From: leonard78sp on


SI / USGS Weekly VolcanicActivityReport
13 January-19 January 2010
NewVolcanosErupting This Week: 5

Total Active 17

Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor
http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/


NewActivity/Unrest:

|Kharimkotan, Kuril Islands (Russia)
| Nyamuragira, Democratic Republic of Congo
| Soufrière Hills, Montserrat
| Tungurahua, Ecuador
| Turrialba, Costa Rica

OngoingActivity:

| Arenal, Costa Rica
| Chaitén, Southern Chile
| Gaua, Banks Islands (SW Pacific)
| Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
| Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
| Kliuchevskoi, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| Planchón-Peteroa, Central Chile-Argentina border
| Rabaul, New Britain
| Sakura-jima, Kyushu
| Sangay, Ecuador
| Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
| Suwanose-jima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

This page is updated on Wednesdays, please see the
GVP Home Page for news of the latest significantactivity.

The Weekly VolcanicActivityReport is a cooperative
project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism
Program and the US Geological Survey'sVolcano
Hazards Program.

Updated by 2300 UTC every Wednesday, notices of
volcanicactivity posted on these pages are preliminary
and subject to change as events are studied in more
detail.
This is not a comprehensivelistof all of Earth's
volcanoes erupting during the week, but rather a summary
of activity at volcanoes that meet criteria discussed in
detail in the "Criteria and Disclaimers" section.
Carefully
reviewed, detailed reports on various volcanoes are
published monthly in the Bulletin of the
Global Volcanism Network.

Note: Many news agencies do not archive the
articles they post on the Internet, and therefore
the links to some sources may not be active.
To obtain information about the cited articles
that are no longer available on the Internet
contact the source.

NewActivity/Unrest



KHARIMKOTAN Kuril Islands (Russia) 49.12°N, 154.508°E; summit elev.
1145 m

SVERT reported that a thermal anomaly from Kharimkotan's Severgin cone
was detected by satellite on 15 January.

Geologic Summary. The 8 x 12 km island of Kharimkotan (also spelled
Harimkotan) in the northern Kuriles consists of a stratovolcano cut by
two breached depressions on the east and NW sides. These horseshoe-
shaped craters were formed by slope failure, which produced debris-
avalanche deposits that form large broad peninsulas on the east and NW
coasts. Evidence of additional slope failures followed by plinian
eruptions are found in sea cliffs of the island. Historical explosive
eruptions have occurred since the early 18th century. A central cone,
Severgin, was largely destroyed during the 1933 eruption, one of the
largest in the Kuril Islands during historical time. Impact of a
debris avalanche into the sea from the collapse of Severgin produced a
tsunami that swept the island's coast and reached Onekotan and
Paramushir Islands, killing two persons. A large lava dome emplaced
during the 1933 eruption now fills the head of the eastern crater.

Map

Source: Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT)

Kharimkotan Information from the Global Volcanism Program

NYAMURAGIRA Democratic Republic of Congo 1.408°S, 29.20°E; summit
elev. 3058 m

Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Toulouse VAAC reported
that on 18 January sulfur dioxide-and-steam plumes from Nyamuragira
possibly contained ash. An ash cloud was visible in satellite imagery
the next day.

Geologic Summary. Africa's most active volcano, Nyamuragira (Also
spelled Nyamulagira) is a massive basaltic shield volcano N of Lake
Kivu and NW of Nyiragongo volcano. Lava flows from Nyamuragira cover
1,500 sq km of the East African Rift. The 3058-m-high summit is
truncated by a small 2 x 2.3 km summit caldera that has walls up to
about 100 m high. About 40 historical eruptions have occurred since
the mid-19th century within the summit caldera and from 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. Twentieth-
century flank lava flows extend more than 30 km from the summit,
reaching as far as Lake Kivu.

Map

Source: Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Nyamuragira Information from the Global Volcanism Program

SOUFRIERE HILLS Montserrat 16.72°N, 62.18°W; summit elev. 915 m

MVO reported that during 8-15 January activity from the Soufrière
Hills lava dome increased significantly. One explosion on 8 January
and two on 10 January generated ash plumes that rose to altitudes of
5.5-7.6 km (18,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. Ash fell in occupied areas to the
NW, along with lapilli fall on 10 January. The explosions occurred
from an area on the NE side of the volcano. Pyroclastic flows from
column collapses moved rapidly NE (down Whites Bottom and Tuitts
Ghaut), NW (down Tyers Ghaut and Belham Valley), W (down Gages Ghaut),
and the SE (down the Tar River Valley). After the explosions activity
decreased until 12 January, when cycles of increased numbers of
rockfalls, pyroclastic flows, and ash venting were noted.

