Volcano update December 8, see pg 33

Another post by Eruptions (Erik Klemetti) got me thinking. We have Chaiten with little to no recorded warning, then Okmok with a few hours waring, Cleveland with an entire 90 minutes warning, and now Kasatochi with a whopping (comparatively) 18 hours warning. This being quite unusual, for current historical record. Things that make ya go, "Hrmmmm."


Details on the start of the Okmok eruption
[link to eruptions.wordpress.com]
August 7, 2008 by Erik Klemetti


The Okmok Caldera eruption is still going on, almost a month after it started. The latest USGS/SI Weekly Report states:

Strong volcanic tremor on 2 August prompted AVO to raise the Volcano Alert Level to Warning and the Aviation Color Code to Red. Cloudy conditions prevented satellite observations. Later that day, AVO geologists in the area reported that ash-and-steam plumes rose to minimum altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. The seismicity decreased and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Watch and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. Observers in Ft. Glenn on Umnak Island reported smelling sulfur and seeing a larger ash plume than earlier that day. The plume drifted ESE. On 3 August, helicopter and ground-based observers indicated a lower-altitude ash plume along with a higher steam plume. Satellite imagery revealed that ash plumes at altitudes of 9.1-10.7 km (30,000-35,000 ft) a.s.l. drifted SSW. On 4 August, ashfall reported in Nikolski had accumulated to a depth of 3 mm. During 4-5 August satellite imagery and pilot observations indicated that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 3-7.6 km (10,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W.

Sounds like Okmok is continuing to emit ash high enough to get into air travel lanes over the Aleutians. There was an interesting report on the events that lead up to the eruption … well, all 5 hours of events before the eruption. Tina Neal from AVO says that they really did only have a few hours of “anomalous events” at Okmok before the caldera erupted, and they didn’t even know it had erupted until eye witness accounts had come in from the Coast Guard and fishermen. She also mentions that pumice has washed up on other islands from the eruption. Cleveland Volcano is also briefly discussed, but she reminds us that it tends to erupt with more frequency than Okmok. Again, just like Chaiten, these events remind us that predicting volcanic eruption is still in its infancy!

Kasatochi Alaska- Red Alert
2008-08-07
Current satellite composite of the event and precursor earthquakes.

:kasat8708:

Volcano: Kasatochi
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: RED

2008-08-08 03:29:25
Seismicity at Kasatochi remains elevated but has quieted down over the past hour. Satellite imagery suggests a continuous eruption plume.


Issued: Thursday, August 7, 2008, 3:26 PM AKDT (20080807/2326Z)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2008/A24
Location: N 52 deg 10 min W 175 deg 30 min
Elevation: 1030 ft (314 m)
Area: Aleutians Alaska

Volcanic Activity Summary: Satellite data show an ash plume to an altitude of at least 35,000 ft. in the vicinity of Kasatochi Volcano 22:30 UTC (14:30 ADT). The plume is drifting to the south-southwest. Based on this information, we are elevating the color code to RED/WARNING. This follows the recent increase in volcanic and earthquake activity.

Hazard Analysis:
[Ash cloud] Ash cloud to at least 35,000 feet
[General hazards] Ash confirmed by satellite data

Remarks: AVO is monitoring this situation closely and has its operations room staffed 24 hours per day. More information about activity at Kasatochi Volcano can be found on the AVO web siteat www.avo.alaska.edu or by calling 907-786-7497.

Kasatochi Island represents the emergent summit of a predominantly submarine volcano composed of basaltic and andesitic flows and pyroclastics. Kasatochi has had no known historical eruptions; however, the volcano is mantled by a cover of young appearing pyroclastic debris indicative of relatively recent explosive activity. The island consists of a single, undissected cone with a central lake-filled crater about 0.75 km in diameter. A maximum height of 314 m is on the southern crater rim; elevation of the lake is less than about 60 m. Kasatochi Island is at the northern end of a 15-km-long, 6-km-wide submarine ridge that is normal to the trend of the Andreanof Islands. Water depths along the ridge are less than 90 m; if Kasatochi is constructed entirely on the ridge, the total height of the volcanic pile is only a little more than 400 m. Kasatochi is 83 km (52 mi) east of the community of Adak , and 90 km (55 mi) west of the community of Atka.

