Volcanoes

[Soldier4Christ]

 Volcano's activity increases on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula

The Karymsky volcano on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia's Far East has increased its activity, spewing ash emissions up to an altitude of around 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), a local seismology official said Thursday.

Experts said a total of 450 minor quakes have been registered over the past 24 hours near Karymsky, Kamchatka's most active volcano, in the southeast of the peninsular, which rises to 1,536 metres (5,039 feet) above sea level.

Satellite images show an ash plume 12 kilometers long and four kilometers wide, with a 100-km ash tail stretching southeastwards at a height of 3,500 meters (11,500 feet).

The volcano erupted in February following an 11-year period of normal activity. Ash emissions and about 230 minor tremors were reported last week. Experts say the volcano's activity has been accelerating.

This year more than 1,200 people, including 542 children, were evacuated from the north of the Kamchatka peninsula after a series of earthquakes. The first 7.8-magnitude quake, the strongest in the Koryak Autonomous Area in the north of the peninsular since 1900, injured 31 people on April 21. It also damaged about 380 houses and 25 administrative facilities in four other towns.

[Soldier4Christ]

Etna springs back to life

Catania, October 26 - Experts swooped on Mount Etna on Thursday after the volcano sprang back into life .

The volcanologists examined a fresh lava flow on the south side of the volcano, coming out of a fissure that opened up at the weekend at a height of 2,000 metres .

Lava is now flowing from three craters on the mountain accompanied by blasts, black smoke and ash .

The new craters, however, are far from any inhabited areas, experts stressed .

Etna is Europe's most active volcano .

Earlier this month the European Space Agency presented a 3D simulation of the volcano's seismic movements .

"Seen from above, Etna looks like a huge creature breathing fitfully," ESA said, reporting a 15cm-high ripple "as the mountain's lungs fill up and convulsively disgorge lava and gas". In October 2002, it was rocked by a series of tremors and minor eruptions which damaged buildings and left 1,000 people temporarily homeless .

More serious volcanic activity occurred in the summer of 2001 .

The eruptions made international headlines as parts of an important ski resort, the Rifugio Sapienza, were engulfed and the town of Nicolosi was threatened with a similar fate .

Viewers around the world were also held spellbound by the beauty of the spectacle, which experts said was one of the most unusual and complex eruptions in three centuries .

But the volcano's last major eruption was in 1992, when the Italian military had to use controlled explosions to divert lava away from the town of Zafferana on the mountain's lower slopes .

[Soldier4Christ]

 Fourpeaked Volcano still steaming

Fourpeaked Volcano is still giving off steam and gas. A volcano near Mount Douglas and about 100 miles south of Homer, Fourpeaked became active in late September. The Alaska Volcano Observatory level of concern for Fourpeaked remains at “advisory” in its simplified four-level advisory system.

Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory have spent the end of the field season installing seismometers and pressure centers on the volcano.

“We’re watching it closely,” said Peter Cevelli, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage.

An overflight Monday measured gases emitted by Fourpeaked. Levels of sulfur dioxide remain high, although earthquake activity is below background levels.

“That’s a bit of a puzzle because of the amount of gas,” Cevelli said.

A Web camera 10 miles away now broadcasts images of Fourpeaked. A link to the Web camera is on the Fourpeaked Volcano Web page at www.avo.alaska.edu/ activity/Fourpeaked.php.

Scientists have also walked the volcano area looking for signs of recent activity before September. Fourpeaked had previously been classified as extinct and last thought to have erupted in the Holocene geological period, about 10,000 years ago.

“The big puzzle is this volcano has no sign of recent eruption,” Cevelli said.

[Shammu]

Mud, rocks rush from New Zealand volcano

By RAY LILLEY, Associated Press Writer Mon Mar 19, 7:11 AM ET

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A mix of mud, acidic water and rocks tore down the slope of a volcano in New Zealand on Sunday, bursting through a 23-foot wall of volcanic ash and sand built up in an eruption 12 years ago.

The mud flow — also known as a lahar — broke through the rubble wall atop Mount Ruapehu's crater lake Sunday morning, triggering an early warning alarm, local authorities said.

Police and civil defense workers immediately closed roads and the nation's main trunk rail near the southern base of the mountain on New Zealand's North Island.

The island's main north-south highway, some 30 miles from the mountain's base, also was closed and two passenger trains with 200 people on board were halted some distance from the mountain.

A lahar that tore down the same volcano in 1953 killed 151 people when it washed away a rail bridge, plunging a passenger train into the raging torrent of liquid mud.

On Sunday, millions of gallons of acidic water breached the naturally occurring wall of volcanic ash and sand known as tephra, regional council chairman Gary Murfitt said.

More than 130 feet of the tephra's wall was washed away — a dozen years after it had built up in Ruapehu's 1995 eruption, said Dr. Harry Keys, a lahar expert with the Conservation Department.

