International Volcano Research Centre Apache Junction, Arizona USA For The Month of: FEBRUARY, 2010 Last Updated: 8 February 2010

What's The Latest Eruption News at The INTLVRC Today .......

• News/Updates relative to current volcanic eruptions from around the world.

  Today's updates for various volcanoes. The latest reports are available here:
  

1. Update news of the continuing eruption of volcano KILAUEA in Hawaii.
2. Update news of the continuing eruption of volcano POPOCATEPTETL in Mexico.
3. A new image of volcano POPOCATEPTETL in Mexico has been loaded.
4. Update news of the continuing eruption of volcano REVENTADOR in Ecuador.
5. Update news of the continuing eruption of volcano SOUFRIERE HILLS on Montserrat in the Caribbean.
6. Update news the continuing eruption of volcano TUNGURAHUA in Ecuador.
7. Update news of volcano TURRIALBA in Costa Rica.
8. Abstracts of three (3) presentations to be made by INTLVRC's Principal Geochemist, Dr. Jean-Paul Toutain, to the PHIVOLCS Auditorium in Quezon City in the Phiippines, has been loaded in our "Link to Articles, Papers, Etc." section of our website.

Volcanoes that are continuously (or nearly so) erupting and some that erupted in year 2010 but are in repose again. The latest reports are available here:
1. Latest news of the eruption of volcano BARREN IS. in the Indian Ocean.
2. Latest news of the eruption of volcano CHAITEN in Chile.
3. Latest news of the eruption of volcano FUEGO in Guatemala.
4. Latest news of the eruption of volcano GALERAS in Colombia.
5. Latest news of the eruption of volcano GAUA in Vanuatu.
6. Latest news of the eruption of volcano KARYMSKY in Kamchatka (Russia).
7. Latest news of the eruption of volcano KILAUEA in Hawaii.
8. Latest news of the eruption of volcano KLIUCHEVSKOI in Kamchatka (Russia).
9. Latest news of the eruption of volcano MAYON in the Philippines.
10. Latest news of the eruption of volcano Mt. EREBUS in Antarctica.
11. Latest news of the eruption of volcano Mt. ETNA in Sicily.
12. Latest news of the eruption of volcano NEVADO del HUILA in Colombia.
13. Latest news of the eruption of volcano NYAMURAGIRA in Central Africa.
14. Latest news of the eruption of volcano PACAYA in Guatemala.
15. Latest news of the eruption of volcano PITON de la FOURNAISE on Réunion Is. in the Indian Ocean.
16. Latest news of the eruption of volcano PLANCHON-PETEROA in Chile.
17. Latest news of the eruption of volcano POPOCATEPTETL in Mexico.
18. Latest news of the eruption of volcano RABAUL in New Britain.
19. Latest news of the eruption of volcano REVENTADOR in Ecuador.
20. Latest news of the eruption of volcano RINJANI in Indonesia.
21. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SAKURA-JIMA in Japan.
22. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SANGAY in Ecuador.
23. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SANTA MARIA in Guatemala.
24. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SHEVELUCH in Kamchatka (Russia).
25. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SOUFRIERE HILLS on Montserrat in the Caribbean.
26. Latest news of the eruption of volcano STROMBOLI in Italy.
27. Latest news of the eruption of volcano SUWANOSE-JIMA in Japan.
28. Latest news of the eruption of volcano TUNGURAHUA in Ecuador.
29. Latest news of the eruption of volcano TURRIALBA in Costa Rica.

RESTLESS VOLCANOES STATUS REPORT (Click Here For Details or Click On The Volcano Of Interest.)

1. Latest news of volcano BEZYMIANNY in Kamchatka (Russia) in the Restless Volcanoes Status Report" section.
2. Latest news of volcano MAUNA LOA in Hawaii in the "Restless Volcanoes Status Report" section.
3. Latest news of volcano TAAL in the Philippines in the "Restless Volcanoes Status Report" section.
4. Latest news of supervolcano YELLOWSTONE CALDERA in Wyoming in the United States in the "Restless Volcanoes Status Report" section.

CURRENT VOLCANO ALERT STATUS (Click Here For Details)

NOTE: The source data contained herein and made available to INTLVRC are gathered from reports from volcano observatories and geophysical agencies all over the world.

INDIAN OCEAN
Volcano: BARREN IS.

Lat:  12.28N   Long:  093.52E
Elevation:  305m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Barren Is. photo courtesy of D. Hadar.

As of the 28th of January, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that based on a pilot observation, the Darwin VAAC reported that on the 23rd of January an ash plume from Barren Island rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not identified in satellite imagery.

Barren Island, a possession of India in the Andaman Sea about 135 km NE of Port Blair in the Andaman Islands, is the only historically active volcano along the N-S-trending volcanic arc extending between Sumatra and Burma (Myanmar). The 354-m-high island is the emergent summit of volcano that rises from a depth of about 2,250 m. The small, uninhabited 3-km-wide island contains a roughly 2-km-wide caldera with walls 250-350 m high. The caldera, which is open to the sea on the W, was created during a major explosive eruption in the late Pleistocene that produced pyroclastic-flow and -surge deposits. The morphology of a fresh pyroclastic cone that was constructed in the centre of the caldera has varied during the course of historical eruptions. Lava flows fill much of the caldera floor and have reached the sea along the western coast during historical eruptions.

The Current Colour Code for Barren Is. is ORANGE .

INDIAN OCEAN
Volcano: BATU TARA

Lat:  07.79S   Long:  123.58E
Elevation:  748m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Batu Tara photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 28th of January, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that on the 23rd of January an ash plume from Batu Tara rose to an altitude of 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 25 km E.

Yhe small isolated island of Batu Tara in the Flores Sea about 50 km north of Lembata (formerly Lomblen) Island contains a scarp on the eastern side similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks of Batu Tara to within 50 m of the 748-m-high summit. Batu Tara lies north of the main volcanic arc and is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first historical eruption from Batu Tara, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow.

The Current Colour Code for Batu Tara is ORANGE .

CHILE
Volcano: CHAITEN

Lat:  42.83S   Long:  072.65W
Elevation:  1122m   Volcano Type:  CALDERA

Chaiten photo courtesy of Carlos Guiterrez/UPI/Landov.

As of the 28th of January, SERNAGEOMIN reported that during 5-19 January Chaitén's lava-dome complex continued to grow, although possibly at rates lower than during previous weeks. The magnitude and number of hybrid earthquakes decreased. The Alert Level remained at Red.

Chaitén is a small, glacier-free caldera with a Holocene lava dome located 10 km NE of the town of Chaitén on the Gulf of Corcovado. A pyroclastic-surge and pumice layer that was considered to originate from the eruption that formed the elliptical 2.5 x 4 km wide summit caldera was dated at about 9400 years ago. A rhyolitic, 962-m-high obsidian lava dome occupies much of the caldera floor. Obsidian cobbles from this dome found in the Blanco River are the source of prehistorical artifacts from archaeological sites along the Pacific coast as far as 400 km away from the volcano to the north and south. The caldera is breached on the SW side by a river that drains to the bay of Chaitén, and the high point on its southern rim reaches 1122 m. Two small lakes occupy the caldera floor on the west and north sides of the lava dome.

