Thursday 21 July 2016

Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Etna (Sicily, Italy): The volcano remains calm at the surface but is restless. Its internal seismic activity continues to be higher than normal and SO2 gas emissions have increased a bit recently (to approx. 7,000 tons/day), which could indicate the influx of fresh magma.

Additionally, occasional small ash puffs, along with pulsating gas emissions, have been observed at the New SE crater since 10 July. These are likely signs of deep-seated explosive activity (degassing from the magma column inside the conduit). Volcanic tremor remains currently stable with no clear trend, but this can change quickly.

Bagana (Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea): The volcano's activity seems to have increased a bit during the past days although it is currently unknown what is exactly going on (growing lava dome? effusion of lava flows?).

Overall heat emission (by presence of new lava in its summit area) has become stronger and smaller ash plumes drifting from the volcano to distances of 20-30 km have been reported more frequently by Darwin VAAC.

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia): The volcano's activity has not changed significantly. Several smaller explosions with ash plumes about 1000-1500 m height occurred over the past days and this morning.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): No significant changes have occurred over the past days. The lava flow in the coastal flat remains active, but has not advanced in the past days. The flow front remains stalled at 850 m (0.5 miles) from the coast.

The active lava lake in Halema'uma'u crater is currently 25 m (82 ft) below the crater rim. Seismic activity and degassing are at normal levels.

Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Seismic activity of the volcano has increased again during the past 48 hours. Satellite data show at least some small ash emissions have taken place although the Alaska Volcano Observatory does not speak of a new eruption taking place (such ash emissions could be related to collapses in the crater etc without new magma erupting).

The current Volcano Alert Level on the USGS scale is "Advisory" and the current Aviation Color Code is YELLOW.

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