Farmer Josh Wallace said the lahar carried rocks, mud and trees down the Whangaehu River that runs through his property.

"The water was a concrete color ... it was so gray. You could feel the rocks in the water hitting the bank," he told National Radio.

There were no immediate reports of damage, apart from flooding on some farmland near the base of the mountain.

There was also no threat to human life. Scientists had been able to predict the lahar's passage and the early warning system had worked as planned, Conservation Minister Chris Carter said.

In the 1953 lahar, the bodies of some of the dead were washed high into trees as the torrent spewed down river valleys to the sea, some 125 miles away. Many of the victims were never found.

Mud, rocks rush from New Zealand volcano

[Shammu]

Water-level drop prompts volcano fear
By Jonathan Yeung (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-04-03 07:05

A record decline in the water level at Huguangyan's volcanic lake in Guangdong has raised concern that the sleeping volcano is about to have a wake-up call.

At 2.3 square kilometers, Huguangyan is the world's largest volcanic lake. It is located in the southwest city of Zhanjiang.

It has recorded its lowest water level in 10 years and during the second half of 2006, the level dropped 5 meters.

The phenomenon, however, should not be a cause for worry, said Chen Quan, the director of Zhanjiang's seismology bureau. He ruled out the possibility of an eruption.

"Our observation has not shown any abnormal sign indicating that a re-eruption will occur at Huguangyan," said Chen.

Evolved from an extinct volcano centuries ago, the lake experienced a dramatic reduction in water during the second half of 2006 when the level fell 5 meters to reach 13 meters.

Luo Shuwen, senior engineer from Guangdong geological prospecting bureau, said Huguangyan's water level drop was due mainly to a decline in rainfall last year.

Luo said that between September and December alone, precipitation around Huguangyan was just 231.0 millimeters while the evaporation was as high as 445.3 millimeters.

"Water supply therefore lagged far behind water loss," Luo said.

He added that there were other reasons for the problem.

"Working entities around Huguangyan kept pumping water from the lake which also caused Huguangyan's water level to decline," Luo said.

Scientists with Zhanjiang meteorological bureau agreed that there was no need for people to worry.

Officials at the scenic spot have been trying to deal with the issue. They have submitted proposals to Zhanjiang's municipal government to preserve Asia's only Maar lake.

The first idea seeks to pump water from a well into the lake while another calls for a restriction on pumping water out of Huguangyan.

Experts who have been doing research on Huguangyan Maar lake for many years agreed that working entities that use water from Huguangyan should be restricted. They also say that pumping in water from other lakes was not feasible.

The lake's deposits can provide thousands of years of information about the earth and it is commonly referred to as "earth's yearbook."

Water-level drop prompts volcano fear

[Shammu]

Colombia volcano erupts, thousands flee

By FERNANDO VERGARA, Associated Press Writer Wed Apr 18, 7:07 PM ET

NEIVA, Colombia - Thousands of people were evacuated after a long-dormant volcano erupted late Tuesday and again early Wednesday, provoking avalanches and floods that swept away houses and bridges.

The Nevado del Huila volcano's eruptions were its first on record since Colombia was colonized by the Spanish 500 years ago.

There are about 10,000 people living in the area around the volcano, and about 3,500 had been evacuated, Luz Amanda Pulido, director of the national disaster office, told The Associated Press after flying over the volcano in southwest Colombia.

There were no reports of deaths or injuries.

The eruption sent an avalanche of rocks down the volcano's sides and into the Paez and Simbola rivers, causing them to flood.

"The bridges were swept away, the highway used by the indigenous in the zone was destroyed for various kilometers (miles) and the problem we have now is the lack of a route to deliver goods and medicines to the population," Police Gen. Orlando Paez said.

Experts were not ruling out more eruptions.

"The seismic activity remains light but permanent, and we can't rule out another bigger event in the next hours or days," said Mario Ballesteros, director of the government's Institute for Geology and Mining.

The Nevado del Huila, which is topped with a crown of ice, is Colombia's third-highest peak at 18,484 feet. Located 170 miles southwest of Bogota, it became active again in March with a series of internal rumblings.

In 1985, the town of Armero was wiped from the map and 25,000 people were killed when another volcano, the Nevado del Ruiz, exploded and set off a series of mudslides. It was Colombia's worst natural disaster.

Colombia volcano erupts, thousands flee

[Shammu]

I haven't done this in a while.  So I'm going to try, and keep y'all updated.  At least once a week on the volcanoes around the world. For the past week..............

