Volcano Update from Archive
Saturday, May 29, 2010 9:53 AM ChST (Friday, May 28, 2010 2353 UTC)
Sarigan Volcano
16°42'29" N 145°46'48" E, Summit Elevation 1765 ft (538 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: UNASSIGNED
Current Aviation Color Code: UNASSIGNED
On Thursday, May 27, an observer from the Saipan Emergency Management Office (EMO)
overflew and photographed an elongate patch of discolored ocean water and
possible light-colored floating debris about 5 miles south of Sarigan
Island in the Northern Marianas. The area of discoloration and debris
extended over about (1) mile but scale is difficult to tell from the
photographs. We have no information on the direction of drift of this
debris. It is possible that this material reflects a recent or ongoing
submarine eruption or intense fumarolic emission from an underwater
volcano nearby.
Possible sources, if it is volcanic, include Zealandia Bank, a
fumarolically active sea-level volcano located about 13 miles
north-northeast of Sarigan; a seamount located about 8 miles northeast of Anatahan along the submarine ridge extending from that volcano; and the submarine southern extension of the ridge upon which Sarigan is constructed.
AVO is in contact with EMO and other government agencies in the area and we
will attempt to gather more information to assess the nature of this
phenomenon. Submarine eruptions are not uncommon in the Marianas Islands;
mariners in the area should remain alert for floating debris and avoid
areas of strongly discolored or disturbed water. Near-sea level eruptions
can be dangerous producing ash laden explosions, ash and ballistic fallout,
water waves. AVO maintains no monitoring equipment on these submarine
volcanoes and therefore warning of eruptive activity is not possible.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
USGS Northern Marianas Duty Scientist (808) 967-8815
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/cnmistatus.php
