Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Rinjani (Lombok): The eruption continues. Ash emissions have decreased recently, with column heights ranging between a few hundred to 2000 meters. On the other hand, mild to moderate strombolian activity from the Barujari cone and the effusion of a new lava flow have been stable and seem to be going on strongly. This apparent change in eruptive style could be due to a decreasing phreatomagmatic component (water mixing with magma) in the eruption. According to local press, the explosions from the vent reach heights of (only) 50 meters and Gede Suantika, head of the Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, who is also quoted to say that the eruption is likely to last 3 if not 6 months. On the other hand, in a report from a few days ago, strombolian explosions were mentioned to reach 750 m height. Active lava flows are advancing to the north and east of Barujari cone. According to the latest estimate by Indonesian scientists, the total volume of lava erupted so far is approx. 4.5 cubic kilometers. A significant part of this volume has entered the Segara Anak crater lake, which has risen by approx. 50 cm and led to an an increase of the outflow rate of the Koko Putih river, whose temperature also increased from 21 to 39 deg C.

Krakatau (Sunda Strait, Indonesia): According to our local correspondent Andi, an isolated (perhaps phreatic) explosion occurred about 12 days ago, affecting the eastern part of the summit flank. No further details are known. The volcano has been mostly calm since the lava flow eruption in Sep 2012 (image), but it is only a question of time when the next phase of activity occurs.

Merapi (Indonesia): Thousands people have been evacuated after Mount Merapi volcano in Indonesia spewed plumes of hot ash and hurling boulders into the air. Authorities in West Sumatra have raised Mount Merapi volcano’s status to the second highest alert level. A series of minor seismic events have also been reported in the area.