The Mayon in the Philippines erupted today for the third time this year. The VAAC Tokyo reports volcanic ash at a height of 4 km. PHILVOLCS yesterday recorded 2 volcanotectonic earthquakes and a seismic rockfall signal triggered by a debris avalanche that produced a small ash cloud. At night a weak glowing was observed above the crater. Satellite photos show a clear thermal anomaly indicating that the volcano is heating up. Sulfur dioxide emissions are just under 1000 tons a day. The alarm level is set to “2”.
Eruptions
News about eruptions and volcanoes can be found in this category. It is updated frequently. Volcano expert and journalist Marc Szeglat reports live from his expeditions to volcanoes.
Gunung Agung launches ash cloud
On the Indonesian island of Bali, the Gunung Agung erupted an ash cloud. The eruption occurred at 00:47 local time. The height of the eruption clouds could not be determined. Nevertheless, the alert status for the air traffic was set on “orange”. Tremor was recorded, which had an amplitude of 21 mm and lasted 230 seconds. These data are in the context of the last registered eruptions on the holiday island.
Piton Fournaise: Eruption intensifies
The eruption on the Piton de la Fournaise has intensified. On 5th and 7th of March new fissures opened, one of which is still active. There are 2 lava fountains that feed lava flows. The Lava output is about 30 cubic meters per second. The end of the lava flow is at 1000 m altitude. The distance to the coastal road is 5 km. The tremor rose and 49 volcanotectonic earthquakes were registered.
The eruption started on 20. February, just one day after a short-lived eruption.
Bezymianny (Russia) – Report for 27 February-5 March 2019
KVERT reported that a thermal anomaly over Bezymianny was identified in satellite images during 28 February-1 March. Strong gas-and-steam emissions continued to be visible. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT). Published by the GVP/USGS
Karymsky (Russia) – Report for 27 February-5 March 2019
KVERT reported that ash plumes from Karymsky were identified in satellite images during 22 and 24-26 February rising as high as 3.5 km (11,500 ft) a.s.l. and drifting 216 km E. A thermal anomaly was visible during 24-25 and 27-28 February. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the second highest level on a four-color scale).
Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT). Published by the GVP/USGS
Piton de la Fournaise (France) – Report for 27 February-5 March 2019
OVPF reported that the fissure that opened 19 February at a site located at 1,800 m elevation at the foot of Piton Madoré, E of Piton de la Fournaise?s Dolomieu Crater, continued during 27 February-5 March. RSAM measurements showed fluctuating intensities though an overall upwards trend. Based on satellite images, the main flow front progressed slowly during 22-28 February, advancing only 300 m to 1,200 m elevation. A new lava flow emerged from an area near the cone and traveled NE; the more southern branches did not advance during 28 February-1 March. Scientists conducted fieldwork on 5 March and noted that the cone had grown to 100 m wide at the base, 25 m tall, and had a vent opening 50 m wide. High-temperature gas emissions rose from the vent, and Strombolian activity ejected material. White steam rose from the base of the cone, likely from the presence of lava tubes. The northernmost lava flow remained active.
Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF). Published by the GVP/USGS
Aira (Japan) – Report for 27 February-5 March 2019
JMA reported that incandescence from Minamidake crater (at Aira Caldera?s Sakurajima volcano) was occasionally visible during 25 February-4 March. There were four events and seven explosive events. Plumes rose as high as 2.3 km, and material as ejected as far as 1.1 km from the crater. The Alert Level remained at 3 (on a 5-level scale).
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Published by the GVP/USGS
Dukono (Indonesia) – Report for 27 February-5 March 2019
Based on satellite and wind model data, ground observations, and notices from PVMBG, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 27 February-5 March ash plumes from Dukono rose to altitudes of 2.1-2.4 km (7,000-8,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted in multiple directions. On 28 February two plumes rising from the crater were visible; a northern plume was identified in satellite images and a southern plume rising to less than 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. was reported by a ground observer. The Alert Level remained at 2 (on a scale of 1-4), and visitors were warned to remain outside of the 2-km exclusion zone.
Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC). Published by the GVP/USGS
Poas (Costa Rica) – Report for 20 February-26 February 2019 – NEW
OVSICORI-UNA reported that during 23-26 February seismicity at Poás was dominated by low-frequency events. Robust gas emissions rose from four fumarolic vents in the area previously covered by a lake, though the most vigorous emissions originated from vent A (Boca Roja). Minor incandescence from vent A was sometimes visible at night. A sulfur odor was reported in areas downwind including Naranjo, Zarcero, and Grecia (16 km SW). Particles of molten sulfur were included in ash deposits collected in Naranjo. Ashfall was reported in Canoas de Alajuela on 26 February.
Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)
Piton de la Fournaise (France) – Report for 20 February-26 February 2019 – NEW
OVPF reported that activity continued during 20-26 February from the fissure that opened on 19 February; the site is at 1,800 m elevation at the foot of Piton Madoré, E of Piton de la Fournaise?s Dolomieu Crater. On 21 February scientists mapped the slowly eastward-advancing flows (and also those that had erupted on 18 February). They noted that the cone at the vent was growing, and hosted a lava lake that ejected spatter from bursting gas bubbles. A channelized lava flow traveled 1 km E and descended 200 m elevation before splitting into two flows near Guyanin Crater. The more northern of the two flows was 50 m wide and had progressed as far as 1,320 m elevation. The second more southerly flow was 200 m wide and itself split into two flows about 300 m SE of Guyanin Crater; one branch went to about 1,350 m elevation and the other to 1,300 m. Overall the longest part of the lava flow had traveled 1.9 km from the vent. During 22-26 February the lava emission rate was variable up to 16 cubic meters per second (based on satellite data), though webcam images from 24 February indicated that the flow had not significantly advanced.
Source: Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (OVPF)