An earthquake swarm began under Eyjafjoll volcano in January 2010. There was a 40 mm inflation of the volcano. At the beginning of March 2010 over 3000 earthquakes were measured in a 24 hour period, with a maximum at magnitude 3.1. The last eruptions at Eyjafjoll volcano were in 1821-23.
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Activity has increased at Semeru volcano in Indonesia. Harmonic tremor recorded at the volcano over the past few months November 2009 – 98, December 2009 – 148, January 2010 – 313, February 2010 – 298. In February 2010 ash emissions occurred on 41 occasions and reached a maximum height 200 m above the crater. On 28th February, lava avalanched 750 m from Jonggring Seloko crater. Between April 2009 and 1st March 2010 the activity at Semeru volcano changed to predominately ash emissions. Since 25th February 2010 lava avalanches have resumed at the volcano. People are advised to stay more than 4 km from the volcano on the SE side, and not approach the summit from other sides.
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A great earthquake (magnitude 8.8) hit off the coast of Chile, at 3:34 am on Saturday 27th February 2010. A Tsunami warning was issued for the coast of Chile and Peru. A tsunami watch was issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica. Sea level reading indicated a tsunami was generated and hit the coast of Chile with a height of 1.3 m. Large earthquakes sometimes cause nearby volcanoes to erupt. Volcanoes within 200 km radius of the earthquake epicentre include: Nevados de Chillan, Resago, Lomas Blancas, Nevado de Longavi, Laguna del Maule, San Pedro-Pellado, Cerro Azul, Descabezado Grande, Calabozos, and Planchon-Peteroa.
Volcanoes of Chile…
Tags: chile, earthquake
Two vulcanian explosions and a partial dome collapse occurred at Sourfriere Hills volcano in the past week. The first eruption occurred on 5th February and produced a plume which reached 25,000 ft high. Pyroclastic flows reached the sea at Aymers Ghaut. The second explosion occurred on 8th February and produced a 15,000 ft high plume. Pyroclastic flows moved down the Gages, but did not reach the sea. On 11th February a 55 minute dome collapse event occurred. Pyroclastic flows traveled across the sea at several points on the eastern side of the island and were visible from Lookout village. Pyroclastic flow deposits have extended the coastline by several hundred metres at the old Bramble airport. Reports from aircraft indicated the plume reached a height of 50,000 ft. Ashfall was reported on neighbouring islands of Antigua, Guadeloupe and Dominica. The collapse affected the northeastern flank of the dome. The summit of the original southwest section of the dome is still intact.
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Tags: montserrat, soufriere hills
An underwater eruption occurred 5 km north-northwest of Iwo Jima Island, Japan on 3rd February 2010. The eruption was observed by Japanese coast guard. Ash and steam was visible rising 100 m above the ocean surface. Yellow-green colour was visible on the ocean surface in December 2009. The volcano last erupted in 2005. A temorary island has formed on three occasions.
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Continuous ash emissions were reported from Planchón-Peteroa Volcano on 13th January 2010. Ash reached a height of 25,000 ft. This is the first eruption at the volcano since November 1998.
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A major earthquake (magnitude 7.0) hit Port Au Prince, Haiti on Tuesday 12th January 2010 at 04:53 pm. Many buildings have collapsed in the capital, causing tens of thousands of casualties. The earthquake hit along the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone (EPGFZ) which extends from Jamaica through the southern peninsula of Haiti to the Dominican Republic. The closest active volcanoes to the earthquake epicentre are located more than 1000 km away, and includes Soufriere Hills on Montserrat.
Volcanoes of Caribbean…
Large pyroclastic flows occurred at Soufriere Hills volcano at 2:49 pm on 8th January 2010. The pyroclastic flows were caused by a collapsing tephra column, similar to the events in the summer of 1997. The flows traveled northeast down Whites Bottom Ghaut and reached the sea. The flow which moved down Tuitts Ghaut stopped a few hundred metres from the sea. Pyroclastic flows also traveled northwest down Tyers Ghaut and into the Belham valley. The event lasted 11 minutes and was not preceded by seismic activity. Ashfall occurred on the northwestern side of the volcano. Residents said it was one of the largest eruptions they have witnessed at the volcano, since its reawakening in 1995. At 1:28 am on 10th January there was another explosion at the volcano. The seismic signal lasted 7 minutes. The eruption produced pyroclastic flows which traveled rapidly northeast down White Bottom and Tuitts Ghaut. Flows also moved northwest down Tyers Ghaut and down the Gages valley towards Plymouth. A third smaller explosion occurred at 8:27 pm on 10th January. Scientists don’t believe there was a major collapse of the dome, but a significant amount of material was lost. Hazard level 4 remains in place around the volcano, which means there is no access allowed in zone C, and only daytime access to zone B.
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Tags: montserrat, soufriere hills
The eruption continues at Nyamuragira volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After 4 days lava has traveled 21 kilometers, and is only 7 kilometers from the Goma-Sake road. Four craters were active at the beginning of the eruption. The lava flows are still within the boundaries of Virunga National Park. Volcanologists from Goma said lava could reach the Goma-Sake road within 2 to 3 days. Chimpanzees of Tongo have not been harmed.
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An eruption occurred at Turrialba volcano, Costa Rica on 6th January 2010. The eruption emitted ash and gas. The volcano had been showing signs of activity since the weekend. Twenty people were evacuated. This is the first eruption at the volcano since 1866.
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