Contacts: Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
[email protected], (907)786-7497

Jon Dehn, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
[email protected] (907) 474-6499
[link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

[link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

That is sweet!

I'm a sweet person, all in all.

Even though I think the tsunami in 2004 was caused by uplift, and I don't provide links to back my assertions up!

Alaska Volcano Observatory
Current Status Report
Friday, August 8, 2008 12:21 PM AKDT (20:21 UTC)


KASATOCHI VOLCANO
52°10'9" N 175°30'41" W, Summit Elevation 1030 ft (314 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: RED
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Three major explosive eruptions occured at Kasatochi between approximately 2230 UTC (14:30 AKDT) on 07 August and 0500 UTC on 08 August(2100 AKDT on 07 August). Ash from these explosions reached at least 45,000 ft above sea level. Ash emissions became continuous following the last explosive event and have produced a continuous ash cloud extending for more than 500 miles in a counterclockwise spiral. Ash from this continuous phase is likely at an altitude in excess of 35,000 ft above sea level. The possibility of larger explosive events continues.

AVO is monitoring this situation closely and has its operations room staffed 24 hours per day. More information about activity at Kasatochi Volcano can be found on the AVO web site at www.avo.alaska.edu or by calling 907-786-7497.


CLEVELAND VOLCANO
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Volcanic unrest at Cleveland Volcano has declined. The volcano was obscured by clouds and drifting ash from the eruption of Kasatochi.



OKMOK VOLCANO
53°23'49" N 168°9'58" W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

The eruption of Okmok Volcano continues. Seismic activity over the past 24 hours remains elevated and continuous volcanic tremor is still occurring. Low-level steam and possible ash plumes detected in satellite data over that past 4 hours. A dusting of ash may occur over parts of Umnak Island.
Steam and possible ash cloud observed in satellite data, extending towards the northwest at an estimated height of less than 15,000 ft.

OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES

Seismic activity is monitored in real time at 30 volcanoes in Alaska. Satellite images of all Alaskan volcanoes are analyzed daily for evidence of ash plumes and elevated surface temperatures. Some volcanoes may currently display anomalous behavior but are not considered to be at a dangerous level of unrest. Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt, Wrangell, Gareloi, Great Sitkin, Makushin, Fisher, Shishaldin, Isanotski, Pavlof, Veniaminof, Ugashik-Peulik, Griggs, Snowy, Fourpeaked, Aniakchak, Tanaga, Kanaga, Akutan, Westdahl, Dutton, Ukinrek Maars, Martin, Mageik, Trident, Katmai, Novarupta, Spurr, and Korovin volcanoes are in color code GREEN and volcano alert level Normal. All are at or near normal levels of background seismicity. AVO did not detect ash plumes or significant elevated surface temperatures in the vicinity of any volcano.

Please see [link to www.avo.alaska.edu] for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels.

VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: [link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

I never said it wasn't caused by uplift. I may not have siad it perfectly to everyones liking, but it was added to by the landslide and made larger than all calcs would expect for jsut the uplift.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
Friday, August 8, 2008 08:20 HST (Friday, August 8, 2008 18:20 UTC)


KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-01-)
19.42°N 155.29°W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park status can be found at [link to www.nps.gov] or 985-6000. Hawai`i County Viewing Area status can be found at [link to www.lavainfo.us] or 961-8093.

Activity Summary for last 24 hours: Kilauea summit continued to contract through the ongoing deflation portion of a DI tilt event; small amounts of ash and elevated amounts of sulfur dioxide gas continued to issue from the Halema`uma`u vent. At the east rift eruption site, Pu`u `O`o cone continued to deflate while issuing high background amounts of sulfur dioxide gas; eruption-related activity on the flow field has paused; no lava is flowing through tubes, there are no surface flows and there is no lava entering the ocean.

Last 24 hours at Kilauea summit: Vent incandescence was again bright overnight; HVO scientists estimate that, on the last two nights, the vent was as bright as on the night of March 19.

