Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity:

El Hierro (Canary Islands, Spain): No significant changes have occurred during the past months. Since the last energetic seismic swarm and deformation event in late March / early April this year, earthquake activity has remained more or less stable, although above background (pre-2011) levels. In the past months, averages ranged from 5-10 mostly small (below magnitude 3) daily events. Most of them are clustered at approx. 10 km depth beneath the central part of the island. No significant deformation has taken place in this period either.

Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu Islands): Weak reddish glow can be seen above the active Ontake crater at night. It is possible (if not likely) that there is weak strombolian activity. During the past weeks, a few more energetic explosions produced ash plumes that could be identified by VAAC Tokyo.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): Strong degassing with high SO2 content and glow from the crater characterise the current activity. There have been almost no explosive emissions during the past 24 hrs.

Heard (Australia, Southern Indian Ocean): A hot spot at the summit crater is visible on MODIS satellite data, suggesting resumed or ongoing activity of some sort (small lava dome, lava lake?).