Volcanoes Vex Air Force Base Relocation

The proposal to relocate the 18th Aggressor Squadron’s 21 F-16s from Eielson, located 25 miles southeast of Fairbanks, to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage is intended to save money. It’s part of an $8.7 billion dollar cut to the Air Force budget. Alaska is one of 33 states with bases affected by proposed cuts.

Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gov. Sean Parnell expressed that concern in a letter sent Wednesday to the Air Force’s secretary and chief of staff stating that “When volcanoes near Anchorage erupt, the air space can close.  While the Air Force has measures in place to respond to a volcanic eruption, the cost of relocating the fighter planes to another base would be increased if the F-16s were at Elmendorf-Richardson.”

Read more @: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner – Alaska delegation Parnell say Eielson move poses volcano risk

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So…. the issue here as I’m reading it is moving from 25 miles SE of Fairbanks to Anchorage where there is a greater risk of ash.

Well…. let’s take a closer look at the situation…

Here’s a map of Alaska near Anchorage from the Alaka Volcano Observatory.

Upwind from Anchorage we have Spurr

Spurr Ash from the 1992 Eruption from the Michigan Technological University EOS Volcanology

and Redoubt

Redoubt Ash Fall

Next to Fairbanks we have (also from AVO):

Interior Alaska Volcano Map Courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

A tuff ring and a dome.

My humble opinion is … don’t move the planes.    Just sayin’

Earthquake Swarm Rumbles in Hawaii

Current Seismic Activity

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports the Kaoiki seismic swarm continues about three miles Northwest of Halemaumau Crater with increased activity overnight with two magnitude 4+ earthquakes Friday (Feb 24).

As of 7:15 a.m. Friday 78 earthquakes were recorded in the previous 24 hours with 74 of these were related to the earthquake swarm, two were in the upper East rift zone and two were on the South flank faults.

Click the map for a continuously updated map of earthquakes in Hawaii

February 15-21, 2012

Volcanoes with reported activity include:

Cleveland, Chuginadak Island | Kanaga, Andreanof Islands | Reventador, Ecuador | Tinakula, Santa Cruz Islands (SW Pacific) | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Turrialba, Costa Rica | Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain) | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) | Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Popocatépetl, México | Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Central Chile | Sakura-jima, Kyushu |  Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

As always, you can view loads of additional background information at Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu) and detailed activity reports at the Smithsonian/USGS Global Volcanism Program.  (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/)

The IAVCEI 2012 Calendar

Every year, the IAVCEI (the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior for the newbs…) puts out the call for the most amazing volcano pictures (I’m sure glad I’m not on the decision making committee…) and this years calendar is very cool.

The 2012 IAVCEI Volcano Calendar is now available at:

Calendars.com
http://www.calendars.com/Weather/Volcanoes-2012-Wall-Calendar/prod201200004736/?categoryId=cat00387

OR, you can also buy the calendars directly from the publisher at:
http://www.browntrout.com/calendars/product.asp?MGID=-1&IID=11751

I’d suggest buying one – If this one doesn’t sell well…, they might do a “Men of Geology” calendar next year…

February 08-14, 2012

Volcanoes with reported activity include:

Cleveland, Chuginadak Island | Galunggung, Western Java (Indonesia) | Ijen, Eastern Java (Indonesia) | Lokon-Empung, Sulawesi | Reventador, Ecuador | Etna, Sicily (Italy) | Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain) | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) | Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Popocatépetl, México | Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Central Chile | Sakura-jima, Kyushu |  Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)

As always, you can view loads of additional background information at Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu) and detailed activity reports at the Smithsonian/USGS Global Volcanism Program.  (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/)

February 01-07, 2012

(I apparently skipped this week… sorry 😦 – new job, crazy busy, drinking more coffee…) – better late than never…!)

Volcanoes with reported activity last week include:

Cameroon, Cameroon | Cleveland, Chuginadak Island | Karkar, Northeast of New Guinea (SW Pacific) | Papandayan, Western Java (Indonesia) | Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia) | Tungurahua, Ecuador | Dukono, Halmahera | Etna, Sicily (Italy) | Fuego, Guatemala | Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain) | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) | Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Popocatépetl, México | Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Central Chile | Sakura-jima, Kyushu |Santa María, Guatemala | Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat | Suwanose-jima, Ryukyu Islands (Japan)

As always, you can view loads of additional background information at Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu) and detailed activity reports at the Smithsonian/USGS Global Volcanism Program.  (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/)

Welcome CalVo!

The USGS Volcano Hazards Program issued a press release announcing the establishment of the USGS California Volcano Observatory (CalVO), which replaces the Long Valley Observatory (LVO).  Like LVO, CalVO operates out of existing facilities within the USGS Menlo Park (CA) campus with Margaret (Maggie) Mangan as the Scientist-in-Charge.

