The volcano Slamet is located on the Indonesian island Java and last erupted in 2014. Now the PVMGB has raised the warning level of the volcano to “2”. The reason for this is a significant increase in seismic activity: between 1 June and 8 August, 51511 weak earthquakes were recorded in connection with magma rise. Kasbani, the chief volcanologist of Indonesia, explained that a large amount of magma had accumulated and that the energy in the volcano was high. Magmatic eruptions are imminent and a 2 km exclusion zone has been established around the crater.
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.
Öræfajökull degassed
Although the Icelandic volcano Öræfajökull has been quite quiet in the last few months, the danger of an eruption is apparently not yet averted. IMO scientists have reported that the volcano emits gas that accumulates in subglacial meltwater. The researchers are trying to take gas samples in order to analyse the gas more precisely. So far, it has not become known exactly which gas it is and whether it is regarded as a sign of an imminent eruption. Earthquake activity had recently declined sharply and the IMO gave the all-clear signal that an eruption was no longer expected. However, nobody knows how Öræfajökull will behave shortly before an eruption. Blogger Jon Friman points to a study which shows that some volcanoes have seismic activity decreasing shortly before erupting.
Popocatepetl erupts ash clouds
In Mexico, the Popocatepetl volcano continues to emit ash clouds. These clouds rise up to an altitude of 7000 m above sea level and drift in a northwesterly direction. CENAPRED reports 2 explosions, 157 exhalations and 640 minutes tremor. The intense tremor indicates that a lot of magma is moving underground. An increase in activity may be expected in the next few days.
Etna: Ash emissions from the NE crater
Etna in Sicily is increasing its activity again today. Ash is permanently emitted from the north-east crater. It is brown in colour and could consist of older lava fragmented either by collapse events in the vent or by explosions in the vent blowing out the old material. The New Southeast Crater degasses strongly and on the thermal cam you can see that the summit area is quite hot. The tremor rises slightly, but is still in the green area. It looks as if the volcano is preparing for a new eruption. However, it is not possible to predict when this will begin.
Kilauea: New crater lake growing
Scientists at Kilauea in Hawaii are currently observing a rare phenomenon: the birth of a crater lake. The 3 small water accumulations, which appeared last week, are growing and have now combined to a larger accumulation. At best, we can speak of an embryonic crater lake so far, but we can assume that it will continue to grow in size. The researchers are fascinated by the process on the one hand, but on the other they are worried about the development: if a large crater lake develops, the danger of phreatomagmatic explosions increases as soon as the magma penetrates again into the conveyor system below the crater. A suitable location for a new museum and visitor platform is still being sought, but if a crater lake is actually created and phreatomagmatic explosions could occur, the new museum will have to be built a bit further away from the enlarged crater.
Since the summer of 2018, the famous Jagger Museum on the edge of Caldera has been closed: As a result of the eruption, the Halema’uma’u crater collapsed and grew to the edge of the caldera. Cracks traversed surrounding streets and also the visitor platform at the museum. The exhibits of the exhibition were already brought to safety last year. At the moment only employees of the national park and volcanologists have access to the closed area.
Stromboli (Italy) Lava flow in progress
The Stromboli is still active. MIROVA registers thermal radiation with a power of 95 MW. Satellite images from August 6 show that the heat signature of the lava flow reaches relatively far down the flank and had made half the way to the sea. At this time the heat radiation was 323 MW. Intense heat radiation was also emitted from the explosive vents in the crater: the magma is high in the conveyor system. The strombolian explosions produce glowing tephra, which is deposited in the crater area. The tremor is still elevated. The eruptions can be observed via livecam.
Popocatepetl erupts ash clouds
In Mexico, the Popocatepetl volcano continues to emit ash clouds. These clouds rise up to an altitude of 7000 m above sea level and drift in a northwesterly direction. CENAPRED reports 2 explosions, 157 exhalations and 640 minutes tremor. The intense tremor indicates that a lot of magma is moving underground. An increase in activity may be expected in the next few days.
