Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 6-12 March 2019

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

 



6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6

From: "Kuhn, Sally" <KUHNS@xxxxxx>

6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6


Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor (kuhns@xxxxxx)

URL: https://volcano.si.edu/reports_weekly.cfm





New Activity/Unrest: Barren Island, Andaman Islands (India)  | Bezymianny,
Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  |
Mayon, Luzon (Philippines)  | Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
(France)  | San Cristobal, Nicaragua  | Tengger Caldera, Eastern Java
(Indonesia)



Ongoing Activity: Agung, Bali (Indonesia)  | Aira, Kyushu (Japan)  |
Dukono, Halmahera (Indonesia)  | Ebeko, Paramushir Island (Russia)  |
Karangetang, Siau Island (Indonesia)  | Kerinci, Indonesia  | Manam, Papua
New Guinea  | Merapi, Central Java (Indonesia)  | Nevados de Chillan,
Chile  | Poas, Costa Rica  | Sabancaya, Peru  | Sheveluch, Central
Kamchatka (Russia)  | Suwanosejima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | Turrialba,
Costa Rica





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, these reports
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 about recent activity are published in
issues of the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.



Note that 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





Barren Island  | Andaman Islands (India)  | 12.278°N, 93.858°E  | Summit
elev. 354 m



Based on analysis of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC
reported that on 7 March ash plumes from Barren Island rose to an altitude
of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W and NW, and to an altitude of 1.2
km (4,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and ESE.



Geologic Summary. Barren Island, a possession of India in the Andaman Sea
about 135 km NE of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, is the only
historically active volcano along the N-S volcanic arc extending between
Sumatra and Burma (Myanmar). It is the emergent summit of a volcano that
rises from a depth of about 2250 m. The small, uninhabited 3-km-wide island
contains a roughly 2-km-wide caldera with walls 250-350 m high. The
caldera, which is open to the sea on the west, was created during a major
explosive eruption in the late Pleistocene that produced pyroclastic-flow
and -surge deposits. Historical eruptions have changed the morphology of
the pyroclastic cone in the center of the caldera, and lava flows that fill
much of the caldera floor have reached the sea along the western coast.



Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Bezymianny  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 55.972°N, 160.595°E  | Summit
elev. 2882 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in
satellite images during 1-12 March. Strong gas-end-steam emissions
continued to rise from the crater. Hot avalanches originating from the top
of the lava dome were visible at night. The Aviation Color Code remained at
Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. Prior to its noted 1955-56 eruption, Bezymianny had been
considered extinct. The modern volcano, much smaller in size than its
massive neighbors Kamen and Kliuchevskoi, was formed about 4700 years ago
over a late-Pleistocene lava-dome complex and an ancestral edifice built
about 11,000-7000 years ago. Three periods of intensified activity have
occurred during the past 3000 years. The latest period, which was preceded
by a 1000-year quiescence, began with the dramatic 1955-56 eruption. This
eruption, similar to that of St. Helens in 1980, produced a large
horseshoe-shaped crater that was formed by collapse of the summit and an
associated lateral blast. Subsequent episodic but ongoing lava-dome growth,
accompanied by intermittent explosive activity and pyroclastic flows, has
largely filled the 1956 crater.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Karymsky  | Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)  | 54.049°N, 159.443°E  | Summit
elev. 1513 m



KVERT reported that ash plumes from Karymsky were identified in satellite
images during 1 and 4-5 March rising as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l.
and drifting 90 km E. A thermal anomaly was also visible on those same
days. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level
on a four-color scale).



