Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Bardarbunga (Iceland): During the past days, the eruption has continued at similar intensity and with similar lava effusion rates as before. The flow field continues to expand mainly to the north and east and cover now more than 55 square kilometers, with an estimated volume of approx. 0.77 cubic km. At the main vent along the Holuhraun fissure, a violently degassing lava lake has formed, while fountains have decreased or almost disappeared.

Mayon (Luzon Island): A viscous lava flow started to descend from the summit crater of the volcano on the southeast slope. On Sunday, it was approx. 350 m long and advancing slowly, with incandescence visible at night. According to an interview with Philvolcs scientists, the present situation is similar to the days before a large explosion occurred in 1986. The currently slow extrusion could be the foreplay of a potentially dangerous and large explosive eruption. This scenario could occur if the lava flow is caused by new, gas-rich magma, which is now rising and currently pushing out an overlying column of older, degassed and viscous lava above it in the conduit. According to press articles, more than 12,000 people have been evacuated from areas close to the volcano and a 6 km exclusion zone is in place. Other hazards include landslides and pyroclastic flows if parts of the lava flow collapse.