Active Volcanos

[Turtle]

Here's the place to post on active volcanos. Just so happens we have one about to blow.

MOUNT REDOUBT: Alaska Volcano Has Geologists On Alert (VIDEO)

Originally Posted by Huffington Post

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Mount Redoubt, a volcano 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, is rumbling and simmering, prompting geologists to warn that an eruption may be imminent.

Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory have been monitoring activity round-the-clock since the weekend.

On Thursday, the observatory said: "Seismicity remains above background and largely unchanged with several volcanic earthquakes occurring every hour."

The last time the 10,197-foot peak blew was during a five-month stretch starting in December 1989. It disrupted international air traffic and placed a layer of volcanic dust throughout the Anchorage area.

Volcanoes in Alaska, including Redoubt, typically erupt explosively, shooting ash almost eight miles high. Volcanic ash features small, jagged pieces of rock and glass. ...

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

Originally Posted by Alaska Volcan Observatory

2009-01-31 11:54:24 - Status Report

Unrest at Redoubt Volcano continues. Seismicity levels have remained relatively constant since yesterday afternoon at 3:30 PM AKST, and are still well above background. Clear web camera views currently show a steam plume rising to roughly 10,500 ft asl.

An observation flight to the volcano yesterday showed an increase in steaming, enlargement of melt features in the summit glacier, and increased runoff along the margins of the Drift glacier. No evidence of eruptive activity was observed. An observation and gas-measurement flight is headed to the volcano this afternoon.

Staff are currently monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day. We will issue further information as it becomes available.
complete report text

AVO Image

[Moontanman]

I think I'll keep our Hurricanes, you keep the volcanoes!

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Moontanman

I think I'll keep our Hurricanes, you keep the volcanoes!

Roger. I looooove my explosive volcanos. When Redoubt blows though, you may get some spectacular sunsets out of it even in NC. I'll keep y'all posted.

Latest update: Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

2009-01-31 20:19:18
Seismicity over the last hour has included the reappearance of periods of weak tremor at the summit stations. These signals are much weaker than the episodes from Friday afternoon.
Observers from the gas/observation flight today report continued melting at the summit area. Holes in the ice continue to grow exposing more steaming rock. Volcanic gases continue to be detected. Web camera views are currently dark.
The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH.

Some features from the Alaska Volcano Observatory site:
Current Seismogram: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/avo/webico...O24hr_heli.png

Volcano Webcam: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/avo/webcam/redoubt-2.jpg

Ash cloud projection maps (scroll down on main page):

These graphics depict a simulation of the direction and speed of potential ash cloud motion from Redoubt. IF a significant ash cloud were generated by the current eruption. It does not mean that such an ash cloud has been produced. These models are run every 6 hours independent of the current eruptive state of the volcano. Each colored line indicates the direction a cloud would travel at different altitudes (see key below map plot).

[Turtle]

Redoubt Redux:

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

2009-02-02 13:08:52
Unrest at Redoubt Volcano continues. Seismic activity remains elevated and is well above background levels. A vapor plume is intermittently visible in the AVO web camera. It appears to rise no higher than the volcano's summit.
An observation and gas-measurement flight to the volcano is en route now.
AVO continues to observe potential activity with seismic, satellite and radar data. The volcano has not erupted.
The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level remains at WATCH.

The webcam from "Hut" is a tough image right now because the Sun is stopping down the camera leaving the volcano rather dark! Still, a steam plume is visible and currently contained largely to the crater.

Any other active volcanos on y'all's minds?

Post Script: Contribute to Science. >> http://www.avo.alaska.edu/ashfall.php

PROCEDURES FOR COLLECTING AND RETURNING ASH SAMPLES FROM MODERN VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS
We would appreciate your help collecting volcanic ash samples. These samples help us understand the composition, volume, and dispersal pattern of the ash. The area over which ash can fall is large, and ash-fall deposits can be ephemeral. Timely access is often difficult for us. Locals are ideally positioned to collect excellent samples. If you are interested in assisting the Alaska Volcano Observatory, please follow the instructions below. Thank You!
These instructions describe how to collect a sample of volcanic ash from a recent or ongoing volcanic eruption. We would like two types of samples if possible: (1) measured-area samples and, (2) bulk ash samples. Detailed methods and an information sheet (datasheet) are provided below or as links within the text.

