LAST UPDATE: 7 February 2010
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BEZYMIANNY - (55o58' 42"N 160o35' 12"E), 2,882 m, KAMCHATKA (Russia)
As of the 7th of February, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that activity of the volcano continues and its aerosolic plumes could affect low-flying aircraft. Strong volcanic activity of Klyuchevskoi volcano obscures seismic data of Bezymianny last week. Weak and moderate fumarolic activity of the volcano was observed on January 31st. Clouds obscured the volcano in the other days of week. According to satellite data, a thermal anomaly over the lava dome was registering on January 29-30 and February 2nd.
Prior to its noted 1955-56 eruption, Bezymianny volcano had been considered extinct. The modern Bezymianny volcano, much smaller in size than its massive neighbors Kamen and Kliuchevskoi, was formed about 4700 years ago over a late-Pleistocene lava-dome complex and an ancestral volcano that was built between about 11,000-7000 years ago. Three periods of intensified activity have occurred during the past 3000 years. The latest period, which was preceded by a 1000-year quiescence, began with the dramatic 1955-56 eruption. This eruption, similar to that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980, produced a large horseshoe-shaped crater that was formed by collapse of the summit and an associated lateral blast. Subsequent episodic but ongoing lava-dome growth, accompanied by intermittent explosive activity and pyroclastic flows, has largely filled the 1956 crater.
The colour code at Bezymianny is currently at YELLOW.
MAUNA LOA - (19o28' 30"N 151o36' 30"W), 4,170 m, HAWAII
As of the 3rd of February, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) has reported that Mauna Loa is not erupting. There has been no significant change in line length across the summit or the flanks of Mauna Loa as measured by GPS receivers on opposite sides of the volcano. Tiltmeters have recorded no significant changes other than abrupt offsets that are related to instrumental issues, severe weather, or significant earthquakes. Sensors within a fissure in Moku`aweoweo crater floor reported gas concentrations within normal values; fumarole temperatures continued to slowly decrease.
Since the beginning of January, 2005, HVO analysts have rarely located more than 10 earthquakes per week beneath Mauna Loa summit and 1-5 earthquakes beneath the Kealakekua area of west Mauna Loa. The Kao`iki seismic zone between Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcano summits remained active with an average of about 10-40 earthquakes per week and included a magnitude-3.0 quake which occurred at 1437 hrs on January 25th; these numbers may reflect increased seismic activity nearer Kilauea summit rather than increased Ka`oiki activity.
Massive Mauna Loa shield volcano rises almost 9 km above the sea floor to form the world's largest active volcano. Flank eruptions are predominately from the lengthy NE and SW rift zones, and the summit is cut by the Mokuaweoweo caldera, which sits within an older and larger 6 x 8 km caldera. Two of the youngest large debris avalanches documented in Hawaii traveled nearly 100 km from Mauna Loa; the second of the Alika avalanches was emplaced about 105,000 years ago (Moore et al. 1989). Almost 90% of the surface of the basaltic shield volcano is covered by lavas less than 4000 years old (Lockwood and Lipman, 1987). During a 750-year eruptive period beginning about 1500 years ago, a series of voluminous overflows from a summit lava lake covered about one fourth of the volcano's surface. The ensuing 750-year period, from shortly after the formation of Mokuaweoweo caldera until the present, saw an additional quarter of the volcano covered with lava flows predominately from summit and NW rift zone vents.
The colour code at Mauna Loa is currently at YELLOW.
TAAL - (14o00' 06"N 120o59' 36"E), 311 m, PHILIPPINES
As of the 21st of January, the the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has reported that no volcanic earthquake was detected by the seismic network today. The seismic network recorded a total of two (2) volcanic earthquakes (11- 17 Jan.). With respect to Ground Deformation, no significant change compared to the last survey in September 2008. Overall, the volcano remained inflated by eleven (11.0) mm. cumulative to November 2004 baseline data. Calauit Leveling Line (April 2009 survey) No significant change compared to the last survey in September 2008. Overall, the volcano remained inflated by five (5.0) mm. cumulative to November 2004 baseline data.
