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!