Volcanoes Erupting All Over

[XPan]

Fagradalsfjall, Iceland

It appears that the eruption, for the time being, has fallen asleep. Vulkane.net reports today following

Fagradalsfjall friedlich eingeschlafen - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Heute Morgen ist der Tremor am Fagradalsfjall stark gefallen. Es sieht so aus, als würde der Vulkan zumindest eine Pause einlegen.

www.vulkane.net

Fagradalsfjall peacefully fallen asleep
by Marc Szeglat



Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano went to sleep first thing this morning: the tremor has crashed and the degassing has greatly subsided. In the darkness of the night, red-illuminated vapour clouds could still be seen above the crater, and every now and then a glowing lump flew over the crater rim. It is uncertain whether the volcano will awaken again in the next few hours/days and I have postponed my planned trip for today. In the meantime, I've accumulated a number of open tickets, and I'm curious to know when I'm supposed to fly them all off!



If you take a closer look at the tremor chart, you can see that it has been decreasing steadily over the last few days, only to drop sharply this morning. This steep drop was typical of the pulses last year. However, without the tremor having decreased continuously for such a long time before that. Therefore, the current behaviour does not allow a direct comparison with last year's situation and we have to wait and see how the situation develops. The fact that no more earthquakes have been detected under Reykjanes since yesterday evening speaks for an end of the eruption. It looks as if the peninsula has just relaxed deeply.

According to the latest data from geoscientists at the University of Reykjavik, a good 11 million cubic metres of lava were produced during the eruption. It can be assumed that there is still melt in the magmatic passage, but for this to erupt, further magma supply from the depths will be necessary. So I would expect an increase in seismicity before a resurgence of the eruption.

After the eruption is before the eruption, however, and many Icelandic scientists believe that a long-term period of activity has begun on Reykjanes. So it seems to be only a matter of months before we will see more eruptions there, unless the current eruption is revived.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[Puma]

Nevado del Ruiz volcano
stratovolcano 5321 m / 17,457 ft
Colombia, 4.9°N / -75.32°W
Current status: erupting

Mon, 22 Aug 2022, 09:00

Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 20000 ft (6100 m) altitude or flight level 200 .

Nevado del Ruiz Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VONA RPT VA EM 22/0824Z. to 20000 ft (6100 m)

Nevado del Ruiz volcano (Colombia): news & activity updates

www.volcanodiscovery.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1561360931099131905

 

[XPan]

Oshamambe-dake (new geyser), Japan
23 Aug 2022

An interesting event has occurred in Japan, with an entirely new geyser that sprung forth (and is still active). Vulkane.net wrote about it as follow:

Oshamambe-dake: Neuer Geysir in Japan entstanden - Vulkane Net Newsblog

In Japan sorgt die spontane Entstehung eines Geysirs für Aufsehen. Seit dem 8. August und sprudelt unablässig eine 30 m hohe Wasserfontäne.

www.vulkane.net

Oshamambe-dake: New geyser created in Japan
by Marc Szeglat

In Japan, the spontaneous formation of a geyser is causing a sensation. It formed on 8 August and has been continuously spouting a 30-40 m high water fountain ever since. The geyser was formed in a forest in the immediate vicinity of a Shinto shrine on the Japanese northern island of Hokkaido. Since then, numerous onlookers - as well as followers of Shintoism - have made a pilgrimage to the geyser to admire the mysterious natural phenomenon.

Geyser near a thermal bath

While spiritual people like to believe in miracles, methinks the forces of volcanism are behind the geyser's leaping. The media reports that the water of the geyser is about 20 degrees warm and smells of hydrogen sulphide. Near the geyser is an onsen (Japanese thermal bath) set in a beautiful limestone ridge. The bath is called Futamata Radium Onsen and is located on Mount Oshamambe-dake. Which provides another clue, because "dake" is the Japanese term for crater. So we can assume that the geyser practically formed at the foot, or on the flank, of a volcano. Although Oshamambe-dake is not listed as an active volcano in the GVP, warm springs, geysers and calcareous sinter ridges can also form on volcanoes that have not erupted for more than 10,000 years. A fine example of this is Monte Amiata in Tuscany.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1558844968063488002

But back to the spiritual: The geyser was formed on the eve of an annual procession at the shrine. And although the priest was quick to suspect that it was a post-volcanic hot-water phenomenon, the event retains a whiff of the spiritual because there was a similar phenomenon to admire near the shrine 60 years ago.

Local scientists do not believe that there is any danger to the population. However, local residents complain about the noise of the water shooting out and the high humidity.

