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

Yep fracture zone north

Wednesday
29.02.2012 22:06:33 66.255 -18.409 13.8 km 3.9 90.02 11.1 km NW of Gjögurtá
[link to en.vedur.is]

[link to en.vedur.is]

lol

There's two over 3:
[link to en.vedur.is]

3,9 being downgraded to 3.3

I wonder if that one will go up again then back down again about 10 times, like sometimes happens with the over 3 mags Iceland quakes.

The Utah quake is suspicious... There's some sort of plant near the quake, which is situated on the peak of a mountain.

the plant: [link to binged.it]

quake and plant in same frame: [link to binged.it]

Very relax movie, wave by wave)

Carl le Strange says:
February 29, 2012 at 23:42
@all:
The swarm at Gjögurtá is related to the process of the confirmed microplate that started a rapid screwlike motion in 2007. This is covered in my post about Theistareykjarbunga. Please read that one.
There was also quake directly under the also confirmed inflating magma chamber of Theistareykjarbunga. That quake is a low probability one, but I do think it will be confirmed in the end. There was also a brief small squirt of harmonic tremor following the quakes. It is best visible on the Dimmadalsás SIL. Compared to what Theistareykjarbunga did a 2 months ago this is nothing for the volcano.
[link to hraun.vedur.is]

I have just been waiting for this swarm to come. I am also expecting a lot of new earthquake activity at Theistareykjarbunga this year due to the 30mm annual uplift since the last 4 years.

After reading the post, those that can should actually read this paper. Brilliant read really, and also has a wonderfull feeling of scientists trying to dodge to say “Oh Crap!” when in the beginning of the survey they notice that one of Icelands two most effusive (largest lava outputs) starts to slurp up magma like a V8 with a leaky fuel line right before their eyes.
[link to onlinelibrary.wiley.com]

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

[link to en.vedur.is]
4.2 01 Mar 01:03:06 Checked 2.8 km SE of Helgafell
3.6 01 Mar 00:29:16 Checked 1.7 km ESE of Helgafell
3.4 29 Feb 22:06:34 Checked 10.8 km NW of Gjögurtá
3.1 29 Feb 22:11:00 90.0 11.4 km NNW of Gjögurtá
2.5 29 Feb 22:06:51 36.5 4.5 km E of Þeistareykir
2.4 28 Feb 07:58:57 90.0 7.2 km WSW of Kistufell

Carl le Strange says:
March 1, 2012 at 09:52
@all:
Regarding the Reykjanes swarm at Helgafell.
It was not magmatic, and after going through some of the event data I can not find any volcanic component anywhere.
But, I would like to caveat it. During the last 3 years the general area ranging from Krisuvik over to Hengill via Brennisteinsfjöll has seen a large inflation. This area of the MAR is preparing for an eruption, and quite rapidly too. It is probably going to erupt at Krisuvik.
All this inflation is together with the general movements in the MAR creating tremendous strain, and I am surprised that not more of it happens. I think this is just a precursor of what is going to come in the area over the next few years. Mind you, I am not talking about the end of the world. Just more frequent, and more powerfull quakeswarms in the area. And quite possibly an effusive or explosive eruption at Krisuvik. That volcano is judged to be of the effusive type, but all those level changes at Kleifarvatn, and due to the fissure swarm reaching in under the lake, it could in a worst case scenario go tephric on us.

I am as always amazed at how calm and efficient the Icelandic system is when the shit hits the fan. In a better world the entire Iceland could live on consulting how to manage shit hitting fans. Yet another masterpiece in management.

Reply
Carl le Strange says:
March 1, 2012 at 09:58
Oh, and here is the GPS link for the Krisuvik happening.
As always all rights belong to the University of Iceland and Sigrún Hreinsdóttir. Also rights holder is Karolina Michalchewzka. And we thank them for the hard work.