A brown-tinged plume is rising from the Halema`uma`u vent this morning and being blown southwest 200-300 m (650-1,000 ft) above the Ka`u Desert. Between 6 and 7 am, GOES-WEST imagery shows the plume being blown SW inland of the coast. Sulfur dioxide emission rates remained elevated and variable; the most recent average measurement was 900 tonnes/day on August 7 compared to 700 tonnes/day on August 4 and a pre-2008 background rate between 150-200 tonnes/day.

The brownish color of the plume is probably due to its ash burden. Winds were too strong this morning to permit retrieval of ash samples to confirm this.

The summit tiltmeter network continued to indicate deflation within the ongoing DI tilt event that started on the afternoon of August 5th; the current rate of deflation is similar to the rate before the start of the DI tilt event; as of this posting, the anticipated inflation part of the event had not started. The network of GPS receivers that span the summit caldera recorded continued subsidence and contraction.

Seismic tremor levels remained elevated at values 1.5 times those prior to the start of the ongoing DI tilt event. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes beneath Halema`uma`u Crater continued to decrease but were still above background values of 20-40/d. Four earthquakes were located beneath the area just west of the southwest rift zone, two on south flank faults, and two beneath the southeastern summit caldera.

Last 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma continued to degas through Pu`u `O`o Crater resulting in an emission of 1,700 tonnes/day of sulfur dioxide on August 7, down from a high of 7,100 tonnes/day on July 18 and near background values of about 2,000 tonnes/day. No incandescence was observed within the crater last night.

The tiltmeter on the north side of Pu`u `O`o cone continued to record the deflation part of the Aug. 5th DI tilt event; a small offset was recorded at 2:09 pm possibly indicating a small collapse within the crater; the MODIS aqua satellite detected a thermal anomaly at 2 pm but located it nearly 3 km to the east. GPS receivers recorded continued contraction across the cone. Seismic tremor levels dropped about 25% with the start of the DI tilt event on Aug. 5.

Flow field activity has paused during the ongoing deflation part of the DI tilt event. Yesterday, views into tube skylights showed no lava flowing and the tubes cooling off. MODIS satellite views yesterday were clear but showed no ocean steam plume. GOES-WEST imagery this morning also showed no thermal anomalies and no ocean plume.
[link to volcano.wr.usgs.gov]

now let's not argue TODAY as well, eh?

it's the WEEKEND!

:party:

I'm not interested in argument, not even yesterday. It rather boring and tedious. Discussion is what I find interesting.

Geogal - Thank you for keeping us informed. I know many of us here at GLP appreciate enormously.

Can you tell me, in your expert opinion, is what you are witnessing with regards to Volcanic activity, increasing in terms of numbers and power?

Hi BadMoonRising, how are you today?

I'm not a volcanologist, so don't call myself expert in it, but thanks. As to if they're increasing in number... hard to say. As some come active, like Kasatochi which hasn't gone off for at least the 1800's if not the 1700's not excessively clear to the volcanologists, other like Mt St Helens are quieting, and still others, Etna, haven't stopped for quite some time.

I have noticed, since I've been keeping this thread going, that a few that have been quiet for some time are becoming active, and some are having less than expected amounts of time between precursor earthquakes and the eruption event. Kasatochi gave about 18 hours notice, Okmok 5 hours, Cleveland a grand 90 minutes and not clear about Chaiten if it had smaller warning quakes or not since it wasn't monitored at the time. I'd say THAT is an anomoly we're witnessing. I've read some of the buzz in the volcanology discipline that they find this a bit perplexing as well.

power... that would imply a number of things. The eruptions/plumes going higher, more CO2 output, occasionally more violent events where there are normally calmer events... Those descriptions would apply to Kilaeua, yes. But, hrmmmm... I'll do a bit of checking around to see if I can give a fuller answer. Power, in the above described condition, would be volcano applicable and likely more applicable to constantly erupting ones, Kilaeua and Etna for example.

I'm about to check another site and see about the increased number erupting from a month ago. One hears all about the new ones that go off, but when they quiet and go back to "sleep", one doesn't always hear about it. Hope that answers.

Thank you - yes it does.

Fascinating subject!

Since last update (7/11), there have been 6 new volcanoes added to the erupting list and none removed.

