Vulcanism

The Island of Hawaii has an ongoing eruption from Kilauea Volcano's southeast rift. It began in 1983 and has been active almost continuously since then. It has covered two subdivisions, a church founded by Father Damien, a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center plus a nearby campground.It completely destroyed a landmark black sand beach at Kalapana. At the same time, it has been creating new land mass (highly unstable), more black sand beaches and topographic features such as cinder cones and spa ter cones. It is visible from the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Park Rangers are on duty.

This link will take you directly to Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory for the latest eruption updates, maps and links to other volcanic sites. http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/update/

The other definitive source of information on Hawaii's volcanoes with many links http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/eruption.html This is daybreak over Pu'u 'O'o

now that is a sunrise I could get up for every day!

*smile* It is less than thirty miles from where I am sitting.

wow, it's beautiful though!

When you are there all night and you see the dawn breaking over an active vent it is like seeing the Earth on the very first day of creation. It is an awesome feeling. No one speaks. Very moving and spiritual.

I can understand your experience Marcia must be intensely spiritual. The earth is certainly a wonderful place - a pity those who could help the most rarely do - that is to preserve it.

Thanks for your persistance, Anne. It is a delight to see you posting here. Perhaps you will help me with the Gaia topic and give us some insight from UK and OZ perspective. (I can use all the help I can get. I don't want to be all alone here necessarily. All are welcome!)

From a former Hilo resident who is trying to clear his username and password to join us comes this comment on my eruption picture above: Marcia: Great work on your page! Beautiful shot of the vent, but I think I can top sunrise or sunset. If you want to feel connected properly to the universe, try going about a mile offshore of old Kalapana in a boat on a clear night. That far out, one can get the complete sweep of the Milky Way above you. Then, when you look at Pu'u 'O, you can see the glow of the lava as it leaves the caldera, as well as the gas jets of blue and orange shooting skyward. Once you see it as a tapestry all around yo , it will stay in your heart forever.

is david a poet too? my goodness! it sounds breathtaking....

No - except for funny things we make up together. I want to get out in that boat and watch from there. Trying to think who owns one that does not smell of fish. Old fish...!

for that view, honey, i'll go instead (smelly fish or not) *smile*

Corundum. Beryls are softer and include Emerald and Aquamarine

oops...misread...thought you said conundrum...

The ever-vigilant and extraordinarily well-read wer misread?! *grin*

...but that was Topic 8...!

...sigh...Proving I am even more mortal that I thought I was...sorry!

No conundrum, I prefer wearing my corundum (sapphires, rubies, et al). Second hardest on the Mohs scale, after a girl's best friend. I know what's important on Planet Earth...you'll find me in precious to semi-precious. ;-D

...but Moh's scale will be down a few topics. You are right about your hardness scale.

isn't that what the ladies of Drool are known for? Hi, Karen!

Karen, William has been lurking at Drool, I think! He is on to us! *lol*

(Marcia) You are right about your hardness scale. Always. (wer) isn't that what the ladies of Drool are known for? Absolutely!! ;-D Not to mention the family jewels. Oh, but I'm bringing your topic down to our level. Nevermind. ;-o Hiya wer.

Just as long as everyone is having fun, I say!

(And I was trying to keep this conference on a higher moral plane...) Karen, I was just remembering the 2 page bit you did on which side for both Darcy and for Bingley - and whether or not they were...um....*that* way! Oh, indeed, we have fun!

...oohhh, yeah, am waiting for the *eruption* (now I'm on topic again for vulcanism) ;-D

*bravo*

*lol* Whenever I start taking myself too seriously, one or the other of you posts something like the above exchange and I dissolve into helpless laughter. How delightful....*eruption* coming August 1st BTW when my son was working at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at the main desk where tourists ask more incredibly illogical questions than they do in the field, he was asked way too often what time the next eruption started. He finally made a big red button housed in an impressive electrical box with appropriate wires dangling from it. Affixed to it was a sign stating START ERUPTION. He would push it for them and head them out the door in the right direction. One weekend when he was off someone wi h no sense of humor threw it away. I wanted it!!!

how clever!

I thought so, but apparently the bureaucracy of the National Park Service mandates the abandonment of individualism and sense of humor. I was really ticked when I found out it was missing (perhaps they sent it to the Smithsonian...NOT!)

they're just jealous they didn't think of it first!

I suspect it is sitting on someone's book shelf as a conversation piece. I wish it were mine. I should have him make me another one. He sent me a canned earthquake...why should this be any more difficult?!

(Karen)oohhh, yeah, am waiting for the *eruption* What is going on here??? L O L!! I never thought Darcy and volcanoes could be found in the same sentence!

Goodness knows I have tried to keep lofty ideals in here. But, just mentioning the Scale of Hardness brought some other creative juices to the surface and we were off. Is it not amazing how that man fits in everywhere in our discussions?! *bigger than usual sigh*

This is the Island of Hawaii map showing Hilo and the various volcanoes. This is the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park web site which is full of information, maps and pictures concerning the various points of interest. http://www.nps.gov/havo/ This is the best and easiest to access information in general for our volcanoes http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/HCV/kilauea.html We have a second volcano which has been active twice since I moved to Hawaii. Mauna Loa is the single largest mountain mass in the world. More about it: http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/mauna_loa/

For those with Adobe programs, this is the neatest map. You can zoom in for more detail and information. http://www.nps.gov/havo/pdf/map_summit.pdf Also for Adobe is http://www.nps.gov/havo/pdf/map_park.pdf http://www.nps.gov/havo/pdf/map_island.pdf

latest updates of various volcanoes: Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 14:00:17 +0001 Subject: Colima,Guagua Pichincha,Fuego Sender: VOLCANO ************************************************************* Colima, Mexico ************************************************************* Date: Thu, 15 Jul 1999 12:02:36 -0700 Apparent new explosive eruption from Mexico's Colima volcano at approximately 1615 GMT on 15 July 1999, with ash cloud to 19,000 feet (nearly 6km) above sea level. From: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/SSD/ML/vaacmsgs.html ------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Jul 1999 12:58:48 -0700 The 16 July 1999 Press Release shows the lowered level of seisimicity persisted at Colima, with an average of ~10 weak degassing events or explosions/day. However, at 1241 on 17 July a sudden but brief eruption threw glowing debris onto the flanks of the mountain while the ash plume rose to at least 12km above sea level, with ash falls to the WSW. Evacuations were ordered in local communities, although some residents refused to comply. Following the short termed strong eruption, seismicity returned to its low levels again. Loosely translated from: http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/jul16.html, http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/jul17.html Minor ash eruptions have continued on 18 July at Colima. From: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/SSD/ML/vaacmsgs.html -------------------------- Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1999 20:12:39 -0700 At 0830 on 19 July 1999, a collapse down the S flank of Colima produced a block and ash flow some 2km in length. This collapse left a scar down the track of the 1998-99 lava flows. Heavy rains a few hours later generated a hot lahar some 4km in length from the deposit of the 0830 block and ash flow. Loosely translated from: http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/jul19.html ************************************************************* Guagua Pichincha, Ecuador ************************************************************* The report for 14 July 1999 for Guagua Pichincha showed a single small explosion, followed by six hours of tremor of varying amplitude. Loosely translated from: http://www.cybw.net/volcan/ ************************************************************* Fuego, Guatemala ************************************************************* Renewed eruption at Guatamala's Fuego volcano on 19 July 199, marked by a hotspot on satellite imagery and small ash eruptions. From: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/SSD/ML/vaacmsgs.html

I wonder why they didn't cast Mr. Firth as the lead in "Joe and the Volcano"...

Mr Firth, heaven forbid, would never consider such a role. But in Femme Fatale he did say he had spent his honeymoon in the Islands where the volcano is erupting...that is THIS island!

I wonder why they didn't cast Mr. Firth as the lead in "Joe and the Volcano"... Is it keeping you up at night?

Not I, my dear...but I have the feeling the question was not addressed to me.

that is one of the things, yes...I wish I could get some sleep, though, as these typos I keep making are dragging me d-o-w-n...

This topic is a lot of fun, Marcia... Karen, you bring lofty planes to terrestrial perspective very cleverly... Why do you all think Mr. Darcy "smolders"? It *must* be a volcano inside.

Poor William...I did not know you were having sleep and typo problems. Might I be of any help? Darcy not only smoulders from the volcano inside...he has erupted with amazing frequency, also, if our FanFiction writers are to be believed...

Renewed mild eruptions at New Zealand's White Island began no later than 21 July 1999 from a new vent some 60-100m SW of PeeJay vent, accompanied by weak volcanic tremor. -------------------------- From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/earthact/volcanoes/wizv9912.htm SCIENCE ALERT BULLETIN: WIZ V99/12 July 26 1999 (Monday) 1500 NZST (UT +12) WHITE ISLAND VOLCANO Update: Summary Minor eruptive activity has recommenced at White Island from a new vent to the south of the vents active earlier this year. Volcanic ash was erupted from this vent during the later part of last week and the weekend. Ash emissions decreased significantly on Sunday July 25. A small lake is still present within Metra Crater. Only weak volcanic tremor has been recorded during periods of known the ash emission. During an over flight on Saturday July 24 the steam and gas plume was observed extending over 40km downwind of the volcano. The alert level remains at Alert Level 1. Observations An overflight was made between 1340 and 1352h on July 24. A weakly ash charged steam and gas plume was rising to about 600m above the active vent, before being blown downwind for over 40km. The plume carried very minor volcanic ash. Viewing conditions within the Main Crater area were poor, although the local wind was from the SE at 12-15kts. Views obtained were sufficient to ascertain that neither PeeJay vent nor the new vent immediately east of it was the source of the volcanic ash cloud. The ash cloud appeared to originate from an area about 60-100m to the south west, towards the gully system that drains SE in to Metra Carter. This active vent was continuously emitting ash. There was no evidence of ash accumulating on the Main Crater floor or on the outer flanks of the cone, indicating no significant ash emission has occurred. There was also no evidence of impact craters. Tour operators visiting the island on Wednesday July 21, experienced minor ash emissions. While on Friday July 23 several aircraft operators observed a plume extending to 3000m above the island. Tour operators also report ash emission stop after 0830h on Sunday July 25. In summary, minor eruptive activity has recommenced at White Island. With the recommencement of activity the possibility of larger scale eruptions is again present. Hence all visitors to the island should exercise caution. Brad Scott Mgr Volcano Surveillance ----------------------------

Darcy not only smoulders from the volcano inside...he has erupted with amazing frequency, also, if our FanFiction writers are to be believed... Indeed! ;~D

Colima, Mexico Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 09:56:00 -0500 (CDT) From: Juan Carlos Gavilanes Subject: Explosion at Colima volcano A strong explosion occurred yesterday (29 July 99) at 14:42 hrs (local time) at Colima volcano's crater. Mr. Jesus Mendez, who is the political authority of La Yerbabuena village (8 km from the crater, ~195 inhabitants, the nearest community) informed via radio that the explosion was clearly heard and seen from the village. He also estimated that the pyroclastic flows and rockfalls triggered by the explosion reached approximately the same distances of those produced by the 17 July 1999 explosion: a maximum runout of 5- 5.5 km along La Lumbre gully (volcano's west flank). On the Cordoban barrancas (SW flank) the distal reachness of the pyroclastic flows was estimated by him in ~3-3.5 km from the crater. Following yerterday's explosion, a relatively intense ashfall occurred on La Yerbabuena, causing irritations on eyes among some villagers and visitors, but fortunatelly few minutes after the ashfall, volunteers of Pro eccion Civil Colima (Cuauhtemoc County) arrived to the village to provide light surgery masks to the people, so the effects of the ashfall were substancially minimized. Before this explosion, policemen of Policia de Procuracion de Justicia de Colima who were at La Yerbabuena previously and during the explosion reported intense jet sounds at 12:40 and some rockfalls. A very light ashfall was noticed at the city of Colima (32 km to the South of the crater), which started at 17:05 hrs and stopped at ~ 20:00 hrs. More intense ashfall was registered at some towns located on the S and SE sectors of the volcano (Queseria, 7,700 inhabitants, 14.5 km from the crater; Montitlan, more that 50 inhabitants, 12.2 km from the crater). At 18:04 hrs a strong exhalation was ejected from the crater. The ash column, rose rapidly, and reached at least 5,500 m.a.s.l., which was clearly seen from the city of Colima. The observers of Proteccion Civil Jalisco posted at their observatory (4,000 m.a.s.l.) on the W upper slopes of Nevado de Colima (5.7 km to the north of Colima volcano's crater) reported that they did not hear any explosion sound accompanying this exhalation. It looks that this exhalation was responsible of most ashfall registered yesterday at the city of Colima. Juan Carlos Gavilanes Ruiz. Observatorio Vulcanologico de la Universidad de Colima. Coordinador del Grupo de Informacion a la Poblacion en Zonas de Alto y Medino Riesgo.

Volcano Updates Date: Mon, 02 Aug 1999 11:55:47 -0700 Subject: Taal News Increased geothermal activity at Taal volcano in the Philippines continues with prolonged geysering and volcanic earthquakes. This activity may be due to heavy rains interacting with subterranean heat. Full article at: Philippine Headline News http://www.newsflash.org (see Hometown & Community News) According to the news article at the above web site, the was a mud geysering event on August 1 at Taal that lasted 9 hours, accompanied by 3 volcanic earthquakes and some steam eruption. Phivolcs has maintained a Level 1 alert at Taal volcano, and has banned visits to the main crater area. Other information on Taal activity, as well as some recent explosions at Pinatubo, can be found at the Manila Bulletin website: http://www.mb.com.ph/main/9907/29jm01g.asp ___________________________________________________________________ Colima, Mexico ******************************************* Date: Mon, 02 Aug 1999 11:55:47 -0700 Subject: 30 July 1999 Colima Update The 30 July Press Release indicates that Colima continues to experience high seismic levels accompanied by periodic moderate explosions or degassing events, following the major eruption of 29 July. Loosely translated from: http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/jul30.html ---------------------- Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 15:54:08 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Impact of 29 July Colima explosion Due to the ashfall caused by the 29 July 14:42 hrs. explosion and 18:04 hrs. exhalation of Colima volcano, aerial traffic at the national airport of the City of Colima was interrupted from the afternoon of 29 July until at least 13:00 hrs. on 30 July. Meanwhile, aerial arrivals were redirected to the city of Guadalajara (~180 km to the north of Colima city). Observatorio Vulcanologico de la Universidad de Colima. Coordinador del Grupo de Informacion a la Poblacion en Zonas de Alto y Medino Riesgo. ******************************************* Fuego, Guatemala ******************************************* Date: Mon, 02 Aug 1999 11:55:47 -0700 Subject: Fuego Update Fuego remains restless seismically. A periodic hot spot shows up on satellite imagery and there may be some occasional small ash events. This is from several reports at: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/SSD/ML/vaacmsgs.html

************************************ Guagua Pichincha, Ecuador ************************************ Small phreatic eruption at Guagua Pichincha at 2109 on 16 August, followed by one hour of tremor. The eruptions on 10 & 12 August have left a thin veneer of ash on vegetation to the W of the dome. The most recent eruptions have occurred from the W part of the dome itself. The Cristal River has become muddy from recent ashfalls. Photo of Guagua Pichincha showing active features at: http://www.cybw.net/volcan/fotos/990720d.html -------------------- On 23 August a small phreatic eruption took place at Guagua Pichincha, not followed by tremor. At 0807 on 24 a large explosion took place, with a mushroom-shaped eruption cloud rising to 6km a.s.l and ashfalls to the S. Two smaller events followed, with an eruption plume to 3km. These events were followed by tremor. Strong fumarolic activity in the 1981 crater and the July 1999 craters on the W part of the dome was noted afterwards. From: http://www.cybw.net/volcan/ ************************************ Telica, Nicaragua ************************************ New eruption at Nicaragua's Telica volcano on 10 August, with ash clouds ascending to 300-400 m above the volcano. This event was somewhat larger than that of June. From: www.igc.org

U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory 2:00 p.m. - September 12, 1999 Earthquake swarm and ground deformation event at Kilauea Volcano Starting about 1:31 Sunday morning, September 12, a swarm of small earthquakes and associated volcanic tremor began at Kilauea Volcano. The swarm was concentrated along the east rift zone between Devil's Throat and Mauna Ulu, but earthquakes eventually occurred in a broader area involving the summit and south flank areas. The strongest part of the swarm lasted a couple of hours, but earthquakes are continuing at the time of writing (2:00 p.m., September 12), as is tremor from the summit caldera. Many of the earthquakes were felt by residents of Mauna Loa Estates, Volcano, and other nearby areas. Most of the earthquakes were shallow, within 2-3 miles of the ground surface. The largest rift zone earthquake was approximately magnitude 3.0. At 5:59 a.m. the largest earthquake in this episode occurred beneath Kilauea's south flank, near Pu`u `O`o. This earthquake was approximately magnitude 3.7, but final calculations have not yet been made. Accompanying the earthquake swarm was deflation of the summit area and the east rift zone between the summit and Pu`u `O`o. The deflation, detected by five electronic tiltmeters newly installed in this area, began at about the same time as the earthquakes and tremor. We anticipate that GPS data, currently being processed, will show substantial widening of the rift zone. The floor of crater in Pu`u `O`o collapsed and is now mostly overed with rubble. Aerial views at about 11 a.m. showed only a tiny pad of weakly spattering lava remaining in the crater. The flow of lava through the tube to the coast was weak and luggish when observed between 11 a.m. and noon. One small trickle was entering the ocean at the bench, most of which had collapsed into the sea since about 8 a.m. this morning. By 1:30 p.m., the steam plume had died, and the eruption had entered into another pause, which likely will last from a few days to several weeks. ------From the HVO Eruption Update Web Page today: 700 September 13, 1999. The swarm of earthquakes reported in yesterday's update (see below) has ended. Summit tilt is slowly recovering, but ermanent tilt may have been induced at several other stations. There is no significant tremor at Pu`u `O`o, and the pause in the eruption continues. 1500 September 12, 1999. swarm of small earthquakes and associated volcanic tremor egan at Kilauea at 0131 September 12. The swarm was oncentrated in a short segment of the upper east rift zone between Devil's Throat and Mauna Ulu but eventually spread across the summit and south flank. The main swarm lasted a couple of hours, but earthquakes continued until at least 1500. Most of the earthquakes were shallow (1-5 km) and small (magnitude less than 3); nonetheless, residents of the Volcano area felt many earthquakes in the early Sunday hours. One magnitude 3.7 earthquake at 0559 took place near Pu`u `O`o at about 10 km depth. Sharp deflation of the summit and east rift zone began at the time of the swarm. The rift zone between the summit and Pu`u `O`o sagged and presumably spread as magma intruded into the rift zone from beneath the summit. The floor of the crater in Pu`u `O`o collapsed several tens of meters and is now strewn with rubble, with only a tiny pad of weakly spattering lava remaining. These events initiated a pause in eruptive activity. By 1330 the steam plume at the ocean entry had died. The bench began to collapse between about 0800 and 0915 and was more than 80 percent gone by noon. By analogy to episode 54 in January 1997, today's events may initiate a pause that lasts several days or more.

Kilauea Volcano Eruption Update http://wwwhvo.wr.usgs.gov/ Another pause in episode 55 of the Pu`u `O`o - Kupaianaha eruption began at 0131 HST on the morning of September 12. The supply of magma to Pu`u `O`o was interrupted in response to an intrusion into the upper east rift zone in an area between Pauahi Crater and Mauna Ulu, based on the location of small earthquakes and the pattern of ground tilt from several tiltmeters. About 8 hours after the start of the intrusion, the active lava bench on the south coast of Kilauea began collapsing into the sea. Several small collapses were observed by scientists on September 12, and by the evening of September 13, about 2 ha (5 acres) had been removed. The discharge of lava into the sea stopped completely in the afternoon of September 13. The intrusion began when three tiltmeters at the summit showed a downward tilt of the ground (red line) toward the caldera. A swarm of small earthquakes along the upper rift zone accompanied the ground deformation. The downward tilt indicates that magma was moving out of the summit reservoir; data from two other tiltmeters on the east rift zone (east of Pauahi Crater and just uprift from Pu`u `O`o) indicate the magma was moving into the rift zone. The reversal of summit tilt about 4-6 hours later indicates when the intrusion stopped and magma once again moved into the summit reservoir. An inspection on September 12 of the ground above the intrusion did not reveal new ground cracks, which suggests the magma intusion did not reach to within 1-2 km of the surface. Much remains to be learned from this event. Leveling across the zone of intrusion on September 14 showed changes in elevations that provide clear evidence for a dike, but the size and depth of the dike remain to be calculated. The onset of seismicity and tilting on September 12 was abrupt and simultaneous to within the one-minute resolution of the tilt data, all along the rift zone and the summit. This intriguing observation will be the source of considerable interpretative effort by HVO staff and colleagues.

There were heavy quakes in Turkey and Greece, and in Taiwan, also. High casualties in Turkey and Taiwan, several dead in Greece.

Yes, Indeed - check Geo 9 - Seismology

It appears that the mid-atlantic ridge separation and the Pacific Ring of Fire are the only two which are defined by volcanic activity...and the Great Rift Valley in Africa...Each of those little white triangles represents a volcano.

Wonderful map, Marcia, I think this is what I was looking for or very near it, I'll save and study it.:-)

Great! I found it while looking for something entirely different...and I downloaded it to my space on Spring's hard drive - it is definitely a keeper.

KILAUEA VOLCANO UPDATE The lava pond in Pu`u `O`o remains active this afternoon, and lava is oozing from the lava tube system onto the surface between Pu`u `O`o and the top of Pulama Pali. Tremor near the vent has increased since yesterday. 1545 October 5, 1999 Observations yesterday and early this morning found no active surface flows on Pulama pali or anywhere else in the flow field. Consequently we are defining the period from 2200 on October 3 to 0945 on October 5 as a pause. During this time, tremor virtually ceased near Pu`u `O`o and Kilauea's summit was showing slight swelling. However, by 0945 today breakouts of lava were taking place from a perched lava pond built above the lava tube about halfway between Pu`u `O`o and the top of Pulama Pali. The pahoehoe flows from the perched pond were small, but one entered a kipuka just west of the pond and started fires. The surface of Pu`u `O`o's lava lake this morning and early afternoon was about 7 m below the terrace around the lake, which in turn is about 50 m below the rim of the crater. A thin crust caps the lake, broken only by three bubbling areas and by sporadic crustal overturns. Tremor near Pu`u `O`o is weak but distinctly higher than during the pause. Tilt at Kilauea's summit is now flat.

Since this was written (two day ago) there have been more outbreaks reported by the tour pilots - a frequency I monitor with great regularity.

the triangles are volcanoes? didn't know we had so many on the west coast!

All of the Cascades are volcanic from Seattle to Mt Shasta in California...and Lassen!

The Pilots today are reporting that since the old tube system is blocked by cooling lava, the new flows are coming out of a "sky light" hole in the tube system and is forming a new cinder cone around the vent. Mountain building going on as we speak...almost in my back yard, actually!

watching nature recreate herself!

This is not only true at the vent (making the spatter and cinder cone) but also at the ocean where the island increases its size as flows harden and extend beyond the existing shoreline. From time to time that also becomes unstable and acres of the stuff crash back into the sea - and on occasion has taken a visitor, who ignored the warning signs and ropes, with it. I am a great believer in what the ranger tell us is safe and what is not safe - they are not there to spoil our fun!

good for you! cuz we wouldn't want our marcia and volcano lover to be too swept away in the moment!! *hugs*

*hugs* Thanks!...me too...! Gonna post a few pictures to show the different side of the story of lava - it nourishes as well as kills: Stop sign in a buried street: New Land and Black Sand Beach being created: Little Ohia Tree growing in crack of hardened Pahoehoe Flow:

yes, just like natural occuring forest fires. it's done on purpose by mother nature herself!

Absolutely! Some seeds will not germinate without first having gone through a fire - or through the digestive tract of an animal! Very good point, My Dear!

VOLCANOES OF THE WEST COAST

i had no idea we had that many over there! and here i thought our only volcano in the conus was mt st. helens!!

...and who says the internet is not educational...?! I hunted for just this sort of map. I think there are many people who think the ones in Hawaii and perhaps Alaska and Mt St Helens are the only volcanoes we have. Not so!!! Ours are just more active at the moment...

Rock Becomes a River --by John Burnett, copyright 1999 Rock becomes a river underground, superheated, supercharged, answering only to Madame Pele. Rock becomes a river underground, spewing forth as a mighty geyser leaping, reaching ever higher, seeking to paint the sky and cover its blue with a brilliant hue of red. Rock becomes a river underground, trickling to the surface, then meandering at a nearly apologetic pace while coursing an interminable, inevitable, inescapable path, altering both topographic and human landscapes, playing no favorites-- and exploding in a toxic haze where the river meets the sea.

This is magnificent, John. I am honored you chose to put it here! It is wonderful beyond words and Geo is privileged to have been so chosen. Mahalo Nui Loa.

It is unpublished, so Geo is first. Thank you.

(bowing with appreciation and humility)...*speechless but glowing* *HUG*

In tribute to your inspired poem, I offer the generation of that creative power Pu'u O'o in Eruption

Pu`u Oh! Oh!

*laugh* You're delightful...!

In the immortal words of my late daddy, E: "Thankya verramuch!"

Both of you make this a very nice place to be. Thanks :-) BTW, learned a new Internet symbol [] means "hug" so please consider yourselves hugged :-)

Ah...Thank you! I did not know about that! All the ones I have in Arial are more square than that. Where did you find it? (other than in character map)

trying....

Where are the pictures of Mt. Etna? A whole lotta lava flowing...

Nothing is showing on my life cam on the wx program. If this does not update I will scribble it and post static pictures of that eruption

Will post the photo captures from Mt Etna when I get them - the live cam did not update in here.

The new thematic buttons are nice, but the "forget" button forgot to download.

I have searched all over my three identical files Wolfie sent to me with the buttons...it is just not there. Unless one can be tweeked by the master tweeker and installed (I ftp'd extra buttons over to spring) perhaps the tweeker could post some other forget...! Actually, they forgot to send it!

EPISODIC ACTIVITY AND LAVA OVERFLOWS FROM THE BOCCA NUOVA OF ETNA CONTINUE. Repeated surges of lava have overflowed the western rim of the Bocca Nuova, one of Etna's four summit craters, since late 17 October, and spilled up to 4 km down the western flank of the volcano. The overflows were caused by episodes of violent Strombolian activity and lava fountaining at the crater which is completely filled; a sizeable pyroclastic cone is growing in the western part of the Bocca Nuova. Bombs are thrown over a large part of the summit area, making visits to the scene of this exceptional activity highly dangerous. A detailed report will be posted later today on the Etna News Page. - WORLDWIDE VOLCANISM UPDATE. http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~boris/gifs/image/Etna181099_1.jpg

MT ETNA ERUPTION UPDATE http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~boris/ETNA_news.html 21 October 1999 update. After continuing vigorously until the early morning of 20 October, the activity from the eruptive vents in the W and NW part of the Bocca Nuova ceased, and the overflow of lava through the notch (formed on 17 October) in the W crater rim stopped. Sometime around dawn (0700 h local time=GMT+2), forceful expulsions of ash began from the SE vent in the Bocca Nuova, which had shown little activity in the past week. Later that day weather conditions deteriorated, and visual observations were rendered impossible. However, it was stated this morning that the activity was at low levels throughout the day (communication from Marco Fulle, Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste, who presently stays at the Rifugio Sapienza and received this information from forest guard personnel). This morning at 0300 h, intense eruptive activity reportedly resumed, with renewed lava overflow from the Bocca Nuova onto the W flank. As of the early afternoon of 21 October, bad weather is preventing visual observations.

Awesome! I was in Taormina two years ago, and we could see Mt. Etna in the distance. Very quiet at the time. Wonder what it looks like from out there now...

The weather has been particularly bad lately which is why their Volcano Cam is not sending images - it seems like fog and low clouds are obscuring the eruption, but a glow is suffused throughout the entire area surrounding the mountain. It will be nice with the weather clears - though eruptions have been known to make their own weather systems. We'll just have to wait...I promise to post something as soon as it is available.

Interesting Volcano Trivia http://www.dc.peachnet.edu/~pgore/students/f96/students/harris/webpage.htm The Tambora Volcano, located in Indonesia, killed 92,000 people in 1815- the most people ever killed by a volcano. There are, at best guess, 1511 volcanoes that have erupted in the last 10,000 years. The biggest volcano is the world is Mauna Loa in Hawaii (80,000 cubic kilometers). The biggest volcano in our solar system is Olympus Mons on Mars (17 miles tall). Ojos del Salado in Chile is the world's tallest volcano (22,589 ft or 6887m). The largest eruption ever was Yellowstone 2.2 million years ago. The eruption produced 2500 cubic kilometers of ash. The youngest volcano is Paricutin in Mexico. It grew out of a cornfield in 1943 and erupted for 8-9 years. Diamonds cannot be melted by lava.

Surtsey in Iceland is younger than Paricutin...And from Base to summit, Mauna Loa is the world's tallest volcano - 28,000' (8534.4 M) below sea level + almost 14,000' (4267 M) above sea level makes it 42,000' (12602 M) total.

(Marcia)Diamonds cannot be melted by lava. So they are still a girl's best friend...;-D

...If the girl falls into lava - which is rather cool (a mere 2000�F or 1093�C). You can evaporate your diamonds - they turn into Carbon Dioxide and burn with a blue flame, but then they are all gone!

I was thinking more along the lines of girl not falling into lava but home being washed by it... or whatever ;-)

Houses usually spontaneously combust when the lava approaches because of the intense heat...Then the lava paves over the entire place so nothing is left which is recognizable as having once been a home, yard, garden or proptecting wall around the place. It is urban renewal on a scale never imagined until you actually see it!

From Reuters Nwews Service Send Page Thursday - 20:57 11/04/99, EST Mexican Volcano Shoots Smoke High Into The Sky MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano sprang to life Thursday morning after months of dormancy, sending smoke two miles into the sky, officials said. ``Today, at 11:10 a.m. there was a moderately significant exhalation, lasting 19 minutes, that produced a smoke column of two to three kilometers in height,'' the Interior Ministry said in a statement. A series of tremors were also felt Wednesday at the volcano, 40 miles southeast of Mexico City, from where 18 million residents can sometimes see the volcano through the smog. Ash was expected to rain on nearby communities. Mexico City airport was placed on alert and some flights were delayed, airport officials said. The government said there had been no significant change in activity at the volcano, and that a yellow alert remained in place, prohibiting access within a three-mile radius. A yellow alert means that Popocatepetl, which last provoked safety warnings in February, could erupt in weeks or months but probably no sooner.

On the best kids volcano site this letter and answer (by a Geologist I know personally!!!)http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/frequent_questions/grp13/question2153.html dear srs: if the Popocatepetl volcano eruption could lava arrive to Mexico City? Alessandra Hi Alessandra, No, there won't be any lava from Popocatepetl getting to Mexico City. Popocatepetl does not produce very much lava and that which it does produce is very viscous and slow-moving. Instead of flowing down the slopes it piles up into what is called a dome. Popocatepetl is much more likely to produce explosive eruptions. These have already managed to spread ash all the way to Mexico City, but the effects were not particularly serious. The biggest danger is from pyroclastic flows and lahars. These are an immediate threat to the towns on the slopes of the volcano itself, and in the worst case scenario might affect Puebla, but not Mexico City. Sincerely, Scott Rowland

Well, it worked in Drool - guess I'll have to hunt thru telnet tomorrow te see what went wrong with your post here. Hmmm...thought we had it fixed!

did you guys notice the forgotten forget button has been remembered and is now part of the conference? (just thought i'd throw that in since every topic in this place is concerned about the fogotten forget button *grin*)

Yes, we did indeed see that. It is mentioned somewhere in this conference. Thanks for such lovely eruption buttons - I smile every time I come in here and admire them. I especially love the one without the frame.

so do i! *smile*

*sigh*

Why aren't the others made frameless as well?

