World Volcano Activity UPDATE !!! MARAPI AGAIN!!! KATLA AGAIN!!! SWARM STARTING IN ICELAND DORMANT VOLCANO Bláfjoll!!!

after simple el hierro sandwich now rotating sandwich

[link to hraun.vedur.is] What's going on here???

Inge B. says:

September 20, 2012 at 20:48


It’s now 265 quakes in Tjörnes region, even for Iceland, this is a bigger swarm. [link to www.vedur.is]
IMO says that the biggest quake in this swarm was a 4,2 magn., and that they are continuing to observe the activity thoroughly. [link to www.vedur.is]
BTW: Nothing about it in the television news, 19:00, at RÚV.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

TFZ earthquake swarm update at 20:50 UTC
Posted on September 20, 2012 by Jón Frímann
This is a short update for the earthquake swarm in TFZ at 20:50 UTC.

At 19:42 UTC on 20.09.2012 an earthquake with the magnitude of ML4.2 took place on TFZ. This earthquake swarm was most likely felt in Siglufjöður town, Dalvík town and possibly more places around the epicenter of this earthquake. This earthquake did also appear clearly on my geophone network in Iceland. Swarm of smaller earthquakes did follow this larger earthquake as before.

It is impossible to predict the progress and development of this earthquake swarm. But I expect this earthquake swarm to continue for the next few hours to days. It might last longer then few days. But only time is going to tell us what is going to happen next in this earthquake swarm. I am going to post new update on this earthquake swarm once I have had the time to check some of this data. But that might take few hours until I can do so. At the longest, not until tomorrow. Depending on IMO work on this earthquake swarm data. I am going to post new updates on this earthquake swarm soon as possible if anything major happens.

[link to www.jonfr.com]

The week has been calm eruptionwise, but fairly frisky earthquakewise in Iceland. The transform faultline north of Siglufjördur kicked into high gear with continous medium sized earthquake swarms.

The active faultline is one of two major faults making out two of the boundaries for a microplate that is seismically locked at its southeastern corner under Theistareykjarbunga volcano. Theistarykjarbunga is as most readers of this blog know one of the two volcanoes in Iceland and the world competing for the title of having had the largest flood basalt eruption during the last 10 000 years, the other one being Bárdarbungas Thjórsahraun eruption.


The earthquake swarm has so far had a couple of hundred earthquakes in them, 13 between 3 to 4, and 5 earthquakes from 4 and upwards to 4.3M. This is a fairly vigorous, but not unheard of amount of energy released from an Icelandic earthquake swarm. It is though the 5th largest during the last 12 years. There is currently no other signs that this will lead into anything too exciting in the near future.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

China’s Changbaishan volcano showing signs of increased activity

Posted on September 21, 2012


September 21, 2012 – CHINA - Roughly 1,100 years ago, the Changbaishan volcano that lies along the border between northeastern China and North Korea erupted, sending pyroclastic flows dozens of kilometers and blasting a 5-kilometer (3-mile) wide chunk off of the tip of the stratovolcano. The eruption, known as the Millennium eruption because of its proximity to the turn of the first millennium, was one of the largest volcanic events in the Common Era. In the subsequent period, there have been three smaller eruptions, the most recent of which took place in 1903. Starting in 1999, spurred by signs of resumed activity, scientists established the Changbaishan Volcano Observatory, a network to track changing gas compositions, seismic activity, and ground deformation. Reporting on the data collected over the past 12 years, Xu et al. find that these volcanic indices each leapt during a period of heightened activity from 2002 to 2006. The authors find that during this brief active period, earthquake occurrences increased dramatically. From 1999 to 2002, and from 2006 to 2011, they registered 7 earthquakes per month using 11 seismometers. From 2002 to 2006, this rate increased to 72 earthquakes per month, peaking in November 2003 with 243 events. Further, tracking the source of the earthquakes, the authors tie the bulk of the events to a region located 5 kilometers (3 miles) beneath the volcanic caldera, a source that slowly crept upward throughout the study period, suggestive of an ongoing magmatic intrusion. Gas composition measurements collected from hot springs near the volcano showed spikes in carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen gases, which the authors suggest could be related to magmatic outgassing. Ground deformation studies, too, show a brief period of rapid expansion. The authors suggest that though Changbaishan is likely not gearing up for an imminent eruption, one could be expected in the next couple of decades. –Physics [link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Alyson says:

September 21, 2012 at 14:28


El Hierro is behaving a bit differently today. There was a 2.8 at 60km depth in Atlantico, and several quakes in W Frontera including a 9km depth and a 3km depth.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Earthquake activity drops in TFZ
Posted on September 21, 2012 by Jón Frímann
During the past few hours earthquake activity in TFZ has dropped. This is not unusual. As earthquake activity in this area happens in swarms. Last earthquake swarm in this area where in the years 1996 and 2004. Those earthquake swarm lasted for several days and made several earthquakes with the magnitude 4. It is impossible to know how long activity is going last in this area. But since it has been ongoing for better part of current week (week 38). It might well be this activity is already over. But only time is going to tell what happens next. In current earthquake swarm. More then 500 earthquakes have been recorded so far.
As sad before. It is impossible to know what happens next in this earthquake swarm. But it might well be that it is over by now. Only time is going to tell us what happens next in this. Chance of an larger earthquake taking place in this area remains high.

[link to www.jonfr.com]

Volcano Eruption in Indonesia on Friday, 21 September, 2012 at 18:56 (06:56 PM) UTC.

Description
A volcano in northern Indonesia has spewed hot smoke and ash thousands of metres into the air in two new eruptions. Mount Lokon on Sulawesi island had been dormant before rumbling back to life last year. Government volcanologist Hendrasto says it unleashed two strong eruptions on Friday. Residents have been put on alert, but no evacuations are planned since the nearest villages are beyond the danger area about 2.5 kilometres from the crater. Mount Lokon's last major eruption in 1991 killed a Swiss hiker and forced thousands to flee. The volcano is one of five on high alert in Indonesia. The archipelago straddles the "Pacific Ring of Fire" and has more active volcanoes than any other nation.


[link to hisz.rsoe.hu]

[link to www.youtube.com]

Volatile Mount Lokon erupts with smoke, ash in northern Indonesia, residents put on alert

Posted on September 22, 2012


September 22, 2012 – JAKARTA, Indonesia – A volcano in northern Indonesia has spewed hot smoke and ash thousands of feet into the air in two new eruptions. Mount Lokon on Sulawesi island had been dormant before rumbling back to life last year. Government volcanologist Hendrasto says it unleashed two strong eruptions Friday. Residents have been put on alert, but no evacuations are planned since the nearest villages are beyond the danger area about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the crater. Mount Lokon’s last major eruption in 1991 killed a Swiss hiker and forced thousands to flee. The volcano is one of five on high alert in Indonesia. The archipelago straddles the “Pacific Ring of Fire” and has more active volcanoes than any other nation. –Windsor Star [link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Large landslide in north Iceland
Posted on September 22, 2012 by Jón Frímann
Few days ago an large landslide did happen in north Iceland. This landslide did come from the mountain Móafellshyrna. It has been estimated that this landslide is about 300 meters wide and is about 1 km long. Rocks continue to fall from the mountain. Some are large as houses in some areas. So going up close to this landslide is not save for the moment.

It is believed that mixture of earthquake activity in Tjörnes Fracture Zone along with rain and melting snow is the reason for this landslide.

[link to www.jonfr.com]

September 21, 2012 volcano activity

Mount Lokon, Sulawesi, Indonesia erupted again today

Mount Lokon had 2 strong eruptions on Friday. People living around the volcano have not received the order to evacuate. Since the volcano erupted the first time in April, a no-go zone of 2.5 km around the crater has been ordered by the government. Mount Lokon is currently on the second highest alert in Indonesia.
Apparently, the eruption happened on a crater along the slopes, just like the first eruption in April earlier this year (see pictures when clicking on the link below)
We have written an in-depth article on the first, more dangerous eruption earlier this year. Click here to read it. Our article also includes pictures and a number of video’s.



Todays activity at the Alaskan volcanoes

Little Sitkin
Seismic activity remains slightly elevated, although the general trend has been a decline in the frequency of earthquakes at the volcano over the past week. Satellite views of the volcano have been obscured by clouds throughout the past week and AVO has received no reports of unusual activity at the volcano. (see also LSSA seismograms)

Iliamna
Seismicity remains slightly above background, but continues to decline gradually. Satellite images of the volcano over the past week have been obscured by clouds and AVO has received no reports of unusual activity at the volcano. The seismic swarm that occurred at Iliamna Volcano in 1996-1997 also exhibited a gradual decline. The episode of elevated seismicity in 1996-1997 did not lead to any type of eruptive activity.