VOLCANO LATITUDE LONGITUDE COUNTRY
31 volcanoes now active
<Ring of FIRE Volcanoes>

Rabaul 04.27S 152.20E NEW BRITAIN
Krakatau 06.10S 105.42E INDONESIA
Kerinci 01.70S 101.26E SUMATRA
Ibu 01.49N 127.63E HALMAHERA

Popocatepetl 19.02N 098.62W MEXICO
Arenal 10.46N 084.70W COSTA RICA
Fuego 14.47N 090.88W GUATEMALA
Santa Maria 14.76N 091.55W GUATEMALA
Galeras 01.22N 077.37W COLOMBIA
Huila 02.93N 076.03W COLOMBIA
Tungurahua 01.47S 078.44W ECUADOR
Ubinas 16.36S 070.90W PERU
Chaiten 42.83S 072.65W CHILE
Llaima 38.69S 071.73W CHILE
Masaya 11.98N 086.16W NICARAGUA
San Cristobal 12.70N 087.00W NICARAGUA

Yasur 19.53S 169.44E SO. PACIFIC
Anatahan 16.35N 145.67E MARIANA IS.

Bezymianny 55.98N 160.59E KAMCHATKA
Karymsky 54.05N 159.45E KAMCHATKA
Sheveluch 56.65N 161.36E KAMCHATKA
Chikurachki 50.33N 155.46E KURILE IS.
Sakura-Jima 31.59N 130.66E JAPAN

Kasatochi 52.18N 175.51W ALEUTIAN IS.
Cleveland 52.83N 169.94W ALEUTIAN IS.
Okmok 53.43N 168.13W ALEUTIAN IS.

<not RoF>
Kilauea 19.42N 155.29W HAWAII

Mt. Erebus 77.53S 167.17E ANTARCTICA

Mt. Etna 37.73N 015.00E SICILY
Stromboli 38.79N 015.21E ITALY

Soufriere Hills 16.72N 062.18W WEST INDIES


[link to www.intlvrc.org]
[

CASCADES VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEEKLY UPDATE
Friday, August 8, 2008 15:05 PDT (Friday, August 8, 2008 22:05 UTC)


Cascade Range Volcanoes
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN

NOTICE: Mount St. Helens has been at Volcano Alert Level NORMAL and Aviation Color Code GREEN for the past month; therefore, we are migrating from a Mount St. Helens weekly update to a Cascade Range weekly update. As long as all Cascade Range volcanoes are at Normal and Green, we will continue to issue Cascade Range weekly updates. If a Cascade Range volcano shows signs of unrest, we will issue an update for that particular volcano.

Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California.

Recent Observations: A swarm of small, shallow earthquakes between Mount Shasta and Medicine Lake volcanoes has been ongoing since Thursday, 7 August. The sequence began with a M2.5 at 08:27 PDT on August 7, and included a M3.5 earthquake followed by a number of smaller earthquakes over the past 24 hours, including several M>2 earthquakes this morning (8 August). Earthquake epicenters are clustered near the trace of several NNW-trending regional faults and are located ~8 miles SE of the locus of the June-August 1978 Stevens Pass swarm, which included three M>4 earthquakes. The location and character of the 2008 earthquakes are consistent with a tectonic (non-volcanic) origin for the swarm. However, because the swarm is occurring in an area of scattered volcanic vents, we will continue to monitor the swarm closely and will issue updates if the situation warrants.
[link to volcano.wr.usgs.gov]

I found a few that definitely had increased levels of activity during the year so far, and some of those have since "calmed" Mt Etna, Krakataua, Kilaeua, Stromboli, are a few of the most prominent of the continuing to erupt.

A few have also had dramatic drops in their strength over the course of the year, to be fair, dropped of the eruption list all together. Tanzania, Mt St Helens, Erta Ale, Miyake-Jima, Suwanose-Jima to name a few.

So, in the energy level, I'm seeing a bit of balance, so to speak.

As far as increasing in number. Early in the year, I found some 39 volcanoes on the erupting list. It went down to about 25 last month and is back about 31. So, some start up and some fall off the list. But, I's say of "new and interesting" activity for the year, we've got a good year for that.

which is why you REPLIED to what I said by posting a 'gummy fail' picture? wanted a discussion there did you?

you wanted confrontation, and you got it.