Observations during 8-15 January revealed that lava-dome growth
resumed at the top, central part of the dome. On 18 January, a partial
lava-dome collapse generated a pyroclastic flow that traveled W down
Gages Valley, into Spring Ghaut, and then WSW down Aymers Ghaut,
reaching the sea. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft)
a.s.l. and drifted W. Smoke from burning houses in Kinsale was visible
after the event. The Hazard Level remained at 4.

Geologic Summary. 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 E, was formed during an eruption about 4,000
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.

Map

Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO)

Soufrière Hills Information from the Global Volcanism Program

TUNGURAHUA Ecuador 1.467°S, 78.442°W; summit elev. 5023 m

The IG reported that during 13-14 January explosions from Tungurahua
ejected incandescent material 1 km above and 1.5 km away from the
crater, onto the flanks. Explosions produced noises resembling "cannon
shots" and caused windows and structures to vibrate. Gas-and-ash
plumes rose to altitudes of 7-8 km (23,000-26,000 ft) a.s.l. and
drifted W and SW, causing ashfall. On 15 January, although
meteorological clouds mostly prevented observations, an ash plume was
seen rising to an altitude of 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. Cloud cover
prevented observations during the next two days. On 17 January,
ashfall was reported in areas W and SW. Lahars descended drainages to
the W and NW, causing the road to Baños to close. On 18 January,
Strombolian activity ejected incandescent blocks and an ash plume rose
to an altitude of 6 km (19,700 ft) a.s.l. Explosions caused windows
and structures to vibrate. Ashfall was reported in areas W and SW on
18 and 19 January.

Geologic Summary. The steep-sided Tungurahua stratovolcano towers more
than 3 km above its northern base. It sits ~140 km S of Quito,
Ecuador's capital city, and is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes.
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. The last major eruption took place from 1916 to 1918,
although minor activity continued until 1925. The latest eruption
began in October 1999 and prompted temporary evacuation of the town of
Baños on the N side of the volcano.

Map

Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)

Tungurahua Information from the Global Volcanism Program

TURRIALBA Costa Rica 10.025°N, 83.767°W; summit elev. 3340 m

Based on multiple METAR weather notices during the previous few days,
the Washington VAAC reported on 16 January that gas plumes containing
some ash rose from Turrialba. Ash was not seen in satellite imagery
that day or the next.

Geologic Summary. 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.

Map

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Turrialba Information from the Global Volcanism Program

Ongoing Activity

ARENAL Costa Rica 10.463°N, 84.703°W; summit elev. 1670 m

OVSICORI-UNA reported that during December activity originating from
Arenal's Crater C consisted of gas emissions, sporadic Strombolian
eruptions, and occasional avalanches that traveled down the W and SW
flanks. Acid rain and small amounts of ejected pyroclastic material
affected the NE and SE flanks. Avalanches from lava-flow fronts
traveled down the SW flanks. Crater D produced only fumarolic
activity.

Geologic Summary. Conical Volcan Arenal is the youngest stratovolcano
in Costa Rica and one of its most active. The 1,657-m-high andesitic
volcano towers above the eastern shores of Lake Arenal, which has been
enlarged by a hydroelectric project. The earliest known eruptions of
Arenal took place about 7,000 years ago. Growth of Arenal has been
characterized by periodic major explosive eruptions at several-hundred-
year intervals and periods of lava effusion that armor the cone.
Arenal's most recent eruptive period began with a major explosive
eruption in 1968. Continuous explosive activity accompanied by slow
lava effusion and the occasional emission of pyroclastic flows has
occurred since then from vents at the summit and on the upper western
flank.

Map

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-
Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)

Arenal Information from the Global Volcanism Program

CHAITEN Southern Chile 42.833°S, 72.646°W; summit elev. 1122 m

Based on web camera views and analyses of satellite imagery, the
Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an ash plume from Chaitén's lava-dome
complex drifted NNE on 14 January at an altitude of 1.8 km (6,000 ft)
a.s.l. A steam-and-gas plume drifted NE at the same altitude the next
day.