Because Wolfie and I do not know how to do it. Only cfadm does, and he's not telling.

we have found a program online (nothing to download) which will make your frames transparent or even different colors and reword your buttons. Very nice, Indeed. That is why they look gettr ( make that better) than before, but I need the font and size of same before I can change the interiors - which I now have to bother Wolfie about now...

The latest update on the Kilauea Eruption which began on January 4, 1983... 0645, January 5, 2000 Eruptive conditions are little changed from those of yester- day. The ocean entries at the Lae`apuki bench continue to be active. Lava continues to spread across the surface of the west flow above and below Paliuli. The east arm of the east flow remains active above Pulama pali. This morning at 0550, at least four clusters of entry points were feeding lava into the ocean from the front of the Lae`apuki bench. There was, in addition, one sluggish cascade over the old sea cliff near the west end of the new bench. Surface breakouts of pahoehoe toes continue just inland of the bench. Much of the surface of the flow directly above the old sea cliff has been renewed in the past several days. Predawn glow this morning shows continued movement of the reactivated part of the old easternmost flow. The location of the glow suggests that the flow is active between about 1600 and 1100 feet elevation, above the top of Pulama pali. At least two small vents in the crater of Pu`u `O`o are glowing this morning, but there is no flow or pond in the crater. Seismic tremor near Pu`u `O`o is weak, and the tilt at Kilauea summit is flat.

Hello, my dear! I finally made it...Do you know where to find a picture of the Irazu volcano in Costa Rica? My brother was just there, and he says it's beautiful. I've never seen a volcano in real life (my country is mercifully deprived of them), so pictures will have to do. ;-D

I did an altavista image search and this is the place you should start: http://www.altavista.com/cgi-bin/query?pg=q&sc=on&q=Irazu&kl=en&stype=simage&wt=y Loads of ggod things there for just pictures. If you wish more, go to web pages on the same search. Good luck! (and welcome back!!!)

Wow, it is beautiful! Thank you... (I thought the Best Western picture was hilarious...).

(so did I, and it was the first place I accessed.) Did your brother see any signs of activity at Irazu?

No, no activity, I think. I heard today that a volcano in Guatemala has started to erupt. Do you know the details? I must correct my previous statement, because I have indeed seen a volcano in real life; the Amatitlan peak in Guatemala, with its beautiful lake. I was just a child when I visited, though and we did not go to the top, but we could see the smoke. It has a baby volcano on one side, and that one was smoking too. Quite a site.

That is, quite a sight.

I heard an eye-witness on CNN radio telling of tall plumes of dark reddish hue rising high into the sky. The One URL I have for the Volcano no longer works. I shall hunt it down as soon as I can get some sleep and type more carefully. (My New Year's Resolution!)

Saturday, 26 February, 2000, 21:51 GMT Spectacular eruption of Icelandic volcano A volcano in Iceland has erupted, sending clouds of ash and smoke up to ten kilometres into the air. The Hekla volcano -- one of the highest in Europe -- is in the remote south-west of the island and the authorities say there's no danger to local people but aircraft have been warned not to fly over the area. Witnesses say the eruption is a magnificent spectacle with red-hot lava flowing down the snow-covered slopes of the volcano. In Icelandic mythology, Hekla was believed to be one of the gates to hell and a haunt of witches.

Thanks, Maggie. I have hunted through all of the Icelandic volcanic-events links and they are not yet reporting anything. I will keep watch and post a picture and update as soon as I find one.

I went to the Icelandic news sources to see if I could find anything, but it is only on the BBC and few details. I think the last big ones for Hekla were 1991 and 1996.

There is a link I check when Vatnajokul happened http://norvol.hi.is/bard3.html - The Icelandic Volcano Observatory http://xanadu.centrum.is/icerev/daily1.html#vat - Daily updates (last was on Friday) of Iclandic news.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_659000/659187.stm Iceland's volcanic spectacular The volcano is an an uninhabited area Iceland's most active volcano, Mount Hekla, has erupted for the first time in almost 10 years, spewing columns of ash several kilometres into the sky. Experts say the volcano poses no danger as it is situated in an uninhabited area about 120 km (75 miles) east of Reykjavik. The volcano, one of the highest in Europe, has erupted more than 20 times since the 11th century. In Icelandic folklore, it was believed to be one of the gates to purgatory. Icelandic television said a lava flow from a fissure was estimated to be seven km (4.5 miles) long. Tousands of Icelanders have gone to witness the magnificent spectacle of red-hot lava and white snow. But the authorities warned drivers to beware of clouds of ash clogging up their engines. The 1,490-metre ( 4900-foot) volcano spewed ash all over Europe when it erupted last century. Seismologists say this latest incident resembles a 1991 eruption that lasted seven weeks. No flights to or from Iceland had been cancelled. But despite the civil aviation authorities warning aircraft not to fly over the zone, a flying club announced that it was charging just over $100 for aerial tours of the volcano.

Next time I'm gonna remember to put "" around the left, center and right align command and they will not end up in a string on the left...*sigh*

that top picture looks like my wife-to-be when she's in a mood...

The top picture is the sort in which people here see Madame Pele looking benign/kind/sad/whatever and then the locals predict good or dire things. Your wife-to-be has a temper, does she? And, you are going into this with eyes open. I think I'll worry some more about you - Poor Mike! He's got himself a Godess!

http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~boris/Latestnews.html 28 February 2000 POWERFUL EXPLOSIONS AT MAYON; HEKLA ACTIVITY DIMINISHES Over the past two days, Mayon unleashed its strongest explosions so far, terrifying tens of thousands of people living in the surrounding areas, and sending glowing pyroclastics hundreds of meters into the sky. Press photos show spectacular incandescent fountains illuminating the summit area, and the upper flanks covered by glowing projectiles. According to news reports, the latest activity was purely explosive, following several days of predominantly effusive activity. Philippine volcanologists noted that each explosion appeared to be stronger than its predecessor, and that the climax might yet come. So far, more than 50,000 people have been evacuated. Many left the areas around the volcano voluntarily, being impressed by the latest series of strong explosions. Local authorities asked thousands of residents, who had left areas not under threat, to return home. The refugees have been accomodated in evacuation centers, and news reports lament the lack of food and the threat of diseases. Warnings have also voiced about the danger of lahars, which might be caused by rainfalls washing the new pyroclastics from the slopes of the volcano. LINKS TO OTHER MAYON INFORMATION Mayon updates from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) ABS-CBN News (Philippine television news) Links to on-line Philippine newspapers from Yahoo Mayon Volcano Pictures:

The top image above is a dublicate - sorry. Here is the intended one: And, from Hekla:

Activity continues at Mayon Volcano, with several eruptions over the past two days, and two powerful eruptions today (Mon. Feb. 28). There are several news reports available online. (for example, http://news.lycos.com/headlines/Science/) Updates and general information on Mayon may be found at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) website: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Volcanoes/Mayon/MayonIndex.html

Amazing pictures and links! "Mother earth" is certainly restless these days...

either that or we are more aware of it because I am poking at her all day to find out what is happening. It is amazing to have people posting local weather from all over the world. What a luxury and a joy! How's Boston this evening?

It's been rather warm (in the 40's F) and rainy for the past few days. It's been nice to get rid of all that dirty snow and ice. Looks like it might get up to the 50's this week...that's balmy for this time of year! How are things in Hawaii? Is Pele still rumbling, or have the tremors calmed down for now?

Kilauea appears to have quieted down but the eruption continues on at its usual steady rate. It is still dark out as I write this, but it should be warm and sunny again...just another same old - same old day in Paradise *grin*

Must you rub it in??? ;-)

...You asked...*smile* At least you are not mowing your lawn yet. Ours is deep enough to hide tigers and nasty things like that. We need a yard service!

I also realize that you have your share of storms, earthquakes, etc. It's only in the middle of winter that I start to dream of warmer climates. When the summer hits, I head for the air-conditioning and wonder why anyone would want to live in warmer places. (I can't deal with giant bugs, either.)

...and free-range lizards all over your house... Inside?!

I forgot about the geckos...that would take some getting used to, but better them than the bugs, I guess.

Yup! They eat the bugs - and each other - then *bleep* on your picture frames, window sills, curtains, etc. The cat usually gets the lizards so we have far fewer of them than before the cat adopted us.

I like geckos and I'm not too keen usually on lizards. We always hoped to have them in our African houses - they actually like mosquitoes and can put away a surprising amount. I think they're sweet!

I think they're sweet, too. I take the babies outside so the big ones don't eat them. One night I heard crunching noises in the walkway. I turned on the front light to see what was happening, and there was a large Gekko (7" end to end) eating a large cockroach. Yup! Druther have gekkos any day of the week! Ours chirp, too!

Oh how nice, I don't remember any of ours making any noises.

I think ours are the only ones in the world which do...though there may be some other Polynesian ones which do also. It is very cute! And, no, for those wondering, they do not fall on you!

I can confirm that, I've never had a gecko fall on me yet, unlike cockraoches, millipedes, ear wigs ............

Are geckos the ones that lick their eyes with their tongues? Still if they're eating their fill of insect life, it's a small habit to get used to. Much better than an exterminator, works for free and best of all, is environmentally friendly.

African geckos are pink, sort of albino-ish, with bulging eyes, but I don't remeber them licking their eyes with their tongues, cone to that I don't remember ever seeing thier tongues! Marcia???

No, but they are pretty small. And I am sure they are very quick with that tongue unlike the pretend one on the Telly ads. We have two kinds. The ones which are supposedly are from Japan are larger, pink and almost albino (you can see the eggs in them when they are on your windows.) The Hawaiian are darker and change colors a bit more than the big pink ones and they are smaller and are prey for the bigger pink ones. Much rather have them than bugs - and we have earwigs, too!!!

Babies Born As Volcano Erupts TABACO, Philippines (Reuters) - Nine babies have been born in cramped evacuation centers in the central Philippines where refugees from the wrath of Mayon volcano have been sheltering for over a week, relief officials said on Friday. One of the new mothers, 35-year-old Asuncion Broncate, gave birth to her seventh child early on Thursday in a room at a school in Tabaco town, which was serving as a temporary shelter for 10 families. ``Despite our miserable condition it is hot, there is no electricity everything went smoothly with the grace of God,'' Broncate told Reuters as she breastfed her one-day-old baby boy at the Panal Bangkilingan Elementary School. Broncate said she gave birth without the help of a midwife or any trained help at dawn on Thursday. Other evacuees in the school, mostly farmers living on the slopes of the 2,460 meter (8,000 foot) volcano, later took the baby to a nearby hospital for an examination, she said. Veronica Madulid, a provincial disaster official, said eight other babies were born earlier in the week at other centers around Mayon. More than 65,000 people are currently housed in various evacuation centers in Albay province since Mayon first began erupting on February 24. The volcano killed 77 people in its last major eruption in 1993.

Ginny's Photrograph published on http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/hornak/ I enlarged it but do not recognize where it was taken and I was with her when she took it!

This is the slightly enlarged version - a beautiful and dramatic shot:

Thanks, Marcia! Actually, I took that picture (along with *many* more) the day that David, Polly and I hiked out to the lava shield near Pu'u O'o. I think it was called "Kupaianaha" (not sure about the spelling). Marcia was with us the day before, when we hiked out to where the lava was flowing into the ocean. That was quite a hike...it took most of the day! We scratched the paint on the sides of the rental car just getting to our starting point for the hike! I enjoyed the jiffy pop, popped on a hot vent! The picture was just published in the "Dictionary of Volcanology and Seismology". It's a Spanish-to-English/English-to-Spanish translation dictionary of volcanology and seismology terms. The author, Ken Hornak, found my web site last year, and asked permission to use the photo on the title page of the book. My sample copy of the book, signed by the author, came in the mail yesterday. It's a first for me!

Congratulations to a puvblished photographer! I remember that hike but I did it with the graduation bunch in the day time and did the Jiffy-pop thing, too. I recall being told (and I did not doubt it for a second) that it was gonna be a tough hike at night and that I should probably not go with you-all. I'm sure, from my hike of the same route that it was no easy thing to negotiate.

If I remember correctly, the hike to where the lava flowed into the ocean was at night, and you joined us. The hike to the sea shield was a much longer hike, and we did that the next day. It took the whole day, and I was pretty tired by the end of it...and I was in better shape than I am now! :-)

I remember hiking to the sea with you and have photos to prove it - some from you and some from David. Ginny's latest and now I recognize the surroundings:

Mayon Volcano Bulletin 12 March 2000 An ash puff with height of about one kilometer was observed at 0903H yesterday. The ash column was drifted to the northwest direction. The ash ejection was caused by water that comes in contact with the still hot lava deposits at the summit. And at 1242H, another minor billowing ash was seen descending the Bonga Gully due to the detachment of the new lava deposit at the upper slope. The elutriated ash cloud drifted to the west-southwest by the prevailing winds. During the rest of the past observation period the volcano was relatively quiet. This was manifested by faint crater glow at the tip of the cone and weak to moderate emission of steam. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate decreased from the previous reading of 4,300 tonnes per day (t/d) to 4,000 t/d. Seismic activity consisted of 5 low-frequency volcanic quakes and 7 episodes of short-duration tremors. Slight deflation of the volcano edifice continued to be recorded by ground deformation measurements via precise leveling. PHIVOLCS considers the moderate seismic levels, deflation of the volcanic cone, moderate steam ad SO2 outputs including crater glow to be part of the volcanic processes involving the gradual return to quiet conditions. At this stage, however, these parameters are still above normal repose levels such that Alert Level 4 remains hoisted over the volcano. http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Volcanoes/Mayon/MayonIndex.html

VOLCANOES - updates Mayon (Philippines) Summitcrater dome growth and escalating eruptions herald evacuations Barren Island (India) Naval aircraft flight crew sights unconfirmed "volcanic emission of smoke" Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion Island) A new eruption in February 2000 begins venting lava flows Nyamuragira (Zaire) As 27 January eruption began, witnesses assumed they heard artillery fire Stromboli (Italy) 1999 seismic summary and some strongerthanusual eruptions Kilauea (Hawaii) Ground deformation continues through June; earthquake swarms begin in December Tungurahua (Ecuador) More than twofold increase in longperiod earthquakes during December Pacaya (Guatemala) Map of new lava flows, satellite data, and perspective on the 16 January eruption Fuego (Guatemala) Satellite data reveals hot spot; field observers see JanuaryFebruary ash puffs Popocatepetl (Mexico) Increased number of exhalations and new dome growth in late February Soufriere Hills (Montserrat) Stillvigorous, potentially destructive eruptions during JulyNovember 1999 http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/

This photo was taken some years ago when he and another geologist would spend several days in the field. They slept and stored all things under that rusty-roofed structure. It got covered by cinders regularly and had to be dug out. As I recall this place ( just in front of that vent - Pu'u O'o) was called Camp 7 and was covered entirely and permanently just as the 6 camps before them had been. The items on the tripods are lasers and reflectors with which they measure the deformation of the entire mountain of Kilauea.

STROMBOLI ON-LINE and ITALY'S VOLCANOES: THE CRADLE OF VOLCANOLOGY proudly present: Video clips of a paroxysmal eruptive episode at the Southeast Crater of Mount Etna(Sicily), 15 February 2000, filmed by British film maker David Bryant A series of video clips in Quicktime format (.mov) showing the spectacular eruptive episode at the Southeast Crater on Etna of 15 February 2000 has been posted simultaneously at "Stromboli On-line" and "Italy's Volcanoes: The Cradle of Volcanology". The videos, which range from 1.5 to 3.5 MB in size, show all main stages of the spectacular event from the initial Strombolian activity over the escalation and the rise of huge lava fountains to the decline and end. We believe that this is extraordinary footage of a volcanic eruption and are grateful to David Bryant for his availability to share his material with volcano enthusiasts and volcanologists worldwide. His full video will appear in a film about Mount Etna and Catania, which will be broadcast later this year; information about this will be provided timely to visitors of our web sites. We have decided to post the video clips on both sites simultaneously, because this will allow both U.S. and European visitors fast downloading. If the connection to one of the sites is slow, you may thus switch to the other site and see if this works faster. We also give tips about how to download faster and without annoying ruptures of transmission, if you have a slow line. And this is where you will find the movie clips: Stromboli On-line: http://stromboli.net/perm/etna/etna00av/index-en.html Italy's Volcanoes: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~boris/ETNA_15022000movie.html Enjoy!

Got it - was in wrong topic earlier!

Got a cute one of him as a full-grown man....have I inflicted it on you, yet? It used to be visible in Spring Gallery on Porch conference.

I've got one - don't know if it's the same one though. You said it was your favourite.

You have the fav one, so far, that is...*smile*

wonderful pic. Marcia, now we have converted to netscape - didn,t realise how much better it is.

Finally! I told you (as they say)...it is true !

That's a great picture of David! Was that close to where we went hiking (when I took the picture that just got published)? I remember seeing Pu'u 0'o when we were out there. Wow, 7 camps buried by lava? I hope no one was *at* any of the camps when they got buried!!

Has the volcanic eruption due to come at any moment in Japan been reported. Also large earthquake in New Zealand today.

Nothing in here reported about the eruption, but my email is full of items from Dacid (Yes, Ginny, that is where you were! No one was endangered by the eruptions which buried any of the camps, thank goodness.) Did not know about the earthquake in NZ, but will post as soon as I get through here and wake up a little. *************************** Usu Volcano, Japan crisis *************************** Volcanic Advisory reports (nos. 1-7) on Usu Volcano, Hokkaido, Japan, were issued from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) since 28 March. Number of volcanic earthquakes around this volcano has increased since 8 a.m. (JST), 27 March; 16 times in 27 Mar. and 599 in 28 Mar. (including 68 felt-earthquakes) at the JMA site about 2 km south of the summit. At 07:08, 29 March, the quake of M3.4 occurred on this volcano. According to the Usu Volcano Observatory, the hypocenter of the earthquakes locates on the northern slope of the volcano. Neither volcanic tremor nor visible change in fumarolic gas had not been observed by the 28 March night. National Coordination Committee of Volcanic Eruption Prediction (Chaired by Prof. Yoshiaki Ida, Univ. of Tokyo) commented a high possibility of imminent eruption in this volcano in the 28 March evening. JMA is also calling the local people's attention to mud flows triggered due to snow melting by eruption. Hot spring resort locates on the northern foot of the volcano, and about 1,600 guests stayed this night. However, more than 400 persons living around the volcano actively took refuge to safety places like distant schools by the 28 March night, according to the attentions by local governments. Historical eruptions occurred in 1663, 1769, 1822, 1853, 1910, 1943-45 (Showa-shinzan lava dome eruption), and 1977-78. According to Akihiko Tomiya, Geological Survey of Japan, precorsory phenomena of these eruptions, mainly volcanic earthquake events, before eruptions lasted from 32 hours (1977-78) to 6 months (1943-45 eruption). Most of them began with the Plinian phase, followed by pyroclastic flows and, then, dome growth. The volume of tephra is 0.05 c.km for the 1943-45 eruption to 2.5 c.km for the 1663 eruption. Information on Usu Volcano is in the site, http://uvo.sci.hokudai.ac.jp/.

Japanese Volcano Eruption Forces 15,000 to Flee DATE (Reuters) - Japan's snow-capped Mount Usu volcano erupted on Friday, belching forth vast clouds of smoke and ash and forcing 15,000 people to flee their homes. The 2,402-foot volcano, among Japan's most active, sent rocks hurtling into the air as plumes of dark gray smoke streaked with blue lightning billowed from the conical mountain. Residents ran for cover, holding towels over their mouths as the smell of sulfur pervaded the air. Onlookers said they could taste grit from the eruption that hurled ash as high as 8,850 feet into the sky. A carpet of ash coated cars and houses. Tremors were jolting the hot spring resort area on the northern island of Hokkaido as the eruption continued, Meteorological Agency official Manabu Komiya told reporters. Ash, volcanic rocks and mudslides had flowed toward the small town of Abuta and the navy and the Coast Guard were deployed to evacuate the entire population of some 2,000 from homes perched precariously between the mountain and the sea. Officials said four naval ships, five Coast Guard vessels and two military helicopters had plucked residents to safety. ``Depending on developments, the eruption could cause even bigger damage,'' Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said. ``The government will do whatever it can to deal with the situation.'' Sailors on the naval vessels reported mudslides slipping down the cone-shaped mountain toward Abuta, but navy officials said later these were small. Officials said there were no reports of casualties. Mount Usu last erupted in 1978 after a series of earthquakes that gave birth to a new and smaller volcano by its side. Mudslides triggered by that eruption killed three people. Troops had already helped to evacuate more than 15,000 people from towns around the foot of the volcano and they were being housed in schools and public halls. Officials said they were establishing emergency post offices and banks to allow residents easy access to their money. FURTHER ERUPTIONS POSSIBLE Government experts said another big explosion appeared unlikely but it could take some time until the volcano settled down and more eruptions were possible from new craters. ``The fact that the ash cloud rose so high suggests the force of the eruption was strong. We can't dismiss the chance of other developments, like magma moves,'' said Yoshiaki Ida, chairman of the government's volcano experts panel. Snow was falling heavily, further coating the slopes of the volcano still shrouded by billowing smoke from explosions of gases from five craters on the mountain's western slope. Officials said initial assessments showed the eruption had not been as large as first expected, but further blasts could not be ruled out. Thousands of earthquakes had rumbled through the region since Sunday as the mountain prepared to blow its top. ``Mount Usu has had seven significant eruptions that we know of, and at no time has it ended quickly with only a small scale eruption, said Yoshio Katsui, a professor at Hokkaido University. The plume of smoke was not as large as the one spewed out by Mount Usu's last eruption in 1978. ``It looks smaller than before,'' said one middle-aged woman watching the smoke pillar from the shore of nearby Lake Toya. Train services in the area had been disrupted, some flights had been diverted and roads blocked off, officials said. Officials warned residents to beware of mudslides amid predictions of heavy rain later on Friday night because snow on the mountain, believed to be 11 to 31 inches thick, could melt rapidly. Some 3,300 troops were providing food, water and blankets for evacuees. Others were on reconnaissance missions around the mountain, including some in helicopters. A Hokkaido government official said 55,000 people living in five towns around the foot of the mountain, including the hot spring resort town of Toya, could be affected by an eruption. Cabinet ministers, keen to appear on top of the situation after past criticism for slow response to disasters, huddled at a crisis center at the prime minister's residence to monitor events. Officials warned there was a chance that an eruption at Mount Usu could mimic the deadly flow of superheated gas and ash from Mount Fugen in southern Japan in 1991, which killed 43 people.

From David: ************************************************ Stromboli On Line: Etna Video and smoke rings ************************************************ May we bring to your attention the fact that now STROMBOLI ON-LINE's 1999-Etna videocassette is available, featuring South East Crater lava flows and hornito activity, and Bocca Nuova paroxysm with the "small scale pyroclastic flow". All footage was digitally recorded and processed (58min; VHS-PAL, VHS-NTSC upon request); original sound only, no commentary. Written explanations in German, English and Italian are added. For further details please consult our website: http://stromboli.net/shop/index-en.html We would also like to ask if any of you are aware of publications regarding �smoke rings�. We were able, in February 2000, to document exceptionally beautiful and long-lasting rings on Etna, and this arose an incredible interest about their nature. We would be therefore glad to be able to present a rather complete list of scientific references regarding their origin. Etna's �ring world� can be seen at http://stromboli.net/perm/etna/etna00b/index-en.html

Go to this remarkable page of pictures - below is one of them: http://educeth.ethz.ch/stromboli//perm/etna/etna00b/index-en.html

Amazing pictures! I love the smoke rings.

There are incredible pictures on that web page, but I love the one I posted here. Never saw anything like it! Well, I did see Pu'u O'o do that during one episode way back in its infancy...and if someone else had not mentioned it, I would have thought I was seeing things.

I would have thought I was seeing things, too! Pu'u O'o didn't do that while I was there (but I can't complain about what I *did* see).

Yup! You got close enought to get your feet "wet", as I recall.

*************************************** Submarine eruption: Madagascar Plateau *************************************** A probable submarine eruption was observed during the April 24-25 night by the solitary navigator Philippe MONNET, who is doing the world tour in inverse order, near 30�S-45�E where there is a seamount, on the Madagascar Plateau, the top of which is around 300-400 m. below sealevel. He observed very big dark and white plumes up to 10 000 m. high, may be more, glowing gleams in the base of the plumes issued of the sea, and many flash of lightning. The sea was especialy rough in the zone. He observed this phenomena during more than 14 hours, and April 25 in the evening, many milles in the West, he could always see the glowing plume. April 23 (4:16 UT) the Piton de la Fournaise Observatory recorded an earthquake around 1 000 km in the West sector of Reunion Island. Relationship? P. Lanier (Monnet's routeur) followed plumes on satellite images during this period. *************************************** Submarine eruption: Azores *************************************** From: Hugh McNichol Photos of the ocean surface during an eruption of an underwater volcano near the Azores can be found at: http://www.acores.net/fotos/foto_iris/ According to a marine historian living on the Azores, this underwater volcano is only about 5 km offshore and the summit was 400 meters below the surface in the summer, and it is only 200 meters below the surface now. According to the web sites below, the submarine eruption near Terceira, Azores Islands, which began late in 1998 is still continuing as of Feberuary 2000, albeit at a low and flucuating level. Pictures are available at the first URL below. http://www.virtualazores.com/crise99/index.html Following from: http://www.geo.aau.dk/palstrat/tom/santorini_homepage/ongoing_eruptions.htm# terceira 26 February 2000 Ash and gas emission from the submarine eruptive fissure that started erupting in late 1998 is still continuing at Terceira, Acores. For over one year, the eruption is continuing at low, fluctuating levels.

Sorry if this is a duplicate...haven't had a chance to catch up on all the Geo topics yet. From http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2000/jovianduststream.html MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE JET PROPULSION LABORATORY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov Contact: Jane Platt, (818) 354-0880 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2000 IO'S VOLCANOES SPLATTER DUST INTO THE SOLAR SYSTEM Fiery volcanoes on Jupiter's moon Io are the main source of dust streams that flow from the Jupiter system into the rest of the solar system, according to new findings from NASA's Galileo spacecraft analyzed by an international team of scientists. The scientists, led by Amara Graps of the Max Planck Institute of Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany, analyzed the frequency of dust impacts on Galileo's dust detector subsystem. They found peaks that coincided with the periods of Io's orbit (approximately 42 hours) and of Jupiter's rotation (approximately 10 hours). Although dust scientists had suspected Io as the source of the dust streams, it was difficult to prove. They ruled out several possible sources, including Jupiter's main ring and Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, but Jupiter's gossamer ring and Io remained as candidates. The dust scientists studied several years of Galileo data to show that the motion of the dust stream particles is strongly influenced by Jupiter's magnetic field, with a unique signature that could exist only if Io were the main contributor to the dust streams. "Now, for the first time we have direct evidence that Io is the dominant source of the Jovian dust streams," said Graps, lead author of a paper on the findings that appears in the May 4 issue of the journal Nature. The Jovian dust streams are intense bursts of submicron- sized particles (as small as particles of smoke) that originate in Jupiter's system and flow out about 290 million kilometers (180 million miles), or twice the distance between Earth and the Sun. They were first discovered in 1992 by the dust detector onboard the Ulysses spacecraft during its Jupiter flyby. "The escape of dust from the Jovian system in 1992 was a total surprise," said Dr. Mihaly Horanyi, a dust plasma physicist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, Boulder, CO, and co-author of the paper. Since 1995, the Galileo dust detector, a twin to the Ulysses instrument, has observed the streams, both while the spacecraft was en route to Jupiter and within the Jupiter system. Very, very early in the history of our solar system, before and during the formation of the planets, small dust grains were much more abundant. These charged grains were influenced by magnetic fields from the early Sun, much as the dust on Io is affected by Jupiter's magnetic field today. Thus, studies of the behavior of these dust grains may provide insight into processes that led to the formation of the moons and planets in our solar system. "The dust from the Jovian dust streams is clearly magnetically-controlled dust," said Dr. Eberhard Gruen of the Max Planck Institute. "Dust particles carry information about charging processes in regions of the Jovian magnetosphere, where information is otherwise sparse or unknown." Gruen built the dust detectors for several spacecraft, including Galileo, Ulysses and Cassini. These new results provide a useful window on Io. In-situ dust measurements can monitor Io's volcanic plume activity, complementing observations made by Galileo and from Earth-based telescopes. The Jovian dust streams, with their Io source, are minor when compared to the huge amounts of dust created in the solar system by comet activity and asteroid collisions. Nonetheless, they add to the variety of dust sources in the solar system. In fact, the Jovian dust streams travel so fast that some particles can actually leave the solar system to join the local interstellar medium -- the gas and dust that fill the space between stars. In December 2000, during a joint observation of Jupiter by Galileo and Cassini, scientists will have a unique opportunity to study the Jovian dust streams using dust instruments on both spacecraft. In addition to Graps, Gruen and Horanyi, authors on this paper are Dr. Harald Krueger, Andreas Heck and Sven Lammers of Max Planck, and Dr. Hakan Svedhem of the European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. This work was supported by the German space agency, Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft-und Raumfahrt E.V. (DLR). More information on the Galileo mission is available at http://galileo.jpl.nasa.gov . The Max Planck, Heidelberg Dust Group web site is at http://galileo.mpi-hd.mpg.de/ . The Galileo, Cassini and Ulysses missions are managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, DC. JPL is managed by the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. ##### 5/3/00 JP #2000-042

I posted similar stuff before the beginning of the year in Geo 24 - which is why it was created - for Volcanoes other than on Earth. Thanks!

Ah...wasn't sure which topic it belonged in...a little bit of "overlap"

That's really fascinating. I wonder how it will effect the magnetosphere over which Mike has now taken control on Geo 35 ( check out the cool diagram I found)

Not to worry - we'll catch 'em one way or the other. I often link it by saying look on topic whatever post who... I hope it is being read. I think I shall alert mike to your post so we can decide what is gonna happen to us. Btw, I now post all space news in topic 34 just for that purpose. I imagine they will come out with headlines about this, too...

You certainly have been busy around here...gonna take me a while to catch up on all the postings! :-) Well, it's 2am here, so good night all!

Oh, Ginny, they're worth it. Lots of good stuff in here lately (as usual, actually...) Welcome home!