My attempt at an explanation is that the heavy rains that have fallen in Japan in recent weeks have led a lot of rainwater into the hydrothermal system. There it came under pressure and it made its way to the surface. The pressure could come from magmatic gases. The proximity to Lake Tōya suggests that this is a magmatic manifestation. This is located in a caldera. The mechanisms of a classic geyser do not come into play here, because the water is too cold for that. Strictly speaking, this fountain must be called a cold-water geyser. These exist in the volcanic Eifel and are made to jump by magmatic carbon dioxide. But they do not normally produce continuous fountains.

Mining is also carried out at Oshamambe-dake. Besides copper and silver, gold is also found here. So a connection to the mines cannot be ruled out.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Mayon, Philippines
24 aug 2022

There is some rumblings going on about the beautiful Mayon volcano on the Philippines, in which the dome inside the crater is growing. (usually domes act like plugs, similar to plugging a champagne bottle). Vulkane.net wrote an article about this, as follow:

Mayon auf Alarmstufe 1 gesetzt - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Auf der philippinischen Insel Luzon droht ein erneuter Vulkanausbruch am Mayon. Der Alarmstatus wurde auf 1 erhöht.

www.vulkane.net

Mayon put on alert level 1
by Marc Szeglat

State: Philippines | Coordinates: 13.25, 123.68 | Eruption: Dom

On the Philippine island of Luzon, another volcanic eruption threatens Mayon. The volcanologists of PHILVOLCS announced in a bulletin that there has been slow dome growth since 6 June. The lava dome, which last grew during the 2018 eruption, has increased by 40,000 cubic metres of lava. Its total volume is now 75,000 cubic metres. The dome of the volcano's crater is slowly becoming unstable and a partial collapse is imminent. There does not seem to be too much concern on the ground yet, as the alert status has been raised to "1" for now.

A volcanologist at the Mayon Volcano Observatory -Paul Karson Alanis- told the local press that there were no signs of fresh magma rising from the depths. What is now causing the dome to grow is residual melt from the 2018 eruption still in the volcano's magma body and conveyor system. The volcanologist believes that volcanic gas is rising from greater depths, pushing the old magma upwards. In his explanations, he brings into play the image of a toothpaste tube being squeezed out. But it could also be that the magma differentiates (matures) in the magma body, changing its chemism. Gas can be released in the process and the magma rises.

If a dome collapse occurs, pyroclastic flows are imminent. If it rains, lahars can also form. The region in the southwest of the volcano is particularly endangered. There are the towns of Legazpi and Sto. Domingo

Prohibitions in the Mayon Danger Zone

A permanent danger zone with a radius of 6 km is in effect around the Mayon volcano. Now all trespassing is prohibited there. Noel Rosal, the governor of Albany, explicitly pointed out that any agricultural activity is also prohibited in the zone. This includes picking orchids. The volcano may not be climbed. In addition to pyroclastic flows and lahars, it is also possible that phreatic eruptions will occur.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Kilauea, Hawai'i Big Island
24 Aug 2022

Not only is the lavalake active inside the Kilauea caldera, but near by an earthquake of M4.2 occurred yesterday. Vulkane.net wrote following:

Hawaii am 24.08.22: Erdbeben am Vulkan - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Auf Big Island Hawaii trug sich gestern ein Erdbeben der Lokal-Magnitude 4,2 zu. Der Lavasee im Kilauea bleibt aktiv.

www.vulkane.net

Earthquake at the volcano
by Marc Szeglat

Date: 23 Aug 2022 | Time: 05:11:28 UTC | Location: 19.20 N ; 155.40 W | Depth: 36 km | Ml 4.2

Yesterday an earthquake of local magnitude 4.2 occurred on the Big Island Hawaii. It manifested itself at the lower Southwest Drift, at a depth of 36 km. The epicentre was located 8 km east of Pāhala. The quake belongs to the swarm quake, which is caused by magma rise and has often been mentioned here. The magma feeds the magma body from which Kilauea feeds and erupts. The earth tremor intensified the swarming earthquake, so that seismicity was above average yesterday: 58 earthquakes were detected at the volcano, with most of the tremors manifesting at the lower west drift.



The lava lake at Kilauea

Eruption in the volcano's summit crater continues unabated and the lava lake is stable. Today, you can see on livecam that there is even a lava flow across the floor of Halema'uma'u crater, emanating from the lava lake. The lava has filled the crater by up to 137 m since 29 September. The volume of lava produced is reported to be 104 million cubic metres. Every day, 1250 tonnes of sulphur dioxide are emitted. This is how the HVO warns visitors to Hawaii National Park about VOG. This is volcanically induced SMOG due to the high gas concentration. In addition, lava lake activity produces peles hair. The fine lava filaments can be dispersed with the wind and cause problems if inhaled, or if they get into the eyes.