Green is low, to no eruption (Don't count on seeing this one posted.)
Yellow, chance of eruption (Don't count on seeing this one posted very often.)
Orange is high level of erupting still, danger Will Robinson
Red is the highest level

In orange, and red there are 4 different levels.  The higher the level the worse the eruption...
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Vanuatu,  LOPEVI

As of the 22nd of April, colleague John Seach of Australia has reported that Lopevi volcano in Vanuatu erupted on teh 22nd of April. Ash emissions of unknown height were reported at 1133 local time, and were observed by pilots and visible on satellite images. Ash drifted eastwards away from inhabited islands. A change in wind direction may send ash over populated areas. Lopevi is one of the most active volcanoes in Vanuatu.

The small 7-km-wide conical island of Lopevi, known locally as Vanei Vollohulu, is one of Vanuatu's most active volcanoes. A small summit crater containing a cinder cone is breached to the NW and tops an older cone that is rimmed by the remnant of a larger crater. The basaltic-to-andesitic volcano has been active during historical time at both summit and flank vents, primarily along a NW-SE-trending fissure that cuts across the island, producing moderate explosive eruptions and lava flows that reached the coast. Historical eruptions at the 1413-m-high volcano date back to the mid-19th century. The island was evacuated following major eruptions in 1939 and 1960. The latter eruption, from a NW-flank fissure vent, produced a pyroclastic flow that swept to the sea and a lava flow that formed a new peninsula on the western coast.

The Current Colour Code for Lopevi is currently at ALERT LEVEL 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COLOMBIA,  HUILA

As of the 24th of April, with respect to the pursuit of the activity of the snow-covered volcano of the Huila, INGEOMINAS, Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Popayán, informed that yesterday, a fly over was made by personnel of INGEOMINAS with the support of the Colombian Air Force, and emphasize the following aspects:
* With respect to fissure formed the past 19 of February, this one extends from the low part of the Tip the Crest to the South part of the Central Tip, where an increase in its dimensions is appraised, with a present length of 2.3 km and a wide one of approximately 200 m; on the outline of the fissure a constant fumarolic activity is demonstrated and the gas column reaches an approximated height of 5000 m, white colouration perceiving a strong scent of sulfur.
* The appearance of a new fissure is emphasised on the Central Tip, which initiates in the low part of its suroccidental end and it extends until the northeastern sector of the Central Tip, with an approximated extension of 2 km Also strong fumarolic activity through this fissure is appraised.
* By the affluents of the rivers Páez and Símbola that are born in the Central Tip, evidences of the formation of mud flows were observed, which mainly descended in the Eastern flank by the gorge the Bear and in the western flank by the broken Bellavista.
* Of the seismic activity local time is emphasised the occurrence of an event to the 1144, of superficial character and with an associated magnitude of 3.0 to fracturing of rock, located under the Central Tip.
* According to the analysis of the parameters of pursuit of the volcanic activity, it is emphasised that the instability of the system continues, and the possibility of occurrence of new eruptions does not discard.
INGEOMINAS continues kind to the evolution of the presented/displayed phenomenon and will inform INTLVRC in an opportune way the changes that can be presented/displayed.

Nevado del Huila, the highest active volcano in Colombia, is an elongated N-S-trending volcanic chain mantled by a glacier icecap. The 5365-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. 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. Two persistent steam columns rise from the central peak, and hot springs are also present.

The Current Colour Code for Huila is currently at ORANGE
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NICARAGUA, CONCEPCION

As of the 24th of April, the Nicaraguan institute of Territorial Studies (INETER) reported that on the 22nd of April of 2007, at 2043 there were two explosions in the crater of the volcano Concepcion that threw gases and volcanic ash. The ashes can be transported by the wind according to the direction that takes, in this case towards the Southwestern West of the Island, this explosion happened between the 2043 ~ 2046, followed by tremor that even stays, this the phenomenon was registered by the seismic station in the volcano in the Island of Ometepe. To observe the event, see the seismogram shown above that registered the seismic volcano station Concepcion. INETER continues monitoring the volcano and will inform INTLVRC on any important event.

Volcán Concepción is one of Nicaragua's highest and most active volcanoes. The symmetrical basaltic-to-dacitic stratovolcano forms the NW half of the dumbbell-shaped island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua and is connected to neighboring Madera volcano by a narrow isthmus. A steep-walled summit crater is 250 m deep and has a higher western rim. N-S-trending fractures on the flanks of the volcano have produced chains of spatter cones, cinder cones, lava domes, and maars located on the NW, NE, SE, and southern sides extending in some cases down to Lake Nicaragua. Concepción was constructed above a basement of lake sediments, and the modern cone grew above a largely buried caldera, a small remnant of which forms a break in slope about halfway up the north flank. Frequent explosive eruptions during the past half century have increased the height of the summit significantly above that shown on current topographic maps and have kept the upper part of the volcano unvegetated.