[link to strokkur.raunvis.hi.is]

Earthquakes in north and south Iceland [Updated]
Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jón Frímann
This evening has been busy in Iceland. There was an ML3.5 earthquake just outside an area called Gjögurtá (part of TFZ). Followed by an ML3.2 aftershock. Earthquake activity seems to have stopped there for the moment. This took place at 22:06 UTC on 29.02.2012. The largest earthquake was felt over an large area that was closest to its location.


At 00:29 UTC on 01.03.2012 there was an earthquake on the Reykjanes. It happened in an mountain called Helgafell. Early results suggest that this earthquake had the size of ML3.2. It was felt over an wide area in south Iceland. Aftershocks are currently taking place, and more large earthquakes in this area cannot be ruled out at the moment.


There is an chance for more earthquakes in Reykjanes. As earthquake swarms in this area of Iceland can often be tense and make many earthquakes that have magnitude 3.0 and stronger.

Update 1: More strong earthquake activity is taking place on the Reykjanes at this moment. The largest earthquake so far is ML3.9 according to the automatic data from IMO.

Update 2: Here is the image from Iceland Met Office of the area where this earthquake activity is taking place.


Update 3: The size of the second earthquake has been upgraded to ML4.2. Some minor damage has already been reported according to new from Rúv.

Blog post updated at 01:14 UTC on 01.03.2012.
Blog post updated at 01:39 UTC on 01.03.2012.
Blog post updated at 01:52 UTC on 01.03.2012.

Icelandi News about the earthquake in north Iceland. All news are in Icelandic.

Jarðskjálfti upp á 3,5 út af Gjögurtá (mbl.is)
Snarpir skjálftar fyrir norðan (Vísir.is)
Skjálfti út af Eyjafirði (Rúv.is)

News about the earthquake on the Reykjanes. All news are in Icelandic.

Skjálftakippur á höfuðborgarsvæðinu (Rúv.is)
Jarðskjálfti fannst vel á höfuðborgarsvæðinu (Vísir.is)
Jarðskjálfti við Helgafell (mbl.is)
[link to www.jonfr.com]

March 1, 2012

Active volcanoes in the world
14 volcanoes have shown signs of activity last week. New unusual activity has been noticed around 4 volcanoes (below).

CLEVELAND
Chuginadak Island 52.825°N, 169.944°W; summit elev. 1730 m
AVO reported that satellite observations of Cleveland during 22-28 February revealed that the growth of the lava dome continued at a slow rate. Cloud cover over the volcano prevented views of the lava dome during 22 and 25-28 February. On 23 February a thermal anomaly was detected in partly cloudy satellite images. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange. No current seismic information was available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network.

KANAGA
Andreanof Islands 51.923°N, 177.168°W; summit elev. 1307 m
AVO reported that no unusual activity was detected in seismic data or in partly-cloudy satellite images of Kanaga during 22-24 and 26-28 February. Low-level volcanic tremor was detected on 25 February. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Advisory and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

RINCON DE LA VIEJA
Costa Rica 10.830°N, 85.324°W; summit elev. 1916 m
OVSICORI-UNA reported that seismic data revealed two eruptions on 19 and 20 February from Rincón de la Vieja’s active crater. Two more eruptions also occurred on 23 February. Explosions were heard in Guachipelin (11 km SW) between 0400 and 0430.

TUNGURAHUA
Ecuador 1.467°S, 78.442°W; summit elev. 5023 m
IG reported moderate activity at Tungurahua during 22-28 February. Steam plumes with some ash content rose to altitudes of 1-2 km (3,300-6,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W during 22-24 February. Ash fall was reported in Palitahua (6 km SSW), Choglontus (13 km WSW), and Manzano (8 km SW) on 23 February, and in the Mapayacu (SW) and Achupashal (NW) gorges on 24 February. Strombolian activity was observed on 24 February, and incandescence material that rose as high as 500 m above the crater fell on the W and NW flanks. Ashfall was reported to the SW in Manzano again on 25 February. A steam-and-ash plume rose as high as 800 m above the crater and drifted W on 26 February. Crater incandescence was observed on 23 and 27 February.