The slow inflation continues and more magma is flowing into the underground magma body than is being erupted at the volcano. However, this process has slowed down a bit in recent weeks.

Kilauea is not the only active volcano on the Big Island. There are also occasional earthquakes beneath the larger Mauna Loa, which are caused by magmatic activity underground. Off the coast of the island is the submarine volcano Loihi, which has also experienced quakes and magma movement.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[Puma]

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY REPORT AUG 24

Kaitoku (Volcano Islands): (24 Aug) The Japan Coast Guard (JCG) took a flight yesterday to confirm yellow-to-white discolored water with a diameter of 100 meters.This may hint a result of submarine eruptions emitting volcanic ash and pumice or bubble outflow from the seafloor as happened in July 2001.
submarine volcano -103 m / -338 ft
Volcano Islands (Japan), 26.12°N / 141.1°E
Current status: normal or dormant

Krakatau (Sunda Strait, Indonesia): (24 Aug) Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 4000 ft (1200 m) altitude or flight level 040 and is moving at 10 kts in SW direction.
Caldera 813 m (2,667 ft.) / Anak Krakatau: 189 m
Sunda Strait, Indonesia, -6.1°S / 105.42°E
Current status: erupting

Semeru (East Java, Indonesia): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Darwin warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 14000 ft (4300 m) altitude or flight level 140
Stratovolcano 3676 m (12,060 ft)
East Java, Indonesia, -8.11°S / 112.92°E
Current status: erupting.

Taupo (New Zealand): (24 Aug) The intense seismic activity beneath Lake Taupō (Taupō-nui-a-Tia) continues.
The earthquake swarm itself has occurred at roughly regular intervals of approx. 30 quakes per week. Since the swarm began in May, the rate has been more-less constant, but the local observatory GeoNet New Zealand has registered about 490 events at depth less than 30 km so far.
Caldera 760 m / 2,493 ft
New Zealand, -38.82°S / 176°E
Current status: normal or dormant

Pavlof (Alaska Peninsula, USA): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Anchorage warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 10000 ft (3000 m) altitude or flight level 100 and is moving at 5 kts in SW direction.
Stratovolcano 2519 m / 8,264 ft
Alaska Peninsula, USA, 55.42°N / -161.89°W
Current status: minor activity or eruption warning

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico): (24 Aug) The explosive, mostly at low levels, eruption at the volcano continues. The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENPARED) recorded a quite vigorous explosion at 08:29 local time yesterday.
Stratovolcano 5426 m / 17,802 ft
Central Mexico, 19.02°N / -98.62°W
Current status: erupting

Fuego (Guatemala): (24 Aug) Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 15000 ft (4600 m) altitude or flight level 150 .
Stratovolcano 3,763 m / 12,346 ft
Guatemala, 14.47°N / -90.88°W
Current status: erupting

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 22000 ft (6700 m) altitude or flight level 220 .
stratovolcano 5321 m / 17,457 ft
Colombia, 4.9°N / -75.32°W
Current status: erupting

Sangay (Ecuador): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 23000 ft (7000 m) altitude or flight level 230 .
Stratovolcano 5230 m (17,159 ft)
Ecuador, -2°S / -78.34°W
Current status: erupting

Reventador (Ecuador): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 17000 ft (5200 m) altitude or flight level 170 .
Stratovolcano 3562 m (11,686 ft)
Ecuador, -0.08°S / -77.66°W
Current status: erupting

Sabancaya (Peru): Explosive activity continues. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Buenos Aires warned about a volcanic ash plume that rose up to estimated 24000 ft (7300 m) altitude or flight level 240 and is moving at 10 kts in E direction.
stratovolcano 5967 m / 19,577 ft
Peru, -15.78°S / -71.85°W
Current status: erupting

https://twitter.com/x/status/1562545295640375301

 

[XPan]

Fagradalsfjall, Iceland
25 Aug 2022

Here more about the situation at the Fagradalsfjall volcano (eruption has ceased) - and as usual Vulkanet.net provided an article about the volcano today, wrote following:

Fagradalsfjall am 25. August 2022 - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Bodenhebung am Fagradalsfjall bleibt hoch Gestern wurde ein neues INSAR-Bild vom Fagradalsfjall veröffentlicht, welches die Bodendeformation zwischen dem 30. Juli und 23 August veranschaulicht. Zu erkennen ist, dass die Bodenverformung bei Grindavik abgebaut ist, dennoch ist die Bodenhebung...

www.vulkane.net

Ground uplift at Fagradalsfjall remains high
by Marc Szeglat



A new INSAR image of Fagradalsfjall was released yesterday, illustrating the ground deformation between 30 July and 23 August. It can be seen that the ground deformation at Grindavik has degraded, yet the overall ground uplift is surprisingly high and has not been significantly reduced by the eruption. A coloured ring represents a ground uplift of 3 cm. Care must be taken with the closely spaced rings in the Meradalir valley. Here, it is not the ground deformation due to the dyke intrusion that is shown, but the ground uplift caused by the lava field. Nevertheless, there should still be some magma in the ground. Apparently, the gas pressure of the melt is not sufficient to force it out of the ground or to allow it to make the final ascent. However, this situation could change as soon as new magma intrudes from greater depths. A continuing maturation process in the Earth's crust could also differentiate the melt, releasing gas that then increases the pressure enough to restart the eruption.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1562374548808519680

Seismicity along the magmatic vein, but also on other fault systems, is moderate today. IMO recorded 66 tremors on Reykjanes within 48 hours. Yesterday, however, the figure was over 100 tremors. There is still tension in the fault systems, but the seismicity is too low to give any indication of massive magma uplift. Instead, there is a small earthquake swarm in the north of Iceland, more precisely at the Tjörnes fracture zone.

The new cone in the Meradalir valley of Fagradalsfjall has presented itself cold and without steam development since the weekend. On the livecams you can see it smoking in some places, an indication that there is still flowable lava under the solidification crust of the lava field. Eyewitnesses report that from time to time smaller lava eruptions have occurred when the melt has broken through the solidification crust. However, such phenomena are becoming increasingly rare.

From a scientific point of view, it is still too early to consider the volcanic eruption as finished. It is within the realm of possibility that we are only seeing a longer pause. This is supported by what I wrote at the beginning with regard to the ground uplift: there is still magma underground and it could want to come out. The question is only when and where?

END OF ARTICLE


I found an earlier photo made during daytime, which was made after the eruption ended on Iceland.

 

[XPan]

Sangay, Equador
27 Aug 2022

It seems that the Ecuadorian volcano is increasing it's activity, and it shifted from Strombolian eruptions into Vulcanian explosions. Vulkanet.net reported following:

Sangay mit kontinuierlichen Eruptionen am 27.08.22 - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Am ecuadorianischen Vulkan Sangay steigerte sich die Aktivität signifikant. Gestern gab es 680 Explosionen. Ein Lavastrom ist unterwegs.

www.vulkane.net

Sangay increased activity
by Marc Szeglat

In Ecuador, Sangay continues to be active and erupts in a Strombolian fashion. Stronger volcanic explosions occur three to four times a day. Then ash clouds rise up to 7000 m and drift towards the west. Glowing cinders land on the steep outer flanks of the crater and cause debris avalanches. A lava flow is produced, which flows through the depression on the southwest flank of the volcano. It almost reaches the base of the cone. In the last 3 days, the number of explosion signals registered by the seismometers multiplied. The day before yesterday, 445 signals were detected, yesterday there were 680. Previously, less than 50 explosions a day were counted. The number of volcano-related earthquakes also increased. Yesterday, 50 long-period quakes and 11 tremors were recorded.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1560099439573975041

The IGEPN now reports daily on the activity of Ecuador's volcanoes. In addition, it is also thanks to the good weather that an unusually large amount of information and media is coming in about the Sangay. Nevertheless, volcanologists are looking forward with concern to the season with more precipitation, because then there is a threat of lahars again, of which warnings are already being issued. The numerous eruptions cause abundant ash deposits on the volcano flanks, which are mobilised during the rainy season. The lahars have already significantly influenced the river landscape at the foot of the volcano and changed stream courses.

The Sangay is a 5230 m high stratovolcano in the Andes. It is located in the Royal Cordillera and drains towards the Amazon. Since the summit is glaciated, it is considered an important source of water. There are 3 craters on the summit of Sangay, 2 of which are currently active. The morphology of the summit is subject to rapid changes, as the volcano has been permanently active since 2019.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Fagradalsfjall, Iceland
31 Aug 2022

The eruption has now officially been declared to have ended. A short translation of the text from Vulkane.net (as well about the Russian Ebeko eruption) below.