The Current Colour Code for Concepcion is currently at ORANGE

[Shammu]

KAMCHATKA, (Russia)  KARYMSKY

As of the 21st of April, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that an eruption of the volcano continues. Ash explosions up to 6 km (or 19,700 ft.) ASL are possible. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano. Seismic activity was above background levels. According to seismic data, weak local shallow earthquakes all week and possibly, ash explosions up to 4.0 km (13,100 ft) ASL on April 15-16, and weak ash explosions in the other days occurred at the volcano. According to visual data by volcanologists who work now at the volcano a gas-steam rose up to 2.5 km (8,200 ft) ASL on April 19. The crater of the volcano have changes. Possibly a small new lava flow lie at the south-western flank of the volcano. According to satellite data, a thermal anomaly over the volcano was noted on April 14-16. An ash plume extended about 20 km to the east from the volcano on April 16.

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 currently at ORANGE
~~~~~~~~~~

KAMCHATKA, (Russia)  BEZYMIANNY

As of the 21st of April, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that growth of the lava dome continues. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano. Strong seismicity at nearby Klyuchevskoy volcano makes it difficult to determine seismicity at Bezymianny, and KB GS RAS' staff is unable to accurately determine the state of the volcano from 15 April. Seismic activity did not exceed background levels on April 13-14. According to visual and video data, gas-steam plumes rose up to 3.8 km (12,500 ft) ASL and extended mainly to the southern directions from the volcano last week. According to satellite data, a thermal anomaly over the lava dome was noted on April 13-18.

Prior to its noted 1955-56 eruption, Bezymianny volcano had been considered extinct. The modern Bezymianny volcano, much smaller in size than its massive neighbours 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 Mount 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 Current Colour Code for Bezymianny is currently at YELLOW
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KAMCHATKA, (Russia) SHEVELUCH

As of the 21st of April, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that seismic activity was above background levels, a lot of shallow volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremor were registered. According to seismic data, probably ash plumes up to 6.5 km (21,300 ft) ASL occurred at the volcano. According to visual and video data, ash plumes rose up to 5.5 km (18,000 ft) last week. According to satellite data, ash plumes extended 25-280 km (16-174 mi) mainly to the east, south-east and south from the volcano each day of this week. A big thermal anomaly was noted all week.

The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya 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 currently at ORANGE

[Shammu]

KAMCHATKA, (Russia) KLIUCHEVSKOI

As of the 25th of April, the Kamchatka Volcano Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano continues. According to visual data by Y. Demyanchuk, lava flows and mud flows moved downslope on the north-western flank of the volcano on April 24. Phreatic activity is observed on the front of the lava flows. An ash plume extended from the lava flow's front. Seismic activity of the volcano continues.

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 now at ORANGE
~~~~~~~~

KURILE IS.,  CHIKURACHKI

As of the 21st of April, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that explosive eruption of the volcano continues. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft. Explosive activity of the volcano began on March 04. According to visual data, there are bursts of volcanic bombs were noted by hunters near the volcano on April 15. An ash plume rose up to 3.8 km (12,500 ft) ASL and extended to the north from the volcano on April 18. According to satellite data, ash plumes extended about 9-20 km (5.6-12.4 mi) from the volcano to the south-east on April 14, and to the west-northwest on April 15-16.

Chikurachki, the highest volcano on Paramushir Island in the northern Kuriles, is actually a relatively small cone constructed on a high Pleistocene volcanic edifice. Oxidized basaltic-to-andesitic scoria deposits covering the upper part of the young cone give it a distinctive red color. Frequent basaltic plinian eruptions have occurred from Chikurachki during the Holocene. Lava flows from 1816-m-high Chikurachki reached the sea and form capes on the NW coast; several young lava flows also emerge from beneath the scoria blanket on the eastern flank. The Tatarinov group of six volcanic centers is located immediately to the south of Chikurachki. In contrast to the frequently active Chikurachki, the Tatarinov volcanoes are extensively modified by erosion and have a more complex structure. Tephrochronology gives evidence of only one eruption in historical time from Tatarinov, although its southern cone contains a sulfur-encrusted crater with fumaroles that were active along the margin of a crater lake until 1959.

The Current Colour Code for Chikurachki is currently at ORANGE
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WEST INDIES, (Montserrat) SOUFRIERE HILLS

As of the 25th of April, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) has reported that measurable activity has remained low over the last 24 hours. Dome growth is ongoing and appears focused primarily on the eastern shear lobe, although at a much reduced rates in comparison with earlier in the year. As the dome stands, a significant proportion of the dome material remains in the sector above Tyres Ghaut to the NW. The amount of material here is sufficient to generate pyroclastic flows and surges capable of impacting on the lower Belham Valley. The alert level remained at 4.

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

[Shammu]

UNITED STATES, Mt. St. HELENS

As of the 25th of April, the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) reported that growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mt. St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift northeastward throughout the day.