Ongoing activity was noted among the following volcanoes : Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka (Russia) – El Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain) – Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) - Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) – Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) – Popocatépetl, México – Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Central Chile – Sakura-jima, Kyushu (Japan) – Santa María, (Guatemala) – Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
[link to earthquake-report.com]

A few more quakes in Krafla
Thursday
01.03.2012 11:33:21 65.709 -16.798 2.7 km 0.6 99.0 2.0 km W of Kröfluvirkjun
Thursday
01.03.2012 11:33:20 65.648 -16.594 12.0 km 0.8 37.74 10.3 km SE of Kröfluvirkjun
Thursday
01.03.2012 08:56:49 65.711 -16.799 3.4 km 1.5 99.0 2.0 km W of Kröfluvirkjun

islander says:
March 1, 2012 at 13:51
Odd (blue line) smaller events continue near Hekla.
[link to hraun.vedur.is]
I am inclined to think more odd quakes may happen, especially in Dead-Zone and in south region, Hekla ~ Katla area. Like last nights tetonic swarm, this tends shift strain more to east and up thugh central Iceland. Difficult to explain but there might be more to come. Stay relaxed. Next buildup is supposably in Haukadalur area. There is unrealeased strain in SFZ, near Hekla. Potential of up to six.


Ursula says:
March 1, 2012 at 13:55
Talking about Hekla, check the strain plots:
[link to hraun.vedur.is]
I noticed the following:
1) strain at Hekla is steadily increasing and has been doing this for a few days now, while usually it has a sinusoidal up and down curve – something going on here?
2) there was a small jump/decrease in the Hekla strain at around midnight last night – related to the Reykyanes swarm?

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Irpsit says:
March 1, 2012 at 18:31
GPS Inflation is various Icelandic volcanoes, by ranking:

Katla: 4-8cm in second half of 2011 (1.5 cm to 5cm per year in last years, for dif stations)
Hamarinn: 12cm in last 4 years (3 cm per year), 40cm in last 13 years (3cm per year)
Krisuvik: 4-6cm in past year (3-4cm in 5 last years)
Hekla: 1-3cm this last year, (also 1cm to 3cm per year, since last eruption)
Grimsvotn, prior to 2011 eruption: average 6 cm per year (inflated a few cms in last months)
Eyjafjallajokull, prior to 2010 eruption: 7cm in 9 years, average 0.7 cm per year (3 cm per year in some stations, in years before)

Katla is the winner of last year inflation, but Hamarinn and Krisuvik also inflated considerably, and then minor continuous inflation in Hekla. It is interesting to note that the large inflation in Hamarinn and in Katla have been continuous for many years.

Estimated future eruptions based in their estimated inflation since last eruption:

Hamarinn: 535 years x 3 cm per year= 1605 cm (estimated VEI6)
Krisuvik: 672 years x 0.6cm per year= 403 cm (estimated VEI5)
Katla: 94 years x 4cm per year= 376 cm (estimated VEI5)
Eyjafjallajokull (2010): 188 years x 0.7cm per year = 131 cm (VEI4)
Grimsvotn (2011): 7 years x 6cm per year= 42 cm (VEI4)
Hekla: 12 years x 1-3cm per year = 12-36 cm (VEI3 to VEI4)

These estimations are highly erronous, because inflation can vary widely over years. But it gives an idea that the eruptions of Bardarbunga, Krisuvik and Katla will be very large.
- – - – -

Maybe someone can know what is the recent inflation/deflation for the following volcanoes:
Askja: ? Hengill: ? Kverfjoll: ?
Its a pity that no data is provided for Oraefajokull, Theistreykjarbunga, Esjufjoll or Langjokull

