Current Alerts for U.S. Volcanoes
- 2009-11-06 10:10:40 Kilauea Watch Orange
- 2009-11-06 09:12:38 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: A DI event is nearing completion. Growth and partial collapse of the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent cavity floor continued to alternately obscure and reveal the circulating lava pond surface. 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.
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; the hole continued to narrow as spatter built the rim inward and enlarge as rim pieces broke off. 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 500 tonnes/day on November 3, 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 the switch to DI inflation at 4 pm yesterday afternoon. The GPS network, which is less sensitive than the tiltmeter network, has recorded little net deformation since mid-August.
Seismic tremor levels remained at low values; several seismic rockfall signatures were recorded. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes increased overnight but were back below background levels by dawn. Seven earthquakes were strong enough to be located - five beneath the summit caldera 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 1,400 tonnes/day on November 4, which is close to the 2003-2007 average of 1,700 tonnes/day. Moon glow was recorded by the Pu`u `O`o webcam last night.
The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o recorded the switch to DI inflation at 5 pm yesterday afternoon. The GPS network, which is less sensitive than the tiltmeter network, has 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 a site 700 m (2,300 ft) to the west (west Waikupanaha). Yesterday, HVO and UHH geologists and CD officials reported sluggish flows west of the Public Viewing Area trail head and more active surface flows on the coastal plain feeding the west Waikupanaha entry; in addition, flows were active in the kipuka upslope of the trail head. GOES-WEST thermal anomalies were again strong through dawn indicating continuing surface flow activity on the coastal plain.
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 9:17 AM (PST) on November 5. Four were located in the south moat of the caldera beneath the west end of the airport (6 miles east of Mammoth Lakes). They occurred between 3:26 PM and 4:56 PM on the 5th. The largest was the magnitude M=1.1 earthquake at 4:56 PM. The remaining four were located in the Sierra Nevada south of the caldera. The larges of these was a M=1.0 earthquake at 3:35 PM on the 5th located 11 miles SW of Tom's Place.
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