The Current Colour Code for Chaiten is RED .

GUATEMALA
Volcano: FUEGO

Lat:  14.47N   Long:  090.88W
Elevation:  3760m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Fuego photo an INTLVRC file photo.

As of the 5th of February, the National Institute Of Sismología, Volcanology, Meteorology And Hidrologia, (INSIVUMEH) has reported that for Atmospheric conditions: Cleared. Wind: Southeast in calm. Pluvial precipitation: 0.0 mm Activity: Expelling fumaroles of weak type of white colour a low height, dispersing in a North direction and the Northwest. 1 weak explosion accompanied by a column of white colour with low height which disperses in direction the West and North.

The volcano Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. The scarp of an older edifice, Meseta, lies between 3763-m-high Fuego and its twin volcano to the north, Acatenango. Construction of Meseta volcano dates back to about 230,000 years and continued until the late Pleistocene or early Holocene. Collapse of Meseta volcano may have produced the massive Escuintla debris-avalanche deposit, which extends about 50 km onto the Pacific coastal plain. Growth of the modern Fuego volcano followed, continuing the southward migration of volcanism that began at Acatenango. In contrast to the mostly andesitic Acatenango volcano, eruptions at Fuego have become more mafic with time, and most historical activity has produced basaltic rocks. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded at Fuego since the onset of the Spanish era in 1524, and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows.

The Current Colour Code for Fuego is ORANGE .

COLOMBIA
Volcano: GALERAS

Lat:  01.22N   Long:  077.37W
Elevation:  4276m   Volcano Type:  COMPLEX

Galeras photo courtesy of the Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Pasto.

Latest NOAA satellite image of the latest Galeras eruption.

As of the 3rd of February, the Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Pasto reported that low levels in occurrence as in energy of the earthquakes predominate as much. Nevertheless, the registry of yesterday, three volcano-tectonic earthquakes is emphasised at dawn (related to fracturing of cortical material), that appeared between 0305 hrs and 0307 hrs, located approximately to 700 m to the south-south-east of the main crater, with profunidades near 3 km on the volcanic top and magnitudes of 3.1, 2.5 and 3.0 on the Richter scale. Reports of the National Police are had of which these seismics were felt in the city of Pasto. What stands out additionally, the registry of an event Tornillo type, that yesterday appeared to the East at 0652 hrs type of earthquakes acquire relevance in Galeras because they have been observed in previous stages of several of its eruptive episodes. Emissions of Sulphur Dioxide, nor significant fumarolic activity have not been detected. It is continued demonstrating presence of magmatic material at surfaces, in a system whose behaviour shows partial settelment of conduits. The present activity in Galeras continues showing a development unstable, similar to the registered one before the occurrence of some of the recent eruptive events. One remembers that within the knowledge of the volcanologic phenomenon at world-wide level, they exist uncertainties in the prognosis of eruptions as well as in the magnitude of the same. INGEOMINAS continues kind to the evolution of the volcanic phenomenon and will inform on changes that can be detected.

Galeras, a stratovolcano with a large breached caldera located immediately west of the city of Pasto, is one of Colombia's most frequently active volcanoes. The dominantly andesitic Galeras volcanic complex has been active for more than 1 million years, and two major caldera collapse eruptions took place during the late Pleistocene. Long-term extensive hydrothermal alteration has affected the volcano. This has contributed to large-scale edifice collapse that has occurred on at least three occasions, producing debris avalanches that swept to the west and left a large horseshoe-shaped caldera inside which the modern cone has been constructed. Major explosive eruptions since the mid Holocene have produced widespread tephra deposits and pyroclastic flows that swept all but the southern flanks. A central cone slightly lower than the caldera rim has been the site of numerous small-to-moderate historical eruptions since the time of the Spanish conquistadors.

The Current Colour Code for Galeras is ALERT LEVEL 4 .

VANUATA
Volcano: GAUA

Lat:  14.27S   Long:  167.50E
Elevation:   797m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Gaua photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 4th of February, the Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory (VGO) reported that on the 29th of January, the VGO reported significant changes in Gaua's activity over the previous two weeks. They noted that since the 16th of January more gas was emitted and multiple explosions produced denser and darker ash plumes. During 22-29 January, the water level in the river to the E that Lake Letas feeds rose 10 cm. Gas-and-ash plumes rose 3 km and drifted S and W. On the 24th of January nearby villagers reported seeing ejected material from Strombolian activity. The Wellington VAAC reported that on the 27th of January an ash cloud was seen on satellite imagery. Strong explosions were seen and heard from East Gaua on the 29th of January. According to the VAAC, the VGO reported that gas-and-ash plumes rose to altitudes of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S and W that same day.

The roughly 20-km-diameter Gaua Island, also known as Santa Maria, consists of a basaltic-to-andesitic stratovolcano with an 6 x 9 km wide summit caldera. Small parasitic vents near the caldera rim fed Pleistocene lava flows that reached the coast on several sides of the island; several littoral cones were formed where these lava flows reached the sea. Quiet collapse that formed the roughly 700-m-deep caldera was followed by extensive ash eruptions. Construction of the historically active cone of Mount Garat (Gharat) and other small cinder cones in the SW part of the caldera has left a crescent-shaped caldera lake. The symmetrical, flat-topped Mount Garat cone is topped by three pit craters. The onset of eruptive activity from a vent high on the SE flank of Mount Garat in 1962 ended a long period of dormancy.

The Current Colour Code for Gaua is ALERT LEVEL 2 .

KAMCHATKA (Russia)
Volcano: KARYMSKY

Lat:  54.05N   Long:  159.45E
Elevation:  1536m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Karymsky photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 7th of February, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that activity of the volcano continues and ash explosions up to 6.0 km (or 19,700 ft) ASL possible. The explosive activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft. Seismic activity of the volcano was above background levels all week. According to seismic data, possibly weak ash-gas bursts occurred last week. According to satellite data, a thermal anomaly was registering over the volcano on January 28th and February 1st. Clouds obscured the volcano in the other days of week.

Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed during the early Holocene. The caldera cuts the south side of the Pleistocene Dvor volcano and is located outside the north margin of the large mid-Pleistocene Polovinka caldera, which contains the smaller Akademia Nauk and Odnoboky calderas. Most seismicity preceding Karymsky eruptions originated beneath Akademia Nauk caldera, which is located immediately south of Karymsky volcano. The caldera enclosing Karymsky volcano formed about 7600-7700 radiocarbon years ago; construction of the Karymsky stratovolcano began about 2000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years ago, following a 2300-year quiescence. Much of the cone is mantled by lava flows less than 200 years old. Historical eruptions have been vulcanian or vulcanian-strombolian with moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows from the summit crater.

The Current Colour Code for Karymsky is ORANGE .

HAWAII
Volcano: KILAUEA

Lat:  19.42N   Long:  155.29W
Elevation:  1222m   Volcano Type:  SHIELD

1st Row Left: Six channelised flows meander down a steep portion of the pali, burning vegetation in the remaining portion of Royal Gardens subdivision.
1st Row Right: Same view different time showing the of the pali, burning vegetation in the remaining portion of Royal Gardens subdivision.