Observations in late May 2000 by NZ geologists showed that the famous Kavachi submarine volcano in the Solomon Islands is once again erupting, with spectacular bomb ejections and possible island formation. From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/news/release/volcisland.htm NEWS RELEASE, 25 MAY 2000 NZ SCIENTISTS WATCH FIERY BIRTH OF NEW PACIFIC ISLAND Two New Zealand scientists were part of an international team who this week witnessed the dramatic birth of a new volcanic island near the Solomon Islands. The rare observation was made during an investigation of seafloor volcanic activity and associated mineral formation in the Bismark and Solomon seas north of Australia. Marine geochemist Gary Massoth and mineral geologist Cornel de Ronde, both of the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS), were part of an international team on the CSIRO research ship Franklin who made a comprehensive study of the island-building eruptive activity. The scientists found the shallow Kavachi seamount, which had been dormant for nine years, had started a new phase of eruptive activity. Kavachi, in the Solomon Island chain of volcanoes, is only 30km from the boundary of the Indian and Australian tectonic plates. A roughly conical feature rising from a seafloor depth of 1100m, Kavachi is about eight kilometres in diameter at its base and has produced ephemeral islands at least twice in the past century. " When we arrived at Kavachi, we found violent eruptions taking place every five minutes,�� Mr Massoth said from Darwin today. " The eruptions were ejecting molten lava up to 70 metres above sea level, and sulphurous steam plumes rose to about 500 metres. At night we were treated to a spectacular fireworks display with the red glow of eruptions continuing." The peak of the volcano was forming a sandy ashen beach two metres below sea level with regular violent bomb-like eruptions. The ship approached to within 750 metres of the eruption centre and found that the volcano had grown substantially since it was last surveyed in 1984. The scientists were able to sample freshly formed volcanic rocks from the flanks of the erupting volcano. " This was an unprecedented opportunity and has given us valuable geological information. We also systematically sampled gases and seawater at various depths around the perimeter of the volcano � something that has not been achieved before with an erupting submarine volcano. " We detected particle and chemical plumes from the eruption at least 5 kilometres from the centre of the volcano. This has provided valuable information about the impact of active volcanoes on ocean chemistry." Mr Massoth said Kavachi differed from Brothers volcano, the largest and most active submarine volcano north east of White Island, in that Brothers was deeper and hydrothermally active while Kavachi was shallow and volcanically active. " Hot rock, or lava, predominates at Kavachi while hot water predominates at Brothers." Hydrothermal fluids were venting from Brothers volcano at about 300oC against 100oC at Kavachi. Hotter fluids react with the volcano host rocks more efficiently and are more heavily laden with dissolved minerals." Observations at Kavachi showed that lava being quickly quenched in seawater did not produce a strong chemical plume in the ocean, unlike the active volcanoes northeast of White Island which vent large volumes of hydrothermal fluids and heat into the ocean. " Kavachi has confirmed our observations that forearc volcano chains, such as the Kermadec chain north east of White Island, contribute significantly to the global inventory of heat and chemical emissions entering the oceans. " The work we have been doing in New Zealand waters is effectively re-writing the textbook on submarine volcanism." About 80 percent of the world�s volcanism occurred in the ocean and only a small proportion of all submarine volcanoes had been systematically surveyed with scientific equipment, Mr Massoth said. At another location, the scientists dredged up what they believe is a world-record size "black smoker" � a 2.7m-high chimney prised from an active volcanic vent at a depth of 1700m. Black smoker chimneys are packed with minerals � typically 1000 to 10,000 more concentrated than background levels in seawater. The chimney was expected to be rich in silver, zinc and gold, Mr Massoth said. John Callan Communications Co-ordinator Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Limited

Kavachi submarine volcano in the Solomon Islands is once again erupting, with spectacular bomb ejections and possible island formation.

I'm glad i came and looked - that's a great photo

Thanks! There is nothing quite like watching an island emerge from the sea or watching what used to be a huge pit crater fill, then build a small mountain which becomes a named hill on maps. It is like peeking while God was creating the world...He has not stopped and for that I am eternally grateful. This island has grown by 400 sq acres since the current eruption began!

A few eye-witness accounts from a Honolulu guy who has had rather negative volcano experiences compared with mine: I was in a 747 about 15 years ago flying somewhere over india..there had been a volcano erruption hundreds of miles away but the cloud at risen something like 60 thousand feet...the plane flew thru the cloud and all engines quit..pilot got them started back... speaking of which..about 8-9 years ago I was on vacation in the Philippines and a volcano blew..I was about 10 miles away..I couldn't belive how quickly the ash traveled..in a matter of minutes all the trees where gone and the sky dark..it was a nightemare. If I hadn't of been in a pretty secure building at the time, I dont think I would of made it...everything around us was pretty much history..

Mmm some story.

Indeed. I am trying to encourage him to login and post his experiences. He is a most fascinating individual, and I would like to get to know him better.

He sent this url, and lest it be thought that Hawaii has the only beautiful volcanoes, this one is the archetypal shape and displays why composite cones of mostly ash are so beautiful and so deadly: Mayon Volcano: Cagsawa Church Ruins Photograph by C.G. Newhall on September 23, 1984 Pyroclastic flows descend the south-eastern flank of Mayon Volcano, Philippines. Maximum height of the eruption column was 15 km above sea level, and volcanic ash fell within about 50 km toward the west. There were no casualties from the 1984 eruption because more than 73,000 people evacuated the danger zones as recommended by scientists of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Thanks, Donn, for the urls and the great pictures. If you'd like to see where I did my disaster relief work, please check http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1990Kalapana/ It was heart-breaking because all I could do was to hug them as they sobbed and watched their homes disappear - one after the other.

correcting my html problem...

Fantastic pics. Love the one with the smoke ring particularly.

Oh, You had not seen that? Incredible, no?!

CAMEROON: Mount Cameroon oozing lava Lava has started to flow again from Mount Cameroon but government officials said on state radio there was no immediate cause for alarm, news organisations reported on Wednesday. It is unclear exactly when the volcano started to erupt, although residents of Buea, the town closest to the volcano, said there were light earth tremors on Monday and thick smoke and fire at the top of the mountain, Reuters reported state radio as saying. When Mount Cameroon last erupted, in March and April 1999, the authorities evacuated residents of villages around the volcano. It lies along a geological fault that includes Lakes Nyos, from which carbon dioxide emissions on 21 August 1986 killed 1,700 people.

frica's Mt. Cameroon has begun erupting again. Felt earthquakes were noted on 29 May, and by 30 May the summit was erupting "fire". It is unclear as to the precise onset of the eruption, one report said eruptions began 20 May. Reports on 31 May indicate a 3 mi. long lava flow has formed while eruptions of incandescent material continue at the summit. From: http://www.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/africa/05/30/bc.cameroon.volcano.reut/index.html Mount Cameroon shows signs of fresh volcanic activity May 30, 2000 Web posted at: 9:47 AM EDT (1347 GMT) YAOUNDE, Cameroon (Reuters) -- Mount Cameroon has shown signs of fresh activity and people living near the volcano have been put on a state of maximum alert, state radio reported on Tuesday. The radio said residents of Buea in south-western Cameroon reported light earth tremors on Monday and a cloud of thick smoke and fire at the top of the 4,095-meter high (13,435 feet) mountain. Mount Cameroon sits on a seismic fault line that crosses the country. The volcano was last active in March and April, 1999, when lava cut a key highway before stopping a few meters (yards) from the Atlantic Ocean. A government monitoring station is due to go into service in June at Ekona, north of Buea, to provide early warning of any volcanic activity or eruption From: http://www.cameroonnews.com/?action=display&article=2187152&template=dou ala/stories.txt&index=recent Lava Gushes Out of Mount Cameroon The Associated Press, Wed 31 May 2000 YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) - Lava is gushing out of the Mount Cameroon volcano in this central African nation, state-run radio reported Wednesday. The hot, molten stream had extended up to three miles, the radio said. The volcano, 195 miles southwest of the capital, Yaounde, began erupting on May 20. Government officials, however, said there was no immediate cause for alarm. ``There is intense volcanic activity at the top of the mountain, which is essentially characterized by flames and a small flow of lava, which is still not very important,'' said Henri Hogbe Nlend, minister for scientific and technical research, who surveyed the volcano from a helicopter. The flames and lava flow are also primarily on the less populated side of the slope, he added. It is the second time in just over a year that the volcano has erupted. In March and April 1999, flowing lava displaced thousands of people and destroyed farmland.

http://www.lineone.net/cgi-bin/loadcontent.pl?page=/cgi-bin/drecgi/express/00/06/06/news/n0320-d.html Maggie, You did it again! Sounds very exciting...! Flash, bang, wallop, what a picture, what a photograph BY LOUISE JONES ALL they wanted was a quiet stroll up Mount Etna to gaze at one of the wonders of the world. What they got was a sudden eruption, a half-mile run for their lives - and some great pictures to stick in the family album. The 16 British holidaymakers were within 300 yards of the main crater of Europe's most-active volcano when lumps of molten rock started pouring down the mountainside. The eruption began at 10.15am and it seemed such fun that geography teacher Lucy Newstead felt confident enough to pose smiling for a photograph. But at 10.16am all hell broke loose. The party's Italian tour guides screamed at them to "run, run" as the volcano threatened to engulf them in a flow of boiling lava. Lucy, 31, who teaches at Diss High School, Norfolk, said: "Suddenly there was an explosion of ash. Straight away we could see this lava fountain of red hot rock. "It just got bigger and bigger and then lava bombs started flying through the air. It was an incredibly awesome sight and it all seemed to happen in slow motion. "We started running over the ash and ice until we reached a path. Every time I stopped because I was out of breath they made me carry on. "Some people were terrified, but I don't remember being scared. I did not even think about what danger we were in until we had reached safety." She was on the adventure holiday with Explore Worldwide when she took pictures of the group's escape. "I am just delighted to be here. It could have been a very different story if we had been closer to the crater when it erupted," she said. The eruption was the volcano's most violent this year and could be seen for miles. Fellow hiker Pat Holding, 52, of Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, said: "It blew with no warning whatsoever. We saw a big white puff to begin with and then it darkened immediately and got higher and higher. "Every time I looked behind me the mushroom cloud was getting bigger and bigger." Mrs Holding, also a geography teacher, added: "There was no time to be scared. We just had to run for our lives. We went on the holiday in the first place to look at volcanos, but we ended up with a bit more than we bargained for." The group had driven up the mountainside in a four-wheel drive vehicle before climbing to the 11,000 ft high summit. They had earlier visited the Sicilian volcanoes Stromboli and Vulcano on their �600-a-head holiday. Travers Cox, managing director of Explore Worldwide, said: "We have been running trips to Etna for six years without any problems. A lot of our groups are disappointed if they do not see an active volcano so these people are lucky in a way."Our tour guides are very experienced and we try not to put people in any danger." � Express Newspapers, 2000

Subject: Rise in underground temperature Dear Sir/Madame, I am writting on behalf of a geologist here in Tashkent (Capital City of) Uzbekistan. They have a new puzzle which they are trying to find some answers for, through anyone & everyone who is a specialist, in geological & ecological problems. Here in various locations around Tashkent city, at a depth of around 10 meters, the ground temperature has risen from around the normal readings of aprox. 15 Celsius, up to as high as 30 & 50 Celsius! The questions are, what is causing such an increase in heat of the underground temperature around Tashkent, & have other major cities of the world has such cases of such readings? Thanks for any help, & correspondance in this matter. Joe Ruuskanen (Humanitarian aid worker for Central Asian Free Exchange, Tashkent Uzbekistan)

HOW STRANGE WHAT ON EARTH DOES IT MEAN? It sounds rather worrying to me. Can anyone confirm the meaning.

do they sit on a fault-line or volcanic area? wouldn't magma rising slowly to the surface cause the heat to increase? (oh, we're supposed to give answers not more questions!!)

I post questions as well as answers. If we had all the answers, there would be no purpose for Geo other than playing. hmmmm..that's what we do anyway. Get back to you on that question - gotta consult my experts!

oh, look, marcia has her own experts! *giggle* please let us know, this is most curious.

How about Funk and Wagnals?? Now you haave made me forget the question Yup, the family geologist/volcanologist... Wolfie, behave.....I thought you were my friend....*sigh* Google.com is my expert if all else fails...

Back from reading that post about the rise in temperatures of the ground in and around Tashkent...That was forwarded to me by son David who got it from a bulletin sent out to professional geologists and volcanologists. Apparently no one knows and they are asking for help. Will let you know further when I know.

Montserrat Volcano Observatory - Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 9 June 2000 to midday, 16 June 2000 Rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows have occurred from the growing lava dome throughout the week, with a dilute ash plume maintained to the west of the island. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 326 rockfall signals, 49 hybrid earthquakes, 1 volcano-tectonic and 76 long period earthquakes for the reporting period. There has been a marked increase in rockfall activity this week and a sustained high level of long-period earthquakes. This information suggests that the dome is still growing at a moderate rate. Visual observations of the Soufri�re Hills Volcano have again been hampered throughout the week by low cloud. The upper parts of the dome were glimpsed briefly early in the week. The high point on the dome is now close to 3,000 ft, and the size of the dome is approaching the same as it was immediately prior to the large collapse event of 20 March 2000. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity has been in the Tar River valley and within the summit crater. There has been steady production of volcanic ash which has blown westwards over Plymouth and out to sea; ash has not affected inhabited areas. The GPS network is fully operational, and the pattern of ground deformation remains similar to that which has been seen since late last year. Maintenance of field stations is still being hampered by the dry, ashy conditions on the volcano. Residents of and visitors to Montserrat are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level for several weeks, producing more ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited.

Mount Cameroon volcano lava threat recedes June 14, 2000 Web posted at: 11:20 AM EDT (1520 GMT) YAOUNDE, Cameroon (Reuters) -- Lava flowing down the flanks of Mount Cameroon has slowed and the threat to people in the nearby town and villages has receded, officials said on Wednesday. "There is no more reason to panic. All is calm and the people are going about their jobs normally," an aide to the governor of South West Province in the town of Buea told Reuters by telephone on Wednesday. Scientists monitoring the volcano, which showed fresh signs of activity on May 29 and later began spewing lava, said last week that Buea was a high risk zone and the authorities were on standby to evacuate people living in the area. The 4,095 meter (13,435 foot) volcano is on a geological fault line running through Cameroon. It was last active in March and April, 1999, when lava cut a key highway before stopping a few meters from the Atlantic Ocean.

For the European contingent, You have volcanoes too: ************************************** Piton de la Fournaise - new eruption ************************************** From: Dan Shackelford Increased seismicity on 22 June and at ~1800 on 23 June a new eruption began at Piton de la Fournaise, on the SE flank of Dolomieu. Bad weather has precluded visual observations to date. Following from Henry Gaudru SVE INFORMATION release - June 24, 2000 PITON DE LA FOURNAISE - Reunion Island - (France) Following an increasing of the seismic activity during Thursday 22nd a new eruptive activity has began on the Piton de la Fournaise. From a local source the new eruption occured on Friday 23 at 6 PM (local time). Preliminary information shows that the eruption started from the Southeast flanc of the Dolomieu crater (Summit of the Piton de la Fournaise) near the site of the previous eruption of July 1999. Because poor meteorological condition no direct observation was possible yesterday. (Further details next ) ---------------------------------- European Volcanological Society C.P.1 - 1211 Geneva 17 Switzerland Fax : 41.22.759.21.05 Email : info@sveurop.org http://www.sveurop.org

Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 23 June 2000 to midday, 30 June 2000 Activity has increased at the Soufri�re Hills Volcano this week, with almost continuous rockfall activity and small pyroclastic flows being produced. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 315 rockfall signals, 4 hybrid earthquakes, 4 volcano-tectonic and 157 long period earthquakes for the reporting period. The number and size of rockfall events increased throughout the week. Long-period earthquake activity remains at a high level, indicating relatively high pressures inside the dome. Dome growth is occurring high on the eastern face of the dome at the top of the Tar River Valley, forming a rough spiny area. Much of this material is cascading down the steep eastern face of the dome producing many small rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows. Rockfall talus is accumulating more slowly around the southern edge of the dome, where it encroaches on a low point which would lead into White River Valley. Good views of the notches onto the north flanks of the volcano and into Gages Valley were not obtained. Although the volcano appears to be quiet, the level of activity can change extremely quickly and portions of the dome can collapse with no warning and generate much larger pyroclastic flows than have been seen for many months. Residents of and visitors to Montserrat are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level for several weeks, producing more ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 30 June 2000

Kilauea is not doing this right now, but in honor of Geo's Birthday....

Love that last photo! When was that one taken? Kilauea did not do that when I was there...which is probably a good thing, considering where we were hiking... :-)

My thoughts exactly... we would have had to have the old asbestos umbrella handy. It was during this episode that the fountain reached 2000' (610M) and made a roar heard 10 miles away. I did not get up there to see it, and that phase did not last very long, but it WAS spectacular! I'll have to check with David and see if he can remember when it occurred. I can't seem to remember. The lable on the image was just "gyser"(sic)

Friday July 14, 9:32 AM Japan volcano erupts again on island off Tokyo TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese volcano erupted for a second time on Friday, spewing ash and rocks high into the air and prompting officials to recommend the evacuation of residents, officials said. A local government official said the eruptions were expected to be short-lived and were unlikely to pose threat to the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the island. However, they recommended the evacuation of residents of about 30 homes near the foot of Mount Oyama on the island of Miyakejima, some 200 km (125 miles) south of Tokyo, as large amounts of ash cascaded from the sky after the eruption. "It's a pretty impressive cloud of ash, so we decided to issue the evacuation warning," a Miyakejima official said. "We will monitor the situation closely." A Meteorological Agency official said Friday's second eruption from the summit of Mount Oyama took place at 3:50 p.m. (7.50 a.m.). "The eruptions are within our expectations and unless there are other signs, we don't think there will be a major eruption," the official said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. BILLOWING GRAY ASH Like the first eruption earlier in the day, pale gray ash was seen being billowing about 1,000 metres into the air after a thunderous explosion from the volcano's summit. Last Saturday, a similar eruption occurred at Mount Oyama, hurling ash and rocks into the air. The volcano started to rumble at the end of June, but residents who had been evacuated from homes near the mountain were given the green light to return home after a few nights in local schools and other designated evacuation centres. The island chain south of Tokyo has experienced tens of thousands of earthquakes over the past few weeks triggered by the increasingly active volcano. This month, a powerful earthquake rocked the neighbouring island of Kozushima, triggering landslides that killed one man, the first earthquake fatality in the earthquake-prone nation for five years. Miyakejima is one of a chain of seven islands south of Tokyo. The island has a population of about 3,800 and its perimeter measures about 38 km (22 miles). Mount Oyama's last major eruption was in 1983 when it destroyed 400 houses and left a moonscape of rock, burning out nearby forests and destroying a lake. A lava flow from an eruption in 1940 killed 11 people and it erupted again in 1962.

(loved the picture Marcia)

(Thanks, Maggie!) The photos and video on the morning news were truly horrifying. Thanks for posting the article!

Friday July 14 4:38 AM ET Japan Volcano Erupts Again on Island Off Tokyo TOKYO (Reuters) - A Japanese volcano erupted for a second time on Friday, spewing ash and rocks high into the air and prompting officials to recommend the evacuation of residents, officials said. A local government official said the eruptions were expected to be short-lived and were unlikely to pose threat to the nearly 4,000 inhabitants of the island. However, they recommended the evacuation of residents of about 30 homes near the foot of Mount Oyama on the island of Miyakejima, some 125 miles south of Tokyo, as large amounts of ash cascaded from the sky after the eruption. ``It's a pretty impressive cloud of ash, so we decided to issue the evacuation warning,'' a Miyakejima official said. ``We will monitor the situation closely.'' A Meteorological Agency official said Friday's second eruption from the summit of Mount Oyama took place at 3:50 p.m. ``The eruptions are within our expectations and unless there are other signs, we don't think there will be a major eruption,'' the official said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Billowing Gray Ash Like the first eruption earlier in the day, pale gray ash was seen being billowing about 1,000 meters into the air after a thunderous explosion from the volcano's summit. Last Saturday, a similar eruption occurred at Mount Oyama, hurling ash and rocks into the air. The volcano started to rumble at the end of June, but residents who had been evacuated from homes near the mountain were given the green light to return home after a few nights in local schools and other designated evacuation centers. The island chain south of Tokyo has experienced tens of thousands of earthquakes over the past few weeks triggered by the increasingly active volcano. This month, a powerful earthquake rocked the neighboring island of Kozushima, triggering landslides that killed one man, the first earthquake fatality in the earthquake-prone nation for five years. Miyakejima is one of a chain of seven islands south of Tokyo. The island has a population of about 3,800 and its perimeter measures about 22 miles. Mount Oyama's last major eruption was in 1983 when it destroyed 400 houses and left a moonscape of rock, burning out nearby forests and destroying a lake. A lava flow from an eruption in 1940 killed 11 people and it erupted again in 1962.

(Hey, I just posted that - see 216!!! Great minds or somthing....)

Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000 12:24:23 -0700 From: Barry Cameron Subject: Eruption at Lascar, Chile Sender: VOLCANO Approved-by: Barry Cameron To: VOLCANO@asu.edu Reply-to: VOLCANO X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) ******************* Eruption at Lascar, Chile July 20, 2000 ******************* The Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center has been notified of a major eruption of Lascar in eastern Chile. GOES-8 satellite imagery confirmed the eruption at approximately 14:10 UTC. The cloud, estimated at 35 to 40 thousand feet, is presently moving east into northern Argentina. Official advisories will be issued by the Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center. Satellite imagery including still images and loops can be viewed at the NOAA Satellite Services Division website, at: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/SAB/cases.html Brian Hughes Meteorologist NOAA/NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center

Can't wait to read the papers coming out of this conference since I also live on an active volcano! ************************************** Cities on Volcanoes-2 Auckland, New Zealand February 12-16, 2001 Auckland is a modern vibrant city, with an international status in trade, investment and business, superbly located on a green isthmus between two magnificent harbours. However the metropolitan centre of Auckland has developed across a potentially active basaltic volcanic field. It also faces a hazard from several large central North Island volcanic centres. Auckland, like many other cities, is preparing for a volcanic crisis through collaborative work of specialists in a variety of fields, such as volcanology, sociology, psychology, emergency management, economics and city planning. This meeting will provide a forum for specialists from several disciplines and countries to collaborate to re-evaluate volcanic crises preparedness and management in cities and densely populated areas. By drawing upon multidisciplinary perspectives the workshop affords an opportunity to develop strategies and consider the means for their implementation.

*********************** Eruption at Semeru, Indonesia July 27, 2000 *********************** We sadly post this report: At approximately 0621 on the morning of 27 July an eruption from the summit crater of Semeru resulted in two deaths and injuries to six other volcanologists near the crater. Both fatalities, Wildan and Mukti, were Indonesian scientists from the Volcanological Survey of Indonesia (VSI). Other members of the group sustained injuries caused by ejected material. These included Kris from VSI, Amit Mushkin from the Hebrew University in Israel, Mike Ramsey from the University of Pittsburgh, and Lee Siebert and Paul Kimberly from the Smithsonian Institution. Kimberly's injuries were more serious, including a broken hand, broken arm, and 3rd-degree burns. He is now recovering in a Singapore hospital. The members of the group had attended a meeting of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) in Bali during the previous week. Background. Semeru, the highest volcano on Java, and one of its most active, lies at the southern end of a volcanic massif extending north to the Tengger caldera. The steepsided volcano, also referred to as Mahameru (Great Mountain), rises abruptly to 3676 m elevation, towering above coastal plains to the south. Gunung Semeru was constructed south of the overlapping Ajekajek and Jambangan calderas. A line of lake-filled maars was constructed along a NS trend cutting through the summit, and cinder cones and lava domes occupy the eastern and NE flanks. Summit topography is complicated by the shifting of craters from NW to SE. Frequent 19th and 20th century eruptions were dominated by small to moderate explosions from the summit crater, with occasional lava flows and larger explosive eruptions accompanied by pyroclastic flows that have reached the lower flanks of the volcano. Semeru has been in almost continuous eruption since 1967.

************************ Lascar Eruption Images - July 20, 2000 ************************ This kindly submitted by Dr. Jose Viramonte: GOES 8 and NOAA 14 images of the Lascar eruption on 07/20/00 can be found at: http://www.unsa.edu.ar/varias/lascar/

************************************** Mount Oyama, Miyakejima, Japan ************************************** http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000810/sc/japan_volcano_dc_3.html Thursday August 10 2:37 AM ET Japan Volcano Erupts Again on Island Off Tokyo TOKYO (Reuters) - A volcano on a small Japanese island south of Tokyo erupted again early Thursday, spewing steam, smoke and ash into the air, and prompting local officials to urge nearby residents to evacuate. The eruption from the summit of Mount Oyama on the island of Miyakejima, some 113 miles south of Tokyo, took place at 6:59 a.m. (5:59 p.m. EDT Wednesday), the Meteorological Agency said. There were no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption. Some 4,000 people live on the small resort island. The volcano has erupted several times since the end of June. It last erupted on July 15. Although the eruptions seemed to have subsided slightly, local officials recommended the evacuation of some 630 residents from 315 homes near the foot of the volcano. "There has been no panic among the residents and the eruption is apparently subsiding. But as a precaution, we have urged residents to evacuate," one official said. The eruption forced the airport on the island to close and commercial flights between Tokyo and the island were canceled, an airport spokesman said. The island chain south of Tokyo has experienced tens of thousands of earthquakes in the past two months triggered by the increasingly active volcano. Mount Oyama's last major eruption was in 1983 when it destroyed 400 houses and left a moonscape of rock, burning out nearby forests and destroying a lake. A lava flow from an eruption in 1940 killed 11 people and it erupted again in 1962.

************************** Miyakejima eruption ************************** Mount Oyama experienced its largest eruption in 17 years, forcing the evacuation of residents. There were no reports of injuries, but some reports said the ash had formed into a small rock-like objects that had fallen on to car roofs. The volcano last erupted on August 10. For full stories and links, see: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000818/sc/japan_volcano_dc_7.html http://www.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/east/08/18/japan.volcano.reut/index.html

**************************************** Elevated seismicity at Bandaisan, Japan **************************************** In 1888 a sector collapse at Japan's Bandaisan created a horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the N and killing 461 people in the process. [There were several explosions that may have triggered this event]. Some 1� km3 of debris deposits from the catastrophic slope failure. Since Aug 14 there has been much elevated seismicity at this volcano, including felt events and tremor. JMA began monitoring this volcano in 1965. This information courtesy of: http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/vrc/erup/bandai.html (maintained by S. Nakada of the University of Tokyo) **************************************** White Island and Ruapehu, New Zealand **************************************** For the week ending 18 August, White Island continued its mild gas and ash venting unchanged, with plumes to ~1,000m. Ruapehu had an episode of moderate to strong volcanic tremor without any visible change in its activity. From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/hazardwatch/latest/gweekvo.htm White Island Minor eruptive activity continued during the week. No notable changes in activity occurred. Ash and gas plumes rose to a height of about 1000m and drifted about 50 km downwind of the volcano. The Alert level remains at 2. Ruapehu A short period of moderate-strong volcanic tremor was recorded during the week, but no volcanic activity was observed associated with this tremor. Ruapehu remains at Alert Level 1 (signs of volcano unrest).

More info on Miyakejima, Japan ******************************** Following information from: http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/vrc/erup/miyake.html (maintained by S. Nakada) Since the 8 July summit collapse opened a pit crater atop Miyakejima's Oyama cone, collapse has continued, marked by ongoing deflation and earthquakes. This now likely is a small caldera, currently 1.4km diam by 450m deep. Intermittent phreatic eruptions continue, especially since 10 August. Photos of the 10 and 14 August eruptions appear on the URL above. Prior to 10 August, an est. 2 million cubic meters of ejecta while the caldera vol. is about 0.35 cubic km. The eruption cloud on 10 Aug. eventually achieved 10km in ht. A rather large eruption from ~1700 - ~1900 on 15 Aug. with the eruption cloud rising to at least 8km. "Abundant ash fell mainly in the northwestern part of the volcano island; as thick as 15 cm about 3 km away from the crater. Cinders as large as 5 cm fell over the airport which locates in the southeastern part of the island, breaking windows of automobiles". All eruptions to date appear to solely phreatic in nature, although the 18 Aug. tephra is still being analyzed. ************************** Miyakejima, Japan photos ************************** From: Claude Desgroseilliers http://www3.50megs.com/claude/volcano/miyakejimavolcano.html --

I wish I could attend this: ********************************* Penrose Conference Announcement ********************************* Penrose Conference to address Longevity and Dynamics of Rhyolitic Magma Systems A Geological Society of America Penrose Conference, "Longevity and Dynamics of Rhyolitic Magma Systems" will be held June 7-12, 2001, in Mammoth, California. Mammoth Mountain forms the southwest rim of the Long Valley caldera, one of three large Quaternary rhyolitic caldera centers in the United States. Long Valley, a site of recent volcanic unrest, lies at the heart of current debate over the mechanisms and time scales for the production, storage, and differentiation of rhyolite magma. Such information is critical to our understanding of fundamental geologic problems such as the formation and growth of Earth's continents and predicting volcanic hazards. The purpose of the conference is to bring together petrologists, geochemists, volcanologists and geophysicists actively studying the generation and evolution of silicic magmas. We hope to try and resolve, or at least constrain, a number of very important and currently highly topical issues pertaining to the shallow-crustal evolution of large, typically caldera-forming, silicic magma bodies. These include: � What is a magma chamber-a large, long-lived fractionating liquid body or a "sleepy" crystal mush that gets kicked to life every so often, re-mobilizing existing material? A related issue is to what degree do plutons carry-forward, in some integrated way, the expression of this? � What do crystals really represent-phenocrysts vs. xenocrysts-and what 'memory' do they retain? Related to this issue are questions such as does crystal growth- and dissolution-zoning reflect protracted fractionation of a single magma body or remobilization and dispersal of crystal mush during injection of fresh magma into the subvolcanic system and how do crystals move in the magma system - or are the crystals effectively static in a moving magma system? � What is the efficacy of, and driving forces for, convection/mixing in silicic magmas? Can crystal disequilibrium features, such as chemical/isotopic zoning and dissolution surfaces, serve to discriminate between thermal convection and magma mixing? � What are the time scales needed to produce large, rhyolitic magma bodies? Recent work using 40Ar/39Ar, Rb/Sr or U-series isotope data has led to the suggestion that rhyolite magmas in the Long Valley system are stored, following differentiation, for long (105-106) time scales. This contention has been disputed principally on the basis that it would be difficult to keep a body of magma thermally viable for such long periods, even if grater than 500km3 volume. Alternative physical models have been proposed, such as remobilization of juvenile plutons or cumulate materials and ion microprobe work on zircons has variously upheld or contested the claims for long magma residence times. A key focus of the meeting will be to evaluate the different types of data available that bear on ages of magmatic events, and discuss their interpretations. A limited number of keynote talks will serve to outline the current state of knowledge concerning the generation and evolution of large rhyolitic magma systems, and will set the foundation for evaluation of existing paradigms, development of new models, and discussion of future research directions. Most of the meeting will focus on poster sessions and group discussions. Mid-meeting field trips to selected Bishop Tuff and Sierran plutonic locations will serve to raise questions concerning limits and constraints on sampling and interpreting geochemical data from pyroclastic deposits based on our knowledge of how large silicic systems erupt, links between plutonic and volcanic environments, and the importance of recharge and mixing in magma evolution. The conference is limited to approximately 50 participants to ensure a 'workshop-type' atmosphere focussed on manageable discussions. We encourage participation of graduate students working on silicic magma systems; partial student subsidies will be available. The registration fee, which will include lodging, some meals, field trips, and all other conference costs except personal incidentals, is not expected to exceed $750. Information on travel to the conference will be provided in the letter of invitation.