[Turtle]

Pow! Boom!!! Crash!! Batman!

Japanese volcano Mount Asama erupts | World news | guardian.co.uk

Mount Asama, one of Japan's most active volcanos, spewed ash and smoke up to 2,000 metres into the air in an eruption early today.

The 2,568-metre volcano sent chunks of rock hurtling as far as 1km away, Japan's meteorological agency said. No damage or injuries were reported.

The town of Karuizawa was blanketed in a fine layer of powder, while light clouds of ash reached Tokyo, 90 miles away. ...

Japan warns of volcano eruption within 48 hours - Telegraph

... Even by Japanese standards, Mount Asama is an active volcano, with frequent bouts of activity over recent years. The most famous eruption came in 1783 and caused the deaths of more than 1,500 people and widespread damage.

Japan's Meteorological Agency yesterday raised the alert level for the 8,420ft peak, warning of an imminent eruption and forbidding anyone to scale the mountain.

More than 45,000 nearby residents have been put on alert and told to be ready to leave their homes within two hours notice.

[Turtle]

Latest on Redoubt:

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

2009-02-07 16:12:32
Seismic activity consisting of amplitude-fluctuating tremor remains elevated. A steam plume is visible in the webcam and has been since this morning.

An observation and gas overflight is still underway.

The volcano has not erupted and AVO continues to watch the volcano 24/7.

[Turtle]

Redoubt is currently erupting.

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

The eruption of Redoubt volcano continues.

Ash plumes generated by the explosive bursts are drifting north-northeast. Ash fall has been reported in Skwentna and the Chuitna area.

Ashfall advisories are available on the National Weather Service site National Weather Service, Anchorage Forecast Office - Redoubt Coordination

AVO's web camera near the volcano is no longer functioning.

AVO is planning an overflight of the volcano later this morning.

[Turtle]

Really big blast of ash & steam to 65,000 feet this morning.

2009-03-26 12:33:56 - Status Report

A large eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at 09:24 AKDT (17:24 UTC) this morning. National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be at least 65,000 ft above sea level and pilot reports indicated a plume height of 60,000 ft. Since this event, a few smaller events have occurred but these did not generate plumes above about 20,000 feet.

The eruption at 9:24 AKDT also produced a lahar in the Drift River valley that was detected by seismic instruments.

An ashfall advisory is in effect until 4 PM for the western Kenai Peninsula. High level ash (above 30,000 feet) is forecast to pass over Anchorage, but is not expected to produce ash fall. For more information refer to the NWS Redoubt Coordination web page (National Weather Service, Anchorage Forecast Office - Redoubt Coordination) for latest ash cloud information.

AVO is monitoring the situation closely, the observatory is staffed 24/7, and attempts to overfly the volcano will occur as soon as possible. More details on this mornings eruption also will be released on AVO's web page as soon as possible.

If winds change, I might receive some ash fall here along the Columbia.

Currently: >>

Redoubt Volcano Latest Observations
2009-03-26 19:16:08

A regional seismic event occurred just after 7pm. Discrete earthquakes continue to dominate the seismic signal at Redoubt. The hut webcam shows vigorous steaming from the summit crater.

There have been no other large explosions since this morning's large eruption at 9:24AM.

2009-03-26 18:10:16

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

[Nitack]

THE ENERGY!

If only we could harness it...

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Nitack

THE ENERGY!

If only we could harness it...

So true...alas, we do not even fully understand it. But then that's why it's important to fund and do science isn't it?

Alaska Volcano Observatory - Redoubt - Activity Page

Redoubt Volcano Latest Observations
2009-03-28 21:02:52

Another explosive eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at approximately 19:23 AKDT (03:23 UTC). Seismicity has declined, but remains well above background.

Ashfall from the explosion at 3:29 ADT has been reported in locations from Anchorage to Valdez.