Geologic Summary. 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 deposit 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.

Map

Source: Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Chaitén Information from the Global Volcanism Program

GAUA Banks Islands (SW Pacific) 14.27°S, 167.50°E; summit elev. 797 m

On 13 January, Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory reported that ash
emissions that had become denser and darker on 14 December continued.
Ashfall persisted in the W part of the island and satellite imagery
showed gas emissions. The Vanuatu Volcano Alert Level (VVAL) remained
at 2 (on a scale of 0-4).

Geologic Summary. 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.

Map

Source: Vanuatu Geohazards Observatory

Gaua Information from the Global Volcanism Program

KARYMSKY Eastern Kamchatka 54.05°N, 159.45°E; summit elev. 1536 m

KVERT reported that during 8-15 January seismic activity from Karymsky
was above background levels, possibly indicating that ash plumes rose
to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. Analyses of satellite
imagery revealed an almost daily thermal anomaly over the volcano and
ash plumes that drifted 113 km SE on 12 and 13 January. The Level of
Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Geologic Summary. Karymsky, the most active volcano of Kamchatka's
eastern volcanic zone, is a symmetrical stratovolcano constructed
within a 5-km-wide caldera that formed about 7,600-7,700 radiocarbon
years ago. Construction of the Karymsky stratovolcano began about
2,000 years later. The latest eruptive period began about 500 years
ago, following a 2,300-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. Most seismicity
preceding Karymsky eruptions has originated beneath Akademia Nauk
caldera, which is located immediately S of Karymsky volcano and
erupted simultaneously with Karymsky in 1996.

Map

Source: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT)

Karymsky Information from the Global Volcanism Program

KILAUEA Hawaii (USA) 19.421°N, 155.287°W; summit elev. 1222 m

During 13-19 January, HVO reported an active lava surface about 200 m
below a vent in the floor of Kilauea's Halema'uma'u crater. The lava
surface occasionally spattered, and both rose and drained through a
hole in the cavity floor. A plume from the vent drifted mainly SW,
dropping small amounts of ash, and occasionally fresh spatter,
downwind. On 14 January, the lava surface suddenly rose to very high
levels multiple times; the highest level was about 120 m below the
floor of Halema'uma'u crater. Thermal anomalies from the areas above
the pali, detected from satellites on the same day, indicated that
lava emissions from the TEB vent had resumed. Lava flows were noted
during 17-19 January.

Geologic Summary. Kilauea, one of five coalescing volcanoes that
comprise the island of Hawaii, is one of the world's most active
volcanoes. Eruptions at Kilauea originate primarily from the summit
caldera or along one of the lengthy E and SW rift zones that extend
from the caldera to the sea. About 90% of the surface of Kilauea is
formed of lava flows less than about 1,100 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.

Map

Source: US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO)

Kilauea Information from the Global Volcanism Program

KLIUCHEVSKOI Central Kamchatka (Russia) 56.057°N, 160.638°E; summit
elev. 4835 m

KVERT reported that during 8-15 January seismic activity from
Kliuchevskoi was above background levels and lava continued to flow
down the NW flank. Strombolian activity periodically ejected material
above the crater. Phreatic explosions were seen from the front of the
lava flow, which was about 1.2 km in length. Satellite imagery also
revealed a large daily thermal anomaly at the volcano. During 12-14
January, gas-and-steam plumes rose to an altitude of 6.8 km (22,300
ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at
Orange. Based on information from the Yelizovo Airport (UHPP), the
Tokyo VAAC reported that on 18 January an ash plume rose to an
altitude of 9 km (30,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted N.

Geologic Summary. Kliuchevskoi is Kamchatka's highest and most active
volcano. Since its origin about 7,000 years ago, the beautifully
symmetrical, 4,835-m-high basaltic stratovolcano has produced frequent
moderate-volume explosive and effusive eruptions without major periods
of inactivity. More than 100 flank eruptions, mostly on the NE and SE
flanks of the conical volcano between 500 m and 3,600 m elevation,
have occurred during the past 3,000 years. 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 major explosive and effusive events from flank
craters.

Map

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Kliuchevskoi Information from the Global Volcanism Program

PLANCHON-PETEROA Central Chile-Argentina border 35.240°S, 70.570°W;
summit elev. 4107 m

Based on pilot reports and photographs SERNAGEOMIN reported on 13
January that fumarolic plumes from Planchón-Peteroa rose 250 m high on
4, 6, and 7 January. Increased fumarolic activity is common on the
warmest days in the summer when snow melts in the crater and more
steam is produced.