Arenal, Costa Rica Arenal Volcano erupted yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 23, injuring two American tourists and a Costan Rican tour guide hiking near the volcano. The tour guide, Ignacio Protti, later died from second and third degree burns. From: http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/2000/agosto/24/pais1.html (in Spanish) http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20000824/wl/costa_rica_volcano_cof.html

From Maggie and Reuters: Friday August 25 12:54 AM ET Japan Volcano-Hit Island Set to Evacuate Children TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese authorities plan to evacuate nearly 200 school children from an island near Tokyo after a volcanic eruption last week left the island covered in ash and fearful of more eruptions. Officials on Miyakejima island, struck by its biggest eruption in 17 years on August 18, said the evacuation may occur within a week to have the children settled by September 1, the start of the new school term. This would involve taking around 190 primary and junior high school children off the island, by ship, to an evacuation site somewhere in the Tokyo metropolitan area, they added. ``Authorities are saying there could be another eruption like the one last week, or even larger,'' said Chihoko Kaechi, an official at the Miyakejima Board of Education. ``We can't guarantee the children's safety.'' The total population of primary and junior high students is 327, but the rest have already left voluntarily. A week ago, the island was plunged into darkness when a massive pall of smoke and ash from Mount Oyama was thrown as high as 26,400 feet into the air, burying the island in centimeters of gray ash. The volcano has erupted repeatedly since late June. It spat out more ash Friday morning. ``This place is like a desert now,'' said Kaechi. ``It's very hot and the ash gets in your eyes. People with conditions like asthma are really suffering.'' Workers have been clearing the ash from roads and buildings, using shovels and brooms and scooping it into bags. The Meteorological Agency has warned that, while they believe it unlikely, they cannot entirely rule out an eruption of magma at some point. Eruptions on the scale of the August 18 eruption, or larger, are also possible, with the chance of small rocks being thrown out with the ash. Decision To Be Made Soon Tokyo government officials said that while no final decision on the evacuation had yet been made, they expected one soon. ``The biggest difficulty is deciding whether to keep each school together or break them into smaller units and evacuate them separately,'' an official with the Tokyo Board of Education said. ``And of course it is quite hard to find a good site.'' About 4,000 people live on Miyakejima, 113 miles south of Tokyo, part of the Izu island chain, which has been jolted by tens of thousands of earthquakes in addition to volcanic eruptions over the past two months. Some 800 have already left the island voluntarily. Those who remained have suffered through periodic orders for short-term evacuations to gymnasiums and public halls. Mount Oyama's last major eruption in 1983 destroyed 400 houses and left a moonscape of rock, burning out nearby forests and destroying a lake. A lava flow from an eruption in 1940 killed eleven people. Japanese media reported that Miyakejima's mayor had asked that all remaining residents be evacuated from the island, but a Tokyo city official said there had been no formal request. The entire population of Oshima, another island in the chain, was evacuated when a volcano there erupted in 1986. The Tokyo official said that the city was not considering such an evacuation at this point, adding that it was not yet dangerous enough to warrant the logistical difficulties and the trauma involved in uprooting people from their homes. ``Besides, the activity of this volcano is proving extremely difficult to predict. Who will take responsibility for evacuating people -- and then nothing happens for months or years?''

This web site contains the updating Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli Volcanoes. Watch them erupt! ******************************************* Earthquakes & Volcanoes in Sicily website ******************************************* From: Villari Letterio I should like to inform the Volcano List Server follower that since the beginning of the current year weekly news on Earthquakes and Volcanoes in Sicily (Italy) are available, on-line, by consulting the Poseidon web page, at http://www.poseidon.nti.it address. L. Villari, Director

Mt Etna is erupting and may get a lot bigger. Watch in real time: http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~gerhard/cam_etna.html

"Today In Volcanic History" This is for all of August- August 4 1905- Savai'i, Samoa Erupts August 8 1991- Hudson, Chile Erupts August 16 1663- Usu, Japan Erupts August 17 915- Towada, Japan Erupts August 24 79- Vesuvius, Italy Erupts I snitched this from Yahoo! Clubs: WARNING Volcanology Activated

Update on the Japanese volcano: Tuesday August 29 2:39 AM ET Japan Island Volcano Erupts; Evacuation Speeded Up By Elaine Lies TOKYO (Reuters) - A volcano on a Japanese island 113 miles south of Tokyo spewed a huge column of steam, smoke and ash Tuesday, forcing authorities to speed up a planned evacuation of school children from the island. Officials on Miyakejima said they were taking the last remaining school children off the island Tuesday afternoon rather than Thursday, as previously scheduled.``This new eruption made us decide to speed up the evacuation as it's no longer safe,'' a Board of Education official said. Some 139 children, from primary to high school, were scheduled to leave by boat later Tuesday. There are normally close to 500 students on the island, but the rest had already left voluntarily. Authorities were hurrying to take enough food and bedding to a boarding school in western Tokyo where the students will be housed, NHK public television said. The evacuation will last at least until the end of September. Television pictures showed Miyakejima island shadowed by a massive pall of smoke and ash that shot as high as 26,400 feet into the air from Mount Oyama. Officials said the eruption -- the ninth in a series that began in late June -- emitted no volcanic cinders, unlike an eruption on August 18 that was the largest in 17 years, but warned that the situation remained extremely fluid. ``There is a strong smell of sulphur in the air, but this eruption is much smaller than the one two weeks ago,'' an official at the Miyakejima town office said.There was no outflow of lava but up to six inches of ash had accumulated on some parts of the island. Emergency Task Force Residents were told to stay indoors while officials prepared evacuation centers for residents who wanted to leave their homes.No formal evacuation order had been issued, however, and there were no reports of injuries.Chief cabinet secretary Hidenao Nakagawa told a regular news conference Tuesday the government was establishing an emergency task force to aid evacuation efforts and address safety issues.About 4,000 residents live on Miyakejima, part of the Izu island chain that has been jolted by tens of thousands of earthquakes in addition to volcanic eruptions over the past two months.The nearby islands of Niijima and Kozushima were jolted by a moderately strong earthquake that measured 5.0 on the Richter scale Tuesday morning, but there were no reports of damage or tidal waves.Around 1,159 people had left Miyakejima as of late Monday, Japanese media said -- more than one-third of the population.The Meteorological Agency has warned it cannot entirely rule out the possibility of an eruption of magma, althoug this is considered unlikely. Eruptions on the scale of the August 18 eruption or larger are also possible, with the chance of small rocks spewing out with the ash. Mount Oyama's last major eruption in 1983 destroyed 400 houses and left a moonscape of rock, burning out nearby forests and destroying a lake. A lava flow from an eruption in 1940 killed 11 people.The latest eruption also briefly appeared to boost sulphur dioxide levels to several times acceptable amounts in the air over areas west and south of Tokyo, where residents complained of a sulphurous smell Monday. No illnesses were reported.Prevailing winds apparently blew smoke from Miyakejima toward the area, Japanese media reported.

Thank, Maggie. David has not sent me the official update yet!

*********************** Arenal, Costa Rica *********************** Last Wednesday 23 of August, Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica, erupted a sequence of pyroclastic flows originated by a crater collapse in the north flank of the volcano. The first activity began at 15:45 hours GMT, with a vigorous emission that began at 16:01 and had a duration of 23 minutes. Two tourists and their guide were burnt by the front part of the flow, about 2.3 km. from the crater. The guide Ignacio Protti took the two tourists, walking about 500m. and driving about 2 km to a safer place. Mr. Protti died around midnight (6:00 GMT of Aug. 24). A second and more intense sequence of flows began at 19:23 GMT with a duration of 1 hour and 14 min. The deposits reached a maximum distance of 2.7 km. from the active crater and expanded more than 300 m in the distal part. The following activity has returned to the normal emission of gases (carried to the west by the predominant winds) and lava through the same direction of the pyroclastic flows. The National Park was closed and most of the nearest hotels were evacuated. On Saturday 26 an airplane with 10 passengers crashed against the northeastern flank of Arenal Volcano, about 200 m. lower than the summit and a distance of about 600 m from the collapse. All the occupants died. The Red Cross are attempting to rescue the bodies today, Aug. 28. More information could be found at the web pages http://www.una.ac.cr/ovsi http://www.nacion.co.cr/ln_ee/2000/agosto/24/pais1.html http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20000824/wl/costa_rica_volcano_cof.html

Thanks American_Patriot VOLCANOES- August 29 2000- Mt. Etna Explodes- Italy's Mt. Etna Volcano erupted Monday afternoon, raining ash on the Sicilian city of Catania to the south. No one was threatened by the lava flows of Etna. The lava flowed from one of Etna's youngest craters located on the southwestern flank. August 29 2000- Mt. Oyama Erupts Twice- Mt. Oyama is on Miyake island 120 miles south of Tokyo erupted twice on Tuesday. Mt. Oyama's activity began in June but first erupted on Tuesday at 4:35 AM and sent a plume of ash 5 miles into the sky. Then erupted again at 2:53 PM (14:53). There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. These eruptions have so far been the largest since her last eruption 17 years ago.

SHEVELUCH VOLCANO 56o38' N, 161o19' E; Elevation 2,447 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS ORANGE. PREVIOUS LEVEL OF CONCERN WAS YELLOW. A short-lived explosive eruption was observed at 11:35 AM KDT (2235 OTC) sending an ash-rich plume to an estimated altitude of 33,000 ft (10 km) ASL; the ash cloud was reported as moving to the southeast. Increased seismicity was noted at 2231-2237 followed by volcanic tremor. Seismicity has decreased significantly and the eruption appears to be over at this time. However, Sheveluch has had several short-lived explosive eruptions recently as partial dome collapse has occurred and more eruptive activity could occur. PLEASE CONTACT AVO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.

****************************** Indonesian volcano updates ****************************** Below is a summary of Indonesian volcanic activity reported for the week ending 21 August. Interesting to note the Kaba appears to "active" and that famed Merapi, after an unusually long quescence, appears to be increasing in activity. From: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/hotnews.html VSI Weekly Report, 23 August 2000 Report for the period 15-21 August 2000 G. Kaba During the week the weather around the volcano was cloudy, so the visual observation can not be done clearly. But from seismicity of Kaba volcano was still in active. That was represents from the number earthquakes. Although the number of seismicity was decreased over last week, seismograph was still recorded the main of volcanic earthquake, deep volcanic (A) earthquake but the number lesser than previous. In contrast, tectonic earthquake was increased over last week, 37 events during the week. On 17 August seismograph was recorded tremor harmonic earthquake with the maximum amplitude of 14 mm. The complete data were deep volcanic (A) earthquake 256 events, 1 event of shallow volcanic (B) earthquake, and 12 events of tremor volcanic earthquake. Kaba activity was stated in level 2 (out of four alert level). Anak Krakatau Anak Krakatau activity was still continuing. Although the haze obscured the visual observation, observer was heard booming sound from the volcano. Seismograph was still recorded many quakes, especially for explosion/small explosion earthquakes which the number were increased over the previous week, and infrasonic was also recorded 12 events of explosion earthquakes but decreased for the number of deep volcanic (A) earthquakes. The complete seismicity were 1 event of deep volcanic (A) earthquake, explosion/small explosion earthquake 326 events, infrasonic 12 events. Anak Krakatau volcano is stated in level 2, alert. G. Slamet Central Java 109�13�20"N, 7�16�2"E, summit elevation 3676 m Ash smoke was ejected from the summit with the height was about 50-100 m. Seismicity was dominated by small explosion earthquake (1018 events during the week) and tremor earthquakes, with the amplitude of about 0.5-15 mm. Slamet activity is stated in level 2 (out of four alert level). G. Semeru East Java 112.92�N, 8.11�E, summit elevation 3676 m Semeru activity was still high but lower than the week before. It was represents from both visual and instrumental observations. From the volcano was appears ash plume in white thin-brown color hit about 600 m height. The number of seismicity were lesser than last week. Seismograph was still recorded volcanic earthquake, but the dominant seismicity were explosion earthquakes. The complete data were listed as follow deep volcanic (A) earthquake 2 events, explosion earthquake 420 events, avalanche earthquake 17 events, and 5 events of tectonic earthquake. Semeru activity is now stated in level 2, alert (out of four alert level). G. Lokon North Sulawesi 1�21.5�N, 124�47.5�E, summit elevation 1579 m Based on visual observations, there is no major changes around the volcano compare to the week before, but ash plume was still appears and reached about 100-300 m height above the rim of the crater. Night observations was notice that the red flame was appears from the crater. The radiation was about 25 m height above the crater rim. It was observed from the Kakaskasen post observatory. Seismicity was increased over the week before, mostly in deep volcanic earthquake. Seismograph was recorded 3 events of shallow volcanic (B) earthquake, 4 events of deep volcanic (A) earthquake, 40 events of tectonic earthquake, and a continuous of tremor with the amplitude of 0.5 mm. Lokon activity is now stated in level 3 (out of four alert level). G. Soputan North Sulawesi 124�41�12"N, 1�6�20"E, summit elevation 1783,7 m On 14 August 21.05 (local time, WIB) was occurred again an explosion from the main crater of Soputan volcano. Ash explosion was in dark grey rises to 2500 m. This activity was continued by strombolian explosion which hit 150 m height above the rim of the crater. The ash explosion was went to the southwest. This activity was continuing until 6.00 am (local time) in the morning and accompanied by a continuum of thundering sound which made tremble the windows of people houses around the Maliku village (about 7 km away from the summit). This explosion also accompanied by lava avalanche, flowed down to the southwest 200 m away from the source. Seismicity was still dominated by avalanche and tremor harmonic earthquakes. Tectonic earthquake 18 events, explosion earthquake 3 events, avalanche earthquake 795 events, and a continuous of tremor earthquakes. Soputan activity is now stated in level 4 (the highest level). G. Merapi Yogyakarta 110.45�N, 7.54�E, summit elevation 2911 m Merapi activity continued to increase and now in level 2 (out of four alert level). That was represents from both visual and instrumental monitoring. By visual observations, solfatara was commonly in white thin-color with the maximum height was about 460 m and low in pressure. Based on instrumental monitoring, Merapi seismicity was higher, that was marked by an increasing of both of deep volcanic (A) and shallow volcanic (B) earthquakes which recorded in seismograph. But generally, seismicity was still dominated by avalanche and multiphase earthquakes.

The AGU 2000 Fall Meeting will take place in San Francisco, Dec. 15-19 2000. For your convenience, here is a summary list of special sessions offered by the Volcanology, Geochemistry, Petrology (VGP) Section, including cross-listed sessions. Convener contact information is included. Full descriptions of each session can be found at: http://www.agu.org/meetings/fm00_spss.html Abstracts are due Sept. 1, 2000 by postal submission, and Sept. 7, 2000 by electronic submission.

VOLCANO- August 30 2000- Tokyo Prepares For Evacuations- An earthquake and small eruption hit a volcanic island south of Tokyo today, prompting naval forces to station a destroyer off the coast for a speedy evacuation. The Tokyo city government offered shelter for the remaining 1,600 residents of the island. Massive underground reservoirs of magma are responsible for the recent volcanic and seismic activity on Miyake, one of the Izu islands about 118 miles from Tokyo. Mt. Oyama which experienced its last big eruption in 1983, shot a 1.6 mile-high column of ash and smoke at 4:24 AM today. Hours later a magnitude 4.8 quake struck. No reports of injuries or damage were made. Mahalo to A_P1

http://volcano.und.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/arenal/arenal.html Check out the above URL for information and a pic ture of the perfect composite cinder-cone Volcano. Hawaiian volcanoes are all shield volcanoes, as are those in Iceland.

You may have seen these before, but they were new to me. Here are some fantastic Hawaiian volcano pix by G. Brad Lewis - all copyright, but well worth a look see https://secure.hialoha.net/kw/lavart/1999_catalog.html.

If that link doesn't work (it doesn't show up linked on here) try http://www.lavart.com/ and click on image catalog

**************************************** Volcanoes, Aerosols and Climate meeting **************************************** VOLCANOES, AEROSOLS AND CLIMATE Royal Meteorological Society Volcanic and Magmatic Studies Group of the Geological Society of London Aerosol Society Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR, UK Wednesday 18 October 2000, 1-5pm The meeting will cover several aspects of the relationship between volcanism and climate, from measurements of gases as they emanate from active volcanoes, through the processes of aerosol formation, growth and transport in the troposphere and stratosphere, and the impacts of volcanic aerosol upon the chemical composition, radiation budget, and climate of Earth's atmosphere. The meeting is free and open to all who are interested. For further details see: http://www.royal-met-soc.org.uk/wedmeet.html http://www.royal-met-soc.org.uk/wedabs001018.html

Ash eruptions - Komagatake,Popocatepetl,Tavurvur(Rabual) The full report from the Japan Times (09/06/00) is available at: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news.htm excerpt: SAPPORO (Kyodo) A volcano in Hokkaido erupted Monday night for the first time in nearly two years, the Meteorological Agency said early Tuesday. Mount Komagatake in southwestern Hokkaido erupted at 10:14 p.m. ...There have been no reports of casualties or damage. At around 5 a.m. Tuesday, the Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory reported seeing smoke from the volcano reaching as high as 500 meters above the volcano...The observatory also reported that a seismic tremor was observed on the 1,133-meter mountain, which is about 120 km southwest of Sapporo. ************************* Popocatepetl, Mexico ************************* from the CENAPRED September 5 Bulletin http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/boletines.html September 4. At 03:47 a moderate large plume of ash was produce. The doppler radar detected the plume, that occurred at night. There were reports ash fall in many towns in the North-west flank: Amecameca, Ozumba, Tepetlixpa, San Juan Tehuxtitlan, Zoyatzingo and Valle de Chalco. Some ash also fell on the South limit of Mexico City. The intense phase of this event lasted 3 minutes, and was followed by 25 minutes of high frequency tremor. A tectonovolcanic event, below the crater and of magnitude 1.8 also ocurred. It is recommended not to approach the volcano to less than 7 km from the crater. The traffic light of volcanic alert is maintained yellow. (Recent images of the volcano can be viewed in this web page.) ************************** Tavurvur (Rabual), PNG ************************** full Reuters report at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000906/wl/papua_volcano_dc_1.html excerpt: BRISBANE (Reuters) - Thick clouds of volcanic ash have blown over the Papua New Guinea town of Rabaul and authorities said on Wednesday they were watching a nearby volcano closely for signs of increased activity. The Tavurvur volcano in PNG's remote northeast province began blowing smoke and debris last week but vulcanologists said the activity was still considered normal and no alert had been issued to warn townspeople in the New Britain island trading port. "In the past several days we have had strong southeasterly winds which have blown the ash directly into Rabaul," Ima Itikarai, director of the Rabaul Vulcanological Observatory, told Reuters by telephone. "It is not at the stage where we would declare it critical, but we will keep a close watch on it."...Itikarai said the current activity is similar to events in 1995 and 1996, when Tavurvur spewed debris for several hours at a time over a period of days before calming down.

VOLCANO- Sept 7 2000- Volcano In Papua New Guinea Explodes- Tavurvur Volcano, located in a remote NE province of Papua New Guinea, exploded Wednesday. The volcano began showing signs of increased activity last week, spewing smoke and volcanic debris. The activity was within the mountain's normal range, and no alerts were issued. Rabaul, located 500 miles NE of the capital Port Moresby, is built on the caldera of the volcano. The city suffered extensive destruction in 1994 when Tavurvur erupted simultaneously with a neighboring volcano, Vulcan, killing five people. Both of the volcanoes erupted in 1937 triggering tsunamis that flooded the city. Rabaul is surrounded by 6 volcanoes, and is located on the Pacific's Ring of Fire. Thanks to A_P again!

Hello Marcia. I thought it best to make my maiden post at Geo on this conference. Since you mentioned living on an island with a large volcano -- Hawaii, the big island of course. You live in the shadow of the great goddess Pele. There used to be a beautiful black sand beach on Hawaii. It's gone now, under lava fields. The process of island building goes on!

Kalapana black sand beach is no more and I have it documented inch by painful inch in photographs as it was paved over by 20 feet of faceless lava. However, as the leading edge of molten lava hit the sea it fractured into minute particles and remade a balck sand beach several hundred feet from the former shoreline. Locals whose houses escaped collected coconuts which had sprouted in the kipukas (kipuka = island of original land which the new lava left untouched) and planted them in an arc around the new beach. It is getting pretty out there and they hold surfing contests again. Pele giveth and Pele taketh away. The current eruption just down the coast from Kalapana is still ongoing and has added over 5000 square acres to our island. The cartographers have a constant updating job here. I have watched two mini mountains form which are now on maps and have names. It is fascinating! I was wondering when you would post in my conference...Aloha! E komo mai! Original Kalapana Black Sand Beach\ New Black Sand Beach at Kalapana

Large rocks in strange places http://www.islenews.com/ By Staff | 2000.9.7 - 17:19:53 HST Sometimes in science you find something that theory says you shouldn't. Then your pulse starts racing. Are your observations or calculations wrong? Is the theory wrong? Or is there a middle ground, in which observations can be fit to theory if both are tweaked a little? In late August two volcanologists from the USGS (one from HVO) and one from the Smithsonian Institution were faced with this dilemma. We don't yet know what the final outcome will be, but we're pretty excited. As this column has previously noted, Kilauea has exploded more often than many people think. Ongoing research at HVO is trying to learn as much as possible about these explosions, for flying rocks are clearly hazardous events that will impact the public. We went looking for rocks that were thrown out of the volcano about 1,000 years ago. Work in past months had shown that a wide variety of material was exploded from Kilauea then, mostly cherry-sized scoria and other fine-grained material. However, several times explosions were apparently more violent or powerful. They ejected large, heavy rocks, much like those from the 1924 explosions that litter the surface around Halema`uma`u today. The question we asked was how far out were such rocks thrown? Using a hand-held GPS unit, we established a grid between the Hilina Pali Road and the `Ainahou Ranch Road. The grid is about 700 m (2,300 feet) on a side. At each node of the grid, we spent a total of 18 minutes looking for rocks on the surface-6 minutes per person with a full crew, and 9 minutes with only two of us. We selected the largest 10 rocks we could find during the search. It was like an Easter egg hunt, except the rocks can't be eaten and Nature put them there. We were searching for the largest rocks we could find. We were not interested in those that broke off the surface of the lava flow beneath our feet, but in those that were clearly foreign-that reached their resting place by flying through the air ballistically. After a little practice, recognizing the ballistics became a simple matter. Some of the rocks are even coarse-grained gabbro, which cooled and crystallized underground before being blasted out. What we found surprised, even shocked, us. Rather than seeing few, if any, large rocks so far from the caldera, we found lots. And some were very large. At a distance of 10 km (6 miles) from the summit, we found one rock (a gabbro) weighing 1292 g (2 lbs 13 oz.). At 7.9 km (4.7 miles) from the summit, we found another weighing 1998 g (4 lbs 5 oz.). Many others weigh 100 g (3.5 oz.) or more. When we compared our findings with theoretical models of how far such large rocks could have been thrown from a volcanic vent, we found that we were observing the impossible. The models simply say no dice, it can't be done. Even if we assume that the source for the rocks was on the east rift zone, say near Pauahi Crater or Mauna Ulu, the distance of more than 5.25 km (3.2 miles) is still too great for the models to accept. But, models or no models, the rocks traveled through the air to get where we found them-and that has to be explained. We think we are on to something. Kilauea has likely had explosions that were either more powerful, or of a different type, than existing theoretical models can explain. Before you toss out theory, all steps in the observation and interpretation process must be checked and double checked. We are doing that now. Explosions of such unusual power or type are significant; we can leave no stone unturned (pun intended) in trying to determine their nature and cause.

Waiting for the pause that refreshes http://www.islenews.com/ By Staff | 2000.8.31 - 18:17:49 HST What do Kilauea Volcano's eruption and Hilo's 7:30 a.m. traffic have in common? For one thing, lots of stops and starts. The stops and starts in the eruption at Kilauea are the by now familiar pauses; the stops and starts in busy Hilo traffic might be referred to in more colorful terms. The latest pause in Kilauea's ongoing eruption occurred just over a week ago and was brief. The pause started late on Wednesday, August 23, and ended Saturday, August 26. This was the first Y2K pause but the 30th of the current eruptive episode, which began in February 1997. Eruptive pauses can be short--lasting only a few hours--or long--lasting days or even tens of days. For avid local volcano viewers and once-in-a-lifetime visitors, a pause can be a frustrating experience, since lava stops flowing completely, and there is little, if anything, to see that is red and molten. However, for residents and visitors who are acutely aware of air quality, a pause can be a refreshing experience. Since the current eruption began in 1983, Kilauea has released a total of around 8 million tons of toxic sulfur dioxide gas (SO2)--enough to fill 400,000 Goodyear blimps or 350 billion party balloons. This gas, which reacts in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and other aerosols, is the principle gas responsible for the formation of volcanic smog (vog). At Kilauea, the amount of sulfur dioxide gas released is directly proportional to the amount of lava erupted. Therefore, when the lava eruption rate declines, there is generally a decrease in the amount of SO2 discharged. During a long pause, the amount of SO2 released from the eruption site is usually drastically reduced. For example, during a 25-day break in the eruption in early 1997, so little SO2 was being emitted that it could not be detected downwind of the eruption site using our standard measurement techniques. This abrupt decrease in gas confirmed that, in addition to the absence of lava at the surface, magma had also withdrawn from beneath Pu`u `O`o. Several months later, SO2 emissions were still only around half their typical value, reflecting the sluggish start-up of the eruption. During this delightful three-month period of very low SO2 emissions, Kona residents reported the return of the clear air that was the norm before 1986, when the eruption became continuous. Residents who had moved off-island to escape the hazy Kona air quality inquired whether the improved conditions were likely to continue and it might be time to move back. The respite was brief however, and as the lava production came up to full volume, so did the SO2 emissions, and thereby the air pollution problem. During brief pauses, SO2 emissions may decline somewhat but not stop altogether. During the most recent event, measurements showed that the amount of SO2 released during the pause was still around two-thirds of what we had measured prior to the pause. Although no active lava was flowing, residual degassing of cooling lava, tubes, the vent areas, and shallow magma beneath Pu`u 'O`o continued. It can take many days for all of the gas to escape from the material remaining in the system, so a brief pause may give little chance for chronic volcanic air pollution, such as that in Kona, to clear. Close to the emission sources, it may also be difficult to detect that a decrease in SO2 has occurred. Under steady trade wind conditions, a compact plume of the residual SO2 from the inactive eruption site can cross the Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, 9 km (5.5 miles) from the emission source. This plume is concentrated enough so that a person would still experience the pungent smell, taste and ensuing watery eyes associated with SO2 exposure. Although the latest pause in Kilauea's ongoing eruption was brief, an extended "pause that refreshes" may lie in the future.

Maggie!!! This is hilarious stuff!!! Whoooooo...I did not know it was even out there let alone for God and everyone to read. Thanks for putting it here!!! Kilauea continues to erupt on the southwest flank and continues to add acreage to the island as it does so....and more black sand for the beaches. The House Male assured me that the new Kalapana black sand has all washed away and thatr this other beach is a poor replacement for the old one. But, it is one of the few remaining beaches in the area. He said there are 200-foot (61 M) cliffs now where the "new" black sand beach used to be.

******************************* Aoba Volcano, Vanuatu website ******************************* From: Roberto Carniel A short note to inform you that, in collaboration with Charlie Douglas and Sandrine Wallez, Geohazard Mitigation section of the Department of Geology, Mines and Water resources of Vanuatu, and Michel Halbwachs and Michel Lardy, of French IRD, we prepared a page regarding the current situation at Aoba volcano, in the island of Ambae, Vanuatu. STROMBOLI ON LINE, by J. Alean & R. Carniel, http://stromboli.net From homepage follow link: *Eruptions worldwide", then "Aoba, Ambae, Vanuatu". Best regards. Roberto Carniel. University of Udine, Italy

(did you see 251 as well?)

You probably know all this but it was new to me ...The following near-real-time Earthquake Bulletin is provided by the National Earthquake Information Service (NEIS) of the U. S. Geological Survey as part of a cooperative project of the Council of the National Seismic System. For a description of the earthquake parameters listed below, the availability of additional information, and our publication criteria, please finger qk_info@gldfs.cr.usgs.gov. This Bulletin is updated every 5 minutes, if necessary. The same Bulletin is also available via the Internet at: http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/bulletin.html and that is the preferred means of obtaining it. Updated as of Thu Sep 14 22:22:40 GMT 2000. DATE-(UTC)-TIME LAT LON DEP MAG Q COMMENTS yy/mm/dd hh:mm:ss deg. deg. km 00/09/12 06:43:13 35.35N 99.32E 33.0 4.7Mb A QINGHAI, CHINA 00/09/12 09:50:50 22.65S 179.92W 544.7 4.6Mb B SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS 00/09/12 09:54:38 36.42N 120.99W 9.7 2.8Md CENTRAL CALIFORNIA 00/09/12 10:54:12 6.66N 73.05W 163.9 5.0Mb A NORTHERN COLOMBIA 00/09/12 15:54:33 27.41S 177.16W 33.0 4.8Mb B KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION 00/09/12 16:27:24 5.42S 101.76E 33.0 6.1Ms A SW OF SUMATERA, INDONESIA 00/09/13 00:11:26 51.00N 179.28E 33.0 4.3Mb B RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS 00/09/13 00:13:33 23.86S 66.71W 33.0 4.9Mb B JUJUY PROVINCE, ARGENTINA 00/09/13 03:55:10 27.76N 51.74E 33.0 4.7Mb B PERSIAN GULF 00/09/13 04:17:04 27.77N 51.72E 33.0 4.8Mb A PERSIAN GULF 00/09/13 08:47:50 7.91S 74.41W 147.1 4.3Mb A PERU-BRAZIL BORDER REGION 00/09/13 09:04:22 27.48N 51.85E 33.0 4.7Mb B PERSIAN GULF 00/09/13 10:08:01 42.73N 145.09E 33.0 4.4Mb A HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION 00/09/13 10:34:53 58.38S 25.05W 33.0 4.8Mb B SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS REGION 00/09/13 13:09:46 27.82N 51.70E 33.0 5.1Mb A PERSIAN GULF 00/09/13 15:11:20 34.18N 95.08E 33.0 4.7Mb B QINGHAI, CHINA 00/09/13 20:39:03 9.12N 126.10E 132.0 4.7Mb B MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES 00/09/13 22:15:09 44.51N 140.56E 248.4 4.2Mb B EASTERN SEA OF JAPAN 00/09/13 22:29:10 54.31S 136.80W 10.0 5.3Mb C PACIFIC-ANTARCTIC RIDGE 00/09/14 14:59:57 15.65S 179.80E 33.0 6.2Ms A FIJI ISLANDS 00/09/14 17:33:27 22.43S 176.35W 104.5 5.2Mb A SOUTH OF FIJI ISLANDS

Also http://www.drudgereport.com/quake.htm The areas covered are: LIVE REPORTS WORLD LIST LOS ANGELES LIST LOS ANGELES MAP SAN FRANCISCO LIST SAN FRANCISCO MAP INSTA CALI MAP EMERGENCY INFO SEISMO/H'WOOD ENTIRE US MAP AP QUAKE NEWS UPI/REUTER QUAKE NEWS MAMMOTH VOLCANO WATCH

Yup...post them daily in Geo 26, but I appreciat your posting them anyway. I am desperately trying to retrieve my foot from my mouth in which it has been firmly wedged all week! Appreciate your diligence. Btw, falcon came here in July and apparently was soooo bored that he has not been back since...!