2nd Row Left: Areas of the forest go up in flames as the 'a'a- flow pushes its way through the vegetation at the base of the pali, and flows onto the coastal plain.
2nd Row Right: Closer view of same.

3rd Row Left: The largest and eastern-most active channel spreads out near the base of the pali.
3rd Row Right: As the slope decreases, the 'a'a- flows fan out onto the coastal plain.

KIlauea photos courtesy of HVO & the USGS.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Pu`u `O`o.

As of the 8th of February, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) reports that Kilauea was active at two locations. At the summit, lava visible via webcam rising and falling within at least two openings in the bottom of a deep pit inset within the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater producing glow that was visible from Jaggar Overlook overnight. At the east rift zone vents, lava flowed through the upper tube system and probably fed surface flows; the ocean entry has not been active for a month. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from both summit and east rift zone vents remained elevated.

Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: Lava rose and drained back within at least thwo openings at the north and south edges of the bottom of a deep pit inset with the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater; since midnight, the lava rose high enough that it covered at least part of the pit bottom before draining back into the openings. The increase in activity produced the strongest glow in almost a week within the gas plume visible from the Jaggar Museum Overlook. The summit vent gas plume rises about 500 m (1,600 ft) and moves to the southwest this morning. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 1,200 tonnes/day on February 4th, elevated above the 2003-2007 average of 140 tonnes/day. The summit tiltmeter network recorded continued DI inflation. Seismic tremor levels started to drop at the switch to DI inflation and dropped again to half pre-DI inflation values at 1140 hrs yesterday; since that drop, episodic tremor was recorded during two periods - 1140 hrs to 2150 hrs yesterday and low-frequency episodic tremor between 0245 and 0540 hrs this morning. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes was within background values. An unusually large number of earthquakes beneath Kilauea were strong enough to be located - one beneath the upper and eight beneath the middle southwest rift zone (the cluster was located about 5 km, 3 miles, southwest of Kamakaia Hills), two on the Kulanaokuaiki pali fault including a magnitude-3.1 quake this morning, four more on other south flank faults including two offshore, and one beneath the area north of the summit caldera.

Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma degases through Pu`u `O`o crater before erupting from the TEB vent, located 2 km to the east. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 1,100 tonnes/day on January 21st, elevated but below the 2003-2007 average of 1,700 tonnes/day. Incandescence was recorded by webcam from a hole at the base of the south wall within Pu`u `O`o Crater overnight. The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o recorded continued DI inflation. GPS receivers on either side of Pu`u `O`o Crater are recording extension of the crater. Seismic tremor levels near the Pu`u `O`o and TEB vents were low and steady, decreasing slightly with the DI inflation. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes near the Pu`u `O`o and the TEB vents were within background levels. Lava from the TEB vent flowed through the upper 2 miles of the TEB tube system before breaking to the surface and feeding flows above and on the pali. CD officials reported some glowing spots on the pali last night. GOES-WEST imagery included strengthening thermal anomalies on the flow field through dawn suggesting increasing surface flow activity.

Kilauea volcano, which overlaps the east flank of the massive Mauna Loa shield volcano, has been Hawaii's most active volcano during historical time. Eruptions of Kilauea are prominent in Polynesian legends; written documentation extending back to only 1820 records frequent summit and flank lava flow eruptions that were interspersed with periods of long-term lava lake activity that lasted until 1924 at Halemaumau crater, within the summit caldera. The 3 x 5 km caldera was formed in several stages about 1500 years ago and during the 18th century; eruptions have also originated from the lengthy East and SW rift zones, which extend to the sea on both sides of the volcano. About 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is formed of lava flows less than about 1100 years old; 70% of the volcano's surface is younger than 600 years. A long-term eruption from the East rift zone that began in 1983 has produced lava flows covering more than 100 sq km, destroying nearly 200 houses and adding new coastline to the island.

The Current Colour Code for Kilauea is ORANGE.

KAMCHATKA (Russia)
Volcano: KLIUCHEVSKOI

Lat:  56.06N   Long:  160.64E
Elevation:  4835m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Kliuchevskoi photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Klichevskoi.

As of the 7th of February, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano continues. Ash explosions >7.0 km (>23,000 ft)ASL could occur at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect international and low-flying aircraft. Seismicity of the volcano was above background levels all week. According to visual data, gas-steam plumes rose up to 6.2 km (20,300 ft) ASL on January 30-31. Strombolian activity of the volcano continues. A height of bursts was about 300 m above the crater. Clouds obscured the volcano in the other days. An effusion of a lava flow on the north-western volcanic flank (Krestovsky chute), continues. Phreatic bursts sometimes were observed at a front of this lava flow. According to satellite data, a big thermal anomaly was registering over the volcano all week.

Kliuchevskoi is Kamchatka's highest and most active volcano. Since its origin about 6000 years ago, the beautifully symmetrical, 4835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods of inactivity. Kliuchevskoi rises above a saddle NE of sharp-peaked Kamen volcano and lies SE of the broad Ushkovsky massif. More than 100 flank eruptions have occurred at Kliuchevskoi during the past roughly 3000 years, with most lateral craters and cones occurring along radial fissures between the unconfined NE-to-SE flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3600 m elevation. The morphology of its 700-m-wide summit crater has been frequently modified by historical eruptions, which have been recorded since the late-17th century. Historical eruptions have originated primarily from the summit crater, but have also included numerous major explosive and effusive eruptions from flank craters.

The Current Colour Code for Kliuchevskoi is ORANGE .

PHILIPPINES
Volcano: MAYON

Lat:  13.26N   Long:  123.69E
Elevation:  2462m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Mayon photo#1 courtesy of the USGS & photo #2 courtesy of Bullit Marquez/AP.

As of the 6th of February, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has reported that Mayon volcano's seismic monitoring network detected five (5) volcanic earthquakes and twelve (12) rockfall events were detected by the seismic network. The seismic network recorded a total of seventeen (17) volcanic earthquakes and sixty-nine (69) rockfall events (18 - 24 January 2010). With respect to Ground Deformation deflation. No change relative to 08-10 Nov. 2009 survey. Overall, the volcano remained inflated by five (5.0) mm. cumulative to February 2008 baseline data SO₂ Flux Reading: 1687 tonnes/day (28 Jan.) but otherwise at: 868 tonnes/day (26 Jan.), 288 tonnes/day (25 Jan. ), 1076 tonnes/day (24 Jan.), 1001 tonnes/day (23 Jan.). Steaming activity was moderate and crater glow was at Intensity II.