Fagradalsfjall: Eruption ended
State: Iceland | Coordinates: 63.903, -22.273 | Eruption: Fumarolic

Yesterday, IMO scientists declared the volcanic eruption at Fagradalsfjall to be over. This marks the end of the 2 eruptions within a year that occurred on Reykjanes. However, earthquake activity under the peninsula remains elevated. Today there was a small earthquake swarm off the southwestern tip of Reykjanes.

---

Ebeko, Russia
31 Aug 2022

More eruptions are going on at the volcano.

Ebeko with eruptions
State: Russia | Coordinates: 50.68, 156.01 | Eruption: ash eruption

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2223210747856296

The Kuril volcano Ebeko erupted volcanic ash again. According to VAAC, it reached an altitude of 4300 m and drifted towards the southeast. A new video emerged, filmed from a helicopter/drone, showing an eruption of the volcano. It was released on 29 August and was made by Rebecca Rambar.

Vulkan-News 31.08.22: Ebeko - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Der Kurilenvulkan Ebeko eruptierte wieder Vulkanasche. Laut VAAC erreichte sie eine Höhe von 4300 m und driftete in Richtung Südosten.

www.vulkane.net

---

Piton Fournaise, La Réunion (France)
31 Aug 2022

Piton Fournaise: Rise of seismicity
State: France | Coordinates: 21.23, -55.71 | Eruption: Fumarolic

At Piton de la Fournaise on La Réunion, seismicity is continuously increasing: on 28 August, 20 tremors were recorded. The following day there were 24 and yesterday 41 earthquakes were already registered. They had magnitudes smaller than 1 and thus fell in the range of microseismicity. The hypocentres are located at depths between 1.5 and 2.5 km below the Dolomieu crater. Inflation has already been recorded for 7 months. The emerging earthquake activity in the area of the upper magma reservoir shows that the pressure is increasing. A new volcanic eruption could occur within days/weeks.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Ischia, Italy (Campi Flegrei also mentioned)
31 aug 2022

I list this event under volcanoes instead of earthquakes, since the island of Ischia is located at the border of the (partially submerged) Campi Flegrei Caldera in Pozzuoli, which borders the city of Napoli.

Erdbeben-News 31.08.22: Ischia - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Gestern bebte es unter der italienischen Kurinsel Ischia. Die Beben brachten es auf Magnituden 2,2 und 2,1.

www.vulkane.net

Earthquake News: Ischia
Date: 31 Aug 2022 | Time: 00:59:03 UTC | Location: 40.74 N ; 13.88 E | Depth: 0 km | Md 2.2

Yesterday, a tremor occurred under the Italian resort island of Ischia. The weak tremors reached magnitudes of 2.2 and 2.1. The hypocentres were located at depths of 0 and 1 km, i.e. at sea level and 1 km below. The epicentres were located under the north-western slope of Monte Epomeo, more precisely, 6 km west of the town of Ischia.

The INGV bulletin for July states that geologically it was quiet on Ischia. The long-standing trend of slight ground subsidence continued. It amounts to about 6 mm per year. So there were no signs of volcanic awakening up to this point.

The 789 m high Monte Epomeo is not a volcano, but a volcanic horst. This is said to be the lid of a magma body that was located between two faults and was lifted when new magma flowed into the reservoir. There are also 40 volcanic manifestations on Ischia, including several cinder cones and craters. The last eruption occurred in 1301. The volcanic island on the edge of the Campi Flegrei has a large hydrothermal system. Numerous hot springs come to the surface and attract spa guests.

For me, the island is a Mediterranean highlight that I like to visit again and again. Admittedly, I was often drawn to the area when the Solfatara of the Campi Flegrei was still accessible. You could first let yourself be lulled by the sulphur gases there and then cross over to Ischia for a few days to bathe in the thermal pools. The ever-increasing restrictions on the accessibility of volcanic areas just take all the fun out of it. In fact, there was a campsite in the Solfatara crater that will probably never open again*.

Lower ground elevation in the Campi Flegrei

Speaking of Campi Flegrei, a new figure for declining inflation has now been established there. According to yesterday's INGV bulletin, it is about 5 mm a month. Previously, the rate of uplift was 13 mm. A significant decline. Overall, the ground has lifted 92.5 cm since 2011. Last week, 50 weak earthquakes were recorded.

END OF ARTICLE

---

*) Memory lane 1982
(Solfatara Crater)

Believe it or not, but I did actually camp in the crater of Solfatara back in summer 1982 together with (part of) a group from our orphanage from Berlin. So, we stayed there in tents for a couple of nights - something that is unthinkable today. Well, apparently the whole crater is now off limits...