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

new blog post by jon

More earthquakes should be expected on the Reykjanes

The earthquake swarm on the Reykjanes has slowed down considerable since it did start yesterday. But it is still ongoing in my opinion. Even if there are no earthquakes currently taking place at the moment. There are several reasons for this. The biggest one is that this area seems to be getting more active now then it has been for many decades now. The fissure that is currently moving is connected to Krýsuvík volcano, but this was reported in the news. I do not know every fault line in this area and how they are connected (plus, my volcano map is in an box until I move back to Denmark) together. But I do know that

More:
[link to www.jonfr.com]

and from the iceland news

Krýsuvík area under the microscope

Earthquakes in the mountain night urðu a very unusual place. Although no evidence of volcanic eruptions that are associated Krýsuvík area that needs to be under the microscope, says Pall Einarsson, Professor of Geophysics at the University of Iceland.

Many people felt the earthquake the mountain at night if they were not large, they who did the most densely populated areas. The largest earthquake in the tremor cycle, 4.2, came out at one of the night and the second biggest, 3.6, about half an hour earlier...

More:
[link to translate.google.de]

Luiz and IWB can you follow what is going on in Nevado del Ruiz. It activity is risin and looks like magma rise quite fast there. I dont have much time now to follow it.

Volcanic activity increasing at Indonesia’s Semeru volcano
Posted on March 2, 2012 by The Extinction Protocol
March 2, 2012 – JAKARTA – Volcanic activities in Indonesia’s Mount Semeru keep increasing with 38 tremors on Thursday from around 28 everyday and its danger status remains at level III, an official told Xinhua. Dr. Surono, head of Vulcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation of Geology Agency (PVMBG) said that the volcano keeps erupting every day, forming volcanic dome and emitting smoke. “Tremor occurs every 15-30 minutes,” said Surono. However, he said that the agency has not yet urged people living surrounding the volcano to evacuate. According to local media, some people in the area are worried of sudden eruption that could destroy their villages following the increasing volcanic activities. Mount Semerun, the highest one in Java Island with height of 3, 676 meters, is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. -EPD
[link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Slight rise of magma at Boliva’s potential super-volcano, Uturuncu but no signs of an immediate eruption
Posted on March 2, 2012 by The Extinction Protocol

March 2, 2012 – BOLIVIA – The San Calixto Observatory director of La Paz, Estela Minaya confirmed that there is a small rise of magma (molten rock in the form of lava and gases) from the volcano Uturuncu, however, but immediately rule out a possible eruption. Minaya told the Red Erbol said now one of the purposes of the Observatory is to trace the progression of the volcano and to determine how high and fast magma is rising inside the volcano. “Then, (known) that the molten material begins to rise and generates what is seen as a strain at the surface. Studying this method indicates what kind of deformation and “growth,” the volcano is experiencing. Right now, indication there is a slight rise but the magma is rising at a very low speed. Now that this ‘growth’ isn’t very large and can’t generate a volcanic eruption,” he said. He noted that this work takes place two years ago with the interferometer system and the last eruption in Uturuncu would have registered more than 1.6 million years or so. A week ago, was reported in boliviaprensa.com international scientists are studying the changes introduced Uturuncu volcano, since satellite measurements show that the mountain has been growing at a rate of 1.3 centimeters per year over the past two decades. -Erbol translated
[link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Mysterious submarine plume discharge clouds waters at Hawaii harbor
Posted on March 2, 2012 by The Extinction Protocol
March 2, 2012 – HAWAII - A mysterious cloudy substance is emptying into Kewalo Basin (Honolulu) from a storm drain at an alarming rate. The mystery plume started pouring into Kewalo Basin before sunrise. “It was like 5:30 in the morning and I was standing here and then all of a sudden it came all at one time,” said Robert St. Romain of Sashimi Fishing Tours. At first light he and other boat owners were stunned by the free flowing plume that turned the water white. “Just was coming out here like crazy just like you see it right now and it muddied the whole harbor in a matter of five minutes. The whole harbor was just glazed over usually you can see down,” said a boater. And it kept coming hundreds of gallons of milky brown fluid every minute. “That storm drain is capable of close to a million gallons a day of water coming through,” said Kewalo Basin Harbor Master Charles Barclay. He said he’s never seen anything like this. “If it was a sewage discharge or if it was an oil discharge we’d smell it but this is a siltation. “Obviously it’s not oil because you don’t see any slick on top,” said boater Michael de Jong. “I don’t know what else it might be. Do you have anything further?” asked Barclay. About a dozen state and city officials were on the scene. Everyone was baffled by the source. City crews visited numerous construction sites and checked for broken water mains but found no clues. “The storm water drain where it’s coming out of connects to an artesian well up by the Blaisdell Center,” said Barclay. He said this is one of 37 storm drains in Kewalo Basin. But this particular drainage was seldom source of storm runoff and the rains weren’t heavy over-night. Barclay says boat owners reported seeing dead fish in the harbor which is home to stingrays, hammerhead sharks and turtles and an occasional visit from monk seals. There’s just no question we don’t want any type of discharges that would impact the marine life,” said Barclay. The cloudy substance that blanketed the harbor made its way to the ocean where unsuspecting surfers, fishermen and divers had already started their day. –Khon 2
[link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Carl le Strange says:
March 2, 2012 at 11:43
@Hekla:
The former trend of deflation at several point has during the last few day changed into rapid inflation. The current is for Hekla very fast and will in a couple of days pass the point before the marked deflation began. If that happens the rate of inflation will be four times faster than the deflation period was, and the deflation was in turn 4 times faster than normal GPS movement at Hekla. Link to Sigrún Hreinsdóttirs GPS:s for Hekla.
[link to strokkur.raunvis.hi.is]

