Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity:

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): On 21 August, the volcano had at least 8 (!) vulcanian-type explosions with ash plumes rising up to 15,000 ft (4,5 km) altitude that often drifted over the bay and Kagoshima city, causing ash fall there. Some of the explosions can be seen on the following time-lapse video. The volcano has been in an elevated state of activity during the past weeks. A significant hot spot is visible on MODIS data, suggesting that magma levels are high in the crater and the presence of significant amounts of still hot fresh deposits on the flanks.

Santa María / Santiaguito (Guatemala): A major eruption occurred yesterday evening. Starting at 17:45 (local time), the top part of the Caliente lava dome collapsed and produced a series of relatively large pyroclastic flows and explosions. Ash plumes rose more than 2 km to elevations of 4 km altitude. The cause of the eruption was likely the accumulation of pressurized magma and gas under the dome composed of viscous (solid) lava.