Volcanos

Roundup of Global Volcanic Activity

Bardarbunga (Iceland): The eruption continues with little changes. While most of the lava now remains on top of the already emplaced lava field, more than 75 square km large, several lateral outbreaks are active as well. The most active one, to the north, has advanced more than 450 m in a single day. Seismic activity remains high under the volcano - yesterday, 2 earthquakes above magnitude 2 occurred under Bárðarbunga. No significant earthquake activity occurs under the erupting dyke, suggesting the situation is stable.

Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands, Japan): (3 Dec) The eruption continues and has been going for more than a year now. It has enlarged the island to 1.89 square km (0.73 square miles). The highest point is now approx. 100 m above sea level.

Ruapehu (North Island): (3 Dec) Recent measurements by NZ scientists indicate that the volcano's crater lake is currently in a cooling trend. At 15 deg C, it has the lowest temperature recorded since April 2010. According to GeoNet, the current cycle is part of the normal behavior of the lake.

Kilauea (Hawai'i): (3 Dec) The new lava lobe continues to advance and widen. As of this morning, it was only 4.3 km (2.7 miles) from Highway 130. A surge in lava supply resulted in an advance rate of 400 m per day! At this rate it could reach Pahoa again by 12 December, if it follows the current flow path along the steepest slope to the north-northeast. If it follows another possible path, it could hit Ainaloa instead. It might even follow both paths, but it is too early to predict this.

Shishaldin (United States, Aleutian Islands): (3 Dec) Seismic activity remains elevated. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, "a low-level lava eruption is probably still occurring", although cloud cover prevents visual confirmation by satellite.

Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion): A new eruption could be under way at the volcano. An increase in seismic activity, inflation of the volcanic edifice, and SO2 gas mixed into the degassing plume, typical for a fresh magma intrusion at shallow depth have been detected by the volcano observatory (OVPF). The prefecture raised the alert for the volcano again to "Vigilance", after it had been lowered on 1 Dec only. The changed status means that police, civil protection and other authorities are on standby to react quickly if an eruption occurs. Access to Enclos Fouque is not yet closed to public, but hikers must stay on marked trails.