New Activity or unrest from the world’s volcanoes from September 12 to September 18 according to the Smithsonian Institution.

FUEGO - Guatemala
In a special bulletin on 13 September, INSIVUMEH reported that activity at Fuego increased, starting the sixth eruption in 2012. Lava flows traveled 600 m down the Taniluyá drainage (SSW) and the Las Lajas drainage (SE), producing block avalanches that reached vegetated areas. Strombolian explosions generated ash plumes that rose 3 km above the crater and drifted SW and 12 km W. Ash fell in multiple areas, including the villages of Panimaché (8 km SW), Morelia (8 km SW), Santa Sofia (12 km SE), Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW), Palo Verde, San Pedro Yepocapa (8 km NW), Santiago Atitlan (42 km NW), San Lucas Toliman (32 km NW), Mazatenango (68 km W), Suchitepéquez, Retalhuleu (86 km W), and Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa (23 km SW). Explosions produced degassing sounds and rumbling noises, accompanied by shock waves that vibrated structures on the SW flank. Pyroclastic flows traveled down the Las Lajas and Ceniza (SSW) drainages, producing ash plumes. CONRED increased the Alert Level to Orange (third highest on a four-color scale). About 10,600 people evacuated from nearby communities including Yepocapa, San Juan Alotenango (9 km ENE), Sacatepéquez. Evacuation shelters were set up in Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa.
Later that day seismicity decreased, ash plumes rose 300 m above the crater and drifted W and NW, fewer pyroclastic flows were observed, and the rate of explosions slowed. Ashfall was reported in Panimaché, Morelia, and Sangre de Cristo. Lava flows in the Ceniza drainage were 1 km long and 150 m wide, and in Las Lajas were 700 m long and 100 m wide. CONRED noted that residents began to return to their homes on 14 September.
During 14-18 September explosions generated rumbling noises; ash plumes that rose 400-900 m above the crater drifted 7-8 km W and SW, causing ashfall in Sangre de Cristo, Panimaché I, and Panimaché II. Lava flows were at most 1.2 km long in the Taniluyá drainage and 200 m long in the Ceniza drainage during 14-16 September; flows were not observed during 17-18 September.

GAMALAMA - Halmahera – Indonesia
CVGHM reported that during 1-14 September cloudy weather and fog at Gamalama mostly prevented observations from the post in Marikurubu and from S Ternate (S, SE, and E part of island); white plumes were sometimes observed rising 10 m above the crater. A phreatic eruption on 15 September at 2027 produced ashfall in Ternate. An eruption at 1415 the next day was accompanied by rumbling sounds. A plume rose 1 km and drifted SE and S, producing ashfall at the Gamalama observation post five minutes later. Neither eruption was observed due to fog. The Alert Level was raised to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) on 16 September. Visitors and residents were warned not to approach the crater within a radius of 2.5 km.

GROZNY GROUP – Iturup Island – Kuril Islands – Russia
Based on visual observations and analyses of satellite imagery, SVERT reported that during 10-17 September fumarolic activity at Grozny Group was at a medium intensity. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green.

LITTLE SITKIN – Aleutian Islands – Alaska
AVO reported that during 11-18 September seismic activity at Little Sitkin remained elevated and satellite views were obscured by clouds. Two earthquake swarms were detected on 11 and 13 September. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

LOKON-EMPUNG – Sulawesi – Indonesia
According to the Darwin VAAC, ground-based observers reported that on 15 September an ash plume from Lokon-Empung rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. On 15 September satellite imagery showed an ash plume drifting 185 km SE.

SAN CRISTOBAL – Nicaragua
On 10 September, INETER reported that seismicity decreased after the 8 September eruption at San Cristóbal. Sulfur dioxide emissions had decreased since the previous day. During 10-11 September steam plumes rose 200-300 m above the crater and drifted W. Three small explosions on 11 September generated ash-and-gas plumes that rose 300 m above the crater and drifted W. An explosion and ash venting was observed a few hours later; a plume drifted S and ash fell on the flanks. The seismic network detected small explosions on 13 September. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions were above normal, and similar to levels detected on 8 September. Sulfur dioxide gas emissions increased on 14 September. The next day a small explosion was observed and gas plumes drifted NE. Gas plumes drifted N on 17 September.