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 during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts
the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the
north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains
the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding
Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, located
immediately south. The caldera enclosing Karymsky formed about 7600-7700
radiocarbon years ago; construction of the stratovolcano began about 2000
years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago,
following a 2300-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.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Mayon  | Luzon (Philippines)  | 13.257°N, 123.685°E  | Summit elev. 2462 m



PHIVOLCS reported that during 6-11 March white steam plumes periodically
emitted from Mayon drifted WNW, WSW, and SW, and crater incandescence was
visible each night. As many as six volcanic earthquakes and two rockfalls
per day were recorded by the seismic network. Phreatic events recorded at
0811 on 7 March and 0627 on 8 March generated grayish ash plumes that rose
500 and 300 m above the crater, respectively, and drifted SW. The Alert
Level remained at 2 (on a 0-5 scale) and PHIVOLCS reminded residents to
stay away from the 6-km-radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended
Danger Zone on the SSW and ENE flanks.



Geologic Summary. Beautifully symmetrical Mayon, which rises above the
Albay Gulf NW of Legazpi City, is the Philippines' most active volcano. The
structurally simple edifice has steep upper slopes averaging 35-40 degrees
that are capped by a small summit crater. Historical eruptions date back to
1616 and range from Strombolian to basaltic Plinian, with cyclical activity
beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava
flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also
produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and
mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that
radiate from the summit and have often devastated populated lowland areas.
A violent eruption in 1814 killed more than 1,200 people and devastated
several towns.



Source: Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/





Piton de la Fournaise  | Reunion Island (France)  | 21.244°S, 55.708°E  |
Summit elev. 2632 m



During an overflight between 0700 and 0800 on 6 March tourists observed a
new active fissure on the NW flank of Piton de la Fournaiseâ??s Piton Madoré,
150 m upstream of the main vent. The fissure likely opened the day before
during 0900 and 1900. The tourist report noted that a small cone had
formed, and a lava flow was traveling N. In the morning of 7 March at least
six new vents were visible, although weather conditions prevented OVPF
volcanologists from confirming if they were along a new fissure. During
fieldwork on 8 March volcanologists inspected the 5 March fissure and
observed a small cone ejecting material up to 10 m above the rim. Lava from
the W side flowed a few tens of meters, and a flow from the N side
progressed E. The new vents that opened on 7 March were confirmed to be
along an E-W trending fissure. The vents were active, each producing
50-m-high lava fountains. The report also noted that samples from the 5
March and 7 March vents had different compositions, though no other details
were noted. Lava flows traveled to around 1,000 m elevation.



Satellite images showed sulfur dioxide plumes drifting 450-550 km E on 8
March. Lava flows rapidly progressed during 8-9 March; the lava emission
rate was variable, ranging up to 25 cubic meters per second (based on
satellite data), although since the new fissures opened the highest values
(over 50 cubic meters per second) measured the past few days were
approximately 10 times higher than the average values recorded during the
2017-2018 eruptions. By 0800 on 9 March the flow front was at an estimated
elevation of 650-700 m. After a phase of intense surficial activity during
9-10 March, with lava fountains rising as high as 100 m, lava-flow
emissions ceased around 0628 on 10 March and seismicity significantly
decreased.



Geologic Summary. The massive Piton de la Fournaise basaltic shield volcano
on the French island of Réunion in the western Indian Ocean is one of the
world's most active volcanoes. Much of its more than 530,000-year history
overlapped with eruptions of the deeply dissected Piton des Neiges shield
volcano to the NW. Three calderas formed at about 250,000, 65,000, and less
than 5000 years ago by progressive eastward slumping of the volcano.
Numerous pyroclastic cones dot the floor of the calderas and their outer
flanks. Most historical eruptions have originated from the summit and
flanks of Dolomieu, a 400-m-high lava shield that has grown within the
youngest caldera, which is 8 km wide and breached to below sea level on the
eastern side. More than 150 eruptions, most of which have produced fluid
basaltic lava flows, have occurred since the 17th century. Only six
eruptions, in 1708, 1774, 1776, 1800, 1977, and 1986, have originated from
fissures on the outer flanks of the caldera. The Piton de la Fournaise
Volcano Observatory, one of several operated by the Institut de Physique du
Globe de Paris, monitors this very active volcano.



Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)
http://www.ipgp.fr/





San Cristobal  | Nicaragua  | 12.702°N, 87.004°W  | Summit elev. 1745 m



INETER reported that a low-energy explosion at San Cristóbal was detected
by the seismic network at 1550 on 4 March. The event produced a gas-and-ash
plume that rose 400 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.



Geologic Summary. The San Cristóbal volcanic complex, consisting of five
principal volcanic edifices, forms the NW end of the Marrabios Range. The
symmetrical 1745-m-high youngest cone, named San Cristóbal (also known as
El Viejo), is Nicaragua's highest volcano and is capped by a 500 x 600 m
wide crater. El Chonco, with several flank lava domes, is located 4 km W of
San Cristóbal; it and the eroded Moyotepe volcano, 4 km NE of San
Cristóbal, are of Pleistocene age. Volcán Casita, containing an elongated
summit crater, lies immediately east of San Cristóbal and was the site of a
catastrophic landslide and lahar in 1998. The Plio-Pleistocene La Pelona
caldera is located at the eastern end of the complex. Historical eruptions
from San Cristóbal, consisting of small-to-moderate explosive activity,
have been reported since the 16th century. Some other 16th-century
eruptions attributed to Casita volcano are uncertain and may pertain to
other Marrabios Range volcanoes.



Source: Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales (INETER)
http://www.ineter.gob.ni/





Tengger Caldera  | Eastern Java (Indonesia)  | 7.942°S, 112.95°E  | Summit
elev. 2329 m



PVMBG reported that on 10 March an eruption at Tengger Calderaâ??s Bromo cone
generated a white, brown, and gray ash plume that, according to a ground
observer, rose 600 m and drifted SW. An event at 0600 on 11 March produced
a dense gray-to-brown ash plume that rose 600 m and drifted S, SW, and W.
The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4).



Geologic Summary. The 16-km-wide Tengger caldera is located at the northern
end of a volcanic massif extending from Semeru volcano. The massive
volcanic complex dates back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five
overlapping stratovolcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. Lava domes,
pyroclastic cones, and a maar occupy the flanks of the massif. The
Ngadisari caldera at the NE end of the complex formed about 150,000 years
ago and is now drained through the Sapikerep valley. The most recent of the
calderas is the 9 x 10 km wide Sandsea caldera at the SW end of the
complex, which formed incrementally during the late Pleistocene and early
Holocene. An overlapping cluster of post-caldera cones was constructed on
the floor of the Sandsea caldera within the past several thousand years.
The youngest of these is Bromo, one of Java's most active and most
frequently visited volcanoes.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Ongoing Activity





Agung  | Bali (Indonesia)  | 8.343°S, 115.508°E  | Summit elev. 2997 m



PVMBG reported that at 0452 on 4 March an event at Agung was recorded for
just under three minutes and produced ashfall in Besakih (7 km SW) around
0615. No ash plume was visible although foggy conditions prevented views of
the summit. An event that began at 0047 on 9 March lasted for 3 minutes and
50 seconds, and produced an ash plume that drifted E. The Alert Level
remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4) with the exclusion zone set at a 4-km
radius.



Geologic Summary. Symmetrical Agung stratovolcano, Bali's highest and most
sacred mountain, towers over the eastern end of the island. The volcano,
whose name means "Paramount," rises above the SE caldera rim of neighboring
Batur volcano, and the northern and southern flanks extend to the coast.
The summit area extends 1.5 km E-W, with the high point on the W and a
steep-walled 800-m-wide crater on the E. The Pawon cone is located low on
the SE flank. Only a few eruptions dating back to the early 19th century
have been recorded in historical time. The 1963-64 eruption, one of the
largest in the 20th century, produced voluminous ashfall along with
devastating pyroclastic flows and lahars that caused extensive damage and
many fatalities.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Aira  | Kyushu (Japan)  | 31.593°N, 130.657°E  | Summit elev. 1117 m



JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Calderaâ??s
Sakurajima volcano) was occasionally visible during 4-11 March. Occasional
small events and three explosions were detected during 8-11 March. Plumes
rose as high as 1.9 km. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The Aira caldera in the northern half of Kagoshima Bay
contains the post-caldera Sakurajima volcano, one of Japan's most active.
Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow accompanied formation of
the 17 x 23 km caldera about 22,000 years ago. The smaller Wakamiko caldera
was formed during the early Holocene in the NE corner of the Aira caldera,
along with several post-caldera cones. The construction of Sakurajima began
about 13,000 years ago on the southern rim of Aira caldera and built an
island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major
explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kitadake summit
cone ended about 4850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at
Minamidake. 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: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Dukono  | Halmahera (Indonesia)  | 1.693°N, 127.894°E  | Summit elev. 1229 m



Based on satellite images, wind model data, and ground observations, the
Darwin VAAC reported that during 5-9 and 11-12 March ash plumes from Dukono
rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted WSW,
SW, S, and SE. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and
visitors were warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.



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 north-flank cone
of Gunung Mamuya. This complex volcano presents a broad, low profile with
multiple summit peaks and overlapping craters. Malupang Wariang, 1 km SW of
the summit crater complex, contains a 700 x 570 m crater that has also been
active during historical time.



Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml;

Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known as CVGHM)
http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Ebeko  | Paramushir Island (Russia)  | 50.686°N, 156.014°E  | Summit elev.
1103 m



Volcanologists in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island), about 7 km E of
Ebeko, observed explosions during 1-2 and 5 March that sent ash plumes to
2.5 km (8,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in Severo-Kurilsk on 1 and 5 March. The
Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a
four-color scale).



Geologic Summary. The flat-topped summit of the central cone of Ebeko
volcano, one of the most active in the Kuril Islands, occupies the northern
end of Paramushir Island. Three summit craters located along a SSW-NNE line
form Ebeko volcano proper, at the northern end of a complex of five
volcanic cones. Blocky lava flows extend west from Ebeko and SE from the
neighboring Nezametnyi cone. The eastern part of the southern crater
contains strong solfataras and a large boiling spring. The central crater
is filled by a lake about 20 m deep whose shores are lined with steaming
solfataras; the northern crater lies across a narrow, low barrier from the
central crater and contains a small, cold crescentic lake. Historical
activity, recorded since the late-18th century, has been restricted to
small-to-moderate explosive eruptions from the summit craters. Intense
fumarolic activity occurs in the summit craters, on the outer flanks of the
cone, and in lateral explosion craters.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Karangetang  | Siau Island (Indonesia)  | 2.781°N, 125.407°E  | Summit
elev. 1797 m



PVMBG reported that during 4-10 March a low rate of lava effusion continued
at Karangetangâ??s Kawah Dua (North Crater) as evident by avalanches in the
Malabuhe River drainage on the NW flank. White plumes rose as high as 500 m
above the rims of the summit craters during 4-12 March. The Darwin VAAC
reported that on 7 March an ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.7 km (9,000
ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of
1-4), and residents were warned to remain outside of the 2.5-km exclusion
zone around the N and S craters, and additionally within 3 km WNW and 4 km
NW.



Geologic Summary. Karangetang (Api Siau) volcano lies at the northern end
of the island of Siau, north of Sulawesi. The stratovolcano contains five
summit craters along a N-S line. It is one of Indonesia's most active
volcanoes, with more than 40 eruptions recorded since 1675 and many
additional small eruptions that were not documented in the historical
record (Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World: Neumann van Padang,
1951). Twentieth-century eruptions have included frequent explosive
activity sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lahars. Lava dome
growth has occurred in the summit craters; collapse of lava flow fronts has
also produced pyroclastic flows.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Kerinci  | Indonesia  | 1.697°S, 101.264°E  | Summit elev. 3800 m



PVMBG reported that at 1850 on 7 March a brown ash emission rose 150 m
above the rim of Kerinci summit vent and drifted NE. Ash also drifted down
the SE and E flanks. Another brown ash emission was observed at 1209 on 8
March rising 700 m and drifting W. Brown ash emissions at 1607 on 10 March
and 0919 on 11 March rose 300 m and 500 m, respectively, and drifted NE.
Seismicity was dominated by volcanic tremor during 7-11 March.