BTW, just a little enquiry here, I may be totally wrong, but are you Mister Obvious by any chance in another existence?

Your style is very much like hers. when I first came to this forum, she was really sweet to everyone on here, very much like yourself, but had a cutting edge to her, very much like yourself.

Not saying you're as bad as her mind, cos she's a twat, but you are pressing the right buttons, if you know what I mean?

Oh, and leave the little 'fail' pics in your Documents folder too, cos they make you look stupid, like the other idiots that use them.

, and one of the BIGGEST idiots duly turns up and posts!

Anyway gal, back on subject.

Look at these cahrts of the S02 concentration for the 7th of August

[link to www.temis.nl]

and the 8th of August

[link to www.temis.nl]

see the big blob of white over the Alaskan eruption?

Today's chart should be interesting.

No, I am not Mister Obvious. I don't have time to post here under any other incarnation than "geogal". Nor do I understand the mentality of people who would do that.

BTW. as a courteous request, please leave debate of subjects other than volcanology off this thread. I'll debate you on another thread on other subjects. But, the subject of this thread is volcanology. I have another earthquakes thread you can use for that, or start your own, if you wish. Something occasionally off topic or a greeting is fine. It would be appreciated.

If it's going like AVO suggests, than yes, it should be reducing. We'll see if it does or if it continues for weeks at a slow pace, with occasional bursts, much like Cleveland and Okmok.

Kasatochi Alaska- Red Alert
2008-08-09 07:34:29
A regional event is seen on the Kasatochi webicorders at 1519 UTC (7:19 AKDT). The Tsunami Warning Center gave a preliminary magnitude of M5.4 located 85 miles SW of Adak.
2008-08-09 02:39:44
Satellite data continues to show a plume coming from Kasatochi and that the volcano is still erupting. Seismic activity continues to be low as seen by the Great Sitkin stations some 26 miles west of Kasatochi. This does not imply that seismic activity at the volcano has ceased, only that it has decreased to the point that we can no longer detect it on our existing stations.
[link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

Alaska Volcano Observatory
Current Status Report
Saturday, August 9, 2008 1:23 PM AKDT (21:23 UTC)


KASATOCHI VOLCANO
52°10'9" N 175°30'41" W, Summit Elevation 1030 ft (314 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: RED
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

The intensity of the eruption at Kasatochi has decreased over the past 24 hours. Earthquakes from the Kasatochi area continue to be recorded on the Great Sitkin seismic network, but at a much lower rate than pre-eruptive activity. We do not see seismic signals associated with a vigorous eruption. However, the available seismic stations are too distant to detect low-level ash emissions.


Ash emissions, if they are occurring, have not been observed in satellite data above the low meteorological cloud deck (~20,000 ft asl) over the past 24 hours. Higher meteorological clouds (~30,000 ft asl) have moved into the region over the past 6 hours, further limiting observations of the volcano.
A large mass of drifting ash from the major explosive activity on August 7 continues to be observed in satellite data over the North Pacific. Please see the latest SIGMET warnings for furtter details and forecasts of cloud movement.

Additional explosive activity is possible, and could occur with no warning.


OKMOK VOLCANO
53°23'49" N 168°9'58" W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Eruptive activity continues at Okmok Volcano on Umnak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands. The intensity of activity has been relatively steady over the past day. A low-level steam and ash plume is seen in satellite data extending towards the south at an estimated altitude of less than 15,000 feet asl. Periods of intense seismicity are not necessarily corresponding with episodes of significant ash production and this has complicated attempts to provide early warning about potential ash cloud hazards based on seismicity alone.




CLEVELAND VOLCANO
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Volcanic unrest at Cleveland Volcano continues, with a thermal anomaly observed in satellite images over the past 24 hours, and is likely the result of the cooling of the newly emplaced lava flows. No ash plumes have been observed in satellite images since July 29. AVO has received no new information about activity at Cleveland Volcano for several days.
Rockfalls and avalanches of hot debris from the cooling lava flows on the flanks of Cleveland can occur with little or no warning. These events can produce small, localized ash plumes and block and ash flows or avalanches that are hazardous to anything in their path.


VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: [link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
[email protected], (907)786-7497

Jon Dehn, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
[email protected] (907) 474-6499

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS DAILY UPDATE
Sunday, August 10, 2008 08:11 MPT (Saturday, August 9, 2008 22:11 UTC)


ANATAHAN VOLCANO (CAVW#0804-20=)
16.35°N 145.67°E, Summit Elevation 2592 ft (790 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Seismicity at Anatahan Volcano continues at low levels similar to the past two days. No plumes have been observed in satellite views today. Low-level steam and minor ash emissions observed yesterday, are likely occurring.

During times of northerly winds, the Anatahan plume, if present, could be directed towards the CNMI and Guam. If this happens, residents may notice hazy air conditions and smell sulfur. The Emergency Management Office (EMO) of the CNMI government will issue volcanic haze and sulfur advisories if appropriate.

Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the EMO to get the latest information.

USGS contact information: duty scientist (808) 967-8815 [link to volcano.wr.usgs.gov]

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
Saturday, August 9, 2008 07:58 HST (Saturday, August 9, 2008 17:58 UTC)


KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW#1302-01-)
19.42°N 155.29°W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park status can be found at [link to www.nps.gov] or 985-6000. Hawai`i County Viewing Area status can be found at [link to www.lavainfo.us] or 961-8093.

Activity Summary for last 24 hours: Kilauea summit started the inflation portion of the ongoing DI tilt event yesterday afternoon; increased amounts of ash and elevated amounts of sulfur dioxide gas continued to issue from the Halema`uma`u vent. At the east rift eruption site, Pu`u `O`o cone recorded delayed inflation while issuing high background amounts of sulfur dioxide gas; eruption-related activity on the flow field has paused; no lava is flowing through tubes, there are no surface flows and there is no lava entering the ocean.

Last 24 hours at Kilauea summit: Summit tiltmeters recorded over 7 microradians of inflation after starting just before 3:30 pm. The plume turned brown with ash a few times during the day and dimmed at least once at night. At the beginning of the evening, vent incandescence was dim compared to the last few nights; however, brightness picked up through the night and pulsed episodically through the morning hours.

A white plume is rising from the Halema`uma`u vent this morning and being blown southwest 100-200 m (330-650 ft) above the Ka`u Desert. Between 6 and 7 am, GOES-WEST imagery shows the plume being blown SW inland of the coast. Sulfur dioxide emission rates remained elevated and variable; the most recent average measurement was 900 tonnes/day on August 7 compared to 700 tonnes/day on August 4 and a pre-2008 background rate between 150-200 tonnes/day.

Over the past 48 hours, ash deposition from the plume increased. Strong winds have probably contaminated the samples somewhat with windblown material off the ground, but the increase from the plume is significant.

The summit tiltmeter network recorded 7.6 microradians of inflation since starting just before 3:30 pm. The network of GPS receivers that span the summit caldera recorded continued subsidence and contraction but may be showing signs of inflation this morning.

Seismic tremor changed character from low and steady during the deflation phase to vigorous and episodic during the inflation phase of the ongoing DI tilt event; episodic bursts occurred every 5-8 minutes after starting at 00:44 am with a brief absence between 03:24-04:12 am. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes beneath Halema`uma`u Crater increased dramatically through the past 24 hours and is well above background values of 20-40/d. Nine earthquakes were located beneath the south caldera, three on east Koa`e faults, one beneath the southwest rift zone, and three on south flank faults.

Last 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma continued to degas through Pu`u `O`o Crater resulting in an emission of 2,400 tonnes/day of sulfur dioxide on August 8, down from a high of 7,100 tonnes/day on July 18 and near background values of about 2,000 tonnes/day. No incandescence was observed within the crater last night.

The tiltmeter on the north side of Pu`u `O`o cone recorded nearly 4 microradians of inflation after starting at 5:37 pm, over 2 hours behind the start of DI inflation at the summit. GPS receivers recorded continued contraction across the cone and may have switched to inflation. Seismic tremor levels dropped a small amount around midnight and are slowly increasing.