SOPUTAN – Sulawesi – Indonesia
Based on information from US Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Soputan rose to an altitude of 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. on 18 September. The VAAC also noted that a sulfur dioxide alert was issued by the Support to Aviation Control Service (SACS).
[link to earthquake-report.com]

[link to www.youtube.com]

Thread: Magnitude 9.8 Earthquake by December 8 2012

Kizimen volcano (Eastern Kamchatka (Russia)) activity update: active lava flow, occasional pyroclastic flows and/or explosions
Tuesday Sep 25, 2012
[link to www.volcanodiscovery.com]

Metrotvnews.com, West Sumatra: Mountain Marapi in Agam District and Tanah Datar, West Sumatra, erupted again on Wednesday (26/9) afternoon. The eruption occurred from 16:30 pm until 18:15 pm.

Black smoke and volcanic ash seen billowing 1500 to 2000 meters from the bottom of the crater. The blast is thought to be the biggest explosion in 2012. Before the eruption, the volcano is still active it issued a roar that fairly mengangetkan residents.

Mount Marapi increased activity since last August 3, 2011. Every morning and evening, the mountain always remove volcanic ash. However, this time the volcanic ash reaching 1500 to 2000 meters.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the mountain is still in a state of alert level two. Local residents and hikers are prohibited from approaching the mountain to a radius of three kilometers from the summit. (TII) [link to www.metrotvnews.com]

Increase of eruptive activity at Mexico’s Popocatépetl Volcano

Posted on September 26, 2012


September 26, 2012 – MEXICO - At least 26 eruptions accompanied by steam and gas, as well as a volcano tectonic quake were registered as a consequence of the Mexican volcano Popocatépetl activity during the last hours, it was reported Tuesday. The National Center of Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) said eruptions were of low and medium intensity with no ash expulsion in any of them. According to the institution, the volcano tectonic quake was registered at 11.54 local time (16:54 GMT). At this moment, the alert light of volcano activity remains yellow phase 2 and the surrounding population to keep informed as to alerts on the activity of the volcano also known as Don Goyo. Traffic between Santiago Xalitzintla and San Pedro Nexapa, via the Cortes passage, is under control. The Popo is located at the center of the country, in the territorial limits of the Morelos, Puebla and Mexico states. Located 55 kilometers Southeast of the Federal District, the Popocatépetl is the second highest volcano in Mexico, with a maximum height of five thousand 458 meters above sea level, only second to the Pico de Orizaba (Veracruz) with five thousand 610 meters. –Presna Latina [link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Volcanic Activity from September 19 until September 25

FUEGO Guatemala
INSIVUMEH reported that during 19-21 September explosions from Fuego ejected incandescent material 100 m above the crater and produced ash plumes that rose 500-1,000 m. Incandescent avalanches traveled 600 m down the flanks. Ashfall was reported at the observatory, and in Morelia (8 km SW) and Santa Sofia (12 km SE). During 22-25 September explosions generated ash plumes that rose 300-800 m above the crater and drifted 6-10 km NE, N, and NW. Incandescent material was ejected 75-150 m above the crater, and avalanches descended the Ceniza and Taniluyá drainages (SSW).


Fuego volcano early morning today – image courtesy Insivumeh

LITTLE SITKIN Aleutian Islands, Alaska
AVO reported that during 19-24 September seismic activity at Little Sitkin remained elevated and satellite views were mostly obscured by clouds. On 21 September AVO noted that the frequency of earthquakes had declined during the previous week. The Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory.

LOKON-EMPUNG Sulawesi, Indonesia
According to the Darwin VAAC, ground-based observers reported that on 21 September an ash plume from Lokon-Empung rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not identified in satellite imagery.

SOPUTAN Sulawesi, Indonesia
Based on information from the US Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), the Support to Aviation Control Service (SACS), and CVGHM, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Soputan rose to an altitude of 9.1 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. on 19 September. Later that day an ash plume rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l.

TANGKUBANPARAHU Western Java, Indonesia
CVGHM reported that during 23 August-21 September shallow volcanic earthquakes continued to be recorded at Tangkubanparahu but were less frequent. Other types of seismic signals also decreased. Based on seismicity, visual observations, deformation data, gas measurements, and soil and crater lake water temperatures, the Alert Level was lowered to 1 (on a scale of 1-4) on 21 September.