Alert Level 2 is in effect over Mayon Volcano. This means a further reduction in the likelihood of hazardous eruption. PHIVOLCS-DOST recommends that the public should not enter the six (6) kilometre radius Permanent Danger Zone and the 7-km Extended Danger Zone on the southeast of the volcano due to continuing threat from sudden explosions, rockfalls from the upper slopes and pyroclastic flows due to sudden collapse of unstable lava deposits. Active river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Beautifully symmetrical Mayon volcano, which rises to 2462 m above the Albay Gulf, is the Philippines' most active volcano. The structurally simple volcano has steep upper slopes averaging 35-40 degrees that are capped by a small summit crater. The historical eruptions of this basaltic-andesitic volcano date back to 1616 and range from strombolian to basaltic plinian, with cyclical activity beginning with basaltic eruptions, followed by longer term andesitic lava flows. Eruptions occur predominately from the central conduit and have also produced lava flows that travel far down the flanks. Pyroclastic flows and mudflows have commonly swept down many of the approximately 40 ravines that radiate from the summit and have often devastated populated lowland areas. Mayon's most violent eruption, in 1814, killed more than 1200 people and devastated several towns.

The Current Colour Code for Mayon is ALERT LEVEL 2 .

ANTARCTICA
Volcano: Mt. EREBUS

Lat:  77.52S   Long:  167.10E
Elevation:  3794m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Mt. Erebus photo courtesy of NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite.

As of the 1st of January, the Mt. Erebus Volcano Observatory (MEVO) reported that this volcano continues its long eruption phase. Mt. Erebus was discovered in 1841 by James Ross and crew. The first ascent occurred in 1908 (to crater rim), by members of Ernest Shackleton's expedition. The average winter temperature is approx. -50° Celsius and the average summer temperature approx. -20° Celsius. The Mt. Erebus stratovolcano has been active from ~1.3 million years ago to present and ists petrology is Basanite to trachyte to phonolite. There are frequent Strombolian eruptions and infrequent ash eruptions. Rare lava flows confined to inner crater. The most notable features are a persistent convecting phonolite lava lake, persistent low-level eruptive activity. It has one of Earth's few long-lived lava lakes and is the most active volcano in Antarctica. Lavas and bombs contain large (<10 cm) phenocrysts (crystals) of anorthoclase feldspar.

Research on Mt. Erebus has been primarily conducted by scientists in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science and the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. Each austral summer, a group of scientists and students ascend the volcano to live and work for several weeks (early December to early January). Current research consists of 1) continued monitoring of the SO₂ flux from the lava lake, 2) measuring the CO₂ emissions from the lava lake and summit, 3) geochronology of the summit and flank lava flows, 4) continued monitoring and interpretation of seismic and seismoacoustic activity volcano through the use of a network of highly-sensitive broad-band seismometers, 5) establishing a GPS base network to monitor the short- and long-term deformation of the volcano.

Mt. Erebus, the world's southernmost historically active volcano, overlooks the McMurdo research station on Ross Island. The 3794-m-high Erebus is the largest of three major volcanoes forming the crudely triangular Ross Island. The summit of the dominantly phonolitic Mount Erebus has been modified by one or two generations of caldera formation. A summit plateau at about 3200-m altitude marks the rim of the youngest caldera, which formed during the late-Pleistocene and within which the modern cone was constructed. An elliptical 500 x 600 m wide, 110-m-deep crater truncates the summit and contains an active lava lake within a 250-m-wide, 100-m-deep inner crater. The glacier-covered volcano was erupting when first sighted by Captain James Ross in 1841. Continuous lava-lake activity with minor explosions, punctuated by occasional larger Strombolian explosions that eject bombs onto the crater rim, has been documented since 1972, but has probably been occurring for much of the volcano's recent history.

The Current Colour Code for Mt. Erebus is ORANGE .

SICILY
Volcano: Mt. ETNA

Lat:  37.73N   Long:  015.00E
Elevation:  3350m   Volcano Type:  SHIELD

Mt. Etna photo #1 courtesy of Charles Rivière.
The Southern Is crater on the extreme left and the crater Power,
Mt. Etna photo #2 courtesy of Charles Rivière.
Seen here is the Voragine and Bocca Nuova craters.

Mt. Etna photo #3 courtesy of Charles Rivière.
The interior of the Northern crater is seen.
Mt, Etna photo #4 courtesy of Charles Rivière.
The North and southern part Is.

Mt. Etna photo #5 courtesy of Charles Rivière.
The Southern crater Is and the gas plumes pushed by the wind.

Continuous"Web-Cam" of Mt. Etna.

As of the 1st of January, Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population, Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.

Our last information on Mt. Etna, as of the 20th of December 2009, colleage John Seach of Volcano Live has reported that a swarm of earthquakes occurred at Mt. Etna volcano on the 19th of December. More than 30 earthquakes occurred in the swarm, with the largest being magnitude 4.6. The swarm was located under the northwest side of the volcano.

Mt. Etna, towering above Catania, Sicily's second largest city, has one of the world's longest documented records of historical volcanism, dating back to 1500 BC. Historical lava flows of basaltic composition cover much of the surface of this massive volcano, whose edifice is the highest and most voluminous in Italy. The Mongibello stratovolcano, truncated by several small calderas, was constructed during the late Pleistocene and Holocene over an older shield volcano. The most prominent morphological feature of Etna is the Valle del Bove, a 5 x 10 km horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the east. Two styles of eruptive activity typically occur at Etna. Persistent explosive eruptions, sometimes with minor lava emissions, take place from one or more of the three prominent summit craters, the Central Crater, NE Crater, and SE Crater (the latter formed in 1978). Flank vents, typically with higher effusion rates, are less frequently active and originate from fissures that open progressively downward from near the summit (usually accompanied by Strombolian eruptions at the upper end). Cinder cones are commonly constructed over the vents of lower-flank lava flows. Lava flows extend to the foot of the volcano on all sides and have reached the sea over a broad area on the SE flank.

The Current Colour Code for Mt. Etna is ORANGE .

COLOMBIA
Volcano: NEVADO del HUILA

Lat:  02.93N   Long:  076.03W
Elevation:  5364m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Nevado del Huila photo courtesy of the AP.

Continuous"Web-Cam" of Nevado del Huila.

As of the 3rd of February , the the Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Popayan (INGEOMINAS) reports that in the present week a total of 194 seismic events was registered. Of them, 72 are related to fracturing of rock, 119 with the dynamics of flowed within the volcanic conduits and three (3) pulses of tremor of low magnitude. By presented/displayed adverse meteorological conditions during the week, the volcanic complex through the webcam installed in Taxfnú could not be observed. Through satelite images of project AURA-OMI, published by the Agency the International NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), it was observed small emanations of SO₂, in columns that dispersed towards the West of the volcanic complex. With base in the previous, one concludes that the volcano continues presenting/displaying a stable behaviour, being observed a predominance of the seismic activity associated processes of flowed migration and transit of within the volcanic conduits.

Nevado del Huila, the highest active volcano in Colombia, is an elongated N-S-trending volcanic chain mantled by a glacier icecap. The 5364-m-high andesitic-dacitic volcano was constructed within a 10-km-wide caldera. Volcanism at Nevado del Huila has produced six volcanic cones whose ages in general migrated from south to north. The high point of the complex is Pico Central. Two glacier-free lava domes lie at the southern end of the Huila volcanic complex. The first historical eruption from this little known volcano was an explosive eruption in the mid-16th century. Long-term, persistent steam columns had risen from Pico Central prior to the next eruption in 2007, when explosive activity was accompanied by damaging mudflows.

The Current Colour Code for Nevado del Huila is YELLOW .

