Ecuador Volcano Tungurahua Erupts:

Feb 04 2012 From approximately the 04:40 (local time) the morning of today began recording a constant seismic tremor signal. At 05:50 (local time) there was a burst of moderate size, which generated a roar about 5 minutes long, heard so mild Palitahua and Guadeloupe (14 km northwest of the volcano). There have been reports of mild roar and fall gravel (lapilli fine) grain size of coarse sugar rice Banos, Pillate and Juive. At the time from these areas is reported ashfall black.

From:

http://www.elcomercio.com/pais/volcan-Tungurahua-reactiva-actividad...

Santa Maria- Santiaguito Volcanoes, Guatemala, Geophysical Expedition Dec 2011- Jan 2012, preliminary report:

"

Link again it not show below?:

(1)

http://expedicionsantiaguito.blogspot.com/2012/01/santiaguito-volca...

Volcano Activity in Cameroon on Monday, 06 February, 2012 at 19:10 (07:10 PM) UTC.

Cameroon state radio says that Mount Cameroon, a volcano in the country’s southwest region, sent ashes and flames into the air in a brief explosion. Cameroon Radio Television reported Monday that a violent explosion Friday lasted a couple of seconds and lightly injured two among the porters and guides on the mountain. Mountain guide Peter Buma Linonge told state radio there were explosions, then flames burst into the air followed by ash. Joseph Mokake, a resident of Buea, the town situated at the foot of the mountain, told The Associated Press there were tremors on Tuesday and Wednesday. He said he moved to a nearby town for safety. Residents say explosions and tremors serve as a precursor to a possible eruption. Measuring just over 13,420 feet (4,090 meters) high, Mount Cameroon is an active volcano and the highest peak in West Africa.

http://sawdis1.blogspot.com/2012/02/volcano-activity-in-cameroon-on...

Indonesia: Volcanic Ash Falls on Mt. Semeru

Indonesia, 7 Feb. (AKI/Jakarta Post) - Volcanic ash reportedly started showering some areas on the slopes of Mt. Semeru in Lumajang, East Java, on Tuesday morning.

Lumajang Disaster Mitigation Management head Rochani said the volcanic activity was still at a mild intensity level.

“Residents living in Besuk Sat, Pasrujambe district and its surrounding areas experienced the volcanic ash shower from Mt. Semeru,” Rochani said as quoted by tempo.co on Tuesday.

According to Rochani, the active volcano spewed gusts of hot cloud reaching 300 meters high from midnight to 6 a.m.

The Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised the alert status of Mt. Semeru as of Thursday last week, prohibiting local residents from going within a 4 kilometer radius of the volcano.

People are also not allowed to climb or approach the crater.

Thank you Malou.  Etna's latest eruptions details below;

Feb 09, Italy, Mt.Etna volcano

ETNA IS ERUPTING AGAIN

Just over one month after the last event, Etna is erupting again. It is causing a great sight. The new Southeastermn crater is erupting again and the flow of lava is visible from Catania and from towns in the hinterland. "The Stomboli-like phenomenon bagan on January 28," explained Salvatore Alparone, form Catania's vulcanology agency. "It has become more intense in these hours, " he added.... (Source)

FEB 10

PHILIPPINES, MT. KANLAON VOLCANO

-

LARGE CRACKS OBSERVED

Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano, has been declared temporarily closed to mountaineers after large cracks believed to have been caused by Monday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake were observed at its crater and land surfaces, a local official said Friday...

Cecil Cañada, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) superintendent, said at least three 50-meter long cracks have been noted near the crater, while other cracks and a landslide have been noted within the MKNP.

A landslide was also seen at the Margaha Valley, the old crater of the volcano, he added...

Source

Mt. Lokon Erupts in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) -- A restless volcano in northern Indonesia erupted Friday, spewing clouds of ash as high as 2 kilometers into the sky, the country's National Disaster Management Agency said.

The authorities are warning residents to stay away from the volcano, Mt. Lokon, in North Sulawesi, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the disaster management agency.

A 2.5 kilometer exclusion zone had already been set up around Mt. Lokon, which had been showing signs of activity in recent days.

A series of eruptions by Mt. Lokon in July prompted the evacuation of thousands of local residents. The volcano also erupted in October and December.