The URL for the press release is http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3097.

This event also coincides with the release of a new CalVO website and the redirect and removal of the old LVO website.

The new website address is:  http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/calvo/.

Establishing CalVO is the most visible part of a general restructuring of the responsibilities of the five observatories operated by the US Geological Survey.

• The California Volcano Observatory watches over volcanoes in California and Nevada;
• the Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) is responsible  for volcanoes in Washington, Oregon and Idaho;
• the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors volcanoes in Alaska and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas;
• the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) monitors activity in Hawaii;
• and the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is responsible for volcanoes in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

How many volcanoes are there in the United States??

Good question!  (I’m looking at you Mr. Jindal…)

Here’s a list compiled a few years back from Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada, by Wood and Kienle.  They list all volcanoes that are younger that 5 million years old and are morphologically distinct.  If your state is not listed it probably means there are no volcanoes there or they are the remnants of something older than 5 million years!  (let the floods commence)

According to them, there are about 262 volcanoes and volcanic fields in North America.

Location	Number of Volcanoes
Canada*	21
USA*	241
Alaska*	108
Arizona*	9
California*	24
Colorado*	1
Idaho*	6
Hawai’i*	19
Nevada*	7
New Mexico*	16
Oregon*	34
Utah*	6
Washington*	9
Wyoming*	2

Need a new job? You can always work on a volcano!

The Mt. St. Helens Institute is conducting a

search for a new executive director!!

(cool, right?)

The job description is shown below:

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Job Title:     Executive Director
Hours:          Full time, salaried, exempt position
Salary:         Commensurate with experience
Benefits:       Medical, vacation sick leave, IRA, holidays per MSHI policies

Overview of Position:

To lead the Mount St. Helens Institute in connecting people to stewardship, science and appreciation of volcanic landscapes.

Responsibilities:

1.      Board Administration: Support operations and administration of the Board by advising and informing Board members, interfacing between Board and staff and supporting Board’s evaluation of Executive Director.
2.      Fundraising: Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach funders, overseeing, writing and submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation.
3.      Program, Product and Service Delivery: Oversees design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products and services.
4.      Financial, Tax, Risk, and Facilities Management: Creates and recommends annual budget for Board approval and prudently manages organization’s resources within those budget guidelines according to current laws and regulations. Manages payroll and staff benefits.
5.      Human Resources: Effectively manage the human resources of the organization according to authorized personnel policies and procedures that fully conform to current laws and regulations. Manages staff, assigns duties and supervises.
6.      Community and Public Relations: Assures the organization and its mission, programs, products, and services are regularly and consistently presented in strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders.  Support MSHI outreach efforts through collaboration with other organizations, schools and non-profits.

Accountability:
The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors

Required Qualifications:

1. 2 years experience in non-profit management, preferably as a program or volunteer director or executive director, or significant experience in related field
2. Experience in providing programs, ensuring quality and depth, and supporting staff in program development and implementation
3. Strong management and supervisory skills
4. Strong, proven fundraising experience, including donor management
5. Demonstrates leadership ability in strategic planning and board management and staff direction
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and administrative capabilities
7. Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s preferred

Applicants should apply no later than February 17, 2012.  Please send cover letter and resume to:  Mount St Helens Institute Executive Director Search info@mshinstitute.org
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About the Institute:

Founded in 1996 by a handful of individuals passionate about Mount St. Helens, the Mount St. Helens Institute is a 501(c) (3) private, nonprofit organization devoted to helping people understand and protect the volcano. We aim to enrich people’s experiences at Mount St. Helens through our field seminars, guided climbs, lecture series, work parties, and outings. Supported by generous businesses and individuals across the country, we want to share our enthusiasm for the Pacific Northwest’s youngest and most active volcano. We believe that this special landscape deserves support through education, research and stewardship.

January 25-31, 2012

Volcanoes with reported activity last week include:

Cleveland, Chuginadak Island | Gamalama, Halmahera | Krakatau, Indonesia |Lewotolo, Lomblen Island (Indonesia) | Nyamuragira, Democratic Republic of Congo | Paluweh, Lesser Sunda Islands (Indonesia) | Dukono, Halmahera | Etna, Sicily (Italy) | Hierro, Canary Islands (Spain) | Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Kilauea, Hawaii (USA) | Kizimen, Eastern Kamchatka (Russia) | Pagan, Mariana Islands | Popocatépetl, México | Puyehue-Cordón Caulle, Central Chile | Sakura-jima, Kyushu |Santa María, Guatemala | Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia) | Soufrière Hills, Montserrat

As always, you can view loads of additional background information at Volcano World (http://volcano.oregonstate.edu) and detailed activity reports at the Smithsonian/USGS Global Volcanism Program.  (http://www.volcano.si.edu/reports/usgs/)