C. AFRICA
Volcano: NYAMURAGIRA

Lat:  01.41S   Long:  029.20E
Elevation:  3058m   Volcano Type:  SHIELD

Nyammuragira photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 4th of February, the Democratic Republic of Congo reports that during 27 January-2 February, the MODIS sensor aboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite frequently detected thermal anomalies from Nyamuragira. The Toulouse VAAC reported that a diffuse ash plume was seen on satellite imagery on the 29th of January.

Africa's most active volcano, Nyamuragira is a massive high-potassium basaltic shield volcano that rises about 25 km north of Lake Kivu across the broad East African Rift Valley NW of Nyiragongo volcano. Nyamuragira, also known as Nyamulagira, has a volume of 500 cu km, and extensive lava flows from the volcano blanket 1500 sq km of the East African Rift. The broad low-angle shield volcano contrasts dramatically with its steep-sided neighbour Nyiragongo. The 3058-m-high summit of Nyamuragira is truncated by a small 2 x 2.3 km caldera that has walls up to about 100 m high. Historical eruptions have occurred within the summit caldera, frequently modifying the morphology of the caldera floor, as well as from the numerous fissures and cinder cones on the volcano's flanks. A lava lake in the summit crater, active since at least 1921, drained in 1938, at the time of a major flank eruption. Historical lava flows extend down the flanks more than 30 km from the summit, reaching as far as Lake Kivu.

The Current Colour Code for Nyamuragira is ORANGE .

GUATEMALA
Volcano: PACAYA

Lat:  14.38N   Long:  090.60W
Elevation:  2570m   Volcano Type:  COMPLEX

Pacaya photo an INTLVRC file photo.

As of the 5th of February, the National Institute Of Sismología, Volcanology, Meteorology And Hidrologia, (INSIVUMEH) has reported that for Atmospheric conditions: Cleared. Winds: Northeast to 0 Km/h. pluvial Precipitation: 0.0 mm Activity: Expelling white and blue coloured smoke from weak type to a height between 50 and 100 metres, dispersing in the direction to the Northwest. Weak and moderate explosions with lapses of ½, 1, 3 and 4 minutes, also the expulsion of material is observed a height of 50 metres.

The eruptions from Pacaya, one of Guatemala's most active volcanoes, are frequently visible from Guatemala City, the nation's capital. Pacaya is a complex basaltic volcano constructed just outside the southern topographic rim of the 14 x 16 km Pleistocene Amatitlán caldera. A cluster of dacitic lava domes occupies the southern caldera floor. The post-caldera Pacaya massif includes the Cerro Grande lava dome and a younger volcano to the SW. Collapse of Pacaya volcano about 1100 years ago produced a debris-avalanche deposit that extends 25 km onto the Pacific coastal plain and left an arcuate somma rim inside which the modern Pacaya volcano (MacKenney cone) grew. A subsidiary crater, Cerro Chino, was constructed on the NW somma rim and was last active in the 19th century. During the past several decades, activity at Pacaya has consisted of frequent strombolian eruptions with intermittent lava flow extrusion that has partially filled in the caldera moat and armored the flanks of MacKenney cone, punctuated by occasional larger explosive eruptions that partially destroy the summit of the cone.

The Current Colour Code for Pacaya is ORANGE .

INDIAN OCEAN (Réunion Is.)
Volcano: PITON de la FOURNAISE

Lat:  21.23S   Long:  055.71E
Elevation:  2632m   Volcano Type:  SHIELD

Piton de la Fournaise photos courtesy of François martel-Asselin (OVPDLF).

As of the 16th of January, the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris via the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise reported that the eruption of the Piton of the Furnace is finished! The volcano entered in eruption on Saturday, January 2nd, this one is finished on Tuesday, January 12th. The Prefecture thus decided to raise this Thursday at midday the level of vigilance of the plan of help specialised volcano. The access to the top of the Piton de la Fournaise more than ever is thus authorised to the hikers.

The massive Piton de la Fournaise basaltic shield volcano on the French island of Réunion in the western Indian Ocean is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Much of its >530,000 year history overlapped with eruptions of the deeply dissected Piton des Neiges shield volcano to the NW. Three calderas formed at about 250,000, 65,000, and less than 5000 years ago by progressive eastward slumping of the volcano. Numerous pyroclastic cones dot the floor of the calderas and their outer flanks. Most historical eruptions have originated from the summit and flanks of Dolomieu, a 400-m-high lava shield that has grown within the youngest caldera, which is 8 km wide and breached to below sea level on the eastern side. More than 150 eruptions, most of which have produced fluid basaltic lava flows, have occurred since the 17th century. Only six eruptions, in 1708, 1774, 1776, 1800, 1977, and 1986, have originated from fissures on the outer flanks of the caldera. The Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Observatory, one of several operated by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, monitors this very active volcano.

The Current Colour Code for Piton de la Fournaise is ALERT LEVEL 2 .

CHILE
Volcano: PLANCHON-PETEROA

Lat:  35.48S   Long:  070.57W
Elevation:  4107m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Planchon-Peteroa photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 21st of January, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported to INTLVRC that based on pilot reports and photographs SERNAGEOMIN reported on the 13th of January that fumarolic plumes from Planchón-Peteroa rose 250 m high on the 4th, 6th, and 7th of January. Increased fumarolic activity is common on the warmest days in the summer when snow melts in the crater and more steam is produced.

Planchón-Peteroa is an elongated complex volcano along the Chile-Argentina border with several overlapping calderas. Activity began in the Pleistocene with construction of the basaltic-andesite to dacitic Volcán Azufre, followed by formation of basaltic and basaltic-andesite Volcán Planchón, 6 km to the north. About 11,500 years ago, much of Azufre and part of Planchón collapsed, forming the massive Río Teno debris avalanche, which traveled 95 km to reach Chile's Central Valley. Subsequently, Volcán Planchón II was formed. The youngest volcano, andesitic and basaltic-andesite Volcán Peteroa, consists of scattered vents between Azufre and Planchón. Peteroa has been active into historical time and contains a small steaming crater lake. Historical eruptions from the Planchón-Peteroa complex have been dominantly explosive, although lava flows were erupted in 1837 and 1937.

The Current Colour Code for Planchon-Peteroa is ORANGE .

MEXICO
Volcano: POPOCATEPETL

Lat:  19.02N   Long:  098.62W
Elevation:  5426m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Popocatepetl image courtesy of CENAPRED.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Popocatepetl.

Latest NOAA satellite image of the Popocatepetl eruption.

As of the 8th of February, CENAPRED has reported that in the last 24 hours, the monitoring system of Popocatepetl volcano recorded 5 low intensity exhalations, accompanied by steam and gas. At the moment of this report CENAPRED can see the volcano with a small steam and gas emissions. From high to low probability the expected activity scenarios in the next hours, days or weeks are: moderate exhalations, some with ash emissions; occasionally mild incandescence during nights and sporadic low level explosions with low probabilities of incandescent fragment at short distance to the crater. There is a permanent monitoring of the volcano to detect any change. The traffic light of volcanic alert remains in YELLOW Phase 2.