Öræfajökull degassed
Although the Icelandic volcano Öræfajökull has been quite quiet in the last few months, the danger of an eruption is apparently not yet averted. IMO scientists have reported that the volcano emits gas that accumulates in subglacial meltwater. The researchers are trying to take gas samples in order to analyse the gas more precisely. So far, it has not become known exactly which gas it is and whether it is regarded as a sign of an imminent eruption. Earthquake activity had recently declined sharply and the IMO gave the all-clear signal that an eruption was no longer expected. However, nobody knows how Öræfajökull will behave shortly before an eruption. Blogger Jon Friman points to a study which shows that some volcanoes have seismic activity decreasing shortly before erupting.
Slamet: Raising the warning level
The volcano Slamet is located on the Indonesian island Java and last erupted in 2014. Now the PVMGB has raised the warning level of the volcano to “2”. The reason for this is a significant increase in seismic activity: between 1 June and 8 August, 51511 weak earthquakes were recorded in connection with magma rise. Kasbani, the chief volcanologist of Indonesia, explained that a large amount of magma had accumulated and that the energy in the volcano was high. Magmatic eruptions are imminent and a 2 km exclusion zone has been established around the crater.
Ebeko (Russia) video shows volcanic lightnings
The Kuril volcano Ebeko is located on the island of Paramushir and has been in permanent eruption for 2 years. Now a first expedition under the direction of Tom Pfeiffer took place there. Geonaut and member of the Vulkanologische Gesellschaft e.V. Martin Rietze was one of the expedition members and brought us a fantastic video showing night shots of the volcano. These are the first night shots of the Ebekos I know. Not only weak red glow is to be seen, but a series of volcanic lightnings, which one would not have expected there. In addition, the team members report that the volcano erupts considerably more often than one would think based on the reports of the VAAC. Due to frequent cloud cover, the satellites can only detect a fraction of the eruptions.
Photographer Martin Rietze was enthusiastic about the rough volcanic landscape of the Kuriles: uninhabited volcanic islets with enormous eruption potential. The few people the expedition encountered were friendly and helpful. There were no bans or controlling authorities. A paradise for volcano spotters! In the far east of Russia one seems to be able to live much more freely than in the western world. So the tide can turn.
Stromboli (Italy) erupts unchanged
The status of Stromboli volcano (Italy) is relatively unchanged. Small lava flows continue to flow in the upper part of Sciara del Fuoco. The strombolian eruptions are relatively strong. A hornito grows above the most active vent of the western crater, which is already higher than the crater rim. The tremor is slightly elevated. It can be assumed that the ascent to the crater will remain closed until further notice. Nevertheless, visitors can take a look at the eruptions: At an altitude of 290 m there is a lookout point at the edge of Sciara del Fuoco. This can be reached by following the main road through the village towards Pizzaria Osservatorio. From there you also have a beautiful view.
Karangetang (Indonesia) erupts lava flow and ash clouds
Yesterday a new lava flow was reported at the Indonesian volcano Karangetang. It flows out of the northern crater and has divided into 2 branches which flow over the western flank. Already the day before yesterday a heat radiation with an output of 335 MW was registered. The height of the heat radiation speaks for a still quite short lava flow, which is also confirmed on satellite photos.
Today the VAAC reports volcanic ash, which penetrates up to an altitude of 7600 m. The lava flow is still quite short. The main part of the ash cloud is limited to an altitude of about 3000 m above sea level.
Karangetang lies on the island of Siau, between Sulawesi and the Philippines. The volcano has 2 craters in which sometimes lava domes grow. From these lava domes, viscous lava flows proceed. Pyroclastic flows can develop, which reach inhabited areas and cause destruction. The currently active crater in the north was already active at the beginning of the year. At that time a lava flow reached the coast and caused minor damage. The road to a village was interrupted so that it could only be reached by ship. The picture shows a lava flow from the south crater and comes from the archive.
Piton de la Fournaise (France) with new eruption
At the Piton de la Fournaise a new volcanic eruption started around 13 pm local time. In the southern part of the Caldera Enclose 3 short eruption fissures opened. Low lava fountains feed lava flows that flow over the flat bottom of the caldera. The eruption can be seen from the visitor car park at Pas de Bellecombe. A rush of visitors can be expected. However, the caldera itself is closed. It is the 3rd eruption this year. The last one began on 11 June.