Geologic Summary. 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 N. About 11,500
years ago, much of Azufre and part of Planchón collapsed, forming the
massive Río Teno debris avalanche, which reached Chile's Central
Valley. Subsequently, Volcán Planchón II was formed. The youngest
volcano, andesitic and basaltic-andesite Volcá 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.

Map

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN)

Planchón-Peteroa Information from the Global Volcanism Program

RABAUL New Britain 4.271°S, 152.203°E; summit elev. 688 m

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.

Geologic Summary. The low-lying Rabaul caldera on the tip of the
Gazelle Peninsula at the NE end of New Britain forms a broad sheltered
harbor. 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.

Map

Source: Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC)

Rabaul Information from the Global Volcanism Program

SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu 31.585°N, 130.657°E; summit elev. 1117 m

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported that during
13-19 January multiple explosions from Sakura-jima often produced
plumes that rose to altitudes of 1.5-2.7 km (5,000-9,000 ft) a.s.l.
and drifted SE and E. On 16 and 18 January, pilots reported that ash
plumes drifted SE at altitudes of 2.4-3 km (8,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l.

Geologic Summary. 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.

Map

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Sakura-jima Information from the Global Volcanism Program

SANGAY Ecuador 2.002°S, 78.341°W; summit elev. 5230 m

Based on pilot observations, the Washington VAAC reported that on 14
January an ash plume from Sangay rose to an altitude of 7.3 km (24,000
ft) a.s.l. Ash was not identified in satellite imagery, although
weather clouds were present in the area.

Geologic Summary. 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.

Map

Source: Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Sangay Information from the Global Volcanism Program

SHIVELUCH Central Kamchatka (Russia) 56.653°N, 161.360°E; summit elev.
3283 m

KVERT reported that during 8-15 January seismic activity from
Shiveluch was above background levels, possibly indicating ash plumes
rising to an altitude of 6.2 km (20,300 ft) a.s.l. Analyses of
satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly from the lava
dome and an ash plume that drifted 8 km SW on 13 January. The Level of
Concern Color Code remained at Orange. Based on information from
KEMSD, the Tokyo VAAC reported that on 18 January an eruption produced
a plume that rose to an altitude of 4.9 km (16,000 ft) a.s.l.

Geologic Summary. The high, isolated massif of Shiveluch volcano (also
spelled Sheveluch) rises above the lowlands NNE of the Kliuchevskaya
volcano group and forms one of Kamchatka's largest and most active
volcanoes. The currently active Molodoy Shiveluch lava-dome complex
was constructed during the Holocene within a large breached caldera
formed by collapse of the massive late-Pleistocene Strary Shiveluch
volcano. At least 60 large eruptions of Shiveluch have occurred during
the Holocene, making it the most vigorous andesitic volcano of the
Kuril-Kamchatka arc. Frequent collapses of lava-dome complexes, most
recently in 1964, have produced large debris avalanches whose deposits
cover much of the floor of the breached caldera. Intermittent
explosive eruptions began in the 1990s from a new lava dome that began
growing in 1980. The largest historical eruptions from Shiveluch
occurred in 1854 and 1964.

Map

Sources: Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Tokyo
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Shiveluch Information from the Global Volcanism Program

SUWANOSE-JIMA Ryukyu Islands (Japan) 29.635°N, 129.716°E; summit elev.
799 m

Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions from
Suwanose-jima during 13 and 16-17 January. Details of possible
resulting emissions were not reported.

Geologic Summary. 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.

Map

Source: Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)

Suwanose-jima Information from the Global Volcanism Program

Additional Reports of Volcanic Activity by Country

The following websites have frequently updated activity reports on
volcanoes in addition to those that meet the criteria for inclusion in
the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. The websites are organized by
country and are maintained by various agencies.

Ecuador, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, United States and Russia


Sally Kuhn Sennert - Weekly Report Editor
URL: http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/

Global Volcanism Program — Department of Mineral Sciences —
National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

From: Androcles on

<leonard78sp(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:0a374416-9fe1-42e7-866d-4365efad5c06(a)d14g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...

So you passed Copy and Paste 101.
Collect one brownie point.