The clouds are currently at crater rim level and from the remote camera at the USFS' Johnston Ridge Observatory one can clearly see the termini of the two arms of the Crater Glacier. Disruption of the glacier by the eruption has caused dramatic movement of the glacier northward and termini appear to be encircling the older 1980s lava dome. Deformation rates and seismicity remain very low as the extrusion of the lava dome continues. The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Prior to 1980, Mt. St. Helens formed a conical, youthful volcano sometimes known as the Fuji-san of America. During the 1980 eruption the upper 400 m of the summit was removed by slope failure, leaving a 2 x 3.5 km horseshoe-shaped crater now partially filled by a lava dome. Mt. St. Helens was formed during nine eruptive periods beginning about 40-50,000 years ago, and has been the most active volcano in the Cascade Range during the Holocene. The modern edifice was constructed during the last 2,200 years, when the volcano produced basaltic as well as andesitic and dacitic products from summit and flank vents. Historical eruptions in the 19th century originated from the Goat Rocks area on the N flank, and were witnessed by early settlers.

The Current Colour Code for volcano Mt. St. Helens remains at ORANGE
~~~~~~~~

MEXICO, POPOCATEPETL

As of the 25th of April, the El Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres de la Secretaría de Gobernación (CENAPRED) has reported that there were 11 small exhalations accompanied by steam and gas. At the moment of this report there is partial visibility to the volcano due to the clouds. This morning CENAPRED could see the volcano with a steam and gas emission.

The activity in the last days has been related in the past with movements of material inside the volcano, so there is a probability that the lava dome inside the crater of the volcano is still growing. 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.

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 precolumbian time.

The Current Colour Code for volcano Popocatepetl is YELLOW
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GUATEMALA,  PACAYA

As of the 24th of April, the Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meterologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), after being translated from Spanish, reported that incandescent lava reflection is observed in the peak of the volcano and the lava flow continues leaving in the lateral crater level 2450 m on the northeast flank. This lava flow descends and it is deposited on the piled up lava promontory in the base of the volcano. Fumarolic emission elevates a white cloud of ~150 m of alt., soon transported to the south.

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 at ORANGE

[Shammu]

GUATEMALA,  FUEGO

As of the 24th of April, the Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meterologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), after being translated from Spanish, reported that the eruption during the last 4 days, finalized last night at 2100 hours. The eruption was of Stromboliana type with incandescent a lava source maintained of 65-75 m of alt., causing wild incandescent avalanches by it and some pyroclastic flows towards ravines the Lajas and Taniluyá. The ash that was expelled fell mainly in the south direction and the west up to 8 km distance with fine granular ash on the average and the gases and aerosols could be transported to the atmosphere until reaching the Pacific Ocean. The volcano overall has grown ~40 m by accumulation of material. Now single it has fumarolic emission and sporadic gaseous expulsions to 200 m of alt..

Fuego, one of Central America's most active volcanoes, is one of three large stratovolcanoes overlooking Guatemala's former capital, Antigua. Collapse of the ancestral Meseta volcano about 8,500 years ago produced a massive debris avalanche that traveled 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, the northern twin volcano of Fuego. Frequent vigorous historical eruptions have been recorded since 1524 and have produced major ashfalls, along with occasional pyroclastic flows and lava flows. The last major explosive eruption from Fuego took place in 1974, producing spectacular pyroclastic flows visible from Antigua.

The Current Colour Code for Fuego is ORANGE
~~~~~~~~

GUATEMALA, SANTA MARIA

As of the 25th of April, the Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meterologia, e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH), after being translated from Spanish, reported that early morning visible images showed a narrow plume extending approximately 10.35 mi to the southwest of the summit at 1245Z. Little change to the direction of motion is anticipated for the next 6 hours. this activity is ordinary for Santa Maria.

The Current Colour Code for Santa Maria is ORANGE
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ECUADOR, REVENTADOR

As of the 25th of April, the Instituto Geofisico (IG), after being translated from Spanish, reports that in the last 24 hours the volcano maintains high seismicity. The sector has partially remained in a storm cloud, there are no rain reports from afternoon of yesterday and emissions have not been reported.

There were 433 hybrid events (HBs), 20 have been entered volcano tectonic (VTs), 1 episodes of monochrome tremor of short duration, 6 spasmodic episodes of tremor of short duration. The hybrid events and volcano tectonics are related to fracturing of rocks due to pressures of internal fluids (magma or gases). The number of these events is high putting in evidence the continuity of the eruptive process.

Reventador is the most frequently active of a chain of Ecuadorian volcanoes in the Cordillera Real, well east of the principal volcanic axis. The forested, dominantly andesitic Volcán El Reventador stratovolcano rises to 3562 m above the jungles of the western Amazon basin. A 4-km-wide caldera widely breached to the east was formed by edifice collapse and is partially filled by a young, unvegetated stratovolcano that rises about 1300 m above the caldera floor to a height comparable to the caldera rim. 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 largest historical eruption at Reventador took place in 2002, producing a 17-km-high eruption column, pyroclastic flows that traveled up to 8 km, and lava flows from summit and flank vents.