Feb 11:

The volcanoes of Pacaya and Fuego in the department of Escuintla, are active fumaroles, 150m h Pacaya, and 350 m h Fuego, which remain white on the cone, reducing visibility for air traffic, according to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred).

From:

http://prensalibre.com/noticias/politica/Guatemala-Conred-Insivumeh...

FEB 11, ALASKA, CLEVELAND VOLCANO

LAVA DOME IN ALASKA'S CLEVELAND VOLCANO CONTINUES TO GROW

Alaska's Cleveland volcano keeps grumbling away, with a lava dome continuing to grow, and the alert level remaining at "watch," according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

"There have been no observations of ash emissions or explosive activity during this current lava eruption... (Source)

FEB 16, EL HIERRO VOLCANO


LATEST SATELLITE IMAGE OF UNDERWATER ERUPTION, INCREASE IN SMALL EARTHQUAKES

Four months after it began, the underwater volcanic eruption off El Hierro Island persists. This natural-color satellite image, collected on February 10, 2012, shows the site of the eruption, near the fishing village of La Restinga.
Bright aquamarine water indicates high concentrations of volcanic material. Immediately above the vent, a patch of brown water resembles a turbulent hot tub and indicates when and where the eruption is strongest... Source

...the number of earthquakes under the island has increased sharply since yesterday.
On 15 February, more than 20 quakes were measured. Most of the earthquakes were very small, well below magnitude 2, and were clustered beneath the NW and SW sectors of the island at depths of around 10 km....Source

FEB 17, SOLOMON ISLANDS (MID.PASSIFIC), TINAKULA VOLCANO

Say hello to Tinakula, a small volcanic island in the South Pacific that has been caught doing some huffing and puffing this week by NASA satellites.

Tinakula is a 2-mile-wide (3.5-kilometer) island that lies 1,400 miles (2,300 km) northwest of Brisbane, Australia. The island, which rises to a height of 2,792 feet (851 meters) is actually just the tip of a large volcano that rises some 2 to 2.5 miles (3 to 4 km) from the ocean floor.

In the above image, taken by NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite, a plume of volcanic gas, possibly mixed with a little ash, can be seen rising above the volcano's summit.  Source

FEB 18, INDONESIA, MT.GAMALAMA VOLCANO

Nature-loving tourists have been warned not to climb Mount Gamalama in North Maluku after the frequently active volcano started emitting ash again over the past week. Darno Lamane, of Gamalama’s observation post, said the volcano, which covers the entire island of Ternate, was still very dangerous for anyone climbing its upper reaches. Darno added that it was impossible to say whether the mini-eruptions would become more intense or subside. A severe eruption in early December destroyed more than 100 houses and left farmers devastated after ash smothered fruit trees and crops. The cost of that eruption was estimated at Rp 15 billion ($ 1.6 million).    Source

Another Alaskan Volcano Awakens

First it was Alaska's Mount Cleveland that awoke and threatened to erupt. Now Kanaga, another Alaska volcano is growing restless.

This weekend, the Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the threat level to yellow on Kanaga, located on Kanaga Island, one of the most southerly of the central Aleutian Islands chain.  

"Somewhat elevated seismicity continues at Kanaga Volcano," the observatory reported, adding that on Saturday a weak ash cloud may have been detected after a volcanic tremor.

Kanaga Volcano last erupted in 1994-1995. At least two significant ash plumes were recorded over the course of this eruption. The Aleutian community of Adak received a light dusting of ash and air traffic was disrupted due to continuing low-level activity and cloudy conditions, which prevented visual approaches to the Adak air field.

FEB 21, ICELAND, KATLA VOLCANO

Volcanic tremor (a low frequency vibration often caused by magma rising to the surface) has been observed under Katla volcano in southern Iceland, Jon Freeman reports on his Iceland volcanoes blog, closely following seismic activity in Iceland recorded both by national instruments and his own private geophone network. According to Jon, there are 2 possible explanations: one could simply be an increase in hydrothermal activity in the northern part of Katla volcano. The second could be magma movements at depth although there have been no significant earthquakes that usually would accompany an intrusion or small (sub-glacial) eruption.... Source


FEB 24, MALAYSIA, BORNEO (MUD VOLCANO)

Volcanic mud has been spewing at least twice to three times more actively than normal since last week, its pool has overflowed to about the size of a football field

A rare phenomenon is attracting a beeline of "visitors" at the mud volcano in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu.