Geologic Summary. Gunung Kerinci in central Sumatra forms Indonesia's
highest volcano and is one of the most active in Sumatra. It is capped by
an unvegetated young summit cone that was constructed NE of an older crater
remnant. There is a deep 600-m-wide summit crater often partially filled by
a small crater lake that lies on the NE crater floor, opposite the SW-rim
summit. The massive 13 x 25 km wide volcano towers 2400-3300 m above
surrounding plains and is elongated in a N-S direction. Frequently active,
Kerinci has been the source of numerous moderate explosive eruptions since
its first recorded eruption in 1838.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Manam  | Papua New Guinea  | 4.08°S, 145.037°E  | Summit elev. 1807 m



The Darwin VAAC reported that during 5-6 March ash plumes from Manam rose
to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E based on satellite
data and ground-based observations. A significant thermal anomaly was also
visible in satellite images, and seismicity was elevated.



Geologic Summary. The 10-km-wide island of Manam, lying 13 km off the
northern coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, is one of the country's most
active volcanoes. Four large radial valleys extend from the unvegetated
summit of the conical 1807-m-high basaltic-andesitic stratovolcano to its
lower flanks. These "avalanche valleys" channel lava flows and pyroclastic
avalanches that have sometimes reached the coast. Five small satellitic
centers are located near the island's shoreline on the northern, southern,
and western sides. Two summit craters are present; both are active,
although most historical eruptions have originated from the southern
crater, concentrating eruptive products during much of the past century
into the SE valley. Frequent historical eruptions, typically of
mild-to-moderate scale, have been recorded since 1616. Occasional larger
eruptions have produced pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached
flat-lying coastal areas and entered the sea, sometimes impacting populated
areas.



Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
http://www.bom.gov.au/aviation/volcanic-ash/darwin-va-advisory.shtml





Merapi  | Central Java (Indonesia)  | 7.54°S, 110.446°E  | Summit elev.
2910 m



PVMBG reported that during 1-12 March white-and-gray emissions of variable
density rose as high as 1 km above Merapiâ??s summit. The volume of the lava
dome was 470,000 cubic meters on 5 March, as estimated from drone
photographs, and relatively unchanged from the previous weeks. There were
no apparent morphological changes; most of the extruded lava fell into the
upper parts of the Gendol River drainage on the SE flank. Block-and-ash
flows traveled 500-1,900 m down the Gendol drainage on 2, 3, and 7. The
Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and residents were warned to
remain outside of the 3-km exclusion zone.



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 north of the major city of Yogyakarta. It is the youngest and
southernmost of a volcanic chain extending NNW to Ungaran volcano. Growth
of Old Merapi during the Pleistocene ended with major edifice collapse
perhaps about 2000 years ago, leaving a large arcuate scarp cutting the
eroded older Batulawang volcano. Subsequently growth of the steep-sided
Young Merapi edifice, its upper part unvegetated due to frequent eruptive
activity, began SW of the earlier collapse scarp. Pyroclastic flows and
lahars accompanying growth and collapse of the steep-sided active summit
lava dome have devastated cultivated lands on the western-to-southern
flanks and caused many fatalities during historical time.



Source: Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG, also known
as CVGHM) http://vsi.esdm.go.id/





Nevados de Chillan  | Chile  | 36.868°S, 71.378°W  | Summit elev. 3180 m



ONEMI and SERNAGEOMIN reported that an explosive event at Nevados de
Chillánâ??s Nicanor Crater was recorded at 0845 on 8 March and was associated
with a long-period earthquake signal. The explosion ejected and deposited
material in areas around the crater, mainly to the N, and produced a plume
that rose 2.7 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at Orange,
the second highest level on a four-color scale, and residents were reminded
not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level
Yellow (the middle level on a three-color scale) for the communities of
Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.