The official colour of the volcanic alarm light for Reventador is ORANGE

[Shammu]

ECUADOR, TUNGURAHUA

As of the 25th of April, the Instituto Geofisico (IG), after being translated from Spanish, reports that in the last 24 hours the seismic activity of last the 24 hours is characterised by events of flowed movements of (tremors and of long period). Ash falls have been reported in Choglontus, Manzano and Bilbao, by the presence of continuous emissions during today that did not surpass 3 km of height at the moments that had visibility. Most of the time the volcano has remained dimmed and afternoon of today it reported drizzles in the high part of the volcano, without they register still new lahars. The present activity of the volcano considers it as low.

A total of 67 events of long period (LPs) and 74 episodes of tremor of continuous emission have been entered a total of. Practically from 0947 (local time) of today the tremor signals, associated to emissions, are continuous making occasionally saturate the station nearest the crater (RETU). The continuity of this signal remains until the moment for sending this report. While they were visible the emission columns were under 3 km with moderate ash contents. From Choglontus it was reported that the ash fall is strong. From Manzano they listened to bearing of blocks.

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 1995 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
~~~~~~~~

INDIAN OCEAN (Réunion Is.)  PITON de la FOURNAISE

As of the 25th of April the Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise, IPGP, Réunion, France reported that the eruption is still in progress in the Grand Brûlé: The tremor remains constant, the intensity of lava flow varies from one day to another. Seismics under the summit are always recorded, the walls of Dolomieu continue to be exhausted.

An important seismicity is always observed with the balance of the summit and a one kilometre depth to the lower part of the sea level. On the other hand no seismics in the area of Tremblet was observed. The magmatic chamber continues to be emptied. The gases "pistons" are in reduction at the summit but appear on the level of the eruption which explains the recrudescence of the noted fountains of lava this morning. Many inhabitants of Tremblet came as neighbours Saturday evening in summit from the slopes which dominate the enclosure of the volcano to be filled with wonder in front of the spectacle of lava flows. Work consisting in arranging a point of view of observation is in the course of security. Consequently, the access to the public remains prohibited.

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 volcano Piton de la Fournaise is currently at the ORANGE
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HAWAII,  KILAUEA

As of the 25th of April, it has been reported to INTLVRC direct from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), that Kilauea volcano continues to erupt from the Pu`u `O`o vent on the East Rift Zone. The eruption is stable and there have been no significant changes in the last 24 hours. In the last 24 hours at Pu`u `O`o: Incandescence from vents in the crater floor lit gas plumes when fog permited views. Only East Pond, January, and Drainhole vents appeared active. POC tiltmeter recorded the usual oscillations. Seismic tremor levels remained at moderate levels. Lava continues to flow through the PKK lava tube to the top of Pulama pali then continues in surface flows down the pali. The Campout lava tube provides lava to the coast at the Kamokuna ocean entry, an eastward branch to the base of Royal Gardens subdivision, and westward branch to the coastal plain inland of the East Lae`apuki sea cliff. Lava continues to enter the ocean at Kamokuna within the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

The last 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The summit tilt network recorded no change. Tremor continued at low levels. A few shallow earthquakes were located beneath the summit caldera; a small flurry of shallow earthquakes is now occurring beneath the west edge of Makaopuhi crater. Air quality was good.

NPS eruption crew report from the coast for Monday evening: Signs of activity on the pali and coastal plain seemed to be at a very low level. Incandescence was visible reflected in clouds above the pali at two locations - possibly Pu`u `O`o and the area where the Campout flow branches off the PKK tube. On the pali, no incandescence. At the Kamokuna ocean entry, two small steam plumes were again visible by day.

The Kilauea volcano is currently at the ORANGE

[Shammu]

For those of us who are watching the earth changes and the movements of
the earths' core to bring changes to our earth with volcano's esp. here are
some links to bookmark for updates and activity.

Volcano Eruption ~ Mt Etna ~ Sicily, Italy ~ Erupting (this was yesterday which is why I came on so late.)

Volcano Ubinas ~ Location: Peru ~ currently Eruption

New Activity/Unrest: | Bezymianny, Russia | Lopevi, Vanuatu | Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island

Ongoing Activity: | Ambrym, Vanuatu | Batu Tara, Indonesia | Chikurachki, Russia | Colima, México | Karymsky, Russia | Kilauea, USA | Kliuchevskoi, Russia | Manam, Papua New Guinea | Masaya, Nicaragua | Rabaul, Papua New Guinea | Reventador, Ecuador | Santa María, Guatemala | Shiveluch, Russia | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat | St. Helens, USA | Talang, Indonesia | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Ubinas, Perú | Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/

Satellite data reveals seismic link to volcanoes

http://www.scidev.net/content/news/eng/satellite-data-reveals-seismic-link-to-volcanoes.cfm

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?smp=&lang=eng

[Shammu]

Volcano: LOPEVI

As of the 10th of May, based on a pilot report, the Wellington VAAC reported that based on a pilot report, the Wellington VAAC reported that an ash plume from Lopevi rose to an altitude of 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. on 3 May.

The small 7-km-wide conical island of Lopevi, known locally as Vanei Vollohulu, is one of Vanuatu's most active volcanoes. A small summit crater containing a cinder cone is breached to the NW and tops an older cone that is rimmed by the remnant of a larger crater. The basaltic-to-andesitic volcano has been active during historical time at both summit and flank vents, primarily along a NW-SE-trending fissure that cuts across the island, producing moderate explosive eruptions and lava flows that reached the coast. Historical eruptions at the 1413-m-high volcano date back to the mid-19th century. The island was evacuated following major eruptions in 1939 and 1960. The latter eruption, from a NW-flank fissure vent, produced a pyroclastic flow that swept to the sea and a lava flow that formed a new peninsula on the western coast.

The Current Colour Code for Lopevi is currently at ALERT LEVEL 2 .
~~~~~~~

