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

Kilauea Volcano lava lake reaches highest level ever

Posted on October 17, 2012


October 18, 2012 – HAWAII – Kilauea Volcano has been putting on quite a show lately… as the lava lake within the Halemaumau Crater has reached its highest level since the summit eruption began in 2008. The lava lake at Kīlauea’s summit was only about 150 feet below the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater on Sunday — the highest it has reached, according to the scientists of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. For the past several months, lava within the summit vent has been slowly rising. As of October 5, 2012, lava reached a level that covered the previous high-lava “bathtub” ring within the vent. It was around this time that the bangs and booms of the volcano began to be heard as far away as the Jaggar Museum Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, thrilling crowds day and night. This video shows the heat from the high lava lake level in the overlook vent, causing the walls of the vent above the lava surface to expand and fracture. Scientists say this is the source of the cracking and booming noises emanating from the vent in recent days. Here, we see small fragments of rock exploding from the wall and scattering onto the lake surface. The HVO says the rise in lava level within the vent is associated with a modest uplift and expansion of Kilauea’s summit area. The root cause for this expansion isn’t clear. Scientists don’t believe there’s an increase in magma supply from below. They do believe there could be a connection in the volcanic plumbing system between the summit magma reservoir and the active Pu`u `O`o eruptive vent on Kilauea’s east rift zone. On at least three occasions between March and September 2011, the level of the lava lake within the summit vent was unusually elevated. This condition caused increased pressure within the east rift plumbing system, resulting in notable eruptive outbreaks: the short-lived Kamoamoa fissure eruption just uprift of Pu`u `O`o and two subsequent events in which Pu`u `O`o was split open along its flanks. This time, however, it appears that the associated high summit pressure has not significantly transmitted down the volcano’s east rift. The lava level within Pu`u `O`o crater, while elevated, is not extraordinarily so. And even though lava is flowing through a tube near the base of the Pu`u `O`o cone, flows haven’t reached the ocean in nearly a year. According to the HVO, a steady decrease in Kilauea’s east rift zone gas emissions since August 2012 also suggests a decrease in magma flow between the summit and east rift zone. Scientists say one possible outcome of continued summit expansion and lava level rise could be an eventual outpouring of lava on the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. Alternatively, the increased pressure might overcome the apparent constriction, resulting in an outbreak somewhere between the summit and Pu`u `O`o, akin to the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure eruption. –Big Island News [link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

[link to www.youtube.com]

KarenZ says:

October 18, 2012 at 20:55


Slight increase in the HT on El Hierro:

[link to www.01.ign.es]

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chryphia says:

October 18, 2012 at 21:20


Interesting, also visible at other stations, e.g. Ctab.
[link to www.01.ign.es]

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

[link to www.youtube.com]

Over the past month, lava flows have advanced to become accessible and continue to pool near the base of the pali on Kīlauea's coastal plain, while at the same time a faster rise in pressure is being expressed from the summit to the East Rift Zone, with a remarkable 8mm widening of Pu`u `Ō`ō crater since the beginning of October! Activity continues within that crater at higher levels, but much more impressively the lava lake level within Halema`uma`u has risen to the highest point of this eruption, less than 50m/165ft below the 1974-2008 crater floor! Loud cracking sounds are common this week, as the heat of the high lava lake causes spalling of small rocks on the inner crater walls and the brightest glow we've seen so far.

This is great news for our visitors, with active lava still available until the next major change in the eruption AND spectacular glow from the volcano's summit to be seen! Keep up with the action through our Kilauea webcams / live data" link (permanently on our right sidebar), combining many of the USGS & other data feeds into the same display! The USGS Photos & Videos page also has great photos and recent movies of the active lava lakes and other activity.

Meanwhile, increased pressure has been causing increased swelling of the summit, evidenced by the background tilt level (notwithstanding the occasional DI dip and recovery) and increased GPS spreading rate. This pressure seems to be reaching the east rift zone, with an uptick in seismic activity in the usual bottleneck locations but more importantly with the 8mm spreading of GPS on Pu`u `Ō`ō crater since the start of the month, which puts us on a very high alert for a change in the volcano's activity. Very similar activity preceded the March 2011 Kamoamoa fissure during the month prior to that eruption, so stay tuned!
[link to hawaii.volcanodiscovery.com]

Volcanic activity world-wide 18 October 2012: Kilauea, Ibu, Popocatépetl, Fuego, Nevado del Ruiz, Galeras, Sotará, Cumbal, Nevado del Huila, Machin,, Sakurajima

Thursday Oct 18, 2012 21:19 PM | Age: 13 hrs

BY: T

Thermal anomalies are visible at Ibu volcano (Halmahera, Indonesia), suggesting eruptive activity at the summit, possibly related to lava dome growth in the wide summit crater that has been documented since 2000.