Steaming: Negative. New Eruption Site Probe Hole Average Temperature: 28.8oC. Date Observed: 11 Jan. Water Temperature: 29.5oC. pH: 2.95. Lake Level: 0.95, Lake Color: Bluish-green, Bubbling: Negative. Steaming: Weak; white; 5 m high. Site: via Calauit (new site). Date Observed: 18 Jan.
The status of Taal Volcano remains at Alert Level 1. Significant volcanic and seismic events have been detected over the past months. The Main Crater remains off-limits to the public because steam explosions may suddenly occur or high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate. Furthermore, the public is reminded that Taal Volcano Island is a high risk area and permanent danger zone, hence, habitation is strictly not recommended.
Taal volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines and has produced some of its most powerful historical eruptions. In contrast to Mayon volcano, Taal is not topographically prominent, but its prehistorical eruptions have greatly changed the topography of SW Luzon. The 15 x 20 km Talisay (Taal) caldera is largely filled by Lake Taal, whose 267 sq km surface lies only 3 m above sea level. The maximum depth of the lake is 160 m, and several eruptive centres lie submerged beneath the lake. The 5-km-wide Volcano Island in north-central Lake Taal is the location of all historical eruptions. The island is a complex volcano composed of coalescing small stratovolcanoes, tuff rings, and scoria cones that has grown about 25% in area during historical time. Powerful pyroclastic flows and surges from historical eruptions of Taal have caused many fatalities.
The colour code at Taal is currently at YELLOW.
YELLOWSTONE CALDERA - (44o26'00"N 110o40'00"W), 2,805 m, UNITED STATES (Wyoming)
SPECIAL LINK REGARDING THE "SUPERVOLCANO" DOCUDRAMA ON YELLOWSTONE
As of the 3rd of February, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), reported that during the month of January 2010, Yellowstone National Park seismicity was dominated by a large swarm of earthquakes in the northwest side of the park that started January 17th. These shocks were located about 10 miles to the southeast of West Yellowstone, MT and 10 miles to the northwest of Old Faithful, WY. As of Feb. 1, 2010, 1620 earthquakes have occurred in the swarm and were located by the University of Utah Seismograph Station (UUSS) automatic earthquake system. The swarm includes 12 events of M3+; 119 of M2.0-2.9; 992 of M1.0-1.9; and 497 of M0.0-0.9. The largest of these shocks was a magnitude 3.8 on January 21st at 2316 hrs MST. There have been multiple reports of persons experiencing ground shaking from observers inside the Park and in surrounding areas for the larger events.
Earthquake swarms are relatively common in Yellowstone but this is one of the largest in total number of earthquakes. Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists consider that the swarm events are likely the result of slip on pre-existing faults and are not thought to be caused by underground movement of magma. Currently there is no indication of premonitory volcanic or hydrothermal activity, but ongoing observations and analyses will continue to evaluate these different sources. Analysis of the swarm events is an ongoing process and UUSS analysts will continue to review the earthquake data.
Ground Deformation Summary: Continuous GPS data show that uplift of the Yellowstone Caldera has slowed significantly. Uplift rates for YVO GPS stations are less than 2.5 cm per year. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera, underwent a total of ~23 cm of uplift between mid-2004 and mid-2009.
As of February 2, 0900 hrs MST there have been 1,660 located earthquakes in the recent Yellowstone National Park swarm. The swarm began January 17th, around 1300 hrs MST about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the Old Faithful area on the northwestern edge of Yellowstone Caldera. Swarms have occurred in this area several times over the past two decades. There have been 12 events with a magnitude larger than 3, 121 events of magnitude 2.0 to 2.9, 1,016 events with a magnitude of 1.0 to 1.9, and 511 events of magnitude 0.0 to 0.9. The largest events so far have been a pair of earthquakes of magnitude 3.7 and 3.8 that occurred after 11 PM MST on January 20th. The first event of magnitude 3.7 occurred at 11:01 PM MST and was shortly followed by a magnitude 3.8 event at 11:16 PM. Both shocks were located around 9 miles to the southeast of West Yellowstone, MT and about 10 miles to the northwest of Old Faithful, WY. Both events were felt throughout the park and in surrounding communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
The colour code at Yellowstone is currently at GREEN.