Visitors at the mud volcano in Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Lahad Datu, where its pool has overflowed to about the size of a football field, three times bigger than its normal size. Pic by Lano Lan

Volcanic mud has been spewing at least twice to three times more actively than normal since last week. This has created an overflow of the sulphuric substance that has spread over an area as big as a football field.    Apart from excited guests at the nearby Tabin Wildlife Resort, the number of wild animals, too, appears to have increased at the mud pool.  Source

MAR 4, ECUADOR, TUNGURAHUA VOLCANO

ASH COLUMN REACHED 4KM INTO THE SKY, GROWING LAVA DOME

The Instituto Geofísico reported an increase in activity of the Tunguarahua volcano. Since March 3, a total of four eruptions were recorded. On Sunday at 7:31 a.m. (local time), the volcano generated an ash column which reached approximately 4 kilometers into the sky and moved west-northwest. A second explosion occurred at 9:11 a.m. (local time) and caused a powerful shock wave that rocked the ground and windows in nearby areas. Cloud cover has prevented experts to make detailed observations, but with the use of thermal sensors, hot deposits were detected on Tunguarahua's flanks, indicating that they were caused by a pyroclastic flow. The observatory post at Cusúa also reported the presence of hot deposits on the volcano's upper flank which is indicative of fresh pyroclastic flow deposits. Ash fall was reported in the areas of Choglontús, Manzano and Motilones before, but Sunday morning's ashfall reached as far as the Yuibug area. The institute's monitoring equipment has been recording variable seismicity and strong tremors lasting minutes to hours, with short moderate to large explosions in between. Such explosions correspond to the ash explosions from the growing lava dome. Source

MAR 6, RUSSIA, UNNAMED VOLCANO

Highest aviation danger code "red" assigned to unnamed volcano in Russia

In Kamchatka, in the Russian Far East, the Unnamed Volcano has been assigned the highest aviation danger code of "red."

The ash and gases that are being spewed from the crater can seriously damage aircraft systems.

The volcano is also showing high seismic activity and signs that it may possibly erupt.  Source

For a look of  a Global perspective:

From:

http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/#

MARCH 13, GREECE, KOLUMBO SUBMARINE VOLCANO

VOLCANIC ISLAND OF SANTORINI SHOWS ACTIVITY

The Greek island of Santorini is showing increasing signs of volcanic activity, a U.S. researcher says.
Monitoring stations on the island indicate the Santorini caldera is awake again and rapidly deforming, said Georgia Tech researcher Andrew Newman, who has studied Santorini since 2006 after placing more than 20 GPS stations on the popular tourist island.

“After decades of little activity, a series of earthquakes and deformation began within the Santorini caldera in January of 2011,” Newman said. “Since then our instruments on the northern part of the island have moved laterally between five and nine centimeters (2 inches to 3-1/2 inches).

“The volcano’s magma chamber is filling, and we are keeping a close eye on its activity.”
The chamber has expanded by nearly 500 million cubic feet since last January, Newman said.
“That could be dangerous,” he said. “If the caldera erupts underwater, it could cause local tsunamis and affect boat traffic, including cruise ships, in the caldera. Earthquakes could damage homes and produce landslides along the cliffs.”...  Source

Kamchatka volcano ejects ash to over 3000 m (Mar 16)

The Karymsky volcano, erupting in Kamchatka, was awarded one of the most threatening alert levels for aviation, orange, although all air routes are not affected by the active area of the volcano.

The projection of gas and ash was estimated at an altitude of 3100 meters above sea level. An incandescent lava rolling down the slopes of the volcano. The surrounding villages are not currently threatened.

Karymskaïa hill with a height of 1536 meters, is one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka. It is located 125 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The last eruption of Karymsky volcano began in January 1996, and the volcano is active continuously since that day.

Mount Etna Erupts, Spews Column of Ash 

18 March, 2012, Sunday

Tungurahua Volcano in Ecuador - New Eruption (March 20)

Another series of explosions has occurred early today at Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador, the Instituto Geofísico (IG) reports. The eruption was reported to be very noisy and caused minor ash fall in nearby villages, but no damage.

From 23:39 (local time) on March 19, a rapid increase of tremor was detected and observers reported roaring noises from the volcano in up to 14 km distance. About an hour after the onset of tremor reports of ash fall came from El Manzano and Choglontús.