Activity observed by satellites
VAAC reports that air traffic has still to be cautious for eruptive activity at Batu Tara, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia
An ash cloud at Bagana volcano, Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea was reported at a height of 8000 ft (2400 m).
Sakurajima volcano generated an explosion at 11:25 UTC today

SO2 satellite pictures are showing activity at Ambrym, Vanuatu (yes, the one from the videos below), Mount Pagan (Mariana Islands), Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia) and Nyiragongo (DR Congo)
[link to earthquake-report.com]

Friday 28th September 2012
Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Moderate explosive eruptions continue at Karymsky volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Last week ash plumes reached a height of 19,700 ft and thermal activity was recorded on satellite images.
More on Karymsky volcano...
Volcanoes of Kamchatka...

Friday 28th September 2012
Sheveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Eruptions continue at Sheveluch volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. A viscous lava flow is occuring on the north-west flank of the lava dome. Lava effusion is accompanied by incandescence at the lava dome and hot avalanches. Explosive activity is creating an ash hazard for low-flying aircraft.
More on Sheveluch volcano...
Volcanoes of Kamchatka...

Thursday 27th September 2012
Heard Island Volcano, Australia
Satellite images showed hotspots at Heard Island volcano on 21 and 24 September 2012. This indicates renewed activity at the volcano. Heard Island is located 4000 kilometres southwest of Western Australia and contains one of Australia's two currently active volcanoes. Volcanic activity has been reported at the island since the 1980's. The last reported activity at Heard Island was in 2008.
More on Heard Island volcano...
Volcanoes of Australia...
[link to www.volcanolive.com]

Volcano Activity in China on Friday, 28 September, 2012 at 02:31 (02:31 AM) UTC.

Description
A volcano on the border of China and North Korea is showing signs of increasing activity and could erupt in the next few decades, Chinese researchers say. A massive eruption of Changbaishan around 1,100 years ago spread ash and volcanic gases for 30 miles and left a 3-mile-wide crater atop the volcano, scientists said. Three smaller eruptions have occurred since then, the most recent in 1903, they said. Seismic activity, ground deformation and gas emissions recorded in a period of heightened activity from 2002 to 2006 suggests the magma chamber beneath the volcano is growing. This activity suggests an explosion could occur in the next couple of decades, researchers said. "We need to upgrade our current monitoring system in order to be able to meet the need for the early warning system for Changbaishan," Jiandong Xu, a vulcanologist at the China Earthquake Administration in Beijing. Of the dozen or so volcanoes located in mainland China Changbaishan is the most likely to experience an eruption with potential catastrophic effects, Xu said.
[link to hisz.rsoe.hu]

Thread: Mount Saint Helens : The pieces are in place

Renato Rio says:

September 27, 2012 at 16:37


Another interesting volvano showing intense geothermal activity righy now (GVP):
“Volcán Copahue is an elongated composite cone constructed along the Chile-Argentina border within the 6.5 x 8.5 km wide Trapa-Trapa caldera that formed between 0.6 and 0.4 million years ago near the NW margin of the 20 x 15 km Pliocene Caviahue (Del Agrio) caldera. The eastern summit crater, part of a 2-km-long, ENE-WSW line of nine craters, contains a briny, acidic 300-m-wide crater lake (also referred to as El Agrio or Del Agrio) and displays intense fumarolic activity. Acidic hot springs occur below the eastern outlet of the crater lake, contributing to the acidity of the Río Agrio, and another geothermal zone is located within Caviahue caldera about 7 km NE of the summit. Infrequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Copahue since the 18th century. Twentieth-century eruptions from the crater lake have ejected pyroclastic rocks and chilled liquid sulfur fragments.”
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Alyson says:

September 27, 2012 at 21:04


There was a bit of a bump at Santorini today. I wonder what hit it…

[link to www.geophysics.geol.uoa.gr]
[link to bbnet.gein.noa.gr]

and when… the trace goes right through.

There’s nothing to suggest any nearby quakes of any size occurred today either. Oh well – it was a very brief blip.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

dfm says:

September 29, 2012 at 08:57


Hi

Here is the update for El Hierro earthquakes until the 28th.

There is some novelty !
You will notice that the “active” earthquake is in red. The dot in that case is not proportional to earthquake magnitude.
For the older earthquakes size is proportional to magnitude.
One can see 3 different events :

- from the 1st to the 15th, earthquakes are localized in a shallow zone around 10 km depth
- between the 15th and 21st earthquakes move down to a zone around 20 km and their magnitude is somewhat higher
- since the 21st earthquakes are present in both zones and seem to move between them.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]