Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan): After 3 weeks with almost no or no significant explosions, the volcano seems to be back in its typical state of activity that has been going on for years (but been quite elevated during the past years in comparison): intermittent small to moderately sized vulcanian-type explosions from the Showa crater have resumed since 1 Sep, producing ash plumes that rose to heights of 5-9,000 ft (1.5 - 2.7 km) altitude.

Fuego (Guatemala): Another short, but unusually strong eruptive phase took place at the volcano between Wednesday (30 Aug) and yesterday (3 Sep). The volcano has now returned to average activity levels. During the paroxysm, relatively moderate in size, increased lava effusion produced intense strombolian activity and several lava flows (but probably no pyroclastic flows). The first lava flow traveled down the western slope into the Santa Teresa canyon and reached approx. 1 km length. A second one appeared shortly afterwards and took a path on the southern side, towards Trinidad canyon, and reached more than 1 km length. This marks the 8th such event this year at the volcano.

Cotopaxi (Ecuador): IGPEN estimates that the total volume of ash erupted so far is about 630,000 m3 weighing about 700,000 tons. This would make the eruption rank so far as VEI 1 only. (The Volcanic Explosivity Index relates the amount of material erupted during an eruption on a logarithmic scale (from 0 to 9) similar to the Richter scale for earthquakes. For comparison, the eruption of Krakatau in 1883, one of the largest in the past 150 years, was VEI 6). Activity continues at similar levels as during the past days, with emissions of steam and ash, rising to heights of 1-4 km and drifting into westerly directions where fine ash fall occurs and accumulates to now several millimetres in places. Compared to the previous week, activity - both at the surface (ash emissions) and internal (seismicity) has been somewhat lower.