At 00h22 today, there was an loud explosion whose cannon-shot like shock wave was heard in Choglontús, El Manzano and Puntzán. Incandescent lava bombs could be seen ejected from the summit crater and landing up to approx. 200 m distance on the upper slope.

From the 01h08 (local time) tremor decreased and also the noises from the volcano. Cloud cover prevented detailed observations this morning.

According to a first analysis, only the south-west sector received ash fall. In the Choglontús area, ash continued to fall until 07:00 (local time) and was measured to have accumulated 383 grams per square meter, corresponding to less than 1 mm of ash.

March 22

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

The Pacaya volcano eruption pattern is changing after almost 2 years of activity, registering small pulses of tremor-internal vibration-and gas exhalations.

Fuego Volcano:

faint white plume seen heading west, recording 10 fly ash explosions to 500 meters high spreading for 10 kilometers to the west, southwest. Some of the explosions have been accompanied by weak rumbling sound  and degassing.

Santiaguito Volcano:

Weak to moderate explosions which are loaded with plenty of gray ash to a height of fifteen meters above the crater. Some of these explosions generated pyroclastic flows and volcanic area are constant avalanches. Also there is a new lava flow parallel to that in the southeast flank and the seismic station in the Santiaguito volcano registers 44 explosions in 24 hours.

From:

http://conred.gob.gt/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&...

MARCH 23, MONTSERRAT (CARIBBEAN SEA), SOUFRIERE HILLS VOLCANO

NEW ASH ERUPTIONS HAVE OCCURED, INCREASE IN SEISMIC ACTIVITY

An “noticeable” increase in seismic activity at the Soufirere Hills Volcano has resulted in the closure of the Zone C area near the volcano, which had been reopened for daytime entry in December. Dr Paul Cole, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, told a radio station Friday that it was a precautionary measure as authorities continue to monitor the volcano. “Following two volcano-tectonic swarms on the March 22 and 23, 2012 involving 49 and 54 events respectively, mild ash venting began at Soufriere Hills Volcano at around 8:00am local time on March 23,” the MVO said in a statement. .... (Photo:MVO)

Source

April 1, 2012

Mount Etna Erupts AGAIN - 5 Times So Far This Year -

Another VIDEO

"Europe's tallest volcano Mount Etna has erupted for the fifth time this year, spewing forth lava and ash.

"Stunning images show molten lava pouring down the mountain's side just after 4am local time. Local reports said it continued until about 5.30am.

"Ash from the eruption was thrown around the local area in Sicily, southern Italy, but there was no damage reported and air traffic was not disrupted."

Source

Unexplained Melting at the Askja Volcano Crater Lake (Iceland) -

The crater lake on Askja caldera has mysteriously become ice-free over the last month while lakes around it (that aren’t on volcanoes) and at lower elevations are still ice-covered – not to mention that normally the lake isn’t ice-free until June or July.

Mount Etna Erupts AGAIN! (April 13) -

The eruption spewed blood-red molten lava and grey and white ash into the air - is the 24th in a series that started in January 2011.

The Sicilian volcano has erupted three times in the past month, with regular 12 day pauses.

The main eruption is located at the south-eastern crater, not far from Zafferana Etnea village, but so far Italian authorities have not issued any warning of danger to houses and people.

The south-eastern crater, born in 1971, has been the most active in recent years.

In the recent past, lava flows have mainly damaged properties, but due to its slow speed the lava has not killed anyone.

Heavy ash emissions sometimes force the closure of nearby Catania International Airport.

For now, the airport remains open.

Mount Etna, has erupted for the fifth time this year.

Hot lava and ash spewed from the top into a valley nearby on the Italian island of Sicily.

The eruption happened on Sunday morning at 4am local time for more than an hour and a half.

Although the area around the volcano was covered by ash, it didn't affect planes traveling near it.

Source

Turrialba Volcano Erupts, Costa Rica (April 12)

Thursday morning the Turrialbla volcano unleashed a new series of eruptions, with experts converging on the colossus to take a close look at the smoke emanations coming from its centre.

According to the Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN) and the Observatorio Vulcanologio y Sismologico de Costa Rica (OVISCORI) the activity does not present any danger, but will continue to monitor the volcano much closer.

