Monthly Archives: February 2009

How high can lava shoot up in the air?

Posted on February 27, 2009 by laceymarie1987

Fountain where lava flows enter the ocean. Kilauea Volcano. Photograph by Steve Mattox, November 24, 1992. Lava fountains can propel lava 1,000-2,000 feet (300-600 m) above the volcano. The gas dissolved inside the magma is the driving force. As the … Continue reading →

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Ubinas, Peru

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

Based on a SIGMET notice and a pilot observation, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that on 23 February an ash plume from Ubinas rose to altitudes of 6.2-7.6 km (20,500-25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S. Ash was not seen on … Continue reading →

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Tungurahua, Ecuador

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

The IG reported that, although cloud cover occasionally prevented visual observation during 18-24 February, ash plumes from Tungurahua were seen and rose to altitudes of 6-8 km (19,700-26,200 ft) a.s.l. The plumes drifted mainly W and NW. Ashfall was reported … Continue reading →

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Suwanose-Jima, Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

JMA reported that Suwanose-jima erupted explosively on 18 February; a colored plume rose 400 m above the crater and drifted E. Two explosive eruptions occurred the next day. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo VAAC reported explosions on 20 … Continue reading →

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Soufriére Hills, Montserrat, West Indies

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

MVO reported that during 13-20 February activity from the Soufrière Hills lava dome was at a low level. Four rockfalls were detected and seismicity had increased slightly compared to previous weeks. On 16 February, heavy rainfall triggered a small pyroclastic … Continue reading →

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Shiveluch, Russia

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

KVERT reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was at background levels during 13-20 February. Based on interpretations of seismic data, ash plumes likely rose to an altitude of 4.6 km (15,100 ft) a.s.l. Lava flows continued to be active on … Continue reading →

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Santa María, Guatemala

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Washington VAAC reported that on 18 February a dense ash plume from Santa María’s Santiaguito lava dome complex drifted W. On 20 February, INSIVUMEH reported that an explosion produced an ash plume that … Continue reading →

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Sakura-Jima, Japan

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

JMA lowered the Alert Level for Sakura-jima from 3 to 2 (on a scale of 1-5) on 19 February because deformation was absent, seismicity was low, and no eruptions occurred after 5 February. Based on information from JMA, the Tokyo … Continue reading →

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Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

Based on analysis of satellite imagery, the Darwin VAAC reported that during 22-23 February ash plumes from Rabaul caldera’s Tavurvur cone rose to altitudes of 1.8-3 km (6,000-10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted S, W, and NW. Sources: Darwin Volcanic Ash … Continue reading →

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Popocatépetl, Mexico

Posted on February 27, 2009 by Robert Peckyno

CENAPRED reported that emissions of steam and gas from Popocatépetl were visible during 18-24 February; the plumes occasionally contained slight amounts of ash. Sources: Centro Nacional de Prevencion de Desastres (CENAPRED) – “Reports provided courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism … Continue reading →

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