Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity –New Activity for the week of 11 July – 17 July 2018

Ibu | Halmahera (Indonesia) : PVMBG reported that during 10-15 July white-to-gray plumes rose 200-800 m above Ibu’s crater rim. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and the public was warned to stay at least 2 km away from the active crater, and 3.5 km away on the N side.

Krakatau | Indonesia : PVMBG reported that an event at Anak Krakatau was recorded at 1722 on 15 July that generated an ash plume that rose 700 m and drifted N. An ash plume from a 44-second-long event recorded at 1651 on 16 July rose 500 m and drifted N; thumping and vibrations were noted at the PGA observation post. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4); residents and visitors were warned not to approach the volcano within 1 km of the crater.

Nevados de Chillan | Chile : Servicio Nacional de Geología and Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) Observatorio Volcanológico de Los Andes del Sur (OVDAS) reported continuing activity during 11-17 July associated with growth of the Gil-Cruz lava dome in Nevados de Chillán’s Nicanor Crater. Seismicity consisted of long-period events and tremor associated with explosions. The webcam recorded pulsating white gas emissions, nighttime incandescence, and intermittent ejection of ballistics from explosions. A local M3.7 earthquake recorded at 2055 on 13 July was associated with an explosion, and located 430 m below Nicanor Crater. Another earthquake associated with an explosion was recorded at 1530 on 14 July. The event was a local M3.9 and occurred at a depth of 1.4 km. Weather conditions inhibited visual observations of the crater, though a thermal camera measured increased thermal output with a max temperaturs of 300 degrees Celsius. A third earthquake, a M3.8 located at a depth of 1.8 km, was recorded at 0324 on 15 July. Incandescent material was ejected 340 m high. These three explosions partially destroyed the lava dome, ejecting material onto the N and NE flank. The Alert Level remained at Orange, the second highest level on a four-colour scale, and residents were reminded not to approach the crater within 3 km. ONEMI maintained an Alert Level Yellow (the middle level on a three-colour scale) for the communities of Pinto, Coihueco, and San Fabián.

Oraefajokull | Iceland : After a series of meetings between the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the University of Iceland, and Iceland Geosurvey, the Iceland Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management stated on 13 July that Öræfajökull has shown clear signs of unrest for at least the past year and a half. The report noted ongoing inflation and increased seismicity, despite a decrease in geothermal activity since December 2017. The volume change since the beginning of the unrest was about 10 million cubic meters, likely from an injection of new magma.

Piton de la Fournaise | Reunion Island (France) : OVPF reported that inflation at Piton de la Fournaise began at the beginning of July. An abrupt seismic increase was detected at 2340 on 12 July, coupled with rapid deformation. Tremor beneath the N flank appeared at about 0330 on 13 July and gradually increased, and webcams recorded the emergence of lava at 0430. The eruption originated from four fissures which had a total length of 500 m, and were located upstream of Chapelle de Rosemont. Tremor intensity peaked at 0600. By 0800 all four fissures were ejecting lava as high as 20 m, and ‘a’a flows had traveled over 200 m. The most upstream fissure was inactive by 1230. After a period of decreasing tremor and pulsating gas emissions the eruption ended at 2200. Strong seismicity continued to be recorded on 14 July, but then decreased over the next two days. The lava flows covered about 400 m of the trail leading to the summit.

Sierra Negra | Isla Isabela (Ecuador) : Based on satellite data and wind model data, the Washington VAAC reported that on 11 July gas-and-ash plumes from Sierra Negra rose 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted almost 85 km W. Gas plumes on 13 July drifted N, NW, and SW. On 16 July gas plumes with minor amounts of ash rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW. Incandescence was visible in webcam images.

Villarrica | Chile : POVI reported that webcam images captured a powerful vapor plume rising from Villarrica at 1047 on 16 July. Tephra was deposited on the inner crater walls.