The camping site was located in the western part near the crater rim. Ice cream, playing boll games, making dinner. Teenage dreams. walking around exploring the strange crater bottom, which sounds really strange. Kind of hollow. And the smell.... always sulfur wherever you went. Back then there were no restrictions (albeit you didn't really want to go near the hot mud). Also the fumaroles were fully accessible. I crashed my liquid thermometer, as i wanted to know how hot the air was coming out of those fumaroles. Clearly waaaay hotter than i had anticipated or what my primitive thermometer could show. It just went *poff* immediately *LOL*

The journey to Solfatara and climbing onto Vesuvius, was a for me a dream come true - and our foster caretakers did not even tell us that we would go there (Our base camp was located at the Lago di Trasimeno lake further up, inland of Italy), but a branch of the group headed down to Napoli for a couple of days. And i didn't know that they planned to do this. So, there I was in the age of 16, had read so much about volcanoes, Pompeii and Vesuvius.... and all of the sudden; I was standing at the very crater rim of Vesuvius. Just mind boggling - and I loved every single second of it.


Memory lane 2012 • (Solfatara Crater)

It was not until 2012 i revised the Solfatara Volcano with my second husband, whose sister and her husband lived in Pozzuoli - practically behind Solfatara, behind the crater rim of the Solfatara so to speak. They were part of the US military stationed there, and involved in the nearby located NATO headquarters. (Back then thought the NATO were the good guys, and only for protection... my a** they are).

In 2012, the camping site was gone, but the Solfatara crater was still open, except for the restricted area around the hot mud fields in the middle. (Later one death occurred when a boy (?) fell into it) The Fumaroles were open but surrounded by light fences.

Here a few impressions from the Solfatara site in June 2012






The old camping site from the 80s, was located right to the left (and outside of the image). You had to go through the bushes and woods, to get there.


A little bit off center inside the Solfatara Crater, you find the hot mud - not a place one wants to fall into...






Traversing the paths among bushy trees, swirling little insects dancing, in order to get to the former camping site. in 2012 there was still a (same?) place, where you could sit down and have a cold beer. Which we did

 

[XPan]

Karthala, Comoros
31 aug 2022

Karthala: Microseism at Karthala
by Marc Szeglat

Karthala: Schwarmbeben auf den Komoren - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Der Karthala liegt auf den Komoren und zeigt Anzeichen des Erwachens. Seit Mitte Juli beobachten Vulkanologen Seismizität unter dem Vulkan.

www.vulkane.net

State: Comoros | Coordinates:- 11.75, 43.38 | Eruption: Fumarolic



Mount Karthala is located in the Comoros and shows signs of awakening. Since mid-July, geoscientists at the local volcano observatory have observed a significant increase in seismicity beneath the volcano. As a result, they declared "yellow" alert status, fearing that the volcano could awaken from its slumber. Apparently, there is a three-tier warning system in Comoros and the yellow alert corresponds to the first tier.

The Director General of Civil Security -Tachfine Ahmed- explains in a newspaper interview: "There is no danger. That is why the Ministry of Interior has issued the yellow alert, which is the first of three stages. Meanwhile, the authorities have set up a permanent command post."

Although there is supposedly no danger, the population is being asked to limit their activities in the area of the volcano.

Hamidi Soulé is also quoted in the media. He is the director of the volcano observatory and said that they observe the development of the volcano by means of microquakes. Recently, they had increased so much that the authorities had to be notified. The phenomenon could last for a long time and hikers and tourists were asked not to stay overnight at the volcano.


Karthala is a 2361 m high shield volcano

In its shadow lies the island's capital Moroni, home to more than 111,000 people. The summit of the volcano is dominated by a caldera 3×4 km in diameter. The last eruption occurred in 2006. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the volcano has erupted at least 33 times. Mostly, lava flows formed within the caldera. However, fissure eruptions also occurred along two rift systems on the volcano flanks. The picture shows a lava lake from 2005. In this respect, Karthala is similar to Kilauea in Hawaii. There are also similarities with Piton de la Fournaise on La Réunion. This island is in relative proximity to the Comoros. Fournaise is also becoming restless and could be preparing for its next eruption.

END OF ARTICLE

 

[XPan]

Mount St. Helens, USA
30 Aug 2022

Another article between volcanism and microseismicity, where I often don't know where to put it; volcanoes or earthquakes ? I list it here and hope it fits.