Geologic Summary. The compound volcano of Nevados de Chillán is one of the
most active of the Central Andes. Three late-Pleistocene to Holocene
stratovolcanoes were constructed along a NNW-SSE line within three nested
Pleistocene calderas, which produced ignimbrite sheets extending more than
100 km into the Central Depression of Chile. The largest stratovolcano,
dominantly andesitic, Cerro Blanco (Volcán Nevado), is located at the NW
end of the group. Volcán Viejo (Volcán Chillán), which was the main active
vent during the 17th-19th centuries, occupies the SE end. The new Volcán
Nuevo lava-dome complex formed between 1906 and 1945 between the two
volcanoes and grew to exceed Volcán Viejo in elevation. The Volcán Arrau
dome complex was constructed SE of Volcán Nuevo between 1973 and 1986 and
eventually exceeded its height.



Sources: Oficina Nacional de Emergencia-Ministerio del Interior (ONEMI)
http://www.onemi.cl/;

Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)
http://www.sernageomin.cl/





Poas  | Costa Rica  | 10.2°N, 84.233°W  | Summit elev. 2708 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that, although weather conditions often prevented
visual observations of Poás during 7-8 and 10 March, gas plumes sometimes
containing ash were observed rising as high as 500 m above the crater rim
and drifting SW. A sulfur odor and ashfall were reported in Naranjo and
Grecia (16 km SW).



Geologic Summary. The broad, well-vegetated edifice of Poás, one of the
most active volcanoes of Costa Rica, contains three craters along a N-S
line. The frequently visited multi-hued summit crater lakes of the
basaltic-to-dacitic volcano, which is one of Costa Rica's most prominent
natural landmarks, are easily accessible by vehicle from the nearby capital
city of San José. A N-S-trending fissure cutting the 2708-m-high complex
stratovolcano extends to the lower northern flank, where it has produced
the Congo stratovolcano and several lake-filled maars. The southernmost of
the two summit crater lakes, Botos, is cold and clear and last erupted
about 7500 years ago. The more prominent geothermally heated northern lake,
Laguna Caliente, is one of the world's most acidic natural lakes, with a pH
of near zero. It has been the site of frequent phreatic and phreatomagmatic
eruptions since the first historical eruption was reported in 1828.
Eruptions often include geyser-like ejections of crater-lake water.



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





Sabancaya  | Peru  | 15.787°S, 71.857°W  | Summit elev. 5960 m



Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) and Instituto Geológico Minero y
Metalúrgico (INGEMMET) reported that an average of 15 explosions per day
occurred at Sabancaya during 4-10 March. Long-period seismic events were
recorded, and hybrid earthquakes were infrequent and of low magnitude.
Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 2.8 km above the crater rim and drifted
20 km SW, W, and NW. MIROVA detected four thermal anomalies, and on 3 March
the sulfur-dioxide gas flux was high at 3,360 tons per day. The report
noted that the public should not approach the crater within a 12-km radius.



Geologic Summary. Sabancaya, located in the saddle NE of Ampato and SE of
Hualca Hualca volcanoes, is the youngest of these volcanic centers and the
only one to have erupted in historical time. The oldest of the three,
Nevado Hualca Hualca, is of probable late-Pliocene to early Pleistocene
age. The name Sabancaya (meaning "tongue of fire" in the Quechua language)
first appeared in records in 1595 CE, suggesting activity prior to that
date. Holocene activity has consisted of Plinian eruptions followed by
emission of voluminous andesitic and dacitic lava flows, which form an
extensive apron around the volcano on all sides but the south. Records of
historical eruptions date back to 1750.