The alert followed reports by area residents of hearing a large rumble and then the sighting of dark coloured smoke, produced by gas fumes from the volcano.

Last January the volcano became a concern for residents and experts following the emanation of white gas fumes.

Several RSN experts are on their way to the top of the volcano and the OVISCORI is keeping the national park closed and under a green alert.

APRIL 17, ECUADOR, SANGAY VOLCANO

EXPLOSION AND ASH COLUMN OBSERVED, GROWING LAVA DOME

During an overflight on 13 April, an explosion from Sangay volcano was observed at 08:25 local time. It generated an ash and steam column of 2 km above the summit crater. A new vent was detected, both on visible and thermal images, located next to the active dome on the SE flank (Ñuñurqu). The activity in this area has intensified since October, when the last aerial survey had taken place. Extensive lava flows are descending on the SE flank of the dome and reaching the base of the cone. Strong fumarolic activity was seen on the SE flank of the dome and on the S flank of the central crater.     Source

Update / April 19 :

MEXICO, POPOCATEPETL  VOLCANO

As the volatile Popocatepetl volcano belches ash and blazing rock fragments into the air, authorities have amped up alert levels for the areas surrounding the mountain near Mexico City. Increased activity this week prompted Mexican authorities to raise the alert level to five on a seven-level scale. Civil defense dispatcher Dulce Maria told the AP that while the alert level remains high, no evacuations have been planned. The volcano straddles two Mexican states, Puebla and Morelos, about 40 miles south of Mexico City. Areas close to the volcano have been closed off, and people are warned to stay at least seven miles from the crater, where a lava dorm is forming, according to the National Disaster Prevention Center. Nearby residents are urged to cover their mouths to avoid inhaling ash, and to clean it from weak rooftops. On Wednesday, the center reported that some glowing pieces of rock had rolled about a quarter mile down the volcano's slopes. Schools in at least five towns have cancelled classes.

Source

APRIL 19, ECUADOR , REVENTADOR VOLCANO

2 KM HIGH COLUMN OF STEAM AND ASH RISING

Reventador continues to be mildly active with ongoing weak to moderate steam and ash emissions. The Instituto Geofísico reports a 2 km high column of steam and ash rising from Reventador volcano on 18 April. The ash cloud moved to the NW.  Source

[NASA Earth Observatory]

Activity at Popocatépetl (Apr 16, 2012)

Activity at Popocatépetl (Jan 4, 2011)

Ongoing Activity at Popocatépetl (Oct 21, 2010)

Mt. Etna Erupts for 4th Time This Month (April 24)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2134501/Fingers-Etna...

Etna, erupted for the seventh - and without doubt the most spectacular - time this year today, spewing forth molten lava hundreds of metres into the air.

APRIL 26, HAWAII, KILAUEA VOLCANO

Lava from Puu Oo spreads over coastal plain

Lava flows from Puu Oo vent are spreading over the coastal plain in Kalapana and over the weekend entered the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But the flows are still about a half-mile from the ocean.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory released new lava photos taken Monday that show slow-moving breakouts of pahoehoe lava, with the characteristic look of bunched up rope as it cools.

A glow from the lava lake illuminates the gas plume coming from the vent at night. The lava level rises and falls as the volcano goes through inflation and deflation cycles. The lake level is about 230 feet below the floor of Halemaumau Crater.  Source

Popocatepetl Fallout Mandates Masks in Mexico City (May 7) -

MEXICO City is distributing 483,000 masks to protect residents from ash being spewing from the Popocatepetl volcano.

The Federal District's Public Safety Secretariat activated its strategic plan yesterday, distributing the masks and starting a series of "talks on the preventive measures that should be taken" by the eight million people living in the capital's boroughs.

A total of 222 teams from the secretariat went to the boroughs of Iztapalapa, Milpa Alta, Tlahuac, Xochimilco, Tlalpan, Venustiano Carranza and Iztacalco, all located on the east side of Mexico City, on Saturday.

The teams were deployed "to distribute the masks and create a culture of prevention and health protection via information talks", the secretariat said.

The teams focused on children and the elderly because they are the groups most likely to suffer from "lung diseases or chronic-degenerative" illnesses if exposed to ash, the secretariat said.

"The network of 32 hospitals and more than 220 health centres in Mexico City is ready to treat patients who inhale volcanic ash," Mayor Marcelo Ebrard's administration said.