Mount St. Helens: Rise in seismicity
by Marc Szeglat

State: USA | Coordinates: 46.19, -122.19 | Eruption: Fumarolic

Mount St. Helens: Anstieg der Seismizität - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Mount St. Helens mit Mikroseismik Staat: USA | Koordinaten: 46.19, -122.19 | Eruption: Fumarolisch Der Mount St. Helens ist hier schon lange nicht mehr in den Schlagzeilen aufgetaucht. Zuletzt stand er zwischen 2004 und 2008 regelmäßig in den Schlagzeilen, als im Krater ein Lavadom wuchs. Nun...

www.vulkane.net

Mount St. Helens has not appeared in the headlines here for a long time.

It was last in the headlines regularly between 2004 and 2008, when a lava dome grew in the crater. Now there is a possibility that the volcano will be a more frequent presence here in the near future, as the PNSN has recorded a significant increase in seismicity this month. There were 79 weak tremors recorded, most of which manifested under the summit crater. Most of the quakes had magnitudes in the microseismicity range and were at depths of a few kilometres. In the previous months, the average number of quakes was 17.

The CVO has so far not commented on the tremors. The operators of the website AlertaTierra.com see the origin of the quakes in increasing tensions in the earth's crust due to magma rise. In general, microearthquakes at volcanoes can have different causes. Besides magma rise, movements of magmatic fluids in the hydrothermal system of a volcano can also trigger weak earthquakes. Settlement phenomena are just as likely. At Vesuvius, swarm earthquakes are caused by shrinkage processes in the conveyor system as the vent filling continues to cool and contract. Without further data on ground deformation and gas emission, the cause of the microseismicity cannot be determined, but at least there is the possibility that the volcano is charging.

The last eruptive phase at Mt. St. Helens occurred between 2004 and 2008, when a lava dome grew in the crater, which is open to the north. The depression was formed during the devastating eruption in 1980, when the volcano lost 1/3 of its height as the flank failed and collapsed due to a sideways eruption. Huge pyroclastic flows and lahars were produced. 57 people were killed. Meanwhile, the area is recovering from the disaster.

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[XPan]

Rotorura, New Zealand
29 Aug 2022


New Zealand: New thermal pool near Rotorura
by Marc Szeglat

Neuseeland: Neuer Thermalpool nahe Rotorura - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Am Ufer des neuseeländischen Calderasees Rotorua entstand ein neuer Thermalpool. Der Vorgang löst bei Anwohnern Besorgnis aus.

www.vulkane.net

A new thermal pool has been created on the shore of New Zealand's Lake Caldera, Rotorua. The event is causing concern among residents, but according to volcanologists from the GNS, it is a normal occurrence. However, the pool was created just a few metres from a house and residents' concern is understandable, especially as the pool has continued to grow in size over the past few days.

Speaking to the local press, resident Lani Kereopa said she had been observing the genesis of the pool for several weeks. Initially, a muddy area formed and continued to grow. Steam had probably always been leaking from this spot, but recently the emissions intensified, the ground continued to soften and mud leaked out. Then the ground slowly began to sink in, a process that took several weeks and is still ongoing. A pool emerged, which the resident describes as "really deep". She deduces this from the deep blue colour of the pool. She had put up traffic cones around the pool to draw attention to the danger area. But gradually the cones were swallowed up by the growing pool. She also discovered other muddy areas where geothermal pools could also form.

Lani Kereopa now approached the municipality so that the danger area could be better secured, especially since the lake shores are popular with visitors. This prompted GNS volcanologist Brad Scott to say that the formation of a new geothermal pool is not unusual for the area. In fact, there are numerous geothermal features along Lake Rotorura, including the Pohutu geyser and the geothermal village of Whakarewarewa, which belongs to the Māori.


The area in Te Ruapeka Bay where the new pool formed was only reshaped a few decades ago.

Apparently, land was reclaimed from the lake, and geothermal springs were also filled in. Now nature is reclaiming its space. The area needs to be carefully monitored and a fence is to be erected around the new pool. The formation of the pool does not seem to indicate increased magmatic activity underground. However, there had been a lot of rain in New Zealand. The level of Lake Caldera is high and there is a corresponding amount of water in the caldera's hydrothermal system. The high water level could support the formation of new hot water phenomena.


Sinkhole in Whakarewarewa swallowed Australian tourist

In fact, an accident occurred at the Māori village of Whakarewarewa earlier this month, as a result of which access was closed to visitors: a female tourist fell into a sinkhole and was seriously injured. The sinkhole measured 2×1 m and was 1.5 m deep. It had formed around a furmarole on the side of the path. The woman's husband helped her and also injured himself. In the meantime, the hole has been filled in.

