Sakura-jima began about 13,000 years ago and built an island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kita-dake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minami-dake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century, have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical eruption took place during 1471-76. Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/OTH/JP/messages.html SHIVELUCH Central Kamchatka (Russia) 56.653°N, 161.360°E; summit elev. 3283 m KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was slightly above background levels during 27-28 May and at background levels the other days during 23-30 May. Gas-and-ash explosions may have occurred on 22, 27, and 28 May and produced plumes to an altitude of 4.7 km (15,400 ft) a.s.l. According to video footage and visual observations, hot avalanches descended the lava dome and ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. during 26-27 May. Fumarolic activity was noted during 23-27 May. Observations of satellite imagery revealed a daily thermal anomaly in the crater, and an ash-and-steam plume that drifted 17 km SW on 28 May. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange. 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 breached 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/index_eng.php SOUFRIERE HILLS Montserrat 16.72°N, 62.18°W; summit elev. 915 m MVO reported that an explosion at Soufrière Hills on 29 May produced an ash plume to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. which drifted SW and generated a pyroclastic flow. The explosion had no precursory seismicity and was heard in multiple areas to the NW. The pyroclastic flow descended a few hundred meters to the W. Observations during an overflight the following day suggested that the explosion and pyroclastic flow originated from the Gages vent. 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 E, was formed during an eruption about 4,000 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 (MVO) http://www.mvo.ms/ TUNGURAHUA Ecuador 1.467°S, 78.442°W; summit elev. 5023 m On 29 May, IG reported that activity from Tungurahua had gradually increased during the previous few weeks. On 23 May, a marked increase in the number of explosions and the intensity and frequency of ash plumes and ashfall was noted. Although visual observations were mostly limited due to cloud cover during 28 May-2 June, steam and ash-and-steam plumes were spotted and rose to altitudes of 6-7 km (19,700-23,000 ft) a.s.l. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind. On 29 May, seismicity increased; several episodes of seismic tremor were detected. Two episodes were accompanied by roaring noises, ash emissions, and incandescent blocks that were ejected from the summit and rolled down the flanks. A thermal anomaly was detected in satellite imagery. Pyroclastic flows descended the N and NW flanks; deposits were observed the next day. On 30 May, emissions of plumes with low ash content were constant and roaring noises were reported. Slight roaring noises were reported on 1 and 3 June. 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 all originated from 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 Politécnica Nacional (IG) http://www.igepn.edu.ec/ UBINAS Perú 16.355°S, 70.903°W; summit elev. 5672 m Based on pilot reports, SIGMET reports, and observations of satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that during 28-29 May ash plumes from Ubinas rose to altitudes of 5.5-6.1 km (18,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted NE and SE. An ash plume rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SSW on 3 June. 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 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sally Kuhn Sennert SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report Editor Global Volcanism Program 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 ============================================================== To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxxx To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxxx Please do not send attachments. ==============================================================