Volcano Popocatépetl, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, towers to 5426 m 70 km SE of Mexico City to form North America's 2nd-highest volcano. The glacier-clad stratovolcano contains a steep-walled, 250-450 m deep crater. The generally symmetrical volcano is modified by the sharp-peaked Ventorrillo on the NW, a remnant of an earlier volcano. At least three previous major cones were destroyed by gravitational failure during the Pleistocene, producing massive debris-avalanche deposits covering broad areas south of the volcano. The modern volcano was constructed to the south of the late-Pleistocene to Holocene El Fraile cone. Three major plinian eruptions, the most recent of which took place about 800 AD, have occurred from Popocatépetl since the mid Holocene, accompanied by pyroclastic flows and voluminous lahars that swept basins below the volcano. Frequent historical eruptions, first recorded in Aztec codices, have occurred since pre-columbian time.

The Current Colour Code for Popocatepetl is YELLOW.

NEW BRITAIN
Volcano: RABAUL

Lat:  04.27S   Long:  152.20E
Elevation:  688m   Volcano Type:  SHIELD

Rabaul photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

As of the 21st of January, the Rabaul Volcano Observatory has reported that based on a Port Moresby Met Office notice, the Darwin VAAC reported that an ash plume from Rabaul caldera's Tavurvur cone rose 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l.

The low-lying Rabaul caldera on the tip of the Gazelle Peninsula at the NE end of New Britain forms a broad sheltered harbour. The outer flanks of the 688-m-high asymmetrical pyroclastic shield volcano are formed by thick pyroclastic-flow deposits. The 8 x 14 km caldera is widely breached on the E, where its floor is flooded by Blanche Bay. Two major Holocene caldera-forming eruptions at Rabaul took place as recently as 3,500 and 1,400 years ago. Three small stratovolcanoes lie outside the northern and NE caldera rims. Post-caldera eruptions built basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic cones on the caldera floor near the NE and western caldera walls. Several of these, including Vulcan cone, which was formed during a large eruption in 1878, have produced major explosive activity during historical time. A powerful explosive eruption in 1994 occurred simultaneously from Vulcan and Tavurvur volcanoes and forced the temporary abandonment of Rabaul city.

The Current Colour Code for Rabaul is ORANGE .

ECUADOR
Volcano: REVENTADOR

Lat:  00.08S   Long:  077.66W
Elevation:  3562m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Reventador photo courtesy of Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG).

As of the 8th of February, the Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG) has reported that the seismic activity is similar to the one of preceding days. There is report of no direct observations. A total of 41 events of long period (LP), 10 episodes of Harmonic Tremor, 34 episodes of tremor of emission and 19 explosions has been entered.

Reventador is the most frequently active of a chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes in the Cordillera Real, well E of the principal volcanic axis. It is a forested stratovolcano that rises above the remote jungles of the western Amazon basin. A 3-km-wide caldera breached to the E was formed by edifice collapse and is partially filled by a young, unvegetated stratovolcano that rises about 1,300 m above the caldera floor. Reventador has been the source of numerous lava flows as well as explosive eruptions that were visible from Quito in historical time. Frequent lahars in this region of heavy rainfall have constructed a debris plain on the eastern floor of the caldera.

The Current Colour Code for Reventador is ORANGE .

INDONESIA
Volcano: RINJANI

Lat:  08.42S   Long:  116.47E
Elevation:  3726m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Rinjani photo courtesy of Benjamin Barbier.

As of the 7th of January, the Volcanological Society of Indonesia (VSI) has reported that based on a pilot report, the Darwin VAAC reported that on the 2nd of January an ash plume from Rinjani rose to an unspecified altitude. The plume was not identified in satellite imagery; however a meteorological cloud was present in the area.

Rinjani volcano on the island of Lombok rises to 3726 m, second in height among Indonesian volcanoes only to Sumatra's Kerinci volcano. Rinjani has a steep-sided conical profile when viewed from the east, but the west side of the compound volcano is truncated by the 6 x 8.5 km, oval-shaped Segara Anak caldera. The western half of the caldera contains a 230-m-deep lake whose crescentic form results from growth of the post-caldera cone Barujari at the east end of the caldera. Historical eruptions at Rinjani dating back to 1847 have been restricted to Barujari cone and consist of moderate explosive activity and occasional lava flows that have entered Segara Anak lake.

The Current Colour Code for Rinjani is ALERT LEVEL 1 .

JAPAN
Volcano: SAKURA-JIMA

Lat:  31.59N   Long:  130.66E
Elevation:  1117m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Sakura-Jima photo courtesy of Tom Pierson (USGS).

As of the 4th of February, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during 27 January-2 February multiple explosions from Sakura-Jima produced plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.8-2.4 km (6,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE, E, and NE. During 27-29 January and 1-2 February, pilots reported that ash plumes sometimes drifted SE and S at altitudes of 1.2-3 km (4,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l.

Sakura-Jima, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, is a post-caldera cone of the Aira caldera at the northern half of Kagoshima Bay. Eruption of the voluminous Ito pyroclastic flow was associated with the formation of the 17 x 23-km-wide Aira caldera about 22,000 years ago. The construction of Sakura-Jima began about 13,000 years ago and built an island that was finally joined to the Osumi Peninsula during the major explosive and effusive eruption of 1914. Activity at the Kita-dake summit cone ended about 4,850 years ago, after which eruptions took place at Minami-dake. Frequent historical eruptions, recorded since the 8th century, have deposited ash on Kagoshima, one of Kyushu's largest cities, located across Kagoshima Bay only 8 km from the summit. The largest historical eruption took place during 1471-76.

The Current Colour Code for Sakura-Jima is ORANGE .

ECUADOR
Volcano: SANGAY

Lat:  02.00S   Long:  078.34W
Elevation:  5230m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Sangay photo courtesy of Minard Hall, Escueila Politecnica Nacional, Quito.

As of the 4th of February, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that based on pilot observations, the Washington VAAC reported that on the 2nd of February an ash plume from Sangay rose to an altitude of 8.2 km (27,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash was not identified in satellite imagery, although weather clouds were present in the area.

the isolated Sangay volcano, located E of the Andean crest, is the southernmost of Ecuador's volcanoes, and its most active. It has been in frequent eruption for the past several centuries. The steep-sided, 5,230-m-high glacier-covered volcano grew within horseshoe-shaped calderas of two previous edifices, which were destroyed by collapse to the E, producing large debris avalanches that reached the Amazonian lowlands. The modern edifice dates back to at least 14,000 years ago. Sangay towers above the tropical jungle on the E side; on the other sides flat plains of ash from the volcano have been sculpted by heavy rains into steep-walled canyons up to 600 m deep. The earliest report of an historical eruption was in 1628. More or less continuous eruptions were reported from 1728 until 1916, and again from 1934 to the present. The more or less constant eruptive activity has caused frequent changes to the morphology of the summit crater complex.

The Current Colour Code for Sangay is ORANGE .

GUATEMALA
Volcano: SANTA MARIA

Lat:  14.72N   Long:  090.57W
Elevation:  2500m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Santa Maria photo an INTLVRC file photo. Wind: Southeast in calm. Pluvial precipitation: 0.0 mm Activity: White degassing of colour of weak type to 75 metres of height approximately, which disperses in the direction to the Southwest. Flows of lava and avalanches and explosions in calm.