Volcano: HUILA

As of the 9th of May, with respect to the pursuit of the activity of the snow-covered volcano of the Huila, INGEOMINAS, Observatory Vulcanológico and Sismológico de Popayán, informed that:
* The seismic activity from the emission of the last official notice was characterised to present/display a diminution in the number of events and associate energy; from the 1 of May and to date 520 associated events to fracturing of rocks were registered, which were located in the Central Tip to superficial depths and 315 associated events to movement of fluids.
* Within the registered seismicity an associated earthquake to fracturing of rocks stands out, it happened on this 6th of May at 0155 of the dawn local time, whose magnitude was of 3.2, located in the Central Tip to a superficial depth.
* On the 5th of May terrestrial measurements were made in the passage Popayán - Calibration of the dioxide flow of Sulfur associated to the gas column of the volcano, which is transported according to the wind regime, calculating a total flow of 3000 tonnes per day.
* In a fly over today made to the Snow-covered volcano of the Huila, it was not possible to be observed the volcanic due to the cloud concentration in the high part of the same one, also the gas column could not be sighted.
* It is emphasised that the instability of the system continues, and the possibility of occurrence of new eruptions does not discard.

Nevado del Huila, the highest active volcano in Colombia, is an elongated N-S-trending volcanic chain mantled by a glacier icecap. The 5365-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. 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. Two persistent steam columns rise from the central peak, and hot springs are also present.

The Current Colour Code for Huila is currently at ORANGE.
~~~~~~~

Volcano: BULUSAN

As of the 13th of May, the Philippine Volcano Observatory (PHIVOLCS) has reported that PHIVOLCS reported that another ash explosion occurred at Bulusan Volcano at 1030 today. The eruption column reached a maximum height of 4 km above the summit before drifting to the west-southwest and west-northwest directions. The activity was accompanied by rumbling sounds and was recorded by the seismic network as an explosion type quake that lasted for about 35 minutes. Three days prior to the explosion, an increase in the daily number of volcanic earthquakes was noticed, with 42, 65 and 97 events recorded from 09 – 12 May 2007. Areas affected by trace amount to 2 mm of ash fall as a result of the explosion were Cogon, Gulang-Gulang, Tinampo, Bolos of Irosin; Bura-buran, Caladgao, Sangkayon, Bacolod, Puting Sapa, Aniog and Sitio Cawayan (Bgy. Guruyan) of Juban.

Today’s ash explosion indicates Bulusan Volcano’s continuous unrest, hence, Alert Level 1 remains in effect. The public is reminded not to enter the 4-kilometre radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) because this area is at risk from sudden steam/ash explosions. Furthermore, residents of areas beyond the PDZ that are downwind of the crater are likely to be affected by ash falls during explosions. Residents near river/stream channels around the volcano should also be on alert against life-threatening volcanic flows during heavy rains which might remobilize ash and loose deposits from the upper slopes.

Luzon's southernmost volcano, Bulusan, was constructed along the rim of the 11-km-diameter dacitic-to-rhyolitic Irosin caldera, which was formed about 35,000-40,000 years ago. Bulusan lies at the SE end of the Bicol volcanic arc occupying the peninsula of the same name that forms the elongated SE tip of Luzon. A broad, flat moat is located below the topographically prominent SW rim of Irosin caldera; the NE rim is buried by the andesitic Bulusan complex. Bulusan is flanked by several other large intracaldera lava domes and cones, including the prominent Mount Jormajan lava dome on the SW flank and Sharp Peak to the NE. The summit of 1565-m-high Bulusan volcano is unvegetated and contains a 300-m-wide, 50-m-deep crater. Three small craters are located on the SE flank. Many moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Bulusan since the mid-19th century.

The Current Colour Code for Bulusan is currently at ALERT LEVEL 2.
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Volcano: UBINAS

As of the 10th of May, the INGEMMET via GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, reported that based on pilot reports and satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that ash plumes from Ubinas rose to altitudes of 5.5-9.1 km (18,000-30,000 ft) a.s.l. during 2-5 May. Plumes drifted NE, S, SE, and SW.

A small, 1.4-km-wide caldera cuts the top of Ubinas, Peru's most active volcano, giving it a truncated appearance. Ubinas is the northernmost of three young volcanoes located along a regional structural lineament about 50 km behind the main volcanic front of Perú. The growth and destruction of Ubinas I volcano was followed by construction of Ubinas II volcano beginning in the mid-Pleistocene. The upper slopes of the andesitic-to-rhyolitic Ubinas II stratovolcano are composed primarily of andesitic and trachyandesitic lava flows and steepen to nearly 45 degrees. The steep-walled, 150-m-deep summit caldera contains an ash cone with a 500-m-wide funnel-shaped vent that is 200 m deep. Debris-avalanche deposits from the collapse of the SE flank of Ubinas about 3700 years ago extend 10 km from the volcano. Widespread plinian pumice-fall deposits from Ubinas include one of Holocene age about 1000 years ago. Holocene lava flows are visible on the volcano's flanks, but historical activity, documented since the 16th century, has consisted of intermittent minor-to-moderate explosive eruptions.

The Current Colour Code for Ubinas is currently at ORANGE.

[Shammu]

Volcano: KARYMSKY

As of the 4th of May, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that an eruption of the volcano continues. Ash explosions up to 6 km (or 19,700 ft.) ASL are possible at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect low-flying aircraft in the vicinity of the volcano. Seismic activity was at background levels last week. According to satellite data, no ash plumes and thermal anomaly were noted at the area of the volcano.

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 currently at ORANGE.
~~~~~~~~