Flow field activity has paused during the ongoing DI tilt event; there are no signs of surface activity yet. HVO geologists on a routine overflight yesterday found no activity at the ocean entry, within skylights, or anywhere on the surface. Many skylights were still hot enough to be incandescent but had no flowing lava inside. GOES-WEST imagery this morning show no thermal anomalies and no steam plume from the coast.
[link to volcano.wr.usgs.gov]

Kasatochi Alaska- Red Alert remains
2008-08-09 16:23:18 - Information Statement
The intensity of seismic activity associated with the Kasatochi eruption has markedly decreased to the level where AVO's seismic network on nearby Great Sitkin Island (about 40 km (25 mi) to the east) is no longer able to detect activity at Kasatochi volcano. Kasatochi has no seismic network; thus AVO does not have the means to monitor seismicity normally associated with eruptive activity. Some larger events may be seen seismically, but in general AVO will rely on satellite and visual reports to monitor activity.

Given the intensity of eruptive activity over the past several days and large ash clouds observed in satellite images AVO is keeping the aviation color code and alert level at RED/WARNING until it can be determined that eruptive activity has declined.

The recent eruptive activity was sufficiently strong to be recorded at seismic stations on Great Sitkin and elsewhere in the region. This intensity (earthquakes with magnitudes greater than M5) is atypical.
[link to www.avo.alaska.edu]

and the cause of the vocanos?

[link to www.youtube.com]

Yes you did show up!!!!

For those following Chaiten... this is a great report. The dome growth is exceptional. The emissions in the plume are low on everything except water and silica and exceptionally fine. The magma surfaces at an exceptional rate. With the growth of the new dome and what we've been seeing so far, this volcano is in for another reasonably large eruption soon. Again, I will stress that from most of what we've seen so far, this does not appear to be a super nor cause any kind of global problems. Local problems, yes, definitely. But, we will see more of Chaiten likely before the month is out, certainly before the year is out. Anyone know any prayers in Spanish to send the towns folk? They are likely going to be forced to move, and not just by the government. Geogal

:chaiten83:
picture from aug 3 '08 of the dome growth

Chaitén - updated VDAP briefing 9 August 2008
[link to volcanism.wordpress.com]
"A new powerpoint presentation on Chaitén has been made available by the USGS/USAID Volcano Disaster Assistance Program, who have been working with the Chileans at Chaitén. Back in June the VDAP gave a presentation to President Michelle Bachelet of Chile (TVB post about the presentation here), and the latest briefing, given on 6 August for the benefit of the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, is an updated version of the June presentation.

The 6 August briefing can be downloaded directly, all 27MB of it, from this link at the USGS ftp site; you’ll need a powerpoint viewer to see its cheesy graphics and horrible typography in all their glory.
ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/wr/wa/vancouver/Pallister/OFDA%20br​iefing/Chaiten%20%20OFDA%20brief%20BRIEF%20.ppt

The majority of the presentation is the same as the earlier June version, but there is some new information. There’s a preliminary hazard map of Chaitén volcano dated 11 May 2008 (no updates since?) showing clearly what a bad idea it is for Chaitén town to be where it is, details of recent flight disruptions, and cumulative probability charts plotting possible outcomes as they stood in June (again, nothing more recent has been made available).

There is also fresh information on the lava dome, giving the following estimates for the end of July:

Average lava dome eruption rate ~60m3/s (the average given in June was ~37m3/s)
Area ~1.4 million m2 (area given in June ~540,000m2)
Volume ~350 million m3 (volume given in June ~55 million m3)
There is also a ’science postscript’ which contains the following observations on and questions arising from the Chaitén eruption:

rhyolite extrusion rates unusually high
sulphur dioxide emissions unusually low
ash deposits unusually fine grained
magma hot (850°C) and ascended rapidly from depth (>6km?)
tectonic connection to the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone (LOFZ) - is this a tectonically-pressured eruption?
ongoing interpretation of current earthquakes

With regard to the last point, there is no interpretation of the recent seismic activity in this presentation.

Many thanks to commenter Hawkeye for locating this presentation and bringing it to my notice."