A small swarm of shallow quakes has been occurring today at Kilauea volcano on Hawai'i in an area about 6 km SE of the caldera under the eastern rift zone.
The summit lava lake rose yesterday afternoon and has been steady since.
At Pu`u `O`o, the lava lake in the northeast pit was active, and small lava flows were erupted from a spatter cone on the southern side of the crater.
Lava flows southeast of Pu`u `O`o continued to be active on the coastal plain near the base of the pali. Seismic tremor levels were low, and gas emissions were elevated.

The number of (mostly weak) explosions of Popocatépetl volcano in Mexico remains elevated compared to most of the previous weeks. Some of the explosions produce ash plumes up to about 1 km height. Incandescent ejecta are sometimes seen at night and the volcano produces a strong SO2 plume.

Fuego volcano in Guatemala has had only effusive activity since yesterday, and the lava flow is now 800 m long.

Elevated number of earthquakes including a felt magnitude 3 event on 17 Oct have been recorded at Cerro Machin volcano.

Nevado del Ruiz volcano continues to produce a significant steam plume which sometimes contains ash. Seismic activity remains elevated.

Nevado del Huila continues to show weak seismic activity and is steaming.

Weak seismic unrest (100 events counted during a week) continues at shallow depth under Sotará volcano.

More earthquake swarms occurred at Cumbal volcano on 9 October between 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm with approximately 50 events, and between 7:00 pm on Oct. 11 and 6:00 am on October 12 with 112 earthquakes.

Low-energy seismic activity continues at fluctuating levels and there are sometimes small gas and ash emissions from Galeras volcano.

After a day of repose on 16 Oct, Sakurajima volcano has been busy with 5 moderate explosions over the past 24 hours, with maximum ash plumes reaching 10,000 ft (3 km) altitude.

The reported submarine eruption Fukutoku-Okanoba was false. The last eruption of the volcano was in 2010. [link to www.volcanodiscovery.com]

Diana Barnes says:

October 19, 2012 at 22:32


<<<<<< Waves at Jamie….. Sheesh! You are right something definitely afoot! Looks like a bad attack of measles. My guess is Bardarbunga may be ramping up Some of the quakes are very deep. ….. [link to hraun.vedur.is]

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Diana Barnes says:

October 19, 2012 at 22:35


Looking again maybe not Bardarbunga…The ittle group of quakes is to the west of there and none actually where I think badarbunga is situated.

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Diana Barnes says:

October 19, 2012 at 22:47


It looks more like this volcano. Kverkfjöll [link to www.volcano.si.edu]

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Renato Rio says:

October 19, 2012 at 22:51


Good evening, Diana.
Definitely a swarm at Kverkfjöll. I think it is connected to Bradarbunga system, but we must confirm that.
The quakes are very deep, probably some magma injection there.
Interesting!
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Thread: Physical Pole Shift of Earth by March 2013+Ascension completed by October 2013

Irpsit says:

October 20, 2012 at 00:22


I think Diana was right on spot.

There was (probably) some fresh pulse of hotspot magma in these last days.

Increased tremor around the SILs in Vatnajokull in recent days, just as a swarm happened in Bardarbunga. A few days later, a new swarm now, at nearby Kverfjoll volcano, and again deep earthquakes.

I think some of the most likely candidates for next eruption in Iceland are in the north part of Vatajokull: they are: 1) Bardarbunga, 2) Askja, and also 3) Kverfjoll.

Also, we have seen activity in the past in Esjufjoll and also in Tungnafellsjokull

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JulesP says:

October 20, 2012 at 07:10


Looking at the tremor patterns, I wonder if the magma pulse covers a far wider area under Iceland – i.e a broad glob!

[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Mike Ross says:

October 20, 2012 at 05:52


Heads-up… Only M0.8, but right on the summit ridge of Hekla…

[link to en.vedur.is]
Diana Barnes says:

October 20, 2012 at 09:40


[link to hraun.vedur.is] forgot an interesting link…..

Irpsit says:

October 20, 2012 at 10:34


On Icelandic hotspot and Vatnaokull:

One of the papers refererring to this is: An Iceland hotspot saga, by Ingi Þorleifur Bjarnason

The hotspot is about 200km wide, but it divides then into two arms (plume head) as it approaches the crust, one towards the southwest and another towards the north. These “arms” spread a lot more, at least about 700km away from its center, in the direction of Reykanes peninsula. This occurs at about 100km deep, so you don’t get to see any earthquakes showing these magmatic movements from Vatnajokull (where its center is) towards Katla, Hekla, Hengill and Reykanes, and towards Aska, Krafla and Tjornes.

So the hotspot does indeed feed all of Icelandic volcanoes.

From my own observations, I think that when a hotspot pulse occurs, I think magma travels upwards and sidewards, at almost same time to these two directions, but then it does take a few years to intrude into each volcanic system (the top 50km), and only ocasionally it will result in an eruption.