Sources: Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico (INGEMMET)
http://www.ingemmet.gob.pe/;

Instituto Geofísico del Perú (IGP) http://www.igp.gob.pe/





Sheveluch  | Central Kamchatka (Russia)  | 56.653°N, 161.36°E  | Summit
elev. 3283 m



KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Sheveluchâ??s lava dome was
identified daily in satellite images during 1-8 March. Strong gas-and-steam
emissions containing variable amounts of ash rose to altitudes of 3.5-4 km
(11,500-13,100 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 50 km E on 1 March. On 9 March
explosions generated ash plumes that rose 10-11.2 km (32,800-36,700 ft)
a.s.l. and drifted 70 km NW and N, prompting KVERT to raise the Aviation
Color Code to Red (the highest level on a four-color scale). Early on 10
March the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. Ash plumes continued
to rise from the crater, to an altitude of 8 km (26,200 ft) a.s.l., and
drift 375 km N. Later that day gas-and-steam plumes with some ash rose as
high as 4.5 km (14,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 15 km NE. On 11 March an ash
plume rose as high as 4.7 km (15,400 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 70 km SE.



Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also
spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya
volcano group. The 1300 km3 volcano is one of Kamchatka's largest and most
active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary
Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera
breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy
Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the
large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took
place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions have
occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano
of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions
have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in
Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964,
have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of
the breached caldera.



Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
http://www.kscnet.ru/ivs/kvert/index_eng.php





Suwanosejima  | Ryukyu Islands (Japan)  | 29.638°N, 129.714°E  | Summit
elev. 796 m



JMA reported that crater incandescence at Suwanosejimaâ??s Ontake Crater was
visible at night during 1-8 March. Small events were occasionally recorded,
generating plumes that rose as high as 600 m above the crater rim. The
Alert Level remained at 2 (on a 5-level scale).



Geologic Summary. The 8-km-long, spindle-shaped island of Suwanosejima in
the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two
historically active summit craters. The summit of the volcano is truncated
by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the east flank that was
formed by edifice collapse. Suwanosejima, one of Japan's most frequently
active volcanoes, was in a state of intermittent strombolian activity from
Otake, the NE summit crater, that began in 1949 and lasted until 1996,
after which periods of inactivity lengthened. The largest historical
eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits blanketed
residential areas, and the SW crater produced two lava flows that reached
the western coast. At the end of the eruption the summit of Otake collapsed
forming a large debris avalanche and creating the horseshoe-shaped Sakuchi
caldera, which extends to the eastern coast. The island remained
uninhabited for about 70 years after the 1813-1814 eruption. Lava flows
reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884. Only about 50 people live
on the island.



Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/





Turrialba  | Costa Rica  | 10.025°N, 83.767°W  | Summit elev. 3340 m



OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 9-12 March plumes of gas sometimes
containing small amounts of ash rose as high as 1 km above Turrialbaâ??s
crater rim.



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 edifice covers an area of 500 km2. Three well-defined craters
occur at the upper SW end of a broad 800 x 2200 m summit depression that is
breached to the NE. Most activity originated from the summit vent complex,
but two pyroclastic cones are located on the SW flank. Five major explosive
eruptions have occurred during the past 3500 years. A series of explosive
eruptions during the 19th century were sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic
flows. Fumarolic activity continues at the central and SW summit craters.



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

==============================================================

Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University (ASU), Portland State University (PSU), the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI).

ASU - http://www.asu.edu/
PSU - http://pdx.edu/
GVP - http://www.volcano.si.edu/
IAVCEI - http://www.iavcei.org/

To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message:
signoff volcano
to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxx.

To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to:
volcano@xxxxxxx.  Please do not send attachments.

==============================================================

------------------------------

End of Volcano Digest - 8 Mar 2019 to 15 Mar 2019 (#2019-24)
************************************************************



[Index of Archives]     [Yosemite Backpacking]     [Earthquake Notices]     [USGS News]     [Yosemite Campgrounds]     [Steve's Art]     [Hot Springs Forum]

  Powered by Linux