Friday September 15 2:35 PM ET Mexico's Popocatepetl Volcano Spouts Steam And Gas MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano spewed a column of steam and gas nearly a mile into the air on Friday but authorities said there was no threat to people living nearby. The Center for the Prevention of Disasters (CENAPRED) said the volcano, 40 miles east of the nation's capital, remained on yellow alert, meaning it could erupt in weeks or months but probably no sooner. The center advised people to stay at least 4.3 miles away from Popocatepetl, which means ``smoking mountain'' in the indigenous Nahuatl language. Ramon Pena, director of Plan Popocatepetl at the center, told local radio the exhalation was normal for an active volcano. He attributed the emission to the presence of snow on the crater that evaporates rapidly on contact with the magma. Recently, the 17,887-foot volcano has shown increased activity. ``Popo,'' as it is known locally, was inactive from 1927 to 1994, when there was a moderate eruption. Since then it has been active, regularly sending up smoke and ash columns. In November 1998, the volcano spewed fragments of lava rock.

VOLCANO- Sept 10 2000- Tavurvur, Rabual Caldera, New Britian Island, Papua New Guinea Erupts- On Sept 6, the stratovolcano Tavurvur erupted sending thick clouds of ash over the town of Rabual. Tarvurvur began showing signs of increased activity the week before, but not alerts were issued. *Mahalo, A_P*

Asama-Yama Volcano Japan................ Asama-Yama, Japan Location: 36.4N, 138.53E Elevation: 8364 Ft. (2550 m) Asama-yama is a stratovolcano. Three overlapping bodies make up this volcano. It consists of a young stratovolcano with two craters lying on a shield volcano. The shield volcano rests on an older stratovolcano. Kurohu-yama is the name of the western crater rim of the older stratovolcano. It stands 7888 ft (2405 m) high. Erosion has enlarged this crater to 1.25 miles (2 km) around. Water rests in the crater and is drained to the SW. The eastern part of this stratovolcano has been down-faulted and buried under a shield volcano. A younger stratovolcano also lies on top of this shield. This younger stratovolcano has two craters. The SW rim of the outer crater is Maekake-yama. It stands 8177 ft. (2493 m) high. The outer crater is ~3900 ft. (1200 m) across from east to west and ~3000 ft. (900 m) across from north to south. This crater is about 1.25 miles (2 km) east of Kurohu-yama. Kama-yama is a cone at the center of the outer crater. It stands 8364 ft (2550 m) high. This cone rises 558 ft. (170 m) above the bottom of the crater. Its crater pit is ~1150 ft. (350 m) across and very active. The depth of this crater changes with time. It was 820 ft. (250 m) deep in 1893, but it was completely filled with lava in 1912. All recorded eruptions have taken place from this crater pit. Asama-yama sits on a flat plateau. This plateau is about 3300 ft. (1000 m) high. It is made of rocks erupted from other volcanoes, lake deposits and rocks make up the older volcanoes. Hotoke-iwa exists as a bulge to the SW of the outer crater of the younger stratovolcano. Hotoke-iwa is a shield volcano with a steep slope. The first stage of activity of Asama was the eruption of Kurohu-yama. This cone shaped stratovolcano grew 6560 ft. (2000 m) from its base at the time. Its crater began to grow by erosion once the cone itself stopped growing. The eastern part of Kurohu-yama was destroyed by down-faulting and large scale steam explosions. The second stage of activity involved the eruption of Hotokeiwa. Several lava flows occurred during this stage. These are now exposed at Hotokeiwa SSE of the present active crater. Ko-asama-yama is a parasitic lava dome on the eastern side of Asama. It stands 5428 ft (1655 m) high and is made of a rock similar to dacite erupted during the formation of the shield volcano. The western side of the shield was destroyed by down-faulting. The third state of activity consisted of the eruptions of two pumice flows. These flows had great volume that spread over wide areas to the north and south of the shield volcano. Andesite stratovolcanoes grew during the fourth stage of activity. The recent eruptions produced thick lava flows and pyroclastic ejecta together with pyroclastic flows (nuees ardentes). On the southern side of this cone there is a parasitic lava dome made of andesite. Its name is Sekison-zan. It rises 656 ft. (200 m) from the surrounding cone. This cone is younger than the cone of Kurohu-yama but older than the recent cone. Its age relation with the shield volcano is unknown. Asama has erupted 121 times. Most of these eruptions have been Vulcanian. A weak solfatara is active at the SW crater rim of the volcano. The last eruption was in 1990. American_Patriot [Yahoo! Clubs: WARNING Volcanology Activated]

This was a new site to me ...and I have been surprised at the sheer number of African volcanoes ...several I knew about but many here are new to me ...I think everyrone has pix...often from space, great detail and documented. Too much to explore right now, but I'll be coming back to this site for sure ....... http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/volc_images/africa/africa.html I found this site through http://www.viexpo.com/dmstest/volcano.html which is also well worth looking at ....

Been there and done that. Thanks for reminding me...!

Marica, I'm sorry it took me ages to get back. I can't get here as often as I'd like having all those "Mom" things to do. Thank you so much for the lovely greeting and the information and beautiful photos of the two Kalapana black sand beaches. It must have been very painful to have seen it disappear. I admire and am amazed at the the people who had the forsight to collect the coconut sprouts and plant them on the new beach.

There are sacred-to-Hawaiian-Ohana (extended family) places all over the place down around Kalapana. There was little grieving by the Hawaiians who have lived with Madame Pele forever. Rather, the celebrate the new land and consecrate it with offerings of food, flowers, carefully made into haku leis, and chants. One hike I took was with a class of geology students. My hiking buddy a local girl. She prayerfully collected flowers for her offering and prayers to Pele for safe passage over the just-barely-hardened flows. I still have the photo of her offerning and will try to scan it. There were about 20 students, one professor and one mom (guess who) who went on the night hike, and none intruded into her quiet departure from us when we reached the new lava on foot. She was just about 5 minutes away from us, out of sight, and no one doubted that her offering and chants helped us escape unscathed. One place we crossed made my hiking boots' soles smoke! It also poured on us at one point - so heavily that our feet made squelching sounds as we walked. But, in Hawaii, rain is a blessing. No one complained and we were all toasty-warm and dry by the time the hike was over!

A long story and no mention of the coconuts. Part of the Hawaiian respect for the 'Aina (the land) is their replanting where the lava has taken away.

*************************** Indonesian updates *************************** Below is a summary of some of the Indonesian volcanic activities for the week ending 18 September. Kerinci, Anak Krakatau, Slamet, Semeru (pyroclastic flows too), Batur, Api Siau (nightime glares and continuous tremor), Lokon-Empung (nighttime glow), Soputan, Ijen (minor ash plume) and Merapi (rockfalls and ash falls) all continued to be active. Following from: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/news/index.html Weekly Report No. 581 12 - 18 September 2000 Kerinci Jambi, Sumatera; 1�41.5' S, 101�16' E, summit elev. 3,800 m During this week, the activity of Kerinci volcano was still ongoing. Visually, a white thin-thick as plume was observed with a maximum height reached about 300 m above the crater. Seismic record was still dominated by emission earthquakes, but the seismicity decreased compare to the last week. Recorded activities were emission earthquake 129 events and tectonic 15 events. The alert level of Kerinci volcano is in level 2. Anak Krakatau Sunda strait; 6�6'5.8" S, 105�25'22.3" E Anak Krakatau was covered by smog, so that the visual observation could not be done from the observatory post. Boom sound was not heard from the post. Seismograph was still recording emission earthquakes but the number decreased compare to the last week. Infrasonic sensor recorded 4 explosion earthquakes. Recorded activities were deep volcanic earthquake 2 events, emission/explosion earthquake 1,477 events and tectonic earthquake 1 event. Anak Krakatau volcano is in level 2. Slamet Central Java; 7�14.30' S,109�12.30' E During this week, Slamet volcano produced a white medium-thick ash plume with the height of 50-100 m above the summit. Seismicity was dominated by emission and tremor earthquakes with the amplitude of 0.5-5 mm, but there was no a significant change compared to the last week. Seismograph recorded shallow volcanic earthquake 5 events, continuous tremor and emission earthquake 212 events. Slamet volcano is in level 2. Semeru East Java; 8�6.50' S, 112�55' E The visual observation showed that a white gray thin ash plume rose up to 600 m above the summit. Seismicity was still dominated by explosion earthquakes and the number showed a increase, whereas the number of ash fall decreased. During this week, seismograph recorded 623 explosion earthquakes, pyroclastic flow 3 events, tremor 2 events and ash fall 72 events. The alert level of Semeru volcano is in level 2. Batur Bali; 8�14.30' S, 115�22.30' E During this week, from the visual observation, Batur volcano produced a white thin ash plume with the height of 10 m above the crater edge. Seismograph recorded shallow volcanic earthquake 3 events, deep volcanic 8 events, emission earthquake 4 events and tectonic 14 events. Batur volcano is in level 2. Karangetang Siau island; 2�47' N, 125�29' E A white thin-thick ash plume from the main and the second craters rose up to 400 m above the craters. At night, was observed the light around the crater that the height reached 75 m above the crater. Continuous tremor volcanic dominated seismic activity, with the amplitude of 0.5-29 mm, and only 1 event of tectonic was recorded. Karangetang volcano is in level 2. Lokon North Sulawesi; 1�21.5' N, 124�47.5' E During this week, there was no a significant change from this volcano compared with the last week. A white thin-thick ash plume rose up to 400 m high from the crater edge. A light was seen around the crater with the height of 25 m above the crater. Tremor earthquake was recorded with 0.5-1 mm of amplitude and also recorded 32 tectonic earthquakes. Lokon volcano is in level 3 Soputan North Sulawesi; 1�6.5' N, 124�43' E A significant change of Soputan volcano was not seen visually. A white thin-medium emission ash plume rose 50 up to 200 m above the summit. Seismicity was dominated by ash fall earthquakes (178 events). Seismograph also recorded deep volcanic 6 events and tectonic 33 events. Soputan volcano is in level 4. Ijen East Java; 8�3.5' S, 114�14.5' E A white thin-medium ash plume rose up to 25 m above the crater. Seismicity showed a decreased in the number of volcanic earthquakes, but tremor volcanic earthquakes were recorded continuously. The complete seismicity as follows : deep volcanic 1 event, shallow volcanic 11 events and tectonic 8 events. Ijen volcano is in level 2. Merapi Central Java; 7�32.5' S, 110�26.5' E Based on the visual and instrumental observations, the alert level of Merapi volcano is waspada Merapi (level 2). The visual observation showed that the volcano produced a white thin solfatar with the maximum height of 250 m from the summit and the pressure was low. Seismicity did not show a significant decrease and increase in volcanic activity. The activities were dominated by ash fall and multiphase earthquakes. Shallow and deep volcanic events still occurred. Merapi volcano is in level 2.

Update On Previous Volcanic Cases- thanks to A_P VOLCANOES- Sept 20 2000- Japan Volcano Threatens To Explode- Hundreds of earthquakes have jolted the region near central Japan's Mt.Asama Volcano since the beginning of the week. On Monday, at least 138 quakes shook the mountain, located on the border between Nagano and Gunma prefectures. There haven't been any evacutions. The tremors did however increase on Tuesday by 40 an hour. It has been spewing steam. This volcano has been silent for the last 217 years. A major explosion in 1783 killed 1,151 people. Sept 20 2000- Mexican Volcano Threatens To Erupt- On Wednesday a new lava dome formed on Popcatepetl Volcano which means that lava is rising to the surface and could cause a major eruption. The last major eruption of this volcano was in 1994 when it awoke from its 67-year dormancy. Alert status has not been raised. The nearest living establishment is 5 miles away from the base of this 17,259 foot volcano. Sept 22 2000- Guatemalan Volcano Spews Ash Cloud- An active volcano in Guatemala shot out a huge cloud of ash and smoke on Thursday, leaving nearby communities blanketed in ash. Plans to evacuate residents is in consideration. Volcano del Fuego, which is Spanish for Volcano of fire, was put on orange alert. The last major eruption of this volcano was in May 1999. Sept 28 2000- Japan Volcano Erupts- Mt. Komagatake, a volcano in northern Japan, exploded on Thursday, but there were no reports of damage or injuries. The 3,716-foot volcano, located 441 miles NE of Tokyo, on the island of Hokkaido, last erupted Sept.4. A major eruption of the volcano in 1929 killed two, and a 1856 eruption claimed 20.

Mt. Cameroon, Cameroon Location: 4.20N, 9.17E Elevation: 13,428 ft (4095 m) Mt. Cameroon is a poorly studied stratovolcano located in the nation of Cameroon, 180 miles west of the capital Yaounde. This volcano is also known locally as Mt. Faka and "Chariot of the Gods". It is one of Cameroon's main tourist attractions. Thousands of people participate in a race up its rocky slopes each year. It is the highest peak in West and Central Africa. Cameroon has erupted six times this century, most recently in the summer of 1999. Eruptions generally occur on the flanks of the volcano and produce small cinder cones and lava flows. Cameroon was the site of one of the earliest recorded volcanic eruptions--in the 5th century BC--observed by a Cathaginian ship captain while sailing down the Atlantic Coast of Africa. Mahalo to A_P

************************* Popocatepetl, Mexico ************************* Mexican Volcano Spouts Steam And Ash Column full Reuters report at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20001004/sc/mexico_volcano_dc_2.html excerpt: Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano...spouted a 4-mile column of ash on Tuesday, its biggest this year, authorities said....CENAPRED said on Sept. 15 that Popocatepetl's main volcanic crater had been sealed by the formation of a dome-like structure. Tuesday's eruption of ash, gases and water came as the dome became slightly uncovered, Valdes said. CENAPRED bulletins and links to images are available at: http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/boletines.html ************************* Colima, Mexico ************************* The 22 September update for Colima volcano in Mexico indicate weakening activity but steam and ash emissions still are occurring. Loosely translated from URL

********************************************* Mt. Komagatake and Mt. Asama, Japan activity ********************************************* Information from Chris Eisinger Mt. Komagatake erupted last week on Thursday, Sept. 28, following an earlier eruption on Sept. 4. An AP news report is available at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20000928/wl/japan_volcano_1.html AP news also reported previously that Mt. Asama in central Japan was shaken by 138 earthquakes on Monday, Sept. 18 (compared with about 10 daily in recent months). By late Tuesday, Sept. 19 there were an average of 40 volcanic tremors an hour. The last major eruption of Mt. Asama in 1783 killed over 1,000 people. ********************************************* White Island and Ruapehu, NZ updates ********************************************* From: Dan Shackelford For the week ending 29 September, White Island's MH vent continued to emit gas with a very small amount of ash and the crater opened on 27 July produced gas. Also, a swarm of high-frequency earthquakes took place, as well as periodic low-frequency tremor. Minor tremor noted at Ruapehu, but no change in surface activity. From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/hazardwatch/latest/gweekvo.htm White Island During the week a swarm of small high-frequency earthquakes were recorded. These were sourced at or near White Island. There has also been periodic low-frequency tremor recorded. There have been no reported changes in activity, with MH vent still producing a very small amount of ash. Both the MH and the unnamed crater (formed July 27th) are emitting steam and gas. The Scientific Alert Level remains at 1. Other volcanoes A small amount of volcanic tremor was observed at Ruapehu during the week. No surface activity has been reported. The Scientific Alert Level remains at 1.

******************************* Mount Ulawun, Papua New Guinea ******************************* From: Dan Shackelford Papua New Guinea's Ulawun volcano erupted briefly on 29 Sept. 2000 at 0230 from its summit. Heavy ash falls prompted evacuations. As of 2-3 Oct. there have been no further eruptions but the summit crater continues to emit white fume, while low - moderate seismicity continues, including harmonic tremor. Full report: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20001002/news02.htm excerpt: Mt Ulawun quiet but stage 2 alert remains. The stage two alert on Mount Ulawun will be maintained indefinitely despite a decline in the volcanic activity. Mt Ulawun, on the border of East and West New Britain provinces, erupted at 2.30am on Friday but no casualties or major damages had been reported so far. Government officials say that although the eruption had stopped, there was still low to moderate seismic activity, which indicate that the volcano was still active. Reports of the early morning eruption were not received at the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory until about 8am, because of communication problems with its monitoring station on Mount Ulamona. A team of government officials from East New Britain comprising the senior volcanologist Ima Itikarai, provincial disaster co-ordinator Peniel Lotu and health adviser Bernard Lukara flew to the area to assess the situation. Their report was still to be ratified by the East and West New Britain provincial disaster committees. But government officers in Bialla said there has been a decline in activity. The summit of the volcano was clear while the vent was emitting thin white vapor. Full report: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20001003/news08.htm excerpts: Alert kept up on volcano THE stage two alert on Mount Ulawun will remain in force until authorities are convinced there is no imminent danger of another eruption. An update on the volcanic activity by the East New Britain provincial disaster committee, which is monitoring the situation through the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory, said the summit activity had quietened down. But the continuous occurrence of volcanic tremors provided evidence that the volcano was still active. West New Britain Governor Clement Nakmai yesterday met with the provincial executive council, the administration and disaster committee, to discuss the fate of the 3750 displaced people in care centres at Bakada, Soi and Kabaya. Officials in Bialla said the immediate concern was to feed those in care centres.

Kilauea update 0510 October 8, 2000 Note: Your observer will be attending a meeting in Waikiki on October 9-11. The next predawn report will be written on October 12. In the meantime, any important developments will be reported here as needed. Kamokuna continues to gobble up all the lava that makes its way across the coastal flat. This Sunday morning at 0435, the entry was glowing brightly and giving off a moderate steam plume. Still, the amount of lava entering the water seems substantially less than that pouring through the lava tube above Pulama pali. Apparently the new flow on the coastal flat is inflating and consequently taking up some of the lava that otherwise would make it all the way to the coast. Kamokuna is about 1.5 km west-southwest of Waha`ula and has been the site of repeated entries over the years. Narrow streams of lava are trickling over the old sea cliff there, spaced across a shoreline distance of about 600 m. The mid- dle of the three benches at Kamokuna is about 360 m wide and has been the most active for the past several days. On Pulama pali this morning at 0435, the only glow is from the long-lived skylight high on the scarp. The crater of Pu`u `O`o is dark on this cool, blustery morning. Volcanic tremor near Pu`u `O`o continues at a weak to moderate level. Earthquake activity is low across the island. The tilt at Kilauea summit is rather flat (ac- tually continuing the long-term slow deflation underway since the eruption began in 1983), as it is near Pu`u `O`o and everywhere else along the east rift zone.

********************************** Piton de la Fournaise eruption ********************************** From: Jean-Louis CHEMINEE A new eruption, the third in 2000, started at Piton de la Fournaise (Reunion Island) Oct 12 at 5:05, local time, after a seismic crisis started at 4:09, local time. This eruption, situated SE of Dolomieu crater flank, in the Enclos Fouquet, follows 4 weeks of increasing seismicity and ground deformations.

************************************ MVO update, Friday, October 6, 2000 ************************************ From: Dan Shackelford Subject: Spine growth, incandescent rockfalls and pyroclastic flows at Soufriere Hills For the week ending 6 October, Soufriere Hills displayed spine and dome growth, small pyroclastic flows and incandescent rockfalls. Somewhat reduced seismic levels when compared to the previous week, Following from Montserrat Volcano Observatory, care of Peter Dunkley : Report for the period midday, 29 September 2000 to midday, 6 October 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has continued this week with the summit lava dome continuing to grow. Clear views of the summit of the volcano were seen on most days of the week. A large steeply inclined lava spine dominated the eastern part of the summit region of the dome and changed in size and shape throughout the week. On the evening of the 30th September the top of the spine had reached an altitude of 1054 metres, this being the highest measurement taken on the dome so far. On the morning of 6 October there were several smaller spines. Observation flights indicate that there has been no new growth on the western flanks of the dome. Rockfalls were confined to the eastern side of the dome, where they contribute to a very broad apron of talus accumulating in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. Rockfalls of incandescent material were observed in this area at night. There were a number of very small pyroclastic flows off the eastern side of the dome, the largest of which passed down the Tar River but did not reach the delta. This short-lived but energetic flow occurred on the morning of the 2nd October and produced a dense, dark ash cloud which remained at a low level and moved rapidly to the northwest on the prevailing wind, depositing ash in the Salem area before being swept out to sea. The level of seismic activity was considerably lower than in the previous week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 169 rockfall signals, 29 hybrid, 25 long period and 16 volcano-tectonic earthquakes for the reporting period. COSPEC measurements indicate an increase in sulphur dioxide emissions compared with the previous week, with daily average values of 790 and 948 tonnes on the 2nd and 3rd October respectively. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant's Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 6 October 2000

******************************************** KVERT Information Release; October 17, 2000 ******************************************** From: Alaska Volcano Observatory Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-44 Wednesday, October 18, 2000, 12:20 KDT (2320 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Daylight Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Daylight Time. BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o 58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. PREVIOUS LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE WAS GREEN. A thermal anomaly, first observed in satellite images by AVO on September 21, has increased in intensity during the past week. According to AVO satellite data, a 4 pixel thermal anomaly at Bezymianny was observed in a nighttime AVHRR image at 07:04 KDT on October 18. One pixel was saturated at 50 degrees Celsius, and a recovery pixel was also present, indicative of intense thermal activity. Background temperature values were about -10 to -15 degrees Celsius. This is the most intense thermal activity that has been observed since the initial observation of the anomaly on September 21. No ash plumes or drifting ash clouds have been detected. Thermal anomalies detected in satellite data have preceded explosive eruptions of Bezymianny by days to weeks in October 1995, May and December 1997, February 1999, and March 2000. However, in June 1998, intense thermal activity was not followed by an explosive event. Only two small (M0) earthquakes were registered under the volcano during the past 5 days. On most days, clouds obscured the volcano. On October 16, weak fumarolic activity was observed. It is necessary to note that the nearest seismic station ZLN has been out of order since October 14. PLEASE CONTACT AVO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. Olga Chubarova David Schneider Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Alaska Volcano Observatory Response Team, IVGG, Piip Blvd, 9 4200 University Drive Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, RUSSIA Anchorage, Alaska 99508 E-mail: ochubarova@emsd.iks.ru E-mail: djschneider@usgs.gov tel. (415-22)59385 907-786-7037 *************************************** KVERT Weekly Update, October 20, 2000 *************************************** From: Alaska Volcano Observatory Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-45 Friday, October 20, 2000, 12:00 KDT (2300 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Daylight Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Daylight Time. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES KLYUCHEVSKOY VOLCANO 56o03'N, 160o39'E; Elevation 4,750 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. During the past week (October 13-19), seismic activity was near background levels. Shallow earthquakes occurred. On October 13, a fumarolic plume rose 200 m above the volcano and extended 5 km to the east. On October 15, weak fumarolic activity was observed. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. A thermal anomaly, first observed in satellite images by AVO on September 21, has increased in intensity and size during the past week. Only three small (M0) earthquakes were registered under the volcano during the past week. On most days, clouds obscured the volcano. On October 16, weak fumarolic activity was observed. SHEVELUCH VOLCANO 56o38'N, 161o19'E; Elevation 2,447 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. On October 15, weak fumarolic activity was observed. On October 16, a gas-steam plume rose 350 m above the dome. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. Weak continuous volcanic tremor was recorded during the entire week. At 15:12 KDT on October 14(02:12 UTC), seismic data indicated a possible gas-ash explosion as a 20-minutes-long series of strong shallow seismic events occurred. The height of the cloud was estimated on the basis of the seismicity at ~7,500 m ASL. KARYMSKY VOLCANO 54o03'N, 159o27'E; Elevation 1,486 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismic activity was at background levels. AVACHINSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES, 53o15'N, 158o51'E; CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismicity at Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes is at normal levels. MUTNOVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES GORELY VOLCANO, 52o33'N, 158o02'E, Elevation 1,828M MUTNOVSKY VOLCANO, 52o27'N, 158o12'E, Elevation 2,324 M. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE FOR BOTH VOLCANOES IS GREEN. On October 14-15 and 17-18, both of volcanoes were quiet. On other days, clouds obscured the volcanoes. On October 13-16, microseismic signals were registered on seismic station GRL. PLEASE CONTACT AVO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. Olga Chubarova David Schneider Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Alaska Volcano Observatory Response Team, IVGG, Piip Blvd, 9 4200 University Drive Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, RUSSIA Anchorage, Alaska 99508 E-mail: ochubarova@emsd.iks.ru E-mail: djschneider@usgs.gov tel. (415-22)59385 907-786-7037

******************************************************* Indonesian Volcano Update, 10-16 October ******************************************************* For the week ending 16 October, the Indonesian volcanoes Slamet and Semeru showed a decrease in the level of their activity, whereas the volcanoes Api Siau (lava flow and avalanches) and Merapi (earthquake swarm and deep earthquakes) showed a significant increase in their activities. Kerinci, Krakatau, Lokon-Empung and Soputan remained at about the same level of activity. From: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/news/index.html Weekly Report No. 585 - 10-16 October 2000 Kerinci Jambi, Sumatera; 1�41.5' S, 101�16' E, summit elev. 3,800 m Ash plume still occurred and dominating at Kerinci activity. The color was commonly in white thin-thick, rose up to 400 m height. Seismicity was still dominated by small explosion earthquakes and increased in volcanic earthquake. Deep volcanic (A) 3 events, shallow volcanic (B) 1 event, small explosion 261 events, and 3 events of tectonic earthquake. The alert level of Kerinci volcano is in level 2. Anak Krakatau Sunda strait; 6�6'5.8" S, 105�25'22.3" E Krakatau activity more quite during the week. There was no thundering sound from the volcano. Seismograph continued to record small explosion earthquake but the number decreased over last week. The complete seismicity during the week were 24 events of small explosion and 1 event of tectonic earthquake. Anak Krakatau volcano is in level 2. Slamet Central Java; 7�14.30' S,109�12.30' E During the week Slamet activity showed a significant decreasing. It was represent from both visual and instrumental monitoring. Ash plume rose about 50-100 m height and seismograph only record a continuous tremor with the amplitude of 0.15-7 mm. Slamet volcano is in level 2. Semeru East Java; 8�6.50' S, 112�55' E From seismograph recording Semeru activity indicated a major decreasing this week. The number of seismicity was decreased over the previous week. Pyroclastic flow occurred once time. Detail seismicity were deep volcanic (A) 1 event, shallow volcanic (B) 3 events, explosion 592 events, pyroclastic 1 event, avalanche 41 events, and 9 events of tectonic earthquake. The alert level of Semeru volcano is in level 2. Karangetang Siau island; 2�47' N, 125�29' E Karangetang activity showed a major increasing within this week. Main crater and crater II continued to ejecting white thin-thick ash plume, hit about 500 m height above the summit. Sometime was heard a thundering sound from the volcano and night view was observed the red flame up to 75 m. On 14 October 2000, at 18.40 WITA (local time) was observed glowing lava which flowed away 100 m distance to the Nenitu river. Meanwhile the avalanche hit about 1000 m. Seismograph recorded a significant increasing of deep volcanic (A) and small explosion earthquake. Complete data listed as follow : deep volcanic (A) 36 events, shallow volcanic (B) 1 event, small explosion 145 events, tectonic 11 events, and a continuous of tremor earthquake with the amplitude of 0.5-23 mm. Karangetang volcano is in level 2. Lokon North Sulawesi; 1�21.5' N, 124�47.5' E Based on visual observation there is no major change in Lokon activity. But the volcano was still ejecting the white thin-thick ash plume that hit about 250 m height. Red flame with the radiation of 25 m was shown from the crater. Seismograph was recorded 6 events of deep volcanic (A) and 22 events of tectonic earthquake. Lokon volcano is in level 2. Soputan North Sulawesi; 1�6.5' N, 124�43' E There is major change in Soputan activity during this week. Seismicity was dominated by avalanche earthquake but recorded 1 of deep volcanic earthquake. Complete seismicity were deep volcanic (A) 1 event, tectonic 18 events, and 242 events of avalanche earthquake. Soputan volcano is in level 2. Merapi Central Java; 7�32.5' S, 110�26.5' E Although visual observation was obscured by the haze, Merapi activity showed a significant increasing. Seismograph recorded a significant swarm and deep volcanic earthquake during this week. Meanwhile, seismicity was still dominated by superficial earthquakes such as multiphase and avalanche earthquake. Merapi volcano is in level 2.