We don’t have instruments to study this, but we do have the historical records of Icelandic eruptions to try to find a pattern of how each pulse works, if they occur at all.

It seems there was a pulse in 1720 to 1730, when many eruptions occurred in Iceland, and some were quite large, such as Oraefakokull and in Krafla.

Then in 1862, another peak in activity seems to have occurred, as there was a fissure eruption in Bardarbunga, a 15km long fissure (about a third of Laki extent). About 10 years later, there was an eruption in 1872 and 1873 in Vatnajokull, and the large event at Askja in 1874 to 1876, and after this, eruptions occurred almost every year or every other year until about 1900.

Does anyone has any opinnion if there are really pulses in activity in the Icelandic hotspot?
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Lucas Wilson says:

October 20, 2012 at 10:46


A couple of Bulletin of Volcanology doc’s have just become open – ascess.

Bulletin of volcanic eruptions 1983-1992: [link to www.springerlink.com]

U.S. officials turn attention to the possibility of volcanic eruptions in southwest

Posted on October 20, 2012


October 20, 2012 – FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Experts in volcano hazards and public safety have started a conversation about volcanoes in the southwestern United States, and how best to prepare for future activity. Prior to this meeting, emergency response planning for volcanic unrest in the region had received little attention by federal or state agencies. Though volcanic eruptions are comparatively rare in the American Southwest, the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah host geologically-recent volcanic eruption deposits and are vulnerable to future volcanic activity. Compared with other parts of the western U.S., comparatively little research has been focused on this area, and eruption probabilities are poorly understood. “A volcanic eruption in the American southwest is an example of a low-probability, but high-impact event for which we should be prepared to respond,” said USGS Director Marcia McNutt. “No one wants to be exchanging business cards during an emergency, and thus a small investment in advance planning could pay off in personal relationships and coordination between scientists and first responders. The goal of the conference is to increase awareness of volcanism and vulnerabilities in the American Southwest, and to begin coordination among volcano scientists, land managers, and emergency responders regarding future volcanic activity,” said Dr. Jacob Lowenstern, one of the organizers of the conference, and the U.S. Geological Survey Scientist-In-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. “This is the first time these federal, state, and local agencies have met to discuss their roles, responsibilities, and resources, should an eruption occur.” The “Volcanism in the American Southwest” conference on Oct. 18-19 in Flagstaff, Ariz. was organized by the USGS, Northern Arizona University, University at Buffalo, and New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, the meeting included interdisciplinary talks, posters, and panel discussions, providing an opportunity for volcanologists, land managers, and emergency responders to meet, converse, and begin to plan protocols for any future volcanic activity. -USGS - October 19, 2012 [link to theextinctionprotocol.wordpress.com]

KarenZ says:

October 20, 2012 at 13:00


Interesting swarm in TFZ:

[link to en.vedur.is]

Reply



luisport says:

October 20, 2012 at 13:01


big quake activity in iceland now… [link to en.vedur.is]

The swarm in Kverfjoll continues... [link to en.vedur.is] Kverkfjöll is a large subglacial volcano at the NE end of the Vatnajökull icecap. Two elliptical ice-filled calderas, 8 x 5 km in diameter, have been identified. An associated fissure swarm can be traced 60 km to the NE. A half dozen ridges of subglacially erupted pillow lavas are now exposed and extend beyond the glacial icecap to the NE. Subglacial historical eruptions have been recorded since the mid-17th century. Several other historical eruptions once attributed to Kverkfjöll are now thought to have originated from Bárdarbunga volcano to the west. [link to www.volcano.si.edu]

Diana Barnes says:

October 20, 2012 at 15:17


Yes quite a swarm off the coast from Siglufjörður . [link to hraun.vedur.is] The tremors have dropped off the graph

Unrest at Raung volcano (East-Java, Indonesia)

Friday Oct 19, 2012 11:01 AM | Age: 21 hrs

BY: VOLCANOBULLETIN

Raung volcano (not to be confused with Ruang volcano in the Sangihe islands), Eastern Java began to show increased seismicity since the 17 September. Small white plumes were seen rising to heights between 50-75 M above the crater.

The Alert Level was raised to 2 on a scale of 1-4 be the VSI on 18 September. [link to www.volcanodiscovery.com]

Volcano Activity in Indonesia on Saturday, 20 October, 2012 at 17:44 (05:44 PM) UTC.

