Current Alerts for U.S. Volcanoes
- 2009-11-07 09:56:06 Kilauea Watch Orange
- 2009-11-07 09:23:43 Long Valley Volcanic Center Normal Green
- 2009-11-06 08:28:13 Cascade Range Normal Green
- 2009-11-05 19:02:12 Hualalai Normal Green
- 2009-11-05 19:02:12 Lo`ihi Unassigned Unassigned
- 2009-11-05 19:02:12 Mauna Kea Normal Green
- 2009-11-04 13:48:26 Mauna Loa Advisory Yellow
- 2009-11-02 14:21:46 Yellowstone Normal Green
- 2009-10-29 16:39:44 Anatahan Normal Green
- 2009-10-19 11:48:27 Cleveland Unassigned Unassigned
- 2009-10-19 11:47:00 Shishaldin Normal Green
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Alaska Volcano Observatory
ANATAHAN VOLCANO (CAVW #0804-20=)
16°21' N 145°40'12" E, Summit Elevation 2592 ft (790 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.
No reports of eruptive activity at Anatahan were received the past week, and seismic levels have remained low. Nothing unusual was observed in satellite images throughout the week.
During times of northerly winds, the Anatahan plume, if present, could be directed towards the CNMI and Guam. If this happens, residents may notice hazy air conditions and smell sulfur. The Emergency Management Office (EMO) of the CNMI government will issue volcanic haze and sulfur advisories if appropriate.
Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the EMO to get the latest information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
USGS Northern Marianas Duty Scientist (808) 967-8815
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/cnmistatus.php
CNMI Emergency Management Office (670) 322-8001
http://www.cnmiemo.gov.mp/
Friday, November 6, 2009 08:27 PST (Friday, November 6, 2009 16:27 UTC)
Cascade Range Volcanoes
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake volcano, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California.
Mount St. Helens has been at Volcano Alert Level NORMAL (Aviation Color Code GREEN) since July 10, 2008.
Recent Observations: As is common in the fall, high winds and rainstorms continue to generate substantial noise at times on seismic records and create minor telemetry problems as antennas accumulate ice. A small earthquake swarm occurred starting at around 2 PM on November 3 at Lassen Peak, with one M2.5 quake and a couple dozen smaller events. Such events are common at Lassen and appear related to regional tectonic stresses.
The U.S. Geological Survey and University of Washington continue to monitor these volcanoes closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.
For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov
For seismic information on Oregon and Washington volcanoes: http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/PNSN/welcome.html
For seismic information on California volcanoes: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/special/California_Nevada.php
For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/volcano_warning_scheme.html
For a webcam view of Mount St. Helens: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/
This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park status can be found at http://www.nps.gov/havo/ or 985-6000. Hawai`i County Viewing Area status can be found at 961-8093.
KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Activity Summary for past 24 hours: The second DI event in as many days is nearing completion. Spatter has nearly closed the hole in the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent cavity floor allowing only indirect views of the glow from a lava pond surface below. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from the Halema`uma`u and east rift zone vents remain elevated. Lava flows are active on the coastal plain. Lava is also flowing through tubes to the coast and entering the ocean at two locations west of Kalapana.
DI events often affect surface flow activity on the flow field. Typically, surface flow activity will decrease about 12 hours after the start of deflation and resume about 12 hours after the start of inflation. The last two DI events were of short duration and small amplitude and have not produced the typical effects, but if this most recent one does, we might expect some, probably small, changes in activity this afternoon or evening.
Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The Overlook vent webcam images again showed fluctuating glow and spattering from a single elongated hole deep within the Halema`uma`u vent cavity; spatter build up around the rim almost completely closed the opening overnight. Glow from the vent was visible from Jaggar Museum overnight. This morning, a white plume is moving southwestward and low over the Ka`u Desert. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 700 tonnes/day on November 6, which is elevated above the 2003-2007 average of 140 tonnes/day. Very small amounts of ash-sized tephra continued to be dropped from the plume near the vent.
The summit tiltmeter network recorded DI deflation just after 3 pm yesterday and the switch to DI inflation at 5 am this morning. The GPS network, which is less sensitive than the tiltmeter network, has recorded little net deformation since mid-August.
Seismic tremor levels increased slightly during DI deflation but remained at low values. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes remained below background levels. Four earthquakes were strong enough to be located - one beneath the summit caldera, one beneath the lower southwest rift zone, and two on south flank faults.
Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma continued to degas through Pu`u `O`o crater before erupting from the TEB vent, located 2 km to the east. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 1,200 tonnes/day on November 6, slightly lower than the 2003-2007 average of 1,700 tonnes/day. Glow was recorded from the east wall and the floor of the crater last night.
The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o recorded DI deflation starting at around 6 pm yesterday and the switch to DI inflation at 6 am this morning. The GPS network, which is less sensitive than the tiltmeter network, recorded continued slow contraction of the cone, amounting to almost 3 cm of contraction over the past 3 months. Seismic tremor levels at Pu`u `O`o and the TEB vent were at low values.
Lava from the TEB vent flows through two tube branches to the coast, across State- and privately-owned land, and is entering the ocean at two locations - Waikupanaha and west Waikupanaha 700 m (2,300 ft) to the west. Yesterday, HVO geologists reported scattered active surface flows on the coastal plain with a minimally active lobe in the kipuka west and upslope of the County Viewing Area trail head; the Waikupanaha entry was going strong, the west Waikupanaha entry was barely going (see update photos). CD officials reported a similar situation last night. GOES-WEST thermal anomalies were again strong through dawn indicating continuing surface flow activity on the coastal plain. CD officials report a broad ocean entry plume rising this morning.
HAZARD ALERT: The lava delta and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent ocean, and can produce large local waves. The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.
Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php. A daily update summary is available by phone at (808) 967-8862.
A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.
The real-time computer system located eight small earthquakes in the vicinity of Long Valley caldera since the last update at 9:12 AM (PST) on November 6. Two were located beneath Mammoth Mountain: a M=0.3 earthquake at 9:48 AM on the 6th and a M=1.2 earthquake at 12:06 AM on the 7th. Six were located in a cluster beneath the Sierra Nevada south of the caldera 0.5 mile east of Grinnell Lake (11 miles SW of Tom's Place) beginning with magnitude M=2.4 and 2.2 earthquakes at 10:56 and 10:58 AM on the 6th. The last in this cluster was a M=1.3 event at 10:11 PM on the 6th.
Elsewhere, a M=1.3 earthquake at 11:18 AM on the 6th was located 5 miles NE of Bishop.
Elsewhere, a M=1.3 earthquake at 11:18 AM on the 6th was located 5 miles NE of Bishop.
ANATAHAN VOLCANO (CAVW #0804-20=)
16°21' N 145°40'12" E, Summit Elevation 2592 ft (790 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.
No reports of eruptive activity at Anatahan were received the past week, and seismic levels have remained low. Tropical storm Mirinae caused noise on seismic stations on October 27 UTC. Nothing unusual was observed in satellite images throughout the week.
During times of northerly winds, the Anatahan plume, if present, could be directed towards the CNMI and Guam. If this happens, residents may notice hazy air conditions and smell sulfur. The Emergency Management Office (EMO) of the CNMI government will issue volcanic haze and sulfur advisories if appropriate.
Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the EMO to get the latest information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
USGS Northern Marianas Duty Scientist (808) 967-8815
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/cnmistatus.php
CNMI Emergency Management Office (670) 322-8001
http://www.cnmiemo.gov.mp/
October 2009 Yellowstone Seismicity Summary
During the month of October 2009, 218 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest event was a magnitude 2.5 on October 15 at 3:39 PM MDT, located about 7 miles south southeast of West Thumb, Yellowstone NP. This event was the largest event in a swarm of 138 earthquakes that occurred October 12-23, with magnitudes ranging from -0.2 to 2.5.
Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone region is at relatively normal background levels.
Ground Deformation Summary: Continuous GPS data show that uplift of the Yellowstone Caldera has stopped for now. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera, underwent a total of ~23 cm of uplift between mid-2004 and mid-2009. Its record can be found at:
http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw
The general uplift and subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.
An article on the recent uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php
During the month of October 2009, 218 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest event was a magnitude 2.5 on October 15 at 3:39 PM MDT, located about 7 miles south southeast of West Thumb, Yellowstone NP. This event was the largest event in a swarm of 138 earthquakes that occurred October 12-23, with magnitudes ranging from -0.2 to 2.5.
Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone region is at relatively normal background levels.
Ground Deformation Summary: Continuous GPS data show that uplift of the Yellowstone Caldera has stopped for now. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera, underwent a total of ~23 cm of uplift between mid-2004 and mid-2009. Its record can be found at:
http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw
The general uplift and subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.
An article on the recent uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php
