Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 9 February-15 February 2011

SI / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 9 February-15 February 2011


          
The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program. Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, these notices are preliminary and subject to change as events are studied in more detail. This is not a comprehensive list of eruptions during the week, but rather a summary of activity that meet selected criteria. Carefully reviewed, detailed reports are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network. The World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) website (http://www.wovo.org/) lists the regional volcano observatories that have the most authoritative data for many of these events.
   
Fuego (Guatemala) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011 - NEW
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


INSIVUMEH reported that during 9-10 and 13-14 February explosions from Fuego produced ash plumes that rose 300-800 m above the crater and drifted W, NW, N, and NE. The explosions generated shock waves that rattled structures in Panimaché and Sangre de Cristo. Crater incandescence was observed at night and avalanches descended the flanks. Fine ashfall was reported in communities downwind during 9-10 February, including Panimaché I and II (8 km SW), Morelia (9 km SW), and Sangre de Cristo (8 km WSW). 


Source: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH)
Kirishima (Japan) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011 - NEW
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Based on reports from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 9-11 February explosions from Shinmoe-dake (Shinmoe peak), a stratovolcano of the Kirishima volcano group, produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-4 km (6,000-13,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E and SE. On 11 and 14 February, pilots observed ash plumes that rose to altitudes of 4.6-6.1 km (15,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l. According to a news article, rocks ejected during an eruption on 14 February broke windows in cars parked at the Kirishima service area on the Miyazaki expressway and in several places in Kobayashi, 13 km NE.  


Sources: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Japan Today
Santa María (Guatemala) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011 - NEW
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Based on information from INSIVUMEH, the Washington VAAC reported that ash observed in satellite imagery from a pyroclastic flow at Santa María's Santiaguito lava dome complex on 9 February had dissipated. INSIVUMEH reported that early on 10 February explosions produced ash plumes that rose almost 800 m above Caliente dome. Cloud cover prevented observations through the day. Seismic data suggested a block avalanche at 1230. During 11-12 February ash from pyroclastic flows was detected in satellite imagery and rose to altitudes of 3.4-4.3 km (11,000-14,000 ft) a.s.l.  On 13 February INSIVUMEH noted that a pyroclastic flow was detected, but not visually observed due to cloud cover. Explosions during 13-15 February produced ash plumes that rose 300-1,200 m above the dome. Block avalanches originated from the E crater rim. Ash fell in the La Florida and El Faro fincas (ranches) to the S.


Sources: Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Dukono (Indonesia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 11 February an ash plume from Dukono rose to an altitude of 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 75 km N.


Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)
Karymsky (Russia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


KVERT reported that moderate seismic activity was detected at Karymsky during 4-11 February. Seismic data indicated that possible ash plumes rose to an altitude of 4 km (13,100 ft) a.s.l. Satellite imagery showed a daily thermal anomaly and ash plumes that drifted 160 km E during 6-7 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.


Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kilauea (United States) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


During 9-15 February, activity continued from the summit caldera and east rift zone. At the summit caldera, the level of the lava-pool surface in the deep pit within Halema'uma'u crater circulated and periodically changed depth. The highest level the lava rose to 72 m below the crater floor. Nighttime incandescence was visible from the Jaggar Museum on the NW caldera rim. A plume from the vent drifted mostly W and deposited ash and fresh spatter nearby.At the east rift zone, lava flows continued from one of the upper rootless shields, near the TEB vent. Two branches of the 29 November lava flow (a lava tube breach at 366 m elevation) produced scattered surface flows on the pali and coastal plain. In Pu'u 'O'o crater, incandescence emanated from a cone on the N portion of the crater floor, lava effused from a cone on the W edge of the floor, and spatter and lava flows were produced from a vent in the E crater wall. On 12 February increased activity from a cone on the N floor was characterized by lava flows and incandescent tephra ejected 40-50 m above the cone. During 14-15 February lava from a NE cone covered the E half of the crater floor.


Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)
Kizimen (Russia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


KVERT reported that during 4-11 February seismicity from Kizimen was high but variable, and many shallow volcanic earthquakes as well as volcanic tremor continued to be detected. Ash plumes drifted more than 260 km E. Satellite images during 4-14 February showed a bright daily thermal anomaly over the volcano. On 14 February the magnitude of volcanic tremor gradually increased and resembled seismic patterns noted on 8 December, a few days before strong ash explosions occurred. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.


Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Kliuchevskoi (Russia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Although moderate seismic activity was recorded at Kliuchevskoi during 4-11 February, KVERT reported that seismicity had essentially decreased. Gas-and-steam activity was observed during 4-7 February; clouds prevented observations on later days. Gas-and-steam plumes drifted 20 km NE on 5 and 7 February. Satellite imagery showed a weak thermal anomaly over the crater on 6 and 7 February. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Green.


Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Poás (Costa Rica) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 2 February a small phreatic eruption occurred from the central part of Laguna Caliente, a summit lake of Poás. Solid dark material was ejected 6 m high and fell back into the lake. Before, during, and after the eruption a concentric area of the lake surface about 15 m in diameter was disturbed by a convecting cell. Bubbles of gas rose from the agitated area and upwelling sediments were observed.


Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Sakura-jima (Japan) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 9 and 11-15 February explosions from Sakura-jima sometimes produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.1 km (5,000-7,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, SE, and E. On 10, 13, and 15 February, pilots reported that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l.


Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Shiveluch (Russia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


KVERT reported that moderate seismic activity was recorded at Shiveluch during 4-11 February and many volcanic earthquakes were detected. A thermal anomaly over the lava dome was observed in satellite imagery. Ash plumes observed from the ground rose to an altitude of 7.5 km (24,600 ft) a.s.l. on 4 February. That same day ash plumes detected in satellite imagery drifted 120 km E. Gas-and-steam activity was observed during 4 and 6-7 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.


Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)
Soufrière Hills (United Kingdom) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


MVO reported that during 4-11 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Helicopter observations revealed fresh pyroclastic-flow deposits about 1.5 km long in the Tar River valley to the E that formed on 10 February. The pyroclastic flow had an extensive surge component that inundated the lower flanks of Roaches Mountain. Clouds prevented observations of the lava dome. The Hazard Level remained at 3.


Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)
St. Helens (United States) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


CVO reported that on 14 February a M 4.3 earthquake near Mount St. Helens, felt widely throughout SW Washington and NW Oregon, was followed over the next few hours by several aftershocks up to M 2.8. The three largest aftershocks were also felt. All of the earthquakes were located about 8 km N of the crater, near the Johnston Ridge Observatory, at depths of about 4-6 km. CVO also noted that a previous earthquake swarm had occurred in the same area on 29 January. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.


Source: Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO)
Suwanose-jima (Japan) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Suwanose-jima on 9 and 14 February. Details of a possible resulting plume were not reported.


Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)
Tengger Caldera (Indonesia) -  Report for 9 February-15 February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 11:55 AM


CVGHM reported that during 8-9 February gray-to-brown ash plumes from Tengger Caldera's Bromo cone rose 400-800 m above the crater and drifted E. Incandescent material was ejected 300 m above the crater and landed as far as 500 m away, and roaring and booming was heard. Ash fell at the Bromo observation post on 8 February. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a scale of 1-4). Residents and tourists were not permitted within a 2-km-radius of the active crater.Based on a pilot observation, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 9 February an eruption produced a plume that rose to an altitude of 7 km (23,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. On 11 February satellite imagery showed an ash plume drifting 37 km SE at an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash plumes on 12 February rose to altitudes of 3-7.9 km (10,000-26,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 37-167 km NW and SE.


Sources: Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)