I know this man with the JPL initials. VERY well, indeed. I also know Jim Griggs! We even share the same ISP! ************************************ Year 2001 IAVCEI Volcano Calendars ************************************ From: John Lockwood Dear Volcanophile Friends: Brian Hausback and Steve McNutt's superb Labor of Love, the Sacramento Volcanological Society's "2001 IAVCEI Volcano Calendars" (and other calendars focusing on Hawaiian Volcanic activity) are now available at the HAWAIIAN VOLCANO STORE (http://www.volcanostore.com). Please pardon the delay in presenting these, but the Store has undergone a change of ownership and management, and has been completely redesigned. Jim Griggs of Volcano, Hawaii, well-known for his photographs of Hawaiian volcanic activity, is the new Proprietor of the Store, and is now responsible for carrying the shop to new heights!. Marti and I have enjoyed filling thousands of orders for you over the past four years, but have decided that we really weren't cut out to be "shopkeepers". There are lots of volcanoes "out there", and so long as our legs stay strong, we intend to make them our main focus in life - both for fun and work! Jim and his colleagues will be greatly expanding the Store line of volcano-related products in the near future, and they look forward to hearing from you as to new quality products you'd like to see stocked. As before, the Store will be offering most products to you at below retail cost. Please stop by and see the changes! Aloha 'Oukou, Jack & Marti

Smithsonian Institution Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network Volume 25, Number 8, August 2000 VOLCANOES Arenal (Costa Rica) Maps, photos, and seismic data on the 23 August eruption Poas (Costa Rica) Fumarolic activity and increased seismicity during JanuaryJune 2000 Shishaldin (Alaska) Thermal anomaly and small explosions on 11 August Shiveluch (Kamchatka) Fumarolic plume, multiple gasash explosions, and partial dome collapses Bandai (Japan) Unprecedented increase in seismicity during 1416 August Komagatake (Japan) Small eruptions on 4 and 28 September, the first since October 1998 Aoba (Vanuatu) Increase in temperature and acidity at Lake Voui during AprilAugust 2000 Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) Eruption on 29 September causes the evacuation of nearby towns Rotorua (New Zealand) Smallscale hydrothermal eruption on 18 September White Island (New Zealand) Ashandsteam emissions accompanied by magmatic eruption Stromboli (Italy) Lowtomoderate eruptive activity JanuarySeptember 2000 EARTHQUAKES Santa Cruz Islands (Mw 6.7) 3 August; Sakhalin Island (Mw 6.8) 4 August; Kermadec Islands (Mw 6.7) 15 August; Indonesia (Ms 6.8) 28 August Editors: Rick Wunderman and Edward Venzke Editorial Assistants: Gari Mayberry, Luke Jensen, Alicia Arroyo, David Charvonia, and Jacquelyn Gluck

For an idea of how the Island of Hawaii is made of various volcanoes:

Hawaiian Meaning The Hawaiian name "Kilauea" means "spewing" or "much spreading," apparently in reference to the lava flows that it erupts. Most Recent Eruption Continuous since January 3, 1983 Number of Historical Eruptions 61, not counting the continuous lava-lake activity in Halema`uma`u crater Summit Caldera The caldera itself has no Hawaiian name other than Kilauea but houses the famous crater, Halema`uma`u; "hale" is a house, "ma`uma`u" a type of fern. Kamapua`a, a jilted suitor of Pele, is said to have built a house of ferns over Halema`uma`u to keep Pele from escaping her home and causing eruptions. The ploy failed. Dimension: 6 x 6 km (outermost faults), 3 x 5 km (main depression) Depth: 165 m deep Age: probably several incremental collapses 500-210 years ago Oldest Dated Rocks 23,000 years old Estimated Age of Earliest Subaerial Eruptions 50,000-100,000 years Estimated Age of First Eruption of Kilauea 300,000-600,000 years before present Hawaiian Volcano Stage Shield-forming stage

Close-up of where the erutpion is taking place:

In our latest effort to improve the volcano-monitoring instruments on Mauna Loa and Kilauea, we have just completed the installation of the most sensitive instruments available for monitoring the strain deep beneath the surface of a volcano. Three holes more than 100 m deep were drilled into Mauna Loa, and an existing deep hole in Kilauea's summit area was also used. In each hole were installed an ultra-sensitive strainmeter and a seismic package consisting of a three-component broadband seismometer and a strong-motion sensor. Currently the installations are being tested and modified where necessary. Later this year, a borehole tiltmeter may be added high in each hole. Once all of this is completed, the state-of-the-art instrumentation will radio data to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in real time and make possible the early detection and tracking of events occurring deep within Mauna Loa and Kilauea with unprecedented clarity. The instruments were installed in a collaboration between USGS scientists from HVO and the Earthquake Hazards Program (Menlo Park, CA) and scientists from the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (CSAV), University of Hawai`i in Hilo. The Carnegie Institution of Washington - Department of Terrestrial Magnetism manufactured the instruments and advised us in their installation. Funding for the drilling came through a grant from the Department of Defense via NASA. The project received invaluable assistance from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the Mauna Loa Observatory, the Mauna Loa High Altitude Observatory, and Hokukano Ranch. The holes on Mauna Loa were drilled by DOSECC (Drilling, Observation, and Sampling of the Earth's Continental Crust, Inc.). More... http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/howwork/strain/

********************************************* KVERT Information Release; October 29, 2000 ********************************************* Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-47 Monday, October 30, 2000, 10:30 KST (2230 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Standard Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Standard Time. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS ORANGE. PREVIOUS LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE WAS YELLOW. The number and energy of shallow earthquakes has continued to increase. Seismic data indicate that (hot?) rock avalanches have rolled down from the dome. Beginning at 01:15 KDT on October 28, energy from B-type earthquakes increased. A thermal anomaly, first observed in satellite images by AVO on September 21, continued to be detected (8 pixels with 4 pixel at saturation temperature of 50 degrees Celsius in the satellite image at 06:32 KST on October 30). At 08:10 KST on October 30, a gas-steam plume rose 1000 m above the volcano and extended to the northeast. The previous few days, the volcano was obscured by clouds. Unfortunately, KVERT has incomplete seismic data because of unstable seismic stations operation. ********************************************* KVERT Update, Friday, October 27, 2000 ********************************************* Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-46 Friday, October 27, 2000, 13:00 KDT (0000 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Daylight Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Daylight Time. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES; KLYUCHEVSKOY VOLCANO 56o03'N, 160o39'E; Elevation 4,750 m. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. During the past week (October 20-26), seismic activity was near background levels. Shallow earthquakes occurred. On October 23 and 25, weak fumarolic activity was observed. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. A thermal anomaly, first observed in satellite images by AVO on September 21, continued to be detected (4 pixels with one pixel at saturation temperature of 50oC). On October 21, a fumarolic plume rose 50 m above the volcano and extended to the east. On October 25, a fumarolic plume rose 50 m above the volcano and extended 20 km to the south. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. A few shallow earthquakes (M0) per day wee registered under the volcano. Since October 25, seismic data indicate that (hot?) rock avalanches have rolled down from the dome. From 20:40 to 21:00 KDT on October 26, spasmodic volcanic tremor was registered. Unfortunately, KVERT has not complete seismic data because of unstable seismic stations operation. SHEVELUCH VOLCANO 56o38'N, 161o19'E; Elevation 2,447 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. On October 25, a gas-steam plume rose 200 m above the dome. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. Weak continuous volcanic tremor and small shallow earthquakes were recorded on October 22-23. At 22:29 KDT on October 14(09:29 UTC) and at 21:14 KDT on October 26, seismic data indicated possible gas-ash explosions as shallow seismic events occurred. The height of the cloud was estimated on the basis of the seismicity at ~4,000 m ASL. Since 01:00 on October 26, volcanic tremor continued to be recorded. KARYMSKY VOLCANO 54o03'N, 159o27'E; Elevation 1,486 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismic activity was at background levels. On October 25, weak local events were registered and a small pyroclastic flow possibly occurred. AVACHINSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES, 53o15'N, 158o51'E; CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismicity at Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes is at normal levels. MUTNOVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES: GORELY VOLCANO, 52o33'N, 158o02'E, Elevation 1,828M; MUTNOVSKY VOLCANO, 52o27'N,158o12'E, Elev. 2,324 M. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE FOR BOTH VOLCANOES IS GREEN. On October 20 and 25,both volcanoes were quiet. On October 24, a gas-steam plume rose 700 m above the Mutnovsky volcano. On other days, clouds obscured the volcanoes. Since October 24, no microseismic signals were registered on seismic station GRL.

**************************** Popocatepetl, Mexico **************************** Subject: Renewed dome growth and explosive activity at Popocatepetl. New dome growth is occurring at Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano. A rather vigorous eruption on 29 October at 1710 lofted an impressive ash cloud to ~3 km above the crater, with ashfalls to the ENE. This event followed several days of increased seismicity which is believed indicative of new tholoid growth. According to http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html, a "hot spot" was seen on satellite imagery for this event as well. From: http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/cgi-bin/popo/reportes/ultrep.cgi ******************************************** KVERT Information Release, October 30, 2000 ******************************************** From: Alaska Volcano Observatory Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-48 Tuesday, October 31, 2000, 11:00 KST (2300 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Standard Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Standard Time. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS ORANGE. Beginning at 23:00 KST on October 30, seismic activity increased. The most intense seismic activity was registered from 01:46 to 02:46 KST on October 31 (from 13:46 to 14:15 GMT on October 30). The seismic record did not show a distinct explosive event. AVHRR satellite data from AVO showed an ash eruption at Bezymianny. The image from October 30 at 1700 GMT showed an ash plume extending from the volcano to the southeast (azimuth 110-115 degrees) for 55 km (~30 nautical miles). An image from October 30 at 1800 GMT, showed the ash plume extending for about 80 km (45 nautical miles) to the southeast (azimuth 110-115 degrees). It was not possible to estimate the height of the ash plume. Wind data from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at 1200 GMT showed that the wind was generally out of the west at all altitudes, so it was not possible to estimate height based on cloud movement. According to visual report from Koziyrevsk at 07:30 KST on October 31, a gas-steam plume rose 1500 m above the volcano and extended to the southeast. Seismic activity at the volcano continues. Seismic data analysis implies that the volcanic activity may increase and another ash eruption can occur with little warning.

********************************************** MVO Weekly Activity Report, 27 October 2000 ********************************************** Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 20 October 2000 to midday, 27 October 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has continued at an elevated level this week. Clear views of the summit of the volcano were seen on most days. Growth of the lava dome continued on the east side of summit region where spectacular incandescence was observed at night. Growth was dominated by the semi-continuous extrusion of a broad lava spine inclined at a steep angle upwards towards the east. At various stages large portions of the spine broke off, but growth generally kept pace with disintegration as fresh material continued to be extruded. On the 25h October the top of the spine had an altitude of 1039 metres, and the general height of the surrounding summit region of the active lobe had an altitude of around 1000 metres. Observation flights indicate that there has been no new growth on the western and northern flanks of the dome. Rockfalls were confined to the eastern side of the dome, where they contribute to the talus fan accumulating in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. The talus is beginning to bury the remnant buttress of older dome material on the north-east flank which formed during the 1995-98 phase of growth. Rockfalls produced small ash clouds which drifted north-westwards on the prevailing wind and gave rise to very light ash falls in the populated areas of the island. Rockfalls of incandescent material were observed at night. The level of seismic activity has been much lower than in previous weeks. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 214 rockfall signals, 9 hybrid, 35 long period and 4 volcano-tectonic earthquakes for the reporting period. Some of the rockfalls had long period precursor signals characteristic of small explosive events. COSPEC measurements indicate daily average sulphur dioxide emissions of 235, 925 and 2252 tonnes on the 23th, 24th and 26th October respectively. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant's Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 27 October 2000

Mexico on Alert Over Volcano Popocatepetl Activity MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican authorities were on alert on Saturday for a possible strong exhalation of ash and smoke by the volcano Popocatepetl, which lies 38 miles from Mexico City, due to an increase in volcanic activity. "We have increased our preventive measures and increased the radius of security to 10 km (6.2 miles). Previously the radius was 7 km (4.3 miles) from the crater," a spokesman for the National Center for Prevention of Disasters (Cenapred) told Reuters. However, the spokesman said the activity of the volcano, known as "The Smoking Mountain" in the indigenous Nahuatl language, had diminished since Saturday morning after earlier increasing. After the volcano's activity picked up on Friday, the center decided to step up the state of alert to "yellow phase three" from "yellow phase two," which means preventive measures are reinforced among the local population. "This does not in any way imply a possible evacuation," the spokesman said. Recently, Popocatepetl, 17,884 feet high, has been registering strong exhalations. The volcano sporadically exhaled small amounts of steam and gases on Saturday. Popocatepetl, active for the past six years, in 1997 spewed up a spout of ash 11.2 miles into the sky, causing eye irritation and respiratory problems among thousands of people living nearby.

*********************************************** Montserrat Volcano Observatory: Weekly Report *********************************************** Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 27 October 2000 to midday, 3 November 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has continued at an elevated level this week. Growth of the lava dome has continued on the east side of summit region. Clear views of the volcano were seen on the last three days of the reporting period when the summit region of the dome was occupied by a cluster of toppled spine fragments, the highest of which had an altitude of 1013 metres. Observation flights indicate that there has been no new growth on the western and northern flanks of the dome. Rockfalls were confined to the eastern side of the dome, where they contribute to the talus fan accumulating in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. The talus has continued to encroach upon the remnant buttress of older dome material on the north-east flank which formed during the 1995-98 phase of growth. Rockfalls produced small ash clouds which drifted north-westwards on the prevailing wind and gave rise to very light ash falls in the populated areas of the island. Rockfalls of incandescent material were observed at night. The level of seismic activity was slightly lower than in the previous week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 146 rockfall signals, 20 hybrid, 19 long period and 3 volcano-tectonic earthquakes for the reporting period. A few rockfalls had long period precursor signals characteristic of small explosive events. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant's Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 3 November 2000

************************************ KVERT Update, Friday, Nov. 3, 2000 ************************************ From: Alaska Volcano Observatory Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-49 Friday, November 3, 2000, 18:00 KST (0600 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are either in Kamchatkan Daylight Time, 21 hours ahead of Alaska Daylight Time or Kamchatkan Standard Time, also 21 hours ahead of Anchorage. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES; KLYUCHEVSKOY VOLCANO 56o03'N, 160o39'E; Elevation 4,750 m. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. During the past week (October 27-November 2), seismic activity was near background levels. On October 29-31, a gas-steam plume rose 400-700 m above the volcano and extended 5 km to the southwest and sourtheast on October30-31. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. PREVIOUS LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE WAS ORANGE. On October 27-29, the volcano was obscured by clouds. The number and energy of shallow earthquakes continues to increase. Seismic data indicate that (hot?) rock avalanches have rolled down from the dome. Beginning at 01:15 KDT on October 28, energy from B-type earthquakes increased. No ash plumes or drifting clouds was observed at 07:30 and 15:30 KST on October 30 satellite images. At 08:10 KST on October 30, a gas-steam plume rose 1 km above the volcano and extended to the northeast. Beginning at 23:00 KST on October 30, a significant increase in seismicity occurred. The most intense seismic activity was registered from 01:46 to 02:15 KST on October 31 (132:46 to 14:15 UTC on October30). The seismic record did not5 show a distinct explosive event. AVHRR satellite data from AVO showed an ash eruption at the volcano. The image from October 31 at 05:00 KST (Oct. 30 at 1700 UTC), showed an ash plume extending from the volcano to the southeast for 55 km. An image from Oct. 31 at 06:00 KST (Oct. 30 at 1800 UTC), showed the ash plume extending for about 80 km to the southeast. It was not possible to estimate the height of the ash plume. According to visual reports from Koziyrevsk at 07:30 KST on Oct. 31, a gas-steam plume rose 1500 m above the volcano and extended to the southeast. At 12:10 KST, an ash-poor plume rose 3 km above the volcano, at 13:30 a gas-steam plume rose 1 km, and at 15:15 KST, a gas-steam plume rose 2 km above the volcano. An image from Oct. 31 at 15:06 KST (0306, Oct. 31 UTC), showed an ash plume extended for about 40 km to the northeast that might have a minor amount of ash. A larger, diffuse cloud was seen off the east coast of Kamchatka that seemed to be continuous with the more distinct plume coming from the volcano. It extended for about 250 km to the southeast but did not appear to contain an ash component. The most intensive seismicity was registered from 03:20 to 04:00 KST and at 06:26 KST on Nov. 2. The satellite image at 06:26 KST on Nov. 2 showed an ash plume extended 50 km west of the volcano, then 130 km to the southwest. The height of the plume was ~ 6,500 m ASL. According to visual reports from Koziyrevsk at 08:00 KST on Nov. 2, a gas-steam plume rose 1000 m above the volcano and extended to the southwest; at 08:42 KST, an ash-gas plume rose 1500 m above the volcano and extended to the southwest. Beginning at 12:00 KST on Nov. 2, seismic activity began to decrease. A satellite image at 16:21 on Nov. 2 revealed a 231 km long ash plume approximately 270 km southwest of the Bezymianny summit, centered within the lower third of the Kamchatkan Peninsula. The satellite image at 16:50 revealed a 250 km long ash plume ~ 300 km southwest of the Bezymianny summit. An image from Nov. 3 at 06:18 KST (1818 UTC, Nov 2), showed the plume extending for ~ 30 km to the southeast. According to visual reports from Koziyrevsk at 13:55 KST on Nov. 3, a gas-steam plume rose 1000 m above the volcano. SHEVELUCH VOLCANO 56o38'N, 161o19'E; Elevation 2,447 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. On October 29, a gas-steam plume rose 400 m above the dome. On Oct. 31, Nov. 1, a powerful gas-steam plume rose 700 m above the dome and extended 5 km to the northwest and east on October 30-31. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. At 22:29 KDT on October 14(09:29 UTC) and at 15:20 KDT on October 27 (0220 UTC) and at 17:11 KDT on Oct. 28, seismic data indicated possible gas-ash explosions as shallow seismic events occurred. The height of the cloud was estimated on the basis of the seismicity at ~4,000-4,500 m ASL. KARYMSKY VOLCANO 54o03'N, 159o27'E; Elevation 1,486 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismic activity was at background levels. AVACHINSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES, 53o15'N, 158o51'E; CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismicity at Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes is at normal levels. MUTNOVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES: GORELY VOLCANO, 52o33'N, 158o02'E, Elevation 1,828M; MUTNOVSKY VOLCANO, 52o27'N,158o12'E, Elev. 2,324 M. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE FOR BOTH VOLCANOES IS GREEN. Both volcanoes were quiet.

Monday, November 6, 2000 Two hikers found dead atlava flow The Volcanoes Park hikers had severe burns; cause of death is unknown By Rod Thompson Star-Bulletin HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK -- Two hikers were found dead of unknown causes about four miles from the end of Chain of Craters Road at midday yesterday, according to a park ranger at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Their names were withheld pending notification of their next of kin. The two, a man and a woman, had apparently walked across a series of lava flows that had been deposited in the area in the last decade. They were found near where a current lava flow enters the ocean, said ranger Doug Lentz. Rangers were notified about the bodies by a cell phone call at about 1:30 p.m., Lentz said. The park used a private helicopter to fly rangers to the scene, and the bodies were retrieved by a Hawaii County helicopter. Hiking to the lava flow is permitted, but signs in the immediate area warn not to go farther, Lentz said. Officials at the park were not immediately clear on where the bodies were. The park advises anyone hiking in the area to have sturdy boots, lots of drinking water, protection from sun and rain, and flashlights. Park officials had no information on how the hikers were equipped. Lentz said the hikers had suffered severe burns but were fully clothed, so it was difficult to determine the extent of their burns. They also had cuts and bruises on their hands, knees and heads. They were found on high ground, not down on a "bench" of fresh lava at the water's edge, where signs prohibit hiking, Lentz said. "They were up where the general public is allowed to be." An autopsy will be done to determine cause of death, he said.

Strange, no obvious cause. Could it have beent he fumes or heat?

I've been where they were found and no reason for them to be so badly burnt. Scratches and abrasions are common if you fall out there on the sharp new flows, but not dangerous in that area. The police say it appears there was no foul play. However, how else do they explain these inconsistencies. I'll keep you posted!

Could they have been on the beach and then climbed higher on the flow?

How did they bet so badly burnt?? Surely they could not have moved from where that happened to the place they were found. There is more to this than meets the eye...there are no beaches along there...just unstable cliffs

A real mystery. It seems very strange.

********************************************** New GVP/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report ********************************************** From: Gari Mayberry The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazard Program have collaborated to create the Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, an online summary of global volcanic activity on a weekly basis that can be accessed via the Global Volcanism Program�s website at http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/ (under Preliminary Notices) or the USGS Volcano Hazard Program�s website at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/. The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report consists of: � Brief summaries of current volcanic activity with links to the information sources and to definitions for technical terms in the USGS photoglossary � Background information about the reported volcanoes compiled by Global Volcanism Program staff � Maps that highlight the location of the reported volcanoes in reference to geographical features and other volcanoes in the region � An archive of the weekly reports sorted by volcano and date � A link to a new USGS web page that provides current updates for US and Russian volcanoes � And links to more comprehensive reports that are published monthly in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network ******************************************************************* Gari Mayberry USGS/Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History E-421 Washington, DC 20560-0119 Phone: (202) 357-2618 Fax: (202) 357-2476 mayberry@volcano.si.edu *******************************************************************

Update on the two people found dead on the lava flow: Bodies not burned. Officials awaiting toxicology results.

**************** Kilauea Update **************** 0555 November 16, 2000 If rain washes air, we have the cleanest on the planet this morning. That allows the glow at Kamokuna to be particularly intense, and the skylight high on Pulama pali gleams like a jewel at 0505. The heavy rain obscures all views of the crater of Pu`u `O`o this Thursday morning. Volcanic tremor near Pu`u `O`o remains at a moderate level. Earthquake activity is low across the island. The tilt- meters at Kilauea's summit and along the east rift zone are now showing flat signals, except for several hours last night, when the giant earthquake in New Ireland caused slow, peak-to-peak oscillations at Kilauea's summit amounting to more than 12 microradians. Alarms at two tiltmeters were set off by the large and rapid tilts.

I've visited two volcanoes this year: Mount Teide on Tenerife in the Canary Islands this September and then Mount Fuji on Japan just last week. My friend and I drove up and over Tiede, about 2500m (about 8-9000 feet) in a tiny little 1.0 litre rental car...a most nerve-wracking experience! The view was fantastic, though. As close to a feeling of alien landscape as I've ever experienced. There were huge great lava fields that were just incredible. Maybe I'll buy a scanner, scan some photos and post them here. Last week on Mount Fuji was great. Went up in a coach tour this time, which was more relaxing. The top of Fuji is usually obscured by cloud, but once we'd reached the visitors centre we were above the cloud. The view was *incredible*. Absolutely no cloud except for a 'hat' of cloud that flew around the caldera at high-speed. I have never seen that before. I guess it must be due to convection currents of some kind coming out of the volcano (it's only dormant, not exctint). I took loads of photos of that, so I'm hoping they will come out. I like volcanoes :-)

Shame I can't spell extinct, though...

Hey, Mike!!! Remember Mauna Loa? Didn't you do a bit of remote theorizing about when we punch though the crust? How about Kilauea? It is erupting even as I write this. Aloha!!! Come to Hawaii and see some REAL volcanoes! Your trip sounds like it was splendid. I am envious like you cannot believe. Amazing about that cloud on Fujiyama. Never heard of that effect. Thanks for sharing. Noe, get thee to a scanner, and if you need space on Spring's hard drive for them, send'um to me and I'll send you the urls for them! Mahalo Nui Loa.

Thanks, Marcia. I think I have a telnet account, but I can't remember the hostname. I tried www.spring.net but that no longer works. I seem to think it was .spring.net Care to share the hostname? :-)

unfortunately, since terry changed servers only he and his chief programmer-lurker have access. Ftp I will email to you if you'd like - it is my space on Geo. I hate not having telnet access anymore!!!

Oh...I can't say that I used the telnet access much anyway. Tough luck, I guess! If/when I ever scan them I will happily send them to you.

Thanks, Mike - I'll be delighted to accommodate resize and so forth and accedit you for your efforts. ************************************* MVO weekly report, 17 November 2000 ************************************* From: Dr Gill Norton Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 10 November 2000 to midday, 17 November 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has remained at an elevated level this week with the continued growth of the lava dome on the eastern side of the summit region. The level of seismic activity was higher than in the previous week with a marked increase in the number of long period earthquakes. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 207 rockfall signals, 33 hybrid, 144 long period and 7 volcano-tectonic earthquakes for the reporting period. Clear views of the dome were seen over the period 10 to 13 November. The summit was still dominated by the extrusion of a broad lava spine inclined at a steep angle up and towards the east. On 12 November the spine had an altitude of 1059 metres or 3475 feet. On 13 November it had grown to 1077 metres or 3530 feet, the greatest height measured on the dome throughout the eruption. Brief views of the dome on the morning of 17 November showed that the spine had continued to grow still further, although a direct measurement was not possible. The number of rockfalls and pyroclastic flows increased towards the end of the week. A small pyroclastic flow on 15 November entered the upper reaches of Tyre's Ghaut traveling about 1 km away from the dome. On 17 November, pyroclastic flow deposits were also noted in the upper reaches of Tuitt's and White's Ghaut on the north-eastern side of the volcano. This represents the first new dome material to have traveled down the notch between the north-eastern and northern lobes of the 1995-98 dome. Most rockfall activity, however, is still occurring across the eastern face of the dome above the Tar River. Ash clouds from this activity reached no more than 10,000 feet and mostly traveled to the west across the exclusion zone. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant's Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 17 November 2000

EUROPEAN GEOPHYSICAL SOCIETY XXVI GENERAL ASSEMBLY NICE 25-30 MARCH 2001 ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS FOR SYMPOSIA ON VOLCANIC HAZARDS SESSIONS ON VOLCANIC HAZARDS (NH): NH6.01 Volcanic hazards from explosive eruptions Convener: Baxter, P.; Co-Convener(s): Macedonio, G. NH6.02 Parametrization and modelling of lava flows for hazard assessment Convener: Dingwell, D.B. NH6.03 Gas emission Convener: Chiodini, G.; Co-Convener(s): Allard, P. CO-SPONSORED SESSIONS (SE): SE13.01 Geophysical and geochemical modelling of unrest episodes at volcanic areas. Convener: De Natale, G.; Co-Convener(s): Cornet, F.H., Dahm, T. SE13.03 Neogene-recent magmatism in the Mediterranean region Convener: Wilson, M.; Co-Convener(s): Beccaluva, L., Bianchini, G. SE13.04 Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei - volcanism and volcanic hazards Convener: Civetta, L.; Co-Convener(s): Orsi, G., Patella, D. SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS Deadline for receipt of abstracts is 1 DECEMBER 2000 The abstracts must be sent to the EGS Office (EGS@copernicus.org). Please, send an additional copy to one of the convener of your choice. Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. Abstracts must be formatted according to the rules described on the Web page http://www.copernicus.org/EGS/EGS.html A LaTeX style and guide is provided on this Web page. E-mail the abstract as a LaTeX, ASCII, WORD, WordPerfect, Postscript or PDF file. Posters with brief oral introduction during the oral session and extended presentations during the poster sessions are encouraged. GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION General information on the EGS Assembly and registration forms are available by browsing the Web page http://www.copernicus.org/EGS/EGS.html EGS2001: XXVI General Assembly Sending an abstract does not mean registration. Please do not send the registration form to the convener but to the EGS Office. PLEASE POST THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND CIRCULATE IT AMONG COLLEAGUES More information on the the Scientific Programme, Abstract Submission, Registration, etc. can be found at the following URL: http://www.copernicus.org/EGS

*************************************** White Island and Ruapehu, New Zealand *************************************** From: Dan Shackelford For the week ending 3 November, White Island's vents only emit steam and gas. No signs of visible unrest at Ruapehu. For the week ending 10 November, no eruptions at New Zealand volcanoes. Minor levels of tremor at Ruapehu and weak to moderate degassing at White Island from its two active vents (9 Nov. observations). From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/hazardwatch/latest/gweekvo.htm 11/3/00 Eruptive activity has largely ceased at White Island, although the active vents continue to emit steam and gases. Mt Ruapehu shows no signs of surface activity. Both White Island and Ruapehu remain at Alert Level 1 (signs of volcano unrest). All other volcanoes are at Alert Level 0 (dormant or quiescent). 11/10/00 No eruptive activity has occurred at any of the volcanoes this week. Scientists visiting White Island on 9 November found weak to moderate fumarole activity, with the two active vents producing a white steam and gas plume. At Ruapehu minor levels of volcanic tremor have been recorded. Both White Island and Ruapehu remain at Alert Level 1 (signs of volcano unrest). All other New Zealand volcanoes are at Alert Level 0 (dormant or quiescent). ********************************** Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion ********************************** From: Thomas Staudacher Regain of activity at Piton de la Fournaise. An eruption started at Piton de la Fournaise volcano on october 12. Activity was quite reduced for about 2 weeks, until begin of november and a new cone was formed, named "Piton Morgabim". Lava flows of 4.5 km formed in the "Grand Br�l�" on the east of the volcano. Since November 1rst, tremor constantly increased over 8 days. From november 5, intense fumeroles formed just above the actual crater. Tremor highly increased over 24 hours and on nov 9, a new well formed 30 m above the first one. Since 48 hours, eruption tremor is extremely high, but constant and regular. Piton Morgabim is very active, with a 15 m wide lava lake, intense degasing and large heavy lava fountains. New lava flows pf about 2 km lengths formed and partly covered the june lava flows. ========================================== Thomas Staudacher, Jean Louis Chemin�e Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris 14 RN3, le 27�me 97418 La Plaine des Cafres La R�union ***************************** Colima, Mexico ***************************** From: Dan Shackelford Explosive eruption at Mexico's Colima volcano on the evening of 10 November which produced an ash cloud to ~6 km above sea level, which drifted to ENE. Following from: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html FVXX21 KWBC 110015 VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORY ISSUED 0015 UTC 11 NOV 2000 BY THE WASHINGTON VAAC . COLIMA 00-016 MEXICO 1931N 10337W . BACKGROUND: COLIMA MEXICO (1401-04) SUMMIT HEIGHT 13451 FT (4100 M)) . SOURCES OF INFORMATION: GOES-8 VISIBLE AND INFRARED AND MULTISPECTRAL IMAGERY. MEXICO CITY METEOROLOGICAL WATCH OFFICE. . ERUPTION DETAILS: ERUPTION AT 10/2333Z. . DETAILS OF ASH CLOUD: THE MEXICO CITY METEOROLOGICAL WATCH OFFICE REPORTS AN ERUPTION OF COLIMA TO FL200. THE ASH IS MOVING TOWARDS THE EAST NORTHEAST. SATELLITE IMAGERY THROUGH 10/2345Z SHOWS NO ASH. . TRAJECTORY: ACCORDING TO UPPER AIR REPORTS ASH FROM THE SUMMIT TO FL200 WILL MOVE TOWARDS THE EAST NORTHEAST AT 15 TO 20KTS. . OUTLOOK: SEE SIGMETS. . THE NEXT MESSAGE WILL BE ISSUED AT 11/0600 UTC. . REAL TIME SATELLITE IMAGERY AND VOLCANIC ASH ADVISORIES OFTEN ACCOMPANIED BY A MAP DEPICTING ASH LOCATION ARE AVAILABLE AT INTERNET URL ADDRESS HTTP://WWW.SSD.NOAA.GOV/VAAC/WASHINGTON.HTML (ALL LOWER CASE EXCEPT /VAAC/) . PLEASE REFER TO SIGMETS FOR CURRENT WARNINGS. .