Description
Indonesia issued today an official alert at the straight of Sunda for the increasing activity of Mt. Anak Krakatoa. Dense clouds surrounding the mountain blind it from human eyes while fishers and tourists must remain at a distance of two kilometres, said Andi Suardi, head of the watch deport in Hargopancuran. Just 30 days earlier, Anak Krakatoa spewed lava and other material 2,000 meters high above the peak; there have been since hundreds of quakes in the area and black clouds continue to veil the mouth of the mountain. Situated between Sumatra and Java Islands, Anak Krakatoa emerged from sea late in the 1930s and from 1950, growing an average of five meters per year. Science has confirmed another five active volcanos and the authorities have activated the alert in their vicinity, and Indonesia has more than 400 volcanos and some 130 remain active.
[link to hisz.rsoe.hu]

[link to hraun.vedur.is]


something is going on at Katla Luis

shit, man..

WTF WTF!!!

Crazy activity in Iceland!

i know..

[link to en.vedur.is]

not good

Man on the scene, keep us updated.

[link to en.vedur.is]

a load more green stars just got added

if a rift were to open up the length of those green stars, it'd be 40 to 50 miles long

GEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ i only see it now!!!

Quite heavy earthquake swarm in North of Iceland, Siglufjörður region and tjörnes Rift Zone. Currently 31 quake larger than 3 Richter (them stars), several over 4. Some broken windows and Church bells ringing themselves have been reported. No serious damage yet, but this can go on all night long.

[link to www.vedur.is]

(Likely there are lots of Ghost quakes on map, but VC gang, this is such times we can swamp IMO servers if not careful, so use website sparingly, I only use one tab at a time watching, refreshing only now or then) And I felt a quake here, seems there has been some larger than that, perhaps close to five, according to strain meters at Hek and Bur …)
As reader Kobba pointed out this swarm is best seen on [link to www.vedur.is]


At 3 am blog time the count ran over 50 quakes stronger than Magnitude 3. Those quakes seem to be tectonic quakes as long as there is no current volcanic activity known in the area. Many of the quakes might be ghosts which might get removed later. The largest quake was upgraded to a 5,7.
Some quakes also appeared on the list of the Potsdam Insitute of Geophysics [link to geofon.gfz-potsdam.de]
And here is the beachball of one of those quakes. [link to geofon.gfz-potsdam.de]
( Links provided by reader arjanemm )

Oliver St John-Mollusc says: October 21, 2012 at 08:58
Google translation of RUV (Iceland’s “BBC”) article:

Hundreds of earthquakes have been recorded yesterday, last night and this morning outside Siglufjörður. The largest was the second time in the night, 5.2 in size. Human habitations quaking in Akureyri, dogs rushed up óhljóðum and items moved from one place. People were troubled, according to reporters in the north.
No reports have been received of injuries, however, people or property. Several other earthquakes have been recorded over four dozens of tremors over three large. Bergthora Thorbjarnardottir, geophysicist at the Meteorological Institute, says a shaky offense that is not preceded volcanic activity. The epicenter is about twenty miles north of the town accounted for, at 6-9 kilometers.
Earthquake had begun the previous night 20 km north SIGLUFJORDUR. Activity has come in waves but calm was between 15 and 23 o’clock yesterday. Furthermore, the cycle may come back with great force. She says that the area has calmed down tonight but it is not possible to predict whether earthquakes recurrence. The last quake of three large measured shortly before seven in the morning. He was of size 3.5 according óyfirfarinni automatic measurement. You can monitor the earthquake on site certified.
Bergthora says shaking Tjörnes Seismic Zone could reach up to seven large. It can not be excluded a large tremor, but there is no evidence, however, especially for a large earthquake is coming.
Earthquakes were well over the north and west, to form a Blönduósi in Fnjóskadal, Sauðárkrókur in Staircase,-exhibition, in Isafjordur, in dollars, in Húnaþing and Reykjadalur.
Earthquakes are common in this area but has not previously been so dramatic cycles in this place.

Lets not get overexcited and leave the delicate links to the Icelanders so we dont bring them down by swarming them.
Please leave news as comments below. This post will most likely be updated a few times today.
Spica

Update1 : Oliver St John-Mollusc pointed out:
As it shows little or no heightening to speak of in especially the red (0.5 – 1 Hz), it indicates there is little to no magmatic component, thus it all appears to be tectonic in nature.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]

Tjornes Fracture Zone Earthquakes 2012 [link to www.youtube.com]

Inge B. says:

October 21, 2012 at 14:47


There have been earthquake swarms in this region on and off reported for some centuries now.

There was one eg. in the summer of 1838 with the strongest quake (presumably) up to magn. 7. [link to www.mbl.is] It was one of the most destructives in the Siglufjörður region. Some houses were damaged and one person died then. In the Eyjafjörður and Skagafjörður regions there was a lot of rock fall. And the church of Hólar was also damaged. The earthquake swarm even continued during the whole summer.

A map showing the locations of hypocenters are to be found on page 12 of this pdf-document (by Almannavarnir, the Icelandic Civil Protection Org.): [link to almannavarnir.is] The quakes indicated on this map were all over magn. 6.
[link to volcanocafe.wordpress.com]