The symmetrical, forest-covered Santa María volcano is one of the most prominent of a chain of large stratovolcanoes that rises dramatically above the Pacific coastal plain of Guatemala. The 3772-m-high stratovolcano has a sharp-topped, conical profile that is cut on the SW flank by a large, 1.5-km-wide crater. The oval-shaped crater extends from just below the summit of volcano Santa María to the lower flank and was formed during a catastrophic eruption in 1902. The renowned plinian eruption of 1902 that devastated much of SW Guatemala followed a long repose period after construction of the large basaltic-andesite stratovolcano. The massive dacitic Santiaguito lava-dome complex has been growing at the base of the 1902 crater since 1922. Compound dome growth at Santa Maria has occurred episodically from four westward-younging vents, the most recent of which is Caliente. Dome growth has been accompanied by almost continuous minor explosions, with periodic lava extrusion, larger explosions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars.

The Current Colour Code for Santa Maria is ORANGE .

KAMCHATKA (Russia)
Volcano: SHEVELUCH

Lat:  56.65N   Long:  161.36E
Elevation:  3283m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Sheveluch photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Sheveluch.

As of the 7th of February, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that activity of the volcano continues: a new viscous lava flow effuses at the lava dome. Ash explosions >10 km (>32,800 ft) ASL could occur at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect international and low-flying aircraft. Seismicity was above background levels all week. According to seismic data, possibly ash plumes rose up to 5.7 km (18,700 ft) ASL last week. According to visual data, moderate fumarolic activity of the volcano was observing on February 1st, clouds obscured the volcano in the other days. According to satellite data, a big thermal anomaly was registering over the lava dome all week.

The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskoi volcano group. The 1300 cu km Shiveluch is one of Kamchatka's largest and most active volcanic structures. The summit of roughly 65,000-year-old Stary Shiveluch is truncated by a broad 9-km-wide late-Pleistocene caldera breached to the south. Many lava domes dot its outer flanks. The Molodoy Shiveluch lava dome complex was constructed during the Holocene within the large horseshoe-shaped caldera; Holocene lava dome extrusion also took place on the flanks of Stary Shiveluch. At least 60 large eruptions of Shiveluch have occurred during the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano of the Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Widespread tephra layers from these eruptions have provided valuable time markers for dating volcanic events in Kamchatka. Frequent collapses of dome complexes, most recently in 1964, have produced debris avalanches whose deposits cover much of the floor of the breached caldera.

The Current Colour Code for Sheveluch is ORANGE .

WEST INDIES (Montserrat)
Volcano: SOUFRIERE HILLS

Lat:  16.72N   Long:  062.18W
Elevation:  915m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

1st Row Left: NASA's Earth Observatory has been following the Soufrière Hills eruption with a great collection of fascinating images since the volcano saw a resurgence of activity in the autumn of 2009. The latest image is a crystal-clear shot from the MODIS aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite, captured on the 31st of January, showing the light-grey ash cloud produced by the active Soufrière Hills lava dome swirling around Montserrat to the north and west.

Latest GOES12 satellite image of Soufriere Hills volcano.

As of the 8th of February, the Monstserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) reported that Soufrière Hills continues to produce a great deal of activity. The Montserrat Volcano Observatory reports that a significant vulcanian eruption occurred at Soufrière Hills volcano on Montserrat on Friday, the 5th of February. The event began at 1349 hrs local time and lasted about 7 minutes, sending pyroclastic flows down the volcano's flanks to the west that swept across the site of the former capital of Plymouth and reached some 500 m out to sea. The resulting plume is reported to have reached an altitude of around 6,700 metres (21,000 feet). This was clearly a spectacular event, but fortunately not too disruptive as the easterly winds ensured that ashfall was limited to uninhabited areas.

The complex, dominantly andesitic Soufrière Hills volcano occupies the southern half of the island of Montserrat. The summit area consists primarily of a series of lava domes emplaced along an ESE-trending zone. English's Crater, a 1-km-wide crater breached widely to the east, was formed during an eruption about 4000 years ago in which the summit collapsed, producing a large submarine debris avalanche. Block-and-ash flow and surge deposits associated with dome growth predominate in flank deposits at Soufrière Hills. Non-eruptive seismic swarms occurred at 30-year intervals in the 20th century, but with the exception of a 17th-century eruption that produced the Castle Peak lava dome, no historical eruptions were recorded on Montserrat until 1995. Long-term small-to-moderate ash eruptions beginning in that year were later accompanied by lava-dome growth and pyroclastic flows that forced evacuation of the southern half of the island and ultimately destroyed the capital city of Plymouth, causing major social and economic disruption.

The Current Colour Code for Soufriere Hills is currently at ALERT LEVEL 4 .

ITALY
Volcano: STROMBOLI

Lat:  38.79N   Long:  015.21E
Elevation:  924m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Stromboli photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Stromboli.

As of the 1st of January, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that Stromboli continues to be in almost constant eruption. We last had reports of a powerful explosion took place at Stromboli volcano, as Sonja Calvari from INGV Catania reports to the volcano list. Here's the original report: "Stromboli volcano on 8 November produced a major explosion from the vents in the central crater zone, fragmenting and blowing out part of the eastern flank of the cinder cone. The explosion produced an eruptive column more than 350 m high that was drifted SE by the wind. The explosion was soon followed by a lava flow erupted from the widened central vent. The lava flow spread within the crater depression for a few minutes, and reached the maximum estimated lenght of ~60 m. Lava flow within the crater depression formed also between 22 and 25 April, on 3 May, and on 30 August 2009. After the 8 November explosion, the explosive activity returned to the background levels."

Stromboli volcano on the 8th of November produced a major explosion from the vents in the central crater zone, fragmenting and blowing out part of the eastern flank of the cinder cone. The explosion produced an eruptive column more than 350 m high that was drifted SE by the wind. The explosion was soon followed by a lava flow erupted from the widened central vent. The lava flow spread within the crater depression for a few minutes, and reached the maximum estimated lenght of ~60 m. Lava flow within the crater depression formed also between 22 and 25 April, on 3 May, and on 30 August 2009. After the 8th of November explosion, the explosive activity returned to the background levels.

Spectacular incandescent nighttime explosions at Stromboli volcano have long attracted visitors to the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean." Stromboli, the NE-most of the Aeolian Islands, has lent its name to the frequent mild explosive activity that has characterised its eruptions throughout much of historical time. The small, 924-m-high island of Stromboli is the emergent summit of a volcano that grew in two main eruptive cycles, the last of which formed the western portion of the island. The Neostromboli eruptive period from about 13,000 to 5000 years ago was followed by formation of the modern Stromboli edifice. The active summit vents are located at the head of the Sciara del Fuoco, a prominent horseshoe-shaped scarp formed about 5000 years ago as a result of the most recent of a series of slope failures that extend to below sea level. The modern volcano has been constructed within this scarp, which funnels pyroclastic ejecta and lava flows to the NW. Essentially continuous mild strombolian explosions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded at Stromboli for more than a millennium.