******************************* MVO Weekly Activity Report ******************************* From: Peter Dunkley Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 3 November 2000 to midday, 10 November 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has remained at an elevated level this week with the continued growth of the lava dome on the eastern side of the summit region. Clear views of the dome were seen on several days during the reporting period. The summit was dominated by the extrusion of a broad lava spine inclined at a steep angle upwards towards the east. At various stages parts of the spine broke off, shedding large blocks on the upper parts of the dome. On 4th November the spine had an altitude of 1017 metres, but by the evening of 5th November it was noticeably higher. When next seen on the morning of 9th November much of the spine had disintegrated and only a broad basal stump remained. Incandescent glow could be seen on the active part of the dome at night. Observation flights indicate that there has been no new growth on the western and northern flanks of the dome. Rockfalls were confined to the eastern side of the dome, where they continue to contribute to the broad talus fan accumulating in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. Incandescent rockfalls were observed at night. Heavy rainfall in the early hours of 4th November produced mudflows down the Belham River. Further heavy rainfall on the afternoon of 8th November produced mudflows in a number of valleys including the Belham River. Coinciding with this second period of rainfall, continuous rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows occurred within the Tar River over a period of several hours, as minor amounts of material avalanched off the eastern flank of the lava dome. The pyroclastic flows appear to have been of low energy and did not reach the Tar River delta. Ash clouds generated by these flows reached heights of about 6000 feet and drifted northwards on the prevailing wind. The level of seismic activity was slightly higher than in the previous week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 252 rockfall signals, 9 hybrid, 11 long period and 3 volcano-tectonic earthquakes for the reporting period. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant's Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 10 November 2000

************************************** KVERT Update, Friday, Nov. 10, 2000 ************************************** From: Alaska Volcano Observatory Kamchatkan Volcanic Activity INFORMATION RELEASE 00-50 Friday, November 10, 2000, 11:30 KST (2330 UTC) The following Release was received by the Alaska Volcano Observatory via e-mail from KVERT (Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team). All times are in Kamchatkan Standard Time, 21 hours ahead of Anchorage. KLYUCHEVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES KLYUCHEVSKOY VOLCANO 56o03'N, 160o39'E; Elevation 4,750 m. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. During the past week (November 3-9), seismic activity was near background levels. On Nov. 3, weak fumarolic activity was observed. On Nov. 4,6, and 7, a gas-steam plume rose 150-800 m above the volcano and extended 10 km to the southeast on Nov. 7. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. BEZYMIANNY VOLCANO 55o58'N, 160o36'E; Elevation 2,895 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. PREVIOUS LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE WAS YELLOW. Seismicity has decreased to background levels. No Nov. 3-6, a gas-steam plume rose 1000-2000 m above the volcano and extended 20-60 km mainly to the southeast. On Nov. 7, a gas-steam plume rose 500 m above the volcano. On Nov. 9, clouds obscured the volcano. SHEVELUCH VOLCANO 56o38'N, 161o19'E; Elevation 2,447 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS YELLOW. On Nov. 3-4, 6, and 8, a gas-steam plume rose 100-300 m above the dome. On Nov. 7, a gas-steam plume rose 1500 m above the dome. On other days, clouds obscured the volcano. KARYMSKY VOLCANO 54o03'N, 159o27'E; Elevation 1,486 m CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismic activity was at background levels. AVACHINSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES, 53o15'N, 158o51'E; CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE IS GREEN. Seismicity at Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes is at normal levels. MUTNOVSKAYA GROUP OF VOLCANOES: GORELY VOLCANO, 52o33'N, 158o02'E, Elevation 1,828M MUTNOVSKY VOLCANO, 52o27'N,158o12'E, Elev. 2,324 M. CURRENT LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE FOR BOTH VOLCANOES IS GREEN. On Nov. 3-8, Gorely volcano wa quiet, and a gas-steam plume rose 300-800 m above Mutnovsky volcano. On Nov. 9, the volcanoes were obscured by clouds. The seismicity was near background levels. PLEASE CONTACT AVO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS. Olga Chubarova Tom Miller Kamchatka Volcanic Eruptions Alaska Volcano Observatory Response Team, IVGG, Piip Blvd, 9 4200 University Drive Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, 683006, RUSSIA Anchorage, Alaska 99508 E-mail: ochubarova@emsd.iks.ru E-mail: tmiller@usgs.gov tel. (415-22)59385 907-786-7454

******************************** Caribbean Volcano Cruise II ******************************** From: David Lea Announcement: Many of you may have heard about the volcano cruise that took place in the Caribbean last year aboard the 150 foot topsail schooner, Sir Robert Baden Powell. Well we are having another one in 2001, only instead of 21 days, it will only be 10 days long. You can check out the ship that we will be sailing on and get a lot more information by going to last years website at: www.volcano-island.com/cruise The ship will depart Martinique in the French West Indies on April 3, 2001 The passengers/participants will disembark in St. Maarten on April 14, 2001 The volcanic islands we will be visiting will be Martinique, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Nevis and St.Kitts The leader of this expedition will once again be David Lea, well known videographer of the Montserrat eruption and creator of the documentary series, "The Price of Paradise" and other educational videos. www.priceofparadise.com We will be climbing the volcanoes in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Nevis and St. Kitts, along with a visit to the famous boiling lake in Dominica. Montserrat will no doubt be the centerpiece of the cruise as it is still in eruption. Visits to all of the observatories are also being arranged. The ship is also fully equipped with the latest diving gear for those of you that are interested in some great diving. For further information you can contact David Lea directly at: lead@candw.ag

Who wold be stupid enough to live on a live volcano?! Cities on Volcanoes 2 conference (12-16 February 2001, Auckland, New Zealand) programme now available on-line at: http://www.gns.cri.nz/news/conferences

**************************************** Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion activity **************************************** Piton de la Fournaise eruption which started on october 12, suddenly stopped on november 13, after 33 days of continuous eruption. During the last five days of activity, tremor was unusually high and at Piton Morgabim very vigorous eruption activity occured. On november 9th, a new eruption went opened some 30 m above the initial one and slight phreatomagmatic events could be observed. On november 13 at 22h45 (local time) the tremor suddenly disappeared within only 15 minutes. On november 15, up to 800 �C hot lava fields were still present formed by the final lava flows. The crater showed an about 100 m large and an about 40 m deep cavity, which was formed by welding together of both eruption sites. Thomas Staudacher & Jean Louis Chemin�e Observatoire Volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris 14 RN3, le 27�me 97418 La Plaine des Cafres La R�union t�l.: 02 62 27 52 92 fax.: 02 62 59 12 04 *************************************** White Island and Ruapehu, New Zealand *************************************** For week ending 17 November, White Island developed a new degassing vent just SE of MH vent and MH vent was noisely actively degassing too. No significant change in seismicity at White Island though. Minor volcanic tremor continues at Ruapehu. From: http://www.gns.cri.nz/hazardwatch/latest/gweekvo.htm White Island continues to emit steam and gases. Early in the week the noise from the active MH vent was so loud that it could be heard from the beach in still conditions. By Thursday, a small new vent southeast of MH was also steaming. This slight increase in activity was not accompanied by any significant seismic activity. At Ruapehu minor levels of volcanic tremor continue to be recorded.

******************************************* Vanuatu volcanoes on "STROMBOLI ON-LINE" ******************************************* From: Roberto Carniel Dear volcanophiles Just a brief note to let you know that STROMBOLI ON-LINE (http://stromboli.net) has established, after field work done by Carniel and Fulle in July 2000 on Ambrym, Lopevi and Yasur, a section on Vanuatu's volcanoes. It includes photos, videoclips, maps and a QuickTime-VR panorama of Yasur. The direct URL is: http://stromboli.net/perm/van/index-en.html As always, this material is also available in German and Italian: http://stromboli.net/perm/van/index-de.html http://stromboli.net/perm/van/index-it.html

********************************* Api Siau and Merapi, Indonesia ********************************* For the week ending 20 November, Api Siau (Karangetang) ejected ash from its two active craters, frequent boomings and nighttime glares. Merapi emitted a thin ash plume to 530m and notable seismicity continued. From: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/news/index.html Weekly Report No. 590 14-20 November 2000 Karangetang Siau island; 2�47' N, 125�29' E Karangetang activity continued during this week. White-thin ash plume appeared from main crater and crater II rose up 600 m height above the summit. A frequently booming sound was heard from the summit. Sometimes at night sight the observer noted red flame from the summit, the height is about 75 m. Seismic record dominated by discontinuous tremor, which has amplitude 0.5-4 mm. During this week seismograph also recorded some multiphase earthquakes. Detail of seismic activity were: deep volcanic (A) 7 events, 3 events of shallow volcanic (B), 51 events of multiphase, 18 events of small explosion, 45 events of tectonic, and discontinuous tremor earthquake. Karangetang volcano is in level 2. Merapi Central Java; 7�32.5' S, 110�26.5' E Merapi volcano continued to ejecting white ash plume. During the week ash plume rose up 530 m height above the summit and low in pressure. Seismograph recorded both of deep and shallow volcanic earthquakes, but seismicity still dominated by multiphase earthquakes. Merapi volcano is in level 2.

************************************* MVO weekly report, 24 November 2000 ************************************* Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 17 November 2000 to midday, 24 November 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has remained at an elevated level this week with the continued growth of the lava dome and a marked increase in the number of rockfall signals. The level of seismic activity was higher than in the previous week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 497 rockfall signals, 1 volcano-tectonic, 85 long period and 16 hybrid earthquakes for the reporting period. The number of rockfalls has more than doubled relative to the previous week, although the number and energy of the long period earthquakes has decreased. Clear views of the dome were seen over the period from 17 to 22 November. The lava spine that had been extruding over the previous week was seen briefly on 17 November and the height of the top of the spine was estimated as over 1085 m or 3560 feet. However views over the weekend showed that the large spine had collapsed and a number of smaller spines were visible in the summit area. On the afternoon of 17 November and over the following few days, rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows were occurring down the notch between the northeastern and northern lobes of the 1995-98 dome. These were reaching into the upper parts of Tuitt�s and White�s ghauts to the northeast of the dome and traveling down the northern edge of the Tar River valley. Some new deposits were also noted in the upper White River valley to the south of the dome. Ash clouds from this activity reached no more than 10,000 feet and mostly traveled to the west across the exclusion zone. Towards the end of the week, the rockfall activity down the eastern flank had decreased, although the number of rockfalls detected by the seismic network remained high. Measurements of sulphur dioxide emissions from the volcano were made on 23 November and showed that the average flux was 1050 tonnes per day. This is higher than the previous measurement of 610 tonnes per day on 10 November, but is similar to other measurements made over the last 3 months. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant�s Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 24 November 2000

************************************* MVO weekly report, 1 December 2000 ************************************* Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 24 November 2000 to midday, 1 December 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has remained at an elevated level this week with continued growth of the lava dome. The level of seismic activity was comparable to last week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 491 rockfall signals, no volcano-tectonic, 69 long period and 13 hybrid earthquakes for the reporting period. Clear views of the dome were possible briefly on the evening of 27 November. The crest of the dome was dominated by a large shark�s fin-shaped spine. Glowing rockfalls were seen cascading down the eastern and southeastern faces of the dome. Poor visibility through the rest of the week prevented further observations being made, although new rockfall deposits were seen predominantly in the upper reaches of the Tar River valley. Measurements of sulphur dioxide emissions from the volcano were made on 28 November and showed that the average flux was 1020 tonnes per day. This is similar to the values measured last week. Dr. Glenn Mattioli, Andy Eby and Lizzette Rodriguez from the University of Puerto Rico are visiting Montserrat this week to collaborate with the MVO in a GPS monitoring campaign. Occupations of several sites around the volcano are in progress, using both MVO and University of Puerto Rico equipment, so that the movements of the flanks of the volcano can be measured very accurately. This is part of a long-established collaborative venture that has been ongoing since the start of the eruption. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. The Belham valley should be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain and everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant�s Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 1 December 2000

********************************************************** Updates: Semeru, Api Siau and Bromo Volcanoes, Indonesia ********************************************************** For the week of 5-11 December 2000, Semeru's eruption, which began 33 years ago, continues with thick white fume, two pyroclastic flows and numerous explosions (513 explosion earthquakes). Api Siau (a.k.a. Karangetang) exhibited fume columns from both active craters and occasional nighttime glares to 25m height and a marked increase in seismicity (which includes continous tremor). The new eruption at Bromo with manifold explosions and ash columns rising to as much as 900m a.c. (above crater), continuous tremor and strong sulfur odor. Source report: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/news/index.html Weekly Report No. 593 5-11 December 2000 Semeru East Java; 8�6.50' S, 112�55' E A 600 m white-thick fume rose from Jonggring Seloko crater. Seismic record dominated by explosion earthquake (513 events), the others record were: 1 event of deep volcanic (A), 1 event of shallow volcanic (B), 16 events of avalanche, 6 events of tectonic, and 2 event of pyroclastic flow. The alert level of Semeru volcano is in level 2. Karangetang Siau island; 2�47' N, 125�29' E Volcanic activity increased during reported period, white-thin fume exhibited from crater II and main crater. This fume reached 50 m above the summit. An indistinct fire plume observed frequently at night sight. The fire plume reached up to 25 m above the summit. An extrem increase on volcanic earthquake occurred within this week. Seismic record showed: 135 events of deep volcanic (A) earthquake, 1 event of shallow volcanic (B), 151 events of multiphase, 74 events of small explosion, 8 events of tectonic, and a continuous of tremor volcanic. Karangetang volcano is in level 2. Bromo East Java; 7�56.30' S, 112�37' E Within this period, G. Bromo still stated as "waspada" level. Volcanic activity marked by ongoing explosion and continuous tremor. Ash explosion, which is accompanied by grey-brown to dark fume. Fume's height approximately 150-900 m above crater rim, sulphur smelled strongly from observation post. 817 events of explosion earthquake, which has amplitude of 4-30 mm and continuous tremor, which has amplitude of 2-6 mm recorded during observation period. Bromo volcano is in level 2.

*************************************** Colima, Fuego, and Tungurahua updates *************************************** Colima, Mexico --------------- As of 1800 on 6 December, activity at Colima was at low seismic, deformation and visual levels. The recent tendency has been that of low, waning levels of measured activity. See: http://www.ucol.mx/volcan/report1.html Fuego, Guatemala ----------------- Several small explosions at Guatemala's Fuego volcano in the evening of 9 December. Tungurahua, Ecuador --------------------- Thin ash plume from Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano in the early hours of 10 December. Source: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/messages.html

Popocatepetl is erupting - for updating image please go to: http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/images/popo.jpg

or try http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/popo/UltimaImagenVolcan2.html

Popocatepetl volcano, seen from the Mexican village of San Nicolas de los Ranchos, erupts late December 18, 2000. The eruptions have caused small forest fires on its slopes in Puebla state where thousands of residents had been evacuated, but many others refused to leave. (Daniel Aguilar/Reuters) -------------- Ash Plume earlier in the week - Popocatepetl, Mexico

Mexico's Popocatepetl Erupts, Thousands Evacuated SAN PEDRO CHOLULA, Mexico (Reuters) - Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano spewed molten rock into the sky Tuesday forcing more than 30,000 people to abandon their homes and sparking fears a glacier could become dislodged and trigger massive mudslides. Flaming rock burst from the 17,884-foot high volcano at 2 a.m. on -- the second eruption in a few hours in what was the volcano's most violent activity for decades -- perhaps centuries. Mexican authorities, fearing a roughly 3,000 feet long glacier on the volcano's western face could become dislodged by molten rock and cause mudslides, expanded an emergency zone to 12.5 miles from 7.5 miles. "We are on maximum alert ... because we have to be ready for any possible contingency regarding the glacier," Interior Minister Santiago Creel told a news conference on Tuesday. The volcano, revered as a divinity by indigenous peoples before the 1521 Spanish Conquest, was stable later Tuesday but authorities predicted more activity before the day was out. Authorities helped establish makeshift shelters for the more than 30,000 evacuees, whose homes were near the base of the volcano. Creel said eventually more than 48,000 people living in central Puebla, Mexico and Morelos states near the mountain -- Mexico's second highest -- would have to be evacuated from their homes. President Vicente Fox flew by helicopter to towns near the volcano and toured evacuee shelters as government officials met to coordinate their response to the emergency. EVACUATED VILLAGERS FEAR FOR HOMES, FAMILY MEMBERS In a refuge in San Pedro Cholula, in Puebla state which Fox visited early Tuesday, villagers who had been evacuated from their homes voiced worries about family members who had been separated from them in the upheaval. "I want to find my children. They are very small. They left the house first and by the time I came out last night they had gone, I must look for them," Margarita Cortes, carrying a baby on her back, told Reuters. Cortes' husband, like other men from villages at risk, stayed back out of fear for his home. Others have been driven home in army trucks to check on their abandoned properties. One man, aged 75, apparently overcome by shock from the eruption, reportedly died of a heart attack on Monday in the village of San Pedro Benito Juarez, in Puebla state. Local radio reported that in the village of Santiago Xalitzintla, in Puebla state, soldiers forced residents to leave their houses on Monday night as the mountain threw up slabs of molten rock, some as much as 1.5 feet (45 cm) in diameter. Army patrols were manning many of the roads into communities closest to the volcano. Puebla city airport was closed on Tuesday. Popocatepetl, or "smoking mountain" in the indigenous Nahuatl language and pronounced poh-poh-kah-teh-peh-til, was inactive from 1927 to 1994, when there was a moderate eruption. Since then it has been increasingly active, sending up smoke and ash columns. In April 1996, five mountain climbers died near the crater's rim during an explosion of the volcano, which is believed to have been formed about 300,000 years ago. Fox, who was sworn in on Dec. 1, attempted to reassure villagers in refuges as government officials met to coordinate their response to the emergency. "You can rest assured, the army is looking after your houses and everything," he told a woman in an evacuation shelter in Chalco, in Mexico state. Creel said some 1,500 troops from the armed forces and 800 more police were involved in the emergency operation and that there had only been minor incidents of looting. Airplanes were taking off and landing normally in Mexico City airport, 42 miles from the volcano. Ash can pose a danger to airplanes if it enters their turbines. "...No airline has suspended flights," Roberto Canovas, director of the air terminal, told journalists. Mexico City authorities said a rain of ash could cover the city but so far winds had blown the volcanic ash toward Puebla state.

*********************** Popocatepetl, Mexico *********************** As many of you are aware, Popocatepetl in Mexico erupted large amounts of ash and steam last week, and experienced a spectacular eruption on Monday night (December 18). Some reports say it was the largest eruption in over a thousand years. Since Monday night, it has erupted at least three times, in its greatest activity in over 400 years. Activity seems to have slowed today, Wednesday December 20. Updates on Popocatepetl activity can be found at the CENAPRED web site: http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/ Reports are also available through the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program Preliminary Notices of Volcanic Activity, http://www.volcano.si.edu/gvp/gvn/world/index.htm and at the Volcano World website, http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/popo/mar5popo.html Finally, general news coverage can be found at: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/fc/Science/Earthquakes_and_Seismology/

********************************* Bromo Volcano, Indonesia ********************************* Bromo volcano in Indonesia began a new eruption on 30 November. Prior to that there was no specific precursory events known, although the monitoring seismograph has been down since 18 October, just the usual white gas plume of low intensity, rising ~50m. Some sort of increased activity may have begun earlier since the local government urged a no-climbing effort on the 29th. The initial explosion sent up a dark ash cloud to 100-150m ht. Increased activity thereafter with ash clouds to 600-700m a.c. (above crater). Ash falls to 1-3cm depth at distances of 40 km by early December. From: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/news/index.html Bromo Crisis 4 December, 2000 A minor explosion occurred suddenly on Bromo volcano on 30 November 2000. There was no a specific cursor before it. Daily activity marked by white ash plume which had low intensity and rose up about 50 m height. There is no seimicity data because the seismograph did not work since 18 October 2000. The first explosion ejected dark ash as height as 100-150 m height above the crater rim. An explosion ongoing up to now and increased. Ash explosion reached 600-700 m height above the crater rim and hit 1-3 cm thick in 40 km distance from the volcano. Since 29 November 2000 a local government recommended to people living around volcano and tourists not to climb the volcano for a several time until normal. Bromo activity increased and stated in level 2. For further monitoring VSI will be repair the old seismograph and install the new telemetry one and EDM (Electronic Distance Measurement).

********************************* Popocatepetl, Mexico (1401-09) ********************************* Tue, 12 Dec 2000 There was a massive exhalation of ash and steam from the volcano Popocatepetl, near Mexico City. The eruption was detected by the Center for Prevention of Natural Disasters (CENAPRED), and relayed to the Washington D.C. Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) by way of the Mexico City Meteorological Watch Office. The eruption began at approximately 2207 UTC (5:07 EST) and was immediately visible on the Popocatepetl "Web Cam" set up by CENAPRED. A large plume of mostly ash (judging by the darkened color of the plume) was seen exiting the summit. An analysis of subsequent imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-8) indicated a dense ash cloud extending 37 kilometers (20 nautical miles) to the northeast. The immediate area around the volcano was clear of water clouds at the time. The only disability in the satellite detection was a post GOES-8 maneuver that resulted in a navigation error of about 30 to 50 kilometers. The ash cloud was estimated to reach a level of 29,000 feet above sea level based on upper air wind observations. For details of the current eruption including real time satellite imagery, visit: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/popo.html

***************************** Volcano Expedition website ***************************** From: David Hilton (David Hilton) Please join us on a scientific expedition to study the volcanoes of Costa Rica via the Internet beginning Thursday, January 4, 2001. The Scripps Web site, titled Volcano Expedition (http://www.sio.ucsd.edu/volcano/), will allow users to log on and follow a two-week-long field trip to six active volcanic areas in the highlands of Costa Rica in Central America. The site will feature photographic documentation of the expedition, along with videos of the field research being conducted by a multinational team of earth scientists and graduate students. Web users will be able to travel along with the team by logging on to daily reports from the field. This expedition represents the first stage of an NSF-sponsored investigation of the volatile systematics of the Central America volcanic margin. We will target recent lavas, fumaroles, and geothermal waters. The goal is to understand geochemical cycling through the earth's crust via the processes of subduction and volcanic emission. David Hilton (Scripps Institution of Oceanography) ***************************** Lake Nyos, Cameroon website ***************************** From: Gaudru Dear Colleague, We are pleased to inform you that a new website concerning the Lake Nyos in Cameroon is now running. In 1986, a tremendous explosion of CO2 from the lake Nyos, West of Cameroon, killed more than 1700 people and livestock up to 25 km away. The dissolved CO2 is seeping from springs beneath the lake and is trapped in deep water by the high hydrostatic pressure. If the CO2 saturation level is reached, bubbles appear and draw a rich gas water up. An avalanche process is triggered which results in an explosive over-turn of the whole lake. A French team has carried out since 1990 a series of tests in an attempt to release the gas slowly through vertical pipes. The site, also, show a general overview about the Lake and the degassing project. Information contact for the site : Michel.Halbwachs@univ-savoie.fr To access directly at the Nyos homepage : http://perso.wanadoo.fr/mhalb/nyos and/or by a direct link from the SVE website : http://www.sveurop.org (see article/Lake Nyos) (in addition, we inform you that a new page about the recent SVE mission on the Serreta submarine volcano (Azores) is also already running) - under construction

********* Kilauea ********* 0550 December 26, 2000 Boxing Day at Kilauea brings more lava on Pulama pali. This morning at 0459, a moderately vigorous flow has reached the base of the pali 200-400 m farther west than the flows of the past week. The new flow apparently is fed from either a higher breakout point than were the previous flows or a tongue of these flows that headed more southward than normal. The new flow is burning scattered trees, but kona winds blow the smoke smell northward, leaving clean air on the coastal flat. The previous flows are still visible farther east on the pali, but they are mostly crusted over, with four large incandescent patches separated by dull crust. Mapping on Sunday, and glow this morning, indicate that lava is slowly moving seaward on the coastal flat. Still, more than 2 km separate the flow front from the water. The crater of Pu`u `O`o is dark this morning, seismic tremor near Pu`u `O`o is weak to moderate and beneath Kilauea caldera is weak, and the tilt at Kilauea summit and along the east rift zone is flat.

What is the significance of boxing day in Hawaii, I know they have this in Candada as well.

Nothing whatsoever. We are totally Americanized here. I guess we were not colonized out here for long enough and the New England missionaries brought American traditions with them. No Boxing day except to return the boxes you got the day before you did not like...

Proof of Kilauea�s big bang shocks Hawaii geologists The volcano once had a Mt. St. Helens-style eruption, never before known in the islands By Rod Thompson Big Island correspondent HILO -- Sometime before 1000 A.D., Kilauea volcano blasted skyward in an eruption so massive it sent rocks and dust as much as 18 miles into the air. The cloud of debris may have been seen on Maui, said Don Swanson, scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. And the eruption may have changed the way Hawaiians viewed Kilauea, ushering in the new volcano goddess Pele, said Hawaiian cultural consultant Kepa Maly. For several years, geologists have known about fist-size rocks shot through the air, different from surrounding rocks, lying on the ground south of Kilauea, Swanson said. In August, geologists took a closer look. "What we found surprised, even shocked us," Swanson said. About five miles from the summit, they found a rock weighing 4.3 pounds. At six miles from the summit, they found one weighing nearly 3 pounds.

more of the above article plus maps: http://starbulletin.com/2001/01/04/news/story2.html

check http://www.spring.net/yapp-bin/restricted/read/geo/2.161 then look at this aerial view of where he was camped - in center foreground on an old hilltop! http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/dds24167_L.jpg

How far away is Maui from Hawaii?

The Alahelenui channel is about 12 miles across - one of the roughest channels in the world. It separates The Kohala mountains of Hawaii from Haleakala Volcano on Maui. Re Popocatepetl: From Yahoo Volcanology Club's Steve: Some phreatic emmissions are visable. Sulfur dioxide emmisions were reported to be slightly lower. I am unsure how reliable Mex television is. Volcanologist here recommended against any people being allowed back into area closer than Oaca and &or 10 km of the volcano. Ary troops are still in the area for any further actions to remove people. Some residents have drifted back dispite concerns of so 2 and other vapors . Biggest fear is the melting of the glacial snow as clodest par of year is passing fast.

A field trip and conference in the week immediately preceding the Cities on Volcanoes 2 conference in Auckland, New Zealand. A conference and field trip to be held in Australia in early February 2001 will be concerned with scoria cones and small lava shields of Quaternary age, extensive flows, and some 40 maar volcanoes with tuff rings, crater lakes and swamps, which occur on the Western Victorian Volcanic Plains. A field trip leaves Melbourne on Saturday 3rd February 2001 and travels through the main volcanic field with leaders who have worked on volcanicity, dating, crater lake stratigraphy and fauna sequences, pollen sequences and recent lake level change related to current climate fluctuation. Staying for two nights in the old pastoral town of Camperdown, and then reaching the small historic coastal town of Port Fairy in far Western Victoria on the afternoon of Monday 5th, about 50 researchers and post-graduate students will meet for the rest of the week to discuss all aspects of the Quaternary history of the region, as part of a regular meeting of the Australasian Quaternary Association (AQUA). A mid-conference field trip on Wednesday 7th will visit the famous Tower Hill nested maar, and also the nearby Mt Eccles volcanic complex and young stony rise flows. The conference will conclude at lunchtime on Friday 9th February, allowing attendees to return to Melbourne in time to catch evening flights at Melbourne airport, and so allowing ample time to travel to Auckland for the Cities on Volcanoes 2 meeting commencing on Monday 12th. The young volcanic subprovince of Western Victoria has many similarities to the Auckland field and this meeting provides an interesting (and inexpensive!) opportunity for those going to the Auckland meeting, or just interested in young areal volcanism, to see another famous field, and hear the latest information on dating, volcanic history and the risk of future eruption. For details of the conference, field trip and other program details see: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ges/research/conference.html

****************************** Mayon Volcano, Philippines ****************************** From: Dan Shackelford Subject: Something brewing at Mayon Activity at the beautifully conic Philippine volcano Mayon seems to be increasing. Increased seismicity, a growing summit lava dome and copious amounts of gas have been noted. Inflation has been noted, indicating possible magma ascending in the conduit. No crater glows though, yet. From: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Volcanoes/Mayon/MayonIndex.html (follow link at top of page to latest bulletin and photos) Mayon Volcano Bulletin 7:00 PM, 09 January 2001 A possible resurgence of activity is evident from recent observations on Mayon. Reports by the Lig�on Hill Observatory in Legazpi City disclosed an apparently growing lava dome, which is also emitting voluminous volcanic gases from the summit crater. Significantly increased earthquake occurrences have also occurred this past week and these events are likely related to ascent of magma. Such ascent is also indicated by slight ground tilt that has coincided with appearance of the lava dome, and the sustained gas outputs visible during cloud breaks. Due to near-constant cloud cover, however, no crater glow has been observed yet but the major monitored parameters strongly suggest that activity is rapidly progressing beyond the usual background or quiet conditions. Because of the reactivation of the volcano which may eventually lead to a lava flow-producing or pyroclastic flow-producing eruption, PHIVOLCS is now hoisting Alert Level 2, meaning increased and sustained volcanic unrest. No time frame or precise eruption prediction can be given yet because of the short observation period and the lack of good visibility of the summit area. As a precaution against hazards from sudden explosions, however, PHIVOLCS advises the public to stay away from the six (6) kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and to avoid major river channels that originate from the volcano. In addition, all treks within the prescribed PDZ, should be postponed until the alert has been lowered to the appropriate level. In the meantime, additional volcano monitoring teams are now being sent on-site to further evaluate the unrest and any significant developments shall be relayed to all concerned. PHIVOLCS

U.S. Relief Supplies to Be Sent to El Salvador WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. aid agency said on Saturday it would dispatch a planeload of plastic sheeting, medical kits, blankets and other supplies to earthquake victims in El Salvador as soon as an airport there reopened. "We have supplies prepared and ready to go in Miami but we have to wait until an airport is open for us to land in," said Joseph Schultz, a spokesman for the U.S. Agency for International Development. The supplies will include plastic sheeting to create makeshift shelter, five-gallon plastic jugs for water, personal hygiene kits, medical kits and blankets, he said. The agency said it had three people on the ground in El Salvador, and hoped to get five more emergency workers into the Central American nation by early on Sunday. The spokesman said he had no information regarding the powerful earthquake because of downed telephone lines. The quake's epicenter was about 65 miles southeast of the capital San Salvador. Red Cross and local authorities said dozens of people had died in El Salvador and Guatemala. A spokesman for the Pentagon said there were no immediate plans to send U.S. military troops to the area to assist with emergency relief.

Central America Quake Death Toll Up SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) - A major earthquake shook Central America on Saturday, unleashing a landslide that buried hundreds of houses near El Salvador's capital and killing at least 63 people across the region. About 1,200 people are believed to be missing in the buried Las Colinas neighborhood just west of San Salvador, Red Cross spokesman Carlos Lopez Medina said. Medina said that at least 61 people were killed across El Salvador but the national police estimated the death toll at near 100. The 7.6-magnitude quake centered off El Salvador's southern coast also rocked Honduras and Guatemala, where two deaths were reported. Buildings swayed in Mexico City, about 600 miles to the northwest. Salvadoran President Francisco Flores declared a national emergency and appealed for international aid to help look for buried victims and assist survivors. Hundreds of rescuers frantically ripped at the earth with sticks and bare hands to reach those buried in the middle class Las Colinas area, where a 1,500-foot landslide carried away houses, cars and trees. A distraught Arturo Magana, 25, wandered about to find his 18-year-old brother, Jaime. ``I don't know where to dig because I don't know where the house is,'' he said. ``This is terrible. I don't think we will be able to pull out any victims; everything has been buried,'' said David Lara, a rescue worker struggling at the mass of dirt and concrete with a shovel. Lopez estimated that 300 houses had been destroyed in Las Colinas. By night, 20 bodies had been recovered at Las Colinas. No survivors had yet been found. ``There is my boy! Help me! Help me!'' wailed Carmen de Marin, a 41-year-old woman weeping beside the buried ruins of her Las Colinas house. She said her 12-year-old son Jaime Ernesto Marin had stayed home to await a phone call from his father in the United States when she went out shopping shortly before the quake hit at about 11:35 a.m. In the southeastern town of San Miguel, the wall of a hospital collapsed and 25 people were known to be dead in a small village nearby. News of the damage was slowed by the fact that much of El Salvador's telephone service and electricity was knocked out by the quake for several hours. Only sketchy reports had arrived from many hard-hit areas. In Santa Ana, about 35 miles northwest of the capital, the 116-year-old El Calvario church collapsed, killing at least one employee and possibly others worshipping inside, according to the Rev. Robert Castro. The Red Cross reported that 13 people died in nearby Sosonati. Some 200 other victims were rushed to the area hospital, which authorities weren't sure was still structurally sound. The quake was centered off the Salvadoran coast, about 65 miles southwest of San Miguel, according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colo. It took more than an hour for some San Salvador radio stations to return to the air and telephone service remained spotty at mid-afternoon. There were cracked buildings and shattered windows across the city of 500,000. Officials at San Salvador's international airport said all flights had been canceled . Most businesses in the city closed - though in a surreal touch, acrobats and dancers from a touring circus marched through the streets past frightened people, using a loudspeaker to promote a coming performance. Police in neighboring Guatemala said a man and a 2-year-old girl were killed and three other people were injured when a pair of homes collapsed in the city of Jalpataua. Local radio stations reported the collapse of a church in Suchitepequez, in southern Guatemala. The quake set off car alarms and temporarily knocked out electricity, radio, television and cellular phone service all over Guatemala, but most service was quickly restored. Honduran officials reported cracked buildings in several cities, but there were no reports of injuries. A 1986 earthquake centered near San Salvador killed an estimated 1,500 people and injured 8,000.