The Popocatepetl volcano, which rises 5452 metres above sea level, is located about 64 kilometres from Mexico City.

Volcanic Activity on Pagan Island - Mariana Islands (May 10) -

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/05/10/Satellite-spots-Pacific-...

Steam and gas plumes from a volcano in the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The image shows the activity on Pagan Island, the largest and one of the most active of the Marianas volcanoes, a NASA release reported Thursday.

Fires and smoke on the island was imaged on Tuesday by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite.

Pagan Island consists of two volcanoes connected by a narrow isthmus, and almost all of the historical eruptions of Pagan dating back to the 17th century have originated from North Pagan volcano.

The largest eruption of Pagan during historical time took place in 1981 and prompted the evacuation of the sparsely populated island, NASA aid.

The Marianas are an arc-shaped archipelago consisting of the summits of fifteen volcanic mountains, anchored at its south end by the island of Guam.

La Soufrière (volcano)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Soufrière_(volcano)

La Soufrière (“The Sulfurer”) or Soufrière Saint Vincent is an active volcano on the island of Saint Vincent in the Windward Islands of the Caribbean.

From Caribbean Journal

(1) October 24, 2011 | 12:01 am |

Increased Seismic Activity in Leewards

By the Caribbean Journal staff

There is increased seismic activity around the Leeward Islands, according to the Seismic Research Centre in Trinidad. The Eastern Caribbean is a seismically active area, and the Unit said there was no need to panic — as there are hundred of earthquakes in the seismically active area in and around the region each year.

(2) March 23, 2012 | 3:24 pm |

Increase in Seismic Activity at Montserrat Volcano Forces Zone Closure

By the Caribbean Journal staff

An “noticeable” increase in seismic activity at the Soufirere Hills Volcano has resulted in the closure of the Zone C area near the volcano, which had been reopened for daytime entry in December.

Dr Paul Cole, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, told a radio station Friday that it was a precautionary measure as authorities continue to monitor the volcano.

“Following two volcano-tectonic swarms on the March 22 and 23, 2012 involving 49 and 54 events respectively, mild ash venting began at Soufriere Hills Volcano at around 8:00am local time on March 23,” the MVO said in a statement. “The venting was sourced from the floor of the Feb. 11, 2010 collapse scar, immediately south of the old English’s crater wall and to the west of the long-lived hottest fumarole previously identified.”

The Zone C area, which is comprised of Cork Hill, Weekes, Foxes Bay, Richmond Hill, Delvins and extends 500 metres out to sea is part of the island’s exclusion zone.

It reopened in December 2011, after the hazard level in the area was lowered. The level will likely not be lowered, however, despite the area’s closure.

According to the statement, the ash venting was “clearly pulsatory,” and sent ash 6,000 feet above sea level. It sent black jets of ash rising a few hundred metres above the floor of the collapse scar.

The activity was described as “phreatic,” meaning activity formed when superheated rock meets groundwater, causing the rocks to fragment and generate ash.

“[Volcano-tectonic] earthquakes are related to fracturing rocks probably as a result of increases in pressure,” the statement said. “It is likely that these increases and the resulting earthquakes are related to uprising magma below the volcano.”

Similar types of activity have apparently occurred at the volcano up to several months prior to magma extrusion, both in 2005 and 2008.

(3) April 1, 2012 | 6:41 pm |

Montserrat’s Zone C, Closed Due to Activity at Soufriere Hills, Reo...

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Montserrat’s Zone C on the volcanic risk map has reopened for daytime entry after being closed due to activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano.

The zone reopened last week, according to Governor Adrian Davis.

The area, which comprises Cork Hill, Weekes, Foxes Bay, Richmond Hill, Delvins and extending out 500 metres to sea, is part of the Exclusion Zone.

It was closed in March after a “noticeable” increase in seismic activity. The Zone had reopened for daytime entry in December 2011 after the area’s hazard level was lowered.

Similar seismic activity had occurred at the volcano up to several months prior to reported magma extrusion in 2005 and 2008.

Access is now permitted from 8:00 AM to 4:00PM; boats are permitted to travel through the zone but must not stop.

“The public are asked to note that no entrance is allowed under any circumstances to Zone V on the volcanic risk map,” the Governor said in a release. “Anyone found in this zone is liable to be arrested and charged.”