The Current Colour Code for Stromboli is ORANGE .

JAPAN
Volcano: SUWANOSE-JIMA

Lat:  29.64N   Long:  129.72E
Elevation:  799m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Suwanose-Jima photo courtesy of Yukio Hayakawa, Gunma University.

As of the 4th of February, the Global Volcanism Network (GVN) has reported that based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions from Suwanose-jima during the 27th of January-2nd of February. On the 27th of January, plumes rose to altitudes of 1.2-1.5 km (4,000-5,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted W. Plumes rose to an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. on the 29th of January.

The 8-km-long, spindle-shaped island of Suwanose-Jima in the northern Ryukyu Islands consists of an andesitic stratovolcano with two historically active summit craters. Only about 50 persons live on the sparsely populated island. The summit of the volcano is truncated by a large breached crater extending to the sea on the east flank that was formed by edifice collapse. Suwanose-Jima, one of Japan's most frequently active volcanoes, was in a state of intermittent Strombolian activity from On-take, the NE summit crater, that began in 1949 and lasted nearly a half century. The largest historical eruption took place in 1813-14, when thick scoria deposits blanketed residential areas, after which the island was uninhabited for about 70 years. The SW crater produced lava flows that reached the western coast in 1813, and lava flows reached the eastern coast of the island in 1884.

The Current Colour Code for Suwanose-Jima is ORANGE .

ECUADOR
Volcano: TUNGURAHUA

Lat:  01.47S   Long:  077.44W
Elevation:  5023m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Tungurahua image courtesy of Patricio Ramón.

Latest MODIS satellite image of Tungurahua eruption.

View latest NOAA satellite image of Tungurahua (Updated every 30 minutes)

As of the 8th of February, the Instituto Geofísico (IG) has reported that the seismicity continues in a level of moderate to low. The emissions by permanent reaching 1 km on the summit approximately. One reported ash falls in the environs. During the night it was appraised Strombolian activity and bearing of blocks. In the afternoon yesterday, rains appeared without registering lahars.

The IG reports that with respect to seismicity: One has registered 42 slight and strong explosions between, 65 events of long period (LP) and 15 episodes of tremor. Some of the explosions of caused cannon shots, vibration of the ground and large windows. This was reported from Guadalupe, Bilbao and Choglontus. Observations, Emissions and Ash: At night Strombolian activity could be observed and bearing of blocks by flanks up to 700 m under the summit. The continuous emissions they regularly reach 1 km on the summit at the same time as pulsating emissions with ash multisection charges happen from low to discharge. Ash fall was reported from Palitahua. The wind direction has stayed towards the southwest of the volcano. Rains and Lahars: In the afternoon yesterday, rains without registry of lahars appeared. During today there are no rains and the sector remains cloudy at the time of emitting this report.

Tungurahua, a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that towers more than 3 km above its northern base, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. Three major volcanic edifices have been sequentially constructed since the mid-Pleistocene over a basement of metamorphic rocks. Tungurahua II was built within the past 14,000 years following the collapse of the initial edifice. Tungurahua II itself collapsed about 3000 years ago and produced a large debris-avalanche deposit and a horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the west, inside which the modern glacier-capped stratovolcano (Tungurahua III) was constructed. Historical eruptions have all originated from the summit crater. They have been accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. Prior to a long-term eruption beginning in 1999 that caused the temporary evacuation of the city of Baños at the foot of the volcano, the last major eruption had occurred from 1916 to 1918, although minor activity continued until 1925.

The official colour of the volcanic alarm light remains on ORANGE .

COSTA RICA
Volcano: TURRIALBA

Lat:  01.47S   Long:  077.44W
Elevation:  5023m   Volcano Type:  STRATO

Turrialba image courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Continuous"Live-Cam" of Turrialba.

As of the 8th of February, OVSICORI-UNA in Costa Rica via the "Volcano Blog" has reported that a sharp-eyed Costa Rican has spotted a UFO caught by the OVSICORI webcam recently installed at the summit of Turrialba, reports La Prensa Libre. The sighting happened on the 27th of January and has been verified by "an expert on UFOs" (so that's alright then). Aliens have visited Costa Rica's volcanoes before: here they are buzzing Arenal in 2007. (UFOs in Spanish are OVNIs: "Objetos Voladores No Identificados".) You can see this on the following link: UFO Caught on the Turrialba webcam link.
Enjoy !!

Turrialba, which erupted on a small scale at the beginning of January, has returned to a state of "passive degassing" similar to that which pertained before the eruption, according to reports from Costa Rica. However, OVSICORI-UNA experts have warned that although activity has declined low intensity earthquakes continue, the volcano remains active and people should not be complacent. The Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) has revised the alert levels currently applied to the area surrounding the volcano, with Yellow Alert now applying to a 2 km radius zone around the volcano and Green Alert to areas beyond that limit (CNE news release: Alerta Verde y Alerta Amarilla ante Actividad Volcánica).

Levels of gas emission from Turrialba have fallen since the eruption but this volcano is a persistent and unpleasant degasser , and this aspect of its activity continues. In particular, the appearance of large amounts of helium in Turrialba's emissions has been attracting the attention of the experts. There's nothing official about this yet from Ovsicori, but the Costa Rican newspaper La Nación reports that the volcanologists could not believe what was happening when Jorge Andres Díaz, a physicist and gas measurement specialist working for the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias reported that measurements taken on the 19th of January indicated there was 30 ppm (parts per million) of helium in Turrialba's emissions:
For the volcanologists of the National Seismological Network and Ovsicori, that figure was much too "high", because normally helium at the volcano fluctuates between 2 and 8 ppm. "That would be way too much", says Raúl Mora, volcanologist at the [National Seismological] Network. The volcanologists and Díaz apparently got into a discussion lasting several hours about this at the CNE headquarters yesterday. However, the presence of high proportions of helium in gas emissions from Turrialba was noted back in April 2008 , when it was interpreted as being the result of magma build-up within the volcano. Measurements taken in March 2008, also by Díaz, indicated helium levels of 80 ppm. At that time, Ovsicori reported the normal level of helium for Turrialba as 25 ppm, which would make a possible level of 30 ppm now a bit less of a leap. In any case, the presence of elevated helium levels in Turrialba's emissions is an indicator that fresh magma is being intruded into the volcanic system.

Turrialba, the easternmost of Costa Rica's Holocene volcanoes, is a large vegetated basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano located across a broad saddle NE of Irazú volcano overlooking the city of Cartago. The massive 3340-m-high Turrialba is exceeded in height only by Irazú, covers an area of 500 sq km, and is one of Costa Rica's most voluminous volcanoes. Three well-defined craters occur at the upper SW end of a broad 800 x 2200 m wide summit depression that is breached to the NE. Most activity at Turrialba originated from the summit vent complex, but two pyroclastic cones are located on the SW flank. Five major explosive eruptions have occurred at Turrialba during the past 3500 years. Turrialba has been quiescent since a series of explosive eruptions during the 19th century that were sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows. Fumarolic activity continues at the central and SW summit craters.

The official colour code for Turrialba is YELLOW .

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