@Krafla:
There was some discussion about the inflation of volcanoes yesterday, I just want to point out that Krafla is deflating. Sigrún data again.
[link to strokkur.raunvis.hi.is]

@Theistareykjarbunga:
Inflation is ongoing, pointing towards 20 mm of inflation for the measurment year. Sigrún data.
[link to strokkur.raunvis.hi.is]

@Krisuvik:
I am really interested in seeing what happened with the GPS:s at Krisuvik after this last earthquake swarm. Up untill 29-02 there is no signs of any shifts other than the normal inflation.

@Katla:
Nothing new seems to be happening at Katla. The Godabunga GPS is showing some really weird and continous readings though. We are now into one week of showing insanely fast uplift. It is probably caused by Ice building up on the receiver. We should know if it is soon since it should be melting in Iceland by now. Data by Sigrún.
[link to strokkur.raunvis.hi.is]

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Slight rise of magma at Boliva’s potential super-volcano, Uturuncu but no signs of an immediate eruption

The San Calixto Observatory director of La Paz, Estela Minaya confirmed that there is a small rise of magma (molten rock in the form of lava and gases) from the volcano Uturuncu, however, but immediately rule out a possible eruption. Minaya told the Red Erbol said now one of the purposes of the Observatory is to trace the progression of the volcano and to determine how high and fast magma is rising inside the volcano...

More:
[link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

Moderate ash explosions reported at Guatemala’s Santa Maria volcano
Posted on March 2, 2012 by The Extinction Protocol
March 2, 2012 – GUATEMALA – Santa Maria/Santiaguito volcano in Guatemala has been displaying a slightly elevated state of activity in recent days. INSIVUMEH reports moderate explosions about every 15 minutes that eject plumes of gray ash tot 600 and 800 meters above the crater, and producing an ash plume drifting to the west and SW until dissipating at about 15 km distance. Light ash falls from these eruptions frequently occur in the villages San Marcos, Buena Vista and Palajunoj and the El Faro, Florida, and Monte Claro Fincas. Crater glow at the summit of the lava dome is well visible at night, and a blocky lava flow with constant avalanches of blocks rolling down to tits base continues to be active, raising secondary ash plumes. –Volcano Discovery
[link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]