(4) May 4, 2012 | 10:47 pm |

UK to Conduct Montserrat Seabed Survey

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United Kingdom’s HMF Protector will be in Montserrat next week to conduct surveys of the island’s seabed.

The role of the ship is to conduct surveys as present charts are out of date — and given changes caused by volcanic activity, there is a need to have more accurate images of the conditions in the waters around the island, according to Richard Aspin, communications officer for the office of Governor Adrian Davis.

The information will both help ships needing to come into the harbour and provide better information for general shipping purposes.

The ship will also be aping the Carrs Bay seabed area to prepare for the proposed construction of its new port.

The HMS Protector is one of the newest additions to the British Navy Fleet — it includes a flight deck and an echo sounder.

(5) May 11, 2012 | 11:43 am |

St Vincent Volcano “Not More Active”

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Emergency Management Organization received a number of calls Thursday from citizens asking if the country’s La Soufriere volcano was erupting, with some accounts indicating odors of sulphur and smoke billowing from the volcano.

But there is no unusual activity or increase in seismic activity at the volcano, according to the Seismic Research Centre in Trinidad, which informed Howie Prince, Director of NEMO.

NEMO, which said the county continued to be affected by a trough system producing dense clouds and fogs, said rumors that the La Soufriere volcano had become more active were “not true.”

The organization attributed the “illusion of smoke” to lightning flashes combined with low clouds and fog.

La Soufriere, which is also known as Soufriere St Vincent, is the highest peak in the country. Its most recenty violent eruption was in 1979.

MAY 19, MEXICO, POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO

Blasts Continue to Menace People Near Mexican Volcano

Fresh blasts from Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano spewed fiery rock and caustic ash over residents around the Mexico City suburb of Puebla, already on edge after weeks of ongoing eruption.

Ash soared 2.5 miles into the sky during early Saturday’s explosion, forcing a local airport to close.

Residents of the nearby village of Santiago Xalitzintla rushed into the town square during the middle of the night as terrifying rumblings and blasts caused buildings to shudder.

Last week residents in eastern parts of Mexico City were provided with face masks to protect them against ash raining over the region from Popocatepetl’s blasts.

Prevailing winds have so far spared the capital district from significant ash falls.... Source

Latest webcam image & Live Webcam Links:

http://www.iwasabducted.com/cenapred/livecam.htm

http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/popo/ImgPopoTlamacas.html

Sirung volcano back to life and on alert level 3

The Sirung stratovolcano on the remote Pantar island in Indonesia has come back to life with a series of probably phreatic explosions and strong degassing.

On May 8, 2012 a 3-hour long eruption took place. The eruption was accompanied by loud sounds and incandescent tephra observed rising 10 m above the crater.  The explosion created an ash plume that reached 3.5 km altitude and drifted to the north, producing ashfall up to 4 mm thick near the crater.

During  May 9-12 white plumes rose 30-50 m above the crater. A sulfur odor was reported in areas up to 3 km away on 12 May. That same day CVGHM raised the Alert Level to 3 (on a scale of 1-4) and recommended that visitors not approach the volcano within a 2.5 km radius.

http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2012/05/18/sirung-volcano-back-to-...

Fuego Volcano in Guatemala spews lava and ash closing highways and requiring a no-fly zone around the volcano.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/msnbc.com/47505577/#47505577

MAY 24, JAPAN, SAKURAJIMA VOLCANO

BIG EXPLOSION !

PREVENTIVE ALERT DECLARED FOR THREE COSTA RICAN VOLCANOES, MAY 30

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) on Wednesday declared a preventive “green alert” due to recent seismic activity at three volcanoes: Rincón de la Vieja, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, Poás, northwest of San José in the province of Alajuela, and Turrialba, in the eastern province of Cartago.

“The CNE’s alert is supported by reports from technical and scientific agencies that note the volcanoes are in constant activity,” the commission stated. .... Source

JUN 1, MEXICO, POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO

POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO HAS BLASTED A TOWER OF ASH, THREATENS MILLIONS IN MEXICO

JUN 8, CHILE, TATARA SAN PEDRO VOLCANO

VOLCANIC UNREST: EQ SWARM REPORTED AT CHILE'S TATARA-SAN PEDRO VOLCANO

This hasn’t entirely been settled, but the latest report in 24Horas.cl has the SERNAGEOMIN ruling out any volcanic origin to the spate of earthquakes near San Pedro-Tatara (San Pedro-Pellado). This report, however, implicates Laguna del Maule as the potential location of volcanic unrest.