Volcano: BEZYMIANNY

As of the 12th of May, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that ash explosions up to 10 km (32,800 ft.) ASL could occur at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect international and local aircraft. According to satellite data on May 10, a large thermal anomaly with a temperature about 51 degrees of Celsius is noting at the area of lava dome of Bezymianny volcano. This anomaly can reflection a strong extrusive proses at the dome or a strong gas-steam emission from the dome. These data indicate that probably an explosive eruption of the volcano can occur in rapid time. Strong seismicity at nearby Kliuchevskoi volcano makes it difficult to determine seismicity at Bezymianny, and KB GS RAS' staff is unable to accurately determine the state of the volcano from 15 April.

Prior to its noted 1955-56 eruption, Bezymianny volcano had been considered extinct. The modern Bezymianny volcano, much smaller in size than its massive neighbours 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 Mount 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 Current Colour Code for Bezymianny is currently at ORANGE
~~~~~~~~~~

Volcano: SHEVELUCH

As of the 4th of May, the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has reported that growth of the lava dome continues. A hot lava extrudes at the top of the dome. Ash explosions up to 10 km (32,800 ft.) ASL could occur at any time. The activity of the volcano could affect international and local aircraft. Seismic activity was above background levels, a lot of shallow volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremor were registered. According to seismic data, probably ash plumes up to 7.0-10.0 km (23,000-33,000 ft) ASL occurred at the volcano on May 02-03. Also probably ash plumes rose up to 4.0-6.5 km (13,300-21,700 ft) ASL at the volcano all week. According to visual and video data, hot avalanches from a top of the dome were noted on April 30. Ash plumes rose up to 4.0 km (13,300 ft) ASL this day. Gas-steam activity of the volcano observed on April 29 and May 01. According to satellite data, ash plumes extended about 60 km (38 mi) mainly to the south and south-west from the volcano on April 28-29. A big thermal anomaly was noted all week.

The high, isolated massif of Sheveluch volcano (also spelled Shiveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya 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 currently at ORANGE.
~~~~~~

Volcano: KLIUCHEVSKOI

As of the 4th of May, the Kamchatka Volcano Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that explosive-effusive eruption of the volcano continues. Ash explosions up to 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 last week: volcanic earthquakes and a volcanic tremor were registered. According to video data and visual observations, Strombolian activity at the volcanic crater was observed last week. Lava flows and mud flows moved downslope on the north western flank of the volcano. Phreatic bursts and ash plumes were observed on the front of the lava flows. Gas-steam plumes containing ash rose up to 6.2 km (20,400 ft) ASL last week. According to satellite data, ash plumes extended about 80 km (50 mi) mainly to the south and south-east from the volcano this week. A large thermal anomaly over the volcanic crater was noted all days.

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 now at ORANGE