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[sToRmR1dR]

Ebeko volcano has erupted, spewing clouds of ash into the sky.

Ebeko Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: ERUPTION AT 20220901/0542Z FL120 EXTD E REPORTED OBS VA DTG: 01/0540Z

Ebeko volcano (northern Kuriles, Russia): news & activity updates

www.volcanodiscovery.com

BY: VN - 1 Sep 2022

Published on Sep 1, 2022 (2:04)

 

[XPan]

Nyiragongo, Kongo
2 Sep 2022

This article isn't about any new eruption, but instead refers to a study that has been made regarding the 22 May 2021 as well the 2002 eruption. Vulkane.net wrote about it, and so did Nature.com

Nyiragongo: Vulkanausbruch nicht vorhersagbar - Vulkane Net Newsblog

Eine neue Studie zeigt, dass der Ausbruch vom Mai 2021 am Nyiragongo nicht vorhersagbar war. Damals starben 20 Menschen in der Lava.

www.vulkane.net

Precursor-free eruption triggered by edifice rupture at Nyiragongo volcano - Nature

The 2021 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, DR Congo demonstrated that magma storage close to the surface in open systems means that eruptions may occur with very short-term precursory activity, raising major challenges for their monitoring.

www.nature.com

Fissure eruption at Nyiragongo was unpredictable, study says
by Marc Szeglat



The Congolese volcano Nyiragongo

is one of the most dangerous mountains of fire in the world. Although it is a shield volcano whose eruptions normally occur without explosions, Nyiragongo poses a great potential danger because its sudden lava flows are fast and produce a lot of melt that can reach nearby settlements within a few hours. The last time this happened was on 22 May 2021, when several villages were destroyed and 20 people died. More devastating was the 2002 eruption, when parts of the major city of Goma disappeared under the lava, killing more than 147 people.

After the eruptions, voices regularly raised accusations and asked why people were not warned about an eruption. A new study now shows that it was impossible to predict the eruptions, even though some scientists at the Goma Observatory had warned of a new lava flow weeks earlier. However, the warnings were largely based on statistics, as the time interval between the last two eruptions (1977 and 2002) had been reached. In addition, there was increased activity at the lava lake in the volcanic crater in the months leading up to the 2021 eruption.



The study

was conducted under the leadership of Delphine Smittarello. The geoscientist does research at the European Centre for Geodynamics and Seismology in Luxembourg and visited Nyiragongo several times. The volcanologists take the pulse of Nyiragongo with a range of measuring methods, although the network was only installed in 2015. Among the measuring instruments are gas spectrometers, inclinometers and seismometers. Their data has now been analysed again and satellite data has also been included. Delphine Smittarello came to the conclusion that there were no abnormalities in the geophysical parameters in the run-up to the eruption. It was only 40 minutes before the eruption that volcanotectonic earthquakes began, indicating a rapid rise of magma with accompanying fissure openings on the volcano flank.

What is special about Nyiragongo is that a lava lake bubbled in its deep crater for years. It was fed from a reservoir located at a depth of 2 km, which is unusually shallow. Over the years, an enormous amount of magma accumulated there, which rose rapidly practically at the beginning of the eruption and poured out of the fissures in the volcano's flank. The magma, along with the lava from the lava lake, flowed out.

Researchers are now trying to develop a system so that people in the shadow of the volcano can be warned at least at the first sign of magma rising.

New hazard scenario at Nyiragongo

The study also examined the earthquake activity that extended below Lake Kivu during and after the actual volcanic eruption. As already suspected, the earthquakes were caused by magma migrating through the earth's crust at a depth of only 500 metres. The underground lava flow corresponded to a dyke intrusion with a volume of 243 million cubic metres, which originated from the Nyiragongo conveyor system. Something similar was experienced at the Icelandic volcano Bardarbunga in 2014. There, a huge lava eruption occurred a few kilometres away from the volcano. In Congo, the melt got stuck in the ground under Lake Kivu. Large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane are dissolved in the lake water.

I suspect that the carbon dioxide comes from magma heads that already penetrated under the lake floor during earlier eruptions. This results in another dangerous scenario for the region, because if the intruded magma should one day escape from the lake floor, phreatomagmatic eruptions may occur. The vibrations and changed temperature conditions of the lake water could release the dissolved gas abruptly, with devastating consequences for the residents of Lake Kivu. (Source: nature.com)


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PS. I added two extra images, which were not in the original article