Quick report tonight brought to my attention by Eruptions reader GuillermoChile. Apparently, the SERNAGEOMIN has been monitoring an earthquake swarm at Chile’s Tatara-San Pedro (also known as San Pedro-Pellado), possibly numbering in the hundreds of small earthquakes over the last few days. The reports are a little scant and the information coming from different parts of the Chilean government are contradictory: the regional governor of the area was quoted as saying that “it is of volcanic earthquakes, so we are on alert” while the regional director from ONEMI said “at first thought that we were facing a volcanic earthquakes, but known reports of the analysis has led to the conclusion that we were facing tectonic type earthquakes“. The article in La Tercera also mentions that the volcano hasn’t erupted in “decades” while the Global Volcanism Program’s entry for San Pedro says that the last eruption is “unknown”, likely in the Holocene (last 10,000 years). So, there seems to be lots of confusion (not to mention La Tercera calling the volcano “Catinao”). If this is renewed activity at the volcano, it is potentially the first in recorded history.  Source

JUN 8, HAWAII, KILAUEA VOLCANO

LAVA FLOWS ACCROSS COASTAL PLAIN

Over the past week, lava flows on Kīlauea's coastal plain have been persistently advancing towards the ocean, though at a slower pace during a mid-week pressure decrease, increasing over the past day with renewed pressure. The flow front is estimated to be about 2km/1mi from the ocean still, so we await the effects of this renewed pressure at the coast! A series of webcam captures from the USGS-HVO shows the progression of these flows over the past week.

Meanwhile, pressure is still high across other parts of the volcano, with small lava flows and a lava pond increasingly present within Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater (not directly accessible, but glow can be seen from a distance with clear weather), and the summit lava lake within Halema‘uma‘u still at high levels and producing strong glow visible from the Jaggar Overlook after dark. Within this newest crater but still out of sight, there have been spillovers of the lava lake as it continues to overtop its previous high-level banks!

There have been many earthquakes on the south flank of the volcano, seeming to indicate continuing movement and adjustment of this huge landmass in response to this increased pressure -- first manifested as a slow-slip event last week!  Source

JUNE 14, INDONESIA, MT.GAMKONORA

INDONESIA'S MOUNT GAMKONORA UNLEASHES 3000 METER HIGH ASH CLOUD

Hundreds of residents in northeastern Indonesia fled their homes on Wednesday after a brief eruption at Mount Gamkonora, spewing towering columns of ash and smoke and prompting officials to raise the volcano’s alert level to the second-highest state. The 1,635-meter (5,364 feet) tall volcano, which is located on the west coast of Halmahera island in the Maluku Islands and is part of North Maluku province, began to erupt on Wednesday afternoon and sent thick ash clouds up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) high, although no lava flows were seen. The Antara news agency reported that hundreds of residents living on the volcano’s slope evacuated the area following the eruption......Source

JUNE 15, RUSSIA, SHIVELUCH VOLCANO

Shiveluch volcano on Kamchatka spews ash 8 km high

The Shiveluch volcano on Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East has erupted ash rising to an altitude of 8 km above sea level, ITAR-TASS reports.

Currently there is no danger for local communities. The eruption was accompanied by underground shocks which lasted 3.5 minutes.  Source

Nevado del Ruiz Volcano in Columbia Spews Ash and Gas (June 16) -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18481694

People living on its slopes said they had heard "strong, strange noises" coming from the summit of the 5,346m-high mountain on Friday and Saturday.

Officials say an orange alert first declared three weeks ago is still in place for areas near the summit.

Officials have distributed 30,000 face masks to residents living in areas affected by ash from the volcano.

The airport in the nearby town of Manizales, in central Colombia, has been closed since the end of May, and will remain so until the volcano ceases to emit ash, officials said.

The Volcanic Observatory in Manizales said the plume of ash and gas had risen to a height of 2,000m (6,500ft) on Sunday.

Scientists at the observatory warned there was a risk of an eruption "within days or weeks".

Some 150 families have been evacuated from the banks of the rivers which flow down the volcano, as they were deemed to be most at risk.