From Rob in New Zealand on http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/volcanoesandvolcanologist Nine caldera volcanoes exist in New Zealand, but seven of them have been buried by flows of ignimbrite and breccia, mainly from Taupo, but also Okataina. Other caldera's are Maroa, Whakamaru, Rotorua, and Oruanui. The latter exists only in name as it borders Taupo, and the more recent eruptions at Taupo since Oruanui had it's 15 minutes of fame 26500 years have completely wiped it out. It is essentially part of Taupo. All the caldera's in New Zealand have had a violent history typical of caldera volcanoes. Parts of Maroa and Whakamaru can still be seen but they have a least 200 metres of ignimbrite and ash from various eruptions elsewhere overtop, so all that can be seen is the top of the rim. Eruptions at Taupo and Okataina will occur again as seismic tests show that vast magma bodies lie under both. Both have population centres nearby (Rotorua city - pop. 45000 - 8km from Okataina, and the towns of Taupo (15000)and Turangi (3500), near Taupo). Ignimbrite flows from caldera volcanoes have gotten as far as the Manukau Harbour, 150 miles north-northwest of Taupo. Eight hydro-electric powerstations, two geothermal stations, and a thermal station use the water of the Waikato river which drains from Lake Taupo in the caldera. The city of Hamilton (145000 people)is 90 miles from Taupo and is sited on the banks of the Waikato River. This means 20 percent of the power generation, 40% percent of New Zealands population, possibly 50% of all tourism, the main trunk railway and main highway, our only large pulp and paper mill, plus a fair portion of our dairy, and sheep farming capacity is threatened by the caldera volcanoes of the North Island.

Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network Volume 25, Number 11, November 2000 Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) Ashfall during August-October most abundant since 1995 Ulawun (Papua New Guinea) An eruption during 28 September-2 October 2000 sends a plume to 1012 km Langila (Papua New Guinea) Mild Vulcanian eruptions during July-October 2000 Karkar (Papua New Guinea) Rumored eruption on 29 September believed to stem from Ulawun's ash fall Manam (Papua New Guinea) Low August-October 2000 activity; increased seismicity 18 September Karangetang (Indonesia) February-December included explosions, ash falls, lava flows, and debris flows Tengger Caldera (Indonesia) Sudden explosion 29 November; eruption continues as of 18 December Merapi (Indonesia) Consistent gas plume; lava avalanches and landslide; new lava dome and fractures Slamet (Indonesia) During May-October 2000, continuous tremor and abundant explosion earthquakes Kaba (Indonesia) Explosions and light gray ash Marapi (Indonesia) Large explosions in March 2000 eject ash Heard Island (Indian Ocean) Discovery of a distinct vent below Mawson Peak; brown fumes in November Shiveluch (Kamchatka) Frequent steam plumes, weak tremor, and possible gasandash explosions Rabaul New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea 4.271 S, 152.203 E; summit elev. 688 m All times are local (= GMT + 10 hours) This report, which covers the period from August through October 2000, notes that Vulcanian eruptions prevailed at Tavurvur during 29 August through October 2000. These eruptions bore far more ash than typical. Substantial amounts of ash blew towards the city of Rabaul and other inhabited areas. During the second and third weeks of September the amount of ash falling reached a maximum since the current eruption began on 28 November 1995. On 2 and 9 August eruptive plumes contained ash. At other times during August vent activity was relatively low, consisting only of small volumes of thin white vapor. The 29 August eruption changed this pattern. Although the main phase of the 29 August eruption began at 1158, it was preceded by a series of weak explosions yielding dark gray ash plumes. After these less-forceful explosive events ended, moderate volumes of dark gray ash clouds erupted. Subsequently, and through 8 September, the eruption pattern was comprised of interchanging periods of either continuous, moderate-volume ash emissions or relatively subdued ash-cloud emissions typically white to pale gray in color. At about 2200 on 8 September, the eruption became more intense, frequent, and discrete explosions producing thick billowing dark ash clouds. Throughout the rest of September, periods of sub-continuous ash emissions occurred. After 21 September, however, discrete explosions and sub-continuous ash emissions declined and continued at a subdued level. Throughout September, observers saw incandescent lava fragments occasionally ejected. Residents saw these ejected fragments more frequently after the onset of explosive activity on 8 September, and around this time the residents regularly noted audible noises associated with venting. Explosions every few minutes produced sub-continuous moderate to heavy ash emissions that continued in October. Some of the larger explosions showered the N and NE flanks of the volcano with bombs. At night these were seen to be incandescent (red to dull orange). On inspection most projectiles were lithic blocks, but a minority were in a plastic state with some bread-crust surfaces. Jet-aircraft-like roaring from the vent was common and some of the larger explosions could be heard at distances of over 15 km. Toward the end of October, the explosions were less forceful, but contained increased volumes of solid fragments. All activity during the reporting period appears to have been confined to the 1941 vent; the 1995 crater issued only white vapor. The current phase enlarged the vent as a result of explosive activity. The N crater was breached, forming a saddle-like depression in the rim reaching about 15-20 m lower than the originally symmetrical and level line comprising the ridge. During the first 2-3 weeks of September ash clouds rose as high as 2 km above the summit. As previously noted, many plumes blew N and NW to drop ash on inhabited areas. As a result, many Rabaul businesses were adversely affected and, by the end of the September, some had moved ~40 km SE of Rabaul to the settlement of Kokopo. The major health center in Rabaul town was also affected and patients with respiratory problems were moved to another health center near Kokopo. During early October the ashfalls caused patients to undergo evacuation from Nonga Hospital (5 km NNW of Rabaul). Toward the end of October the annual change in the trade winds caused less ashfall in Rabaul town; frequent heavy rains around this time also provided relief from suspended dust. Seismicity correlated fairly directly with behavior observed at the summit, and accordingly, seismic activity remained relatively low until the onset of the eruption. The total number of low-frequency earthquakes recorded during August was 208, with the largest daily number of 35 on 30 August. This monthly total was slightly higher than that in July. During the main episodes of ash eruption between 29 August and 8 September, seismicity was characterized by bands of non-harmonic volcanic tremor. Bands of volcanic tremor with reduced amplitude were recorded again during 17-19 September and, until the end of the month, seismicity included sporadic short-duration tremor associated with sub-continuous ash ejections. For August and September, respective high-frequency earthquakes totaled 17 and 8; all occurred NE of Rabaul caldera. The time difference between S- and P-wave arrivals for these events (S minus P) was 3-6 seconds. Since 28 November 1995, strings or significant numbers of high-frequency NE earthquakes have correlated with greater summit activity at Tavurvur. The time interval from the onset of the high-frequency earthquakes to greater summit activity ranged between one week to a few months. Rabaul's last major NE earthquake sequence occurred during May-June 2000 (see Bulletin v. 25, no. 7). During September a total of 3,661 low-frequency earthquakes were recorded. This total includes explosion earthquakes (with air phases). When like earthquake records were compared, the September record attained the highest total since May 1996 (when 3,993 such earthquakes were recorded). September's highest daily total, 228, was recorded on 11 September; the lowest total, 3, was recorded on 4 and 7 September, occurring on days when tremor dominated the seismicity. October seismicity included 2,544 low-frequency earthquakes. Ground deformation measurements from electronic and wet tiltmeters showed some caldera inflation from July 1999 to April 2000. After April, the trend changed to show deflation until about August 2000. Tiltmeters registered slow inflation during the first few days of September, followed by subsidence, and then stable conditions on 8 September. Some deformation-monitoring sites in the area of Tavurvur seemed to indicate a deflationary trend starting in late September and continuing through October. Background. The last of two Holocene caldera-forming eruptions of Rabaul took place 1,400 years ago. Several large historical eruptions have formed intra-caldera cones. The latest significant eruptive episode, in 1994, included venting at both the Tavurvur and Vulcan cones. The low-lying Rabaul caldera forms a sheltered harbor once utilized by New Britain's largest city. The 8 x 14 km caldera is widely breached on the east, where its floor is flooded by Blanche Bay. Two major Holocene caldera-forming eruptions took place as recently as 3,500 and 1,400 years ago. Three small stratovolcanoes lie outside the northern and NE caldera rims. Post-caldera eruptions built basaltic-to-dacitic pyroclastic cones on the caldera floor near the NE and western caldera walls. Several of these, including Vulcan cone, which was formed during a large eruption in 1878, have produced major explosive activity during historical time. A powerful explosive eruption in 1994 forced abandonment of Rabaul city. Information Contacts: Ima Itikarai, David Lolok, Herman Patia, and Steve Saunders, Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO), P.O. Box 386, Rabaul, Papua New Guinea (Email: rvo@global.net.pg). Ulawun New Britain, Papua New Guinea 5.04 S, 151.34 E; summit elev. 2,334 m All times are local (= GMT + 10 hours) An eruption from Ulawun that started on 28 September continued until 2 October 2000 (Bulletin v. 25, no. 8). Preliminary information was based on news media reports and aviation sources. The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) has since provided more accurate and detailed reports for the August-October 2000 period. Activity during August. During August, summit activity remained low, chiefly consisting of weak releases of thin white vapor. While the summit activity remained quiet, some obvious changes were recorded in seismicity and ground deformation (electronic tiltmeter). High-frequency earthquakes had occurred sporadically since mid-1998 in very low numbers (~1/day). A brief period of recording in April 2000 registered ~ 2/day. In mid-June 2000, following the resumption of seismic recording, high-frequency earthquakes were first seen to have increased to 15-20/day. This comparatively high number of earthquakes continued through July and August. Deployment of a portable seismograph during 13-15 August indicated these earthquakes had epicenters at Ulawun. During August, low-frequency earthquakes occurred as usual. On about 26 August, both amplitudes and event counts dropped by a factor of three. Also beginning in August, an electronic tiltmeter located on the flanks ~2.5 km WSW of the crater vent began to show some inflation on the NS component. By month-end about 7 mrad of inflationary tilt was recorded. The EW component (radial to the vent) lacked changes. Eruption of 28 September-2 October. A relatively small-to-moderate eruption began on 28 September 2000. Several long-term precursors to the eruption were unambiguous. High-frequency earthquakes increased dramatically after June 2000. Electronic tiltmeter trends showed inflation beginning in early August 2000. Short-term, immediate precursors included an increase in both the number of low-frequency earthquakes and the real-time seismic amplitude measurements (RSAM). The latter began to escalate on 27 September 2000. The late-stage build-up towards the eruption began at 2200 on 27 September with an increase in low-frequency earthquakes and their amplitudes. A further increase in seismicity took place at about 0200 on the 28th. There began a series of small nonharmonic volcanic tremors with durations up to a few minutes. These increased between 1200 and 1800 on the 28th. The late-stage buildup also appeared in RSAM readings. RSAM values changed at 2200 on the 27th from a background level of 2 units, rising at 1200 on the 28th to ~10 units, then by 1800 to 30 units. After 1800, RSAM values continued to rise and the instruments registered intense continuous volcanic tremor. Around this time the RSAM counts exhibited an artificial decline attributed to an overwhelmed event-counting system. Other notable changes in the character of the RSAM plot occurred at 2240 on the 28th, and at 0115 and 0240 on the 29th. The first two times correlated with behavior noted by the observer watching the summit crater. Specifically, at 2240 on the 28th the observer saw the first glow reflecting off an ash-cloud emission. RVO scientists mark this as the beginning of the eruption. At 0120 on the 29th, production of incandescent lava fragments intensified, indicating the onset of a Strombolian eruption. At 0240 on 29 November, the RSAM peaked at 8045 units. Thus, scientists inferred this as the time when the Strombolian phase of the eruption peaked. During the cover of darkness, ash clouds were just visible, initially illuminated by the glow and gradually by incandescent fragments. The latter became common by about 1200 on the 29th when ash clouds were seen blowing NW. The ash clouds began to become voluminous from 0100 on the 29th, coinciding with the intensification of the Strombolian phase of the eruption. The ash clouds were emitted forcefully, accompanied by loud roaring and rumbling noises. By first light on 29 September people some distance away from Ulawun were able to see a thick vertical eruption column that rose ~12-15 km above the summit (figure 1). In relatively clear morning weather, the eruption column was visible from Rabaul, ~130 km NE of Ulawun. By this time ash clouds had blown WSW to NW. Roaring and rumbling noises ceased at about 1000 and resumed again at about 1300. At about this time also, there was a slight and brief change in wind direction resulting in the eruption's ash clouds being redirected to the N and NE. The eruption produced a moderate amount of ashfall. Ashfall was heavy 10 km downwind of the vent. Beyond that, the amount of ashfall was much reduced, lessening still further away from the vent. The ashfall destroyed gardens and cash-crop plantations within 10 km of its main path. Satellite images of the ash distribution showed that the ash was blown downwind 80-100 km from the vent. The eruption produced three pyroclastic flows. They traveled down pre-existing gullies on the N, NW, and SE flanks. During past eruptions, pyroclastic flows also followed the same gullies down from the cone's 2,300 m summit elevation. The N-directed pyroclastic flow was the biggest. It descended to 580 m elevation. The NW-directed pyroclastic flow was the second biggest. It divided into two arms at 900 m elevation and its terminus reached an elevation similar to the one on the N flank. The SE flow was relatively small. The eruption lacked lava flows. Scientists inspected the crater area from the air on 7 October and found two vents on the summit (labeled Vents A and B on figure 2). Comparing Vent A to its appearance during 1993, the overall depth of the crater floor appeared to have risen, becoming about 100-150 m shallower. The fill consisted of older material that collapsed from the inner crater wall and possibly new ejecta from the current eruption. A prominent breach on the N crater rim was evident and may have been created by the N pyroclastic flow. Judging by its close proximity, this flow originated from Vent B. En-echelon cracks on the E end of the crater suggested inward sagging of that side of the crater rim. At the time of the inspection, few emissions escaped the vents; however, traces of white and blue vapor wafted from other areas inside the crater. Figure 2. An oblique aerial photo showing Ulawun's summit area and Vents A and B between 0800 and 0900 on 7 October 2000. Other visible features include a breach on the NNE crater rim caused by the avalanche of pyroclastic flow material from Vent B. Photographed by Ima Itikarai; courtesy of RVO. There were reports of multiple vents during past eruptions. However, aerial inspections in 1985 and 1993 only revealed evidence of Vent A. Ulawun had a flank eruption on the SE side during the 1978 eruption. RVO staff in Rabaul established communication links with the volcano observer based near Ulawun at 1606 on 27 September after noting increased RSAM values. Data from Ulawun were transmitted to RVO every 20 minutes. The RSAM values led to discussions with civil authorities and directions to local residents throughout the night at two-hour intervals. During the process, alert stages one and two were declared. This resulted in evacuating the local population, an effort accomplished with the help of a local timber company. Assistance was later provided by the West New Britain Provincial Government. This time-line of events is contrary to preliminary information (Bulletin v. 25, no. 8). that relied on local news media. Activity during October. By 3 October the volcano produced only thin white vapor with no noise or night glow. Various ancillary observations occurred in the next weeks: during 6, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 October and 1 November observers noted low rumbling or banging or both; when under cover of darkness they usually saw accompanying weak, steady glows. In at least one case they smelled sulfurous odors. The noises at 1000 on 1 November accompanied a thick dark ash cloud that rose 100-200 m above the summit. By 1100 silent ash clouds were seen forcefully rising ~200 m above the summit. Activity then declined for a few hours until 1430-1700, an interval when observers saw thick dark gray ash clouds and occasionally heard weak rumblings. Activity quieted after that and by 2 November emissions had returned to white vapor without noise or night glow. On 13 and 17 October small mudflows occurred, originating on the upper NW flanks and sweeping down a dry creek through Ubili village and then to the sea. At certain places the flows spread laterally. No reported damage or casualties were caused by either mudflow. October seismicity included tremor and numerous low-frequency earthquakes. Volcanic tremors were dominant during 1-4, 8-11, and 30-31 October. The low-frequency earthquakes can be characterized by RSAM data. On 1 October RSAM stood at ~30-40 units; steady decline brought the 7 October RSAM to ~5 units. On the 8th and 11th there followed peaks of over 20 units. After that RSAM declined steadily until it reached background levels on 20 October. On 30 October, RSAM underwent a sudden increase to ~20-30 units heralding the brief 1 November eruption. The single electronic tiltmeter located on the high WSW flank showed a steady change throughout October. The behavior could possibly be related to edifice inflation. Background. The symmetrical basaltic-to-andesitic Ulawun stratovolcano is the highest volcano of the Bismarck arc, and one of Papua New Guinea's most frequently active. Ulawun rises above the N coast of New Britain opposite Bamus volcano. The upper 1,000 m of the 2,334-m-high volcano is unvegetated. A prominent E-W-trending escarpment on the S may be the result of large-scale slumping. Satellitic cones occupy the NW and E flanks. A steep-walled valley cuts the NW side of the volcano, and a flank lava-flow complex lies to the S of this valley. Historical eruptions date back to the beginning of the 18th century. Twentieth-century eruptions were mildly explosive until 1967, but after 1970 several larger eruptions produced lava flows and basaltic pyroclastic flows, greatly modifying the summit crater. Correction: In Bulletin v. 25, no. 8, it was erroneously stated that Ulawun is also known as the North Son. Ulawun (or Ulavun) is, in fact, sometimes referred to as The Father. North Son is Mount Likuruanga, a well eroded cone abutting Ulawun to the NE. This group is completed by Bamus volcano to Ulawun's SW. Bamus, a 2,000-m-high cone that last erupted in 1886, is sometimes referred to as South Son. Information Contacts: RVO (see Rabaul). Langila New Britain Island, Papua New Guinea 5.53 S, 148.42 E; summit elev. 1,330 m All times are local (= GMT + 10 hours) The mild Vulcanian eruptive activity that occurred at Langila's Crater 2 through June 2000 (Bulletin v. 25, no. 7) continued during July-October 2000. In addition, low-level volcanic activity continued at Crater 3. No reports of unusual activity were submitted during July and August. During September, intermittent, mild Vulcanian activity occurred at Crater 2. The activity consisted of moderate emissions of thin-to-thick white vapor, which were occasionally accompanied by gray ash clouds. On 21, 25, and 30 September thick, dark gray, convoluting ash clouds were forcefully released, rose 200 m above the summit, blew to the N and NW, and deposited fine ash. On 7, 9-11, and 27 September wisps of blue vapor accompanied the emissions. During the month volcanic activity was low at Crater 3, with only thin white vapor sporadically visible. Through October intermittent, mild Vulcanian eruptions continued at Crater 2. The vent usually emitted white vapor, which was sometimes accompanied by a blue tinge and occasionally by a light ash component. On 8 October a forceful emission of thick ash rose to 1 km above the crater rim. This heralded a few days of increased ash emissions, with some forcefully expelled light gray/brown clouds on the 15th. During 16-24 October continuous white vapor emissions with a small ash component were common. At 0801 on 24 October a dark gray-to-black ash column rose 1 km above the crater rim. On 25 October an ash cloud that rose to 2 km above the crater deposited ash toward the N. Likewise, at 0655 on 26 October a thick, white vapor plume was accompanied by an ash column that rose to 1 km above the crater rim. The ash emissions continued throughout the day, and similar activity occurred the next day. For the rest of the month activity was confined to white vapor with an occasional ash component. During October varying amounts of white fume were emitted from Crater 3. Throughout the period there were no reports of noises or night glow at the volcano; the seismograph remained out of operation. Background. Langila, one of the most active volcanoes of New Britain, consists of a group of four small overlapping composite cones on the lower eastern flank of the extinct Talawe volcano. Talawe is the highest volcano in the Cape Gloucester area of NW New Britain. A rectangular, 2.5-km-long crater is breached widely to the SE; Langila volcano was constructed NE of the breached crater of Talawe. An extensive lava field reaches the coast on the N and NE sides of Langila. Frequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions, sometimes accompanied by lava flows, have been recorded since the 19th century from three active craters at the summit of Langila. The youngest and smallest crater (Crater 3) was formed in 1960 and has a diameter of 150 m. The Cape Gloucester observation post, airstrip, and seismometer are 9 km N of the volcano. Information Contacts: RVO (see Rabaul). Karkar offshore New Guinea, Papua New Guinea 4.65 S, 145.96 E; summit elev. 1,839 m On 29 September there were reports of light ash fall on the NE coast of Karkar island, and fine sand deposits were found at the bottom of a swimming pool. The ash fall led to the rumor that Karkar volcano had erupted. However, an aerial inspection of the central caldera and Bagiai cone on 1 October showed that no eruptive activity had taken place. Volcanologists believe that the ash most likely originated from an eruption at Ulawun, which, at its peak on 29 September, had an eruption column to 12-15 km altitude. Ash erupted to those heights would have been taken well into the jet stream and could have been transported to Karkar, which is located 600 km to the W (downwind at high altitudes) of Ulawun. There have been no reports of anomalous activity at Karkar since fumarolic gases killed vegetation in September 1997 (Bulletin v. 22, no. 9). Background. Karkar is a 19 x 25 km wide, forest-covered island that is truncated by two nested summit calderas. The 5.5-km-wide outer caldera was formed during one or more eruptions, the last of which occurred 9,000 years ago. The excentric 3.2-km-wide inner caldera was formed sometime between 1,500 and 800 years ago. Parasitic cones are present on the northern and southern flanks of Karkar; a linear array of small cones extends from the northern rim of the outer caldera nearly to the coast. Most historical eruptions, which date back to 1643, have originated from Bagiai cone, a pyroclastic cone constructed within the steep-walled, 300-m-deep inner caldera. The floor of the caldera is covered by young, mostly unvegetated lava flows. Information Contacts: RVO (see Rabaul). Manam offshore New Guinea, Papua New Guinea 4.10 S, 145.06 E; summit elev. 1,807 m Following the 4 June 2000 eruption at Southern Crater (Bulletin v. 25, no. 7), volcanic activity was low at both summit craters through October 2000. Seismicity remained relatively stable except for a slight increase in amplitudes beginning on 18 September. During August, activity at the two summit craters was low. Main Crater gently emitted small-to-moderate volumes of white vapor, while Southern Crater weakly emitted white vapor. Seismic-event amplitudes steadily increased throughout the month, though the overall trend remained within background levels. Daily average event counts were about 1,200, with some fluctuations. No significant movements were recorded by the water-tube tiltmeter 4 km SW of the summit. Activity remained low throughout September, with vapor emissions from both craters similar to those in August. Seismic amplitudes were steady until 18 September when a slight increase was observed that continued through the end of the month. Daily average seismic event counts remained steady, with about 1,300 events/day. Throughout October both craters emitted varying amounts of white vapor, and there were no reports of noise or night glow. Seismicity and tilt measurements appeared to remain at background levels, although consistent measurements could not be made because scientists did not have access to the Tabele Observatory during 5-21 October. Background. The 10-km-wide island of Manam is one of Papua New Guinea's most active volcanoes. Four large radial valleys extend from the unvegetated summit of the conical stratovolcano to its lower flanks. These "avalanche valleys," regularly spaced 90 apart, channel lava flows and pyroclastic avalanches that have sometimes reached the coast. Five satellitic centers are located near the island's shoreline. Two summit craters are present; both are active, although most historical eruptions have originated from the southern crater, concentrating eruptive products during the past century into the SE avalanche valley. Frequent historical eruptions have been recorded since 1616. Information Contacts: RVO (see Rabaul).

************************************ MVO weekly report, 8 December 2000 ************************************ Montserrat Volcano Observatory Montserrat, W.I. Report for the period midday, 1 December 2000 to midday, 8 December 2000 Activity at the Soufri�re Hills volcano has remained at an elevated level this week with continued growth of the lava dome. The level of seismic activity was comparable to last week. The broadband seismic network recorded a total of 547 rockfall signals, 1 volcano-tectonic, 72 long period and 15 hybrid earthquakes for the reporting period. Clear views of the dome were possible throughout the week. The main focus of activity remains on the eastern flanks, although some small rockfalls were seen on the western side of the new growth. The buttress of the 1995-98 dome above Tuitt�s Ghaut is being eroded away and engulfed by the new dome growth behind. Rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows are now regularly travelling down the upper reaches of Tuitt�s Ghaut. The notch between the central and northeastern buttresses of the 1995-98 dome is now 60 m or 200 feet wide. Intense dome glow was seen throughout the week, both from the east at Jackboy Hill and the west at Salem and Frith�s. Spines are continuously growing and collapsing on the summit of the dome. On 5 December, the top of a spine was at a height of 1060 m or 3480 feet, and the flat top of the main dome was between 1020 and 1030 m height, that is between 3350 and 3380 feet. Measurements of sulphur dioxide emissions from the volcano were not possible this week due to ashy conditions. Andy Eby and Lizzette Rodriguez from the University of Puerto Rico continued their collaboration with the MVO this week. Measurements of sites at Galway�s, Roche�s, St. George�s Hill, Lookout and Reid�s Hill were made throughout the week. These data continue a long time series of measurements made by the University of Puerto Rico over the past 5 years in conjunction with the MVO. Measurements have been made about every 3-4 months during this period, and provide useful information on the long-term deformation of the volcano. Residents of Montserrat and visitors to the island are advised to tune in to ZJB Radio for up-to-date information on the status of the volcano. Rockfall and pyroclastic flow activity is likely to remain at a high level whilst the dome continues to grow, producing ash clouds which may blow over inhabited areas if winds are from the south or southeast. Elevated levels of pyroclastic flow activity may develop very rapidly and could affect any valleys around the volcano. In addition to the risk from pyroclastic flows, the Belham valley should also be avoided during and after periods of heavy rain. Ash masks should be worn in ashy conditions or when you disturb ash. Everyone is reminded that access to Plymouth, Bramble airport and beyond is prohibited. There is a maritime exclusion zone around the southern part of the island that extends two miles beyond the coastline from Trant�s Bay in the east to Garibaldi Hill on the west coast. The daytime entry zone remains closed. 12 noon, Friday, 8 December 2000 Check out our web pages for recent pictures of the dome, including the large spine from 17 November. Dr Gill Norton Director Montserrat Volcano Observatory Mongo Hill Montserrat West Indies

MIYAKEJIMA VOLCANO, South of Tokyo (Oyama 813 m, 34o04'43"N, 139o31'46"E) (10/16/00) According to JMA, Geological Survey of Japan, and Tokyo Institute of Technology, SO2 flux from the craters within the Miyakejima summit caldera has still continued in high level; 30,000-50,000ton/day. Ash had been emitted continuously in early-September and intermittently in late-September. The subsidence had not been clear after mid-August, although partial collapses of the northern cliff of the caldera took place in late-September. A large pyroclastic cone inclined the southern cliff of the caldera, on which steaming craters are located. The present altitude of the caldera floor is about 230 m according to the laser-distance meter survey from helicopter by ERI. As SO2 was too high, the Tokyo Metropolitan government to which the Miyakejima belongs decided that nobody stayed in the island during night. By the early October, public workers and researchers had stayed in a boat floating near harbors (hotel-ship system) and landed at the island in daytime. P3C of the Maritime Safety Department watched the activity during the operation. In the early October, the hotel-ship system also stopped and public workers and researchers commuted by small boats between Miyakejima and Kozu-shima, the nearest island to the former. Operation was limited along the road running the coastline, for a short time, only when clear sky, and depending on the direction of the wind. Electric power was cut when workers of the electric company did not stay in the island, so that most of monitoring equipment was down in night and cloudy-rainy days. Though Earthquake Research Insatiate, University of Tokyo, and other national institutes kept the gathering the real-time data, their aims were hardly filled. Excellent images and great links: http://hakone.eri.u-tokyo.ac.jp/vrc/erup/miyake.html (thanks Ian...)

****************************** Mayon Volcano, Philippines ****************************** Subject: Mayon activity continues as of 15 January. New dome began growing at Mayon on ~8 January. Aerial observations on 10 January found the dome to have a spiny, blocky surface as the crater floor is being pushed up by the ascending magma. Voluminous steaming, slight incandescence and heightened SO2 rates are being noted, as well as increased seismicity. N flank of edifice is inflating. This activity still ongoing as of 15 January. Below from: http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/Volcanoes/Mayon/MayonIndex.html Mayon Volcano Bulletin 8:00 AM, 12 January 2001 An aerial survey conducted on 10 January with the help of AFP confirmed the presence of a lava dome inside the summit crater. The lava dome appeared to have a spiny, blocky surface, which resulted from the crater floor being pushed upward by magma beneath the crater. The lava dome is emitting voluminous steaming and is the source of slight incandescence. The Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) emission rate determined by the PHIVOLCS Correlation Spectrometer (COSPEC) is 2,300 tonnes per day (t/d), which is way above the 500 t/d output usually observed Mayon's quiescent periods. Earthquake activity related to lava dome growth remains significant. In the past 24 hours, fifteen (15) low frequency-type volcanic earthquakes were detected indicating that magma ascent is still ongoing. For reference, the usual number of earthquakes recorded during repose is generally less than five (5) events. Ground deformation being measured by electronic tiltmeters deployed on the northern flank of the cone continues to report ongoing tilting, also signifying intrusion of magma into the upper levels of the volcano. The above observations strongly suggest that magmatic ascent is in progress. PHIVOLCS reminds the public that Alert Level 2 remains in effect. A full-scale eruption, however, is still not evident because the trend in monitored parameters have not yet attained critical levels. The six (6) kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) must therefore be off-limits at all times because sudden explosions may occur as a result of hot lava deposits in the crate area encountering groundwater. Visits within the PDZ are also prohibited, especially treks to the summit area. PHIVOLCS also suggests that residents near major river channels be extra alert against possible volcanic mudflows, landslides and rockfalls that may result from volcanic debris deslodged or eroded from the upper slopes. PHIVOLCS -------- Mayon Volcano Bulletin 8:00 AM, 15 January 2001 Earthquake activity generally remained at higher-than-usual levels. The Mayon seismic network detected forty-seven (47) low frequency-type volcanic earthquakes on 13 January and seismicity has been significantly high since the lava dome was observed on 08 January. Electronic tiltmeters deployed on the northern flank of the volcano indicates sustained inflation of the edifice. This is corroborated by the above-normal Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) outputs that were recorded in the past week. These observations could be an indication of a magmatic intrusion. Steaming activity was noted to be vigorous since the appearance of the lava dome and crater glow was still visible at Intensity 1 (perceptible only with the aid of a telescope). However, thick rain clouds obscured most of the volcano since 14 January up to this writing. Alert Level 2, which means sustained unrest with indications of magmatic activity remains in effect. PHIVOLCS reminds the public to avoid the six (6) kilometer-radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and that treks near the summit is prohibited. Residents near river channels that originate from the volcano are advised to be always aware of lahars, which may form during heavy rains. PHIVOLCS

***************************************** University of Hawai'i faculty position ***************************************** From: Mike Garcia Faculty Position in Volcanology The University of Hawai'i Department of Geology & Geophysics, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the general area of volcanology. We are seeking candidates to augment and complement current department research in igneous petrology, geochemistry and volcanology. Applicants with expertise in quantification of magmatic processes (including melting and magma transport, magma chamber and conduit processes, eruption dynamics, and geochemical cycles) are especially encouraged to apply. The successful applicants will join a large, dynamic research group and will be expected to interact with numerous other Earth scientists within SOEST. We expect to fill positions at the Assistant Professor level but exceptional candidates at more advanced levels will be considered. Starting salaries for these 9-month appointments will be dependent on qualifications and experience. The successful candidates will be expected to develop outstanding research programs, and to teach at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Requirements for both positions include a PhD in geology or related fields, and evidence of scientific research excellence and teaching ability. Rank to be determined by qualifications and experience. The anticipated starting date is August 2001, subject to position clearance. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a summary of research and teaching interests, and addresses, phone-numbers and email of three or more references to Volcanology Search, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Hawaii, 1680 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 USA. Recruitment will continue until the positions are filled. To ensure full consideration applications should be sent immediately. The search committee has already began to review applications. Information about the Department can be found at website: www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/.