Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Karymsky (Kamchatka): Explosions with ash emissions detected on satellite images have been more frequent lately. Yesterday, VAAC Tokyo reports an ash plume at 14,000 ft (4.2 km) altitude drifting north from the volcano.

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): The volcano's activity seems to have increased since around 30 July. On Saturday 1 Aug, explosions had produced an ash plume that was visible on satellite images (VAAC Tokyo). Incandescence is not visible on webcam images, but this is probably due to dust/mist/ash covering the lens.

Manam (Papua New Guinea): It seems that no fatalities have occurred during the large explosion on Friday (31 July). According to news articles, only one child was injured by falling lapilli, but survived and could be treated in a hospital. Up to 2 cm of ash has been deposited over most of the island, destroying or damaging much farmland, many houses and contaminating water sources. Respiratory problems are a major concern in the aftermath of the eruption, which, however, could easily have had a much worse outcome. There are no reports of evacuations of people from the island (as occurred in 2004, when a similar, although even larger explosion occurred, killing several people and prompting more than 9000 people to be evacuated).

Dukono (Halmahera): The volcano continues to erupt near constant ash plumes from small to moderate, but nearly continuous explosions from the vents inside its crater. Yesterday, VAAC Darwin reported ash at 7,000 ft (2.1 km) altitude extending almost 100 km to the northeast.

Raung (East Java): The eruption at the volcano remains very intense and might have increased during the past days. An ash plume of 200 km length has been drifting south today. According to Indonesian press reports, new fissures have been reported (probably on the western flank) and incandescent ejecta were seen to up to a height of 1500 m. Some of them might have landed on the NE flank, where they probably caused a forest fire observed during 20-25 July.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): At least two pyroclastic flows occurred today at the volcano, continuing the destruction of the steeply emplaced lava lobes on the upper SE and E side. Heavy ash falls were reported southeast of the volcano, forcing shops to close and people stay indoors.