Current Alerts for U.S. Volcanoes

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Alaska Volcano Observatory

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Veniaminof (CAVW #1102-07-)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Issued: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 5:06 PM AKDT (20090507/0106Z)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2009/A37
Location: N 56 deg 11 min W 159 deg 23 min
Elevation: 8225 ft (2507 m)
Area: Alaska Peninsula Alaska

Volcanic Activity Summary: Over the past day, earthquake activity has increased at Mount Veniaminof volcano. This increase is a significant change from normal background activity and AVO is increasing the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY.

Visual reports today from Perryville indicate typical steaming from the summit caldera cone that has been the site of activity over recent years. No ash has been observed or detected in satellite images, but low-level ash emissions could occur with very little additional warning.

Currently the earthquakes are small in magnitude but are registering across the entire seismic network. Seismicity rates are high and have varied between 5-10 earthquakes per hour during quieter periods to 1-3 earthquakes per minute during more intense activity.

Please note that the Veniaminof web camera is currently not operating. Plans have been made to fix this camera, but the time frame is uncertain.

Remarks: Mount Veniaminof volcano is an andesitic stratovolcano with an ice-filled 10-km diameter summit caldera located on the Alaska Peninsula, 775 km (480 mi) southwest of Anchorage and 35 km (22 mi) north of Perryville. Veniaminof is one of the largest (~ 300 km3) and most active volcanic centers in the Aleutian Arc and has erupted at least 13 times in the past 200 years. Recent significant eruptions of the volcano occurred in 1993-95 and 2005. Both were moderate Strombolian eruptions producing intermittent low-level jets of incandescent lava fragments, and low-level emissions of steam and ash from the main intracaldera cone. During the 1993-95 activity, a small lava flow was extruded into the summit caldera ice field producing an ice pit. Minor ash-producing explosions occurred in 2002, 2004, early 2005, and early November 2006, and February to March 2008. Previous historical eruptions have produced ash plumes that reached 6,000 m (20,000 ft) above sea level and ash fallout that blanketed areas within about 40 km (25 mi) of the volcano.

AVO will continue to monitor activity at Mount Veniaminof using seismic data, satellite images, and observer reports. Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Veniaminof.php for more information.

Contacts: Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Mike West, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
west@gi.alaska.edu (907) 474-6977

Next Notice: A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

CASCADES VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEEKLY UPDATE
Friday, May 1, 2009 15:18 PDT (Friday, May 1, 2009 22:18 UTC)

Cascade Range Volcanoes
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN

Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake volcano, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California.
Mount St. Helens has been at Volcano Alert Level NORMAL (Aviation Color Code GREEN) since July 10, 2008.

Recent Observations: Seismicity remains at background levels at Cascades volcanoes. Maintenance crews were inactive this week owing to poor weather.


The U.S. Geological Survey and University of Washington continue to monitor these volcanoes closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov
For seismic information on Oregon and Washington volcanoes: http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/PNSN/welcome.html
For seismic information on California volcanoes: http://earthquakes.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/special/California_Nevada.php
For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/volcano_warning_scheme.html
For a webcam view of Mount St. Helens: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATEThursday, May 7, 2009 07:43 AM (Thursday, May 7, 2009 17:43 UTC)

This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and webcam images (available using the menu bar above), was prepared by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park status can be found at http://www.nps.gov/havo/ or 985-6000. Hawai`i County Viewing Area status can be found at 961-8093.

KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Activity Summary for past 24 hours: Glow from the Halema`uma`u vent continues to be bright and increasingly visible. Lava from east rift zone vents continues to flow through tubes to the coast and is entering the ocean at two locations west of Kalapana; a surface flow was active yesterday on the pali. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from the Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `O`o vents probably remain elevated but wind and sky conditions are not sufficient for new measurements.

Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The molten lava surface may be moving slowly upward but is still deep below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. Over the last few nights, glow from the summit vent was the brightest it's been all year (recorded by both webcams pointed at it - see our new "Webcams" link at hvo.wr.usgs.gov). Tephra, mostly ash-sized, continued to be produced in small amounts and again consisted almost entirely of fresh glassy spatter. Gas-rushing and individual-rocks-falling sounds were moderately loud during the morning tephra collection routine.

Winds have been weak; air quality has been poor; this morning, the gas plume is rising high over the Halema`uma`u Crater rim and moving to the west through hazy skies. Sulfur dioxide emission rates probably remain elevated and variable. Recent wind and sky conditions have not been suitable for emission rate measurements; the most recent rate measurement was 700 tonnes/day on April 15, compared to the 2003-2007 average rate of 140 tonnes/day.

Summit tremor levels have been variable with abrupt transitions and no regularity giving recordings the appearance of banded tremor; each period of extended high-amplitude tremor contains some episodic variation. Two earthquakes were located beneath the summit caldera and three earthquakes were located on south flank faults. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes are still within background levels.

The network of tiltmeters at Kilauea's summit recorded no significant tilting. The GPS network (less sensitive than the tiltmeter network) has recorded about 1 cm of contraction across the caldera over the past 3 months.

Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents and flow field: Magma continues to degas through Pu`u `O`o Crater before erupting from vents to the east. Sulfur dioxide emission rate measurements have been stymied by poor wind conditions; the most recent measurement was 1,900 tonnes/day measured on April 14, compared to the 2003-2007 average of about 1,700 tonnes/day. No incandescence was recorded within the crater or from the TEB vents overnight.

The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o switched to recording weak inflation. GPS receivers on opposite sides of the crater have documented about 1.5 cm of contraction over the past month and more than 5 cm over the past 3 months. Seismic tremor levels near the eruptive vents are low and steady.

Lava from the TEB vent and the rootless shield complex flows through tubes to the ocean at Waikupanaha and Kupapa`u. A bench collapse may have occurred yesterday between 2:10 and 2:30 pm based on seismic signals. CD officials reported two active ocean entries and glow above the pali; tour pilots reported an active surface flow above the pali that was less than a half-kilometer long. The strong thermal anomaly upslope from the ocean entries detected by the GOES-WEST satellite at 11:30 pm on May 5 and correlated with this new surface flow, continued through this morning with weaker intensity. This morning, CD officials report that both entries are still producing steam/gas plumes. An HVO overflight is planned for today.

HAZARD ALERT: The lava delta and adjacent areas both inland and out to sea are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce hot rock falls inland and in the adjacent ocean, and can produce large but local waves. The steam plume produced by lava entering the ocean contains fine lava fragments and an assortment of acid droplets that can be harmful to your health. The rapidly changing conditions near the ocean entry have been responsible for many injuries and a few deaths.

Maps, photos, webcam views, and other information about Kilauea Volcano are available at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/kilaueastatus.php. A daily update summary is available by phone at (808) 967-8862.

A map with details of earthquakes located within the past two weeks can be found at http://tux.wr.usgs.gov/

A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/2006/warnschemes.html

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawai`i.

LONG VALLEY OBSERVATORY CURRENT STATUS REPORT
Thursday, May 7, 2009 09:17 PDT (Thursday, May 7, 2009 16:17 UTC)

LONG VALLEY VOLCANIC CENTER VOLCANO (CAVW#1203-14-)
37.70°N 118.87°W, Summit Elevation 11122 ft (3390 m)
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN

The realtime detection system located three small earthquakes in the Long Valley caldera area since the last update at 9:37 AM on May 6. All were located in the Sierra Nevada south of the caldera. The largest was a M=1.2 earthquake at 9:50 AM on the 6th located 11 miles ESE of Mammoth Lakes.

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The Long Valley Observatory (LVO) monitors and studies earthquakes, ground deformation, degassing, and other types of geologic unrest in and around the Long Valley Caldera. The 15 by 30 km Long Valley Caldera was formed during an eruption 760,000 years ago and is located 20 km south of Mono Lake along the east side of the Sierra Nevada in east-central California. There have been multiple smaller eruptions since the caldera-forming eruption with the most recent occurring 250 years ago in Mono Lake at the north end of Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic chain. LVO is one of the five USGS Volcano Observatories that monitor volcanoes within the United States for science and public safety.

NMI/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Pagan (CAVW #0804-17=)

Current Volcano Alert Level: UNASSIGNED

Current Aviation Color Code: UNASSIGNED

Issued: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 2:39 PM ChST (20090428/0439Z)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Notice Number: 2009/N2
Location: N 18 deg 7 min E 145 deg 48 min
Elevation: 1870 ft (570 m)
Area: Mariana Islands

Volcanic Activity Summary: Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Steaming at Pagan volcano has diminished and therefore the aviation color code and alert levels are being lowered to unassigned. There are no monitoring instruments installed on Pagan and thus we do not use the levels Green or Normal because we cannot say definitely that activity is at background. Monitoring is by satellite and ground observers.

Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the Emergency Management Office to get the latest information.

Recent Observations:
[Volcanic cloud height] Nil
[Other volcanic cloud information] Nil

Contacts: USGS Northern Marianas Duty Scientist (808) 967-8815
http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/cnmistatus.php

CNMI Emergency Management Office (670) 322-8001
http://www.cnmiemo.gov.mp/

YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATE
Friday, May 1, 2009 11:17 MDT (Friday, May 1, 2009 17:17 UTC)

YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO (CAVW#1205-01-)
44.43°N 110.67°W, Summit Elevation 9203 ft (2805 m)
Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Aviation Color Code: GREEN

April 2009 Yellowstone Seismicity Summary

During the month of April 2009, 242 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone region. The largest event was a magnitude 2.7 on April 28 at 7:14 PM MDT, located about 6 miles north northeast of Old Faithful, YNP. A second M 2.7 was part of a swarm detailed below. There were three earthquake swarms during the month of April. The first, located 4 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, included 62 events spanning April 13-18 with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to -0.6. The second, located 7 miles northwest of West Yellowstone, included 111 events from April 17-24 with magnitudes 2.3 to -0.8. The third swarm, located 11 miles northeast of Old Faithful, included 19 events all occurring on April 29th with magnitudes ranging from 2.7 to 0.5.

Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone region is at relatively normal background levels.

An article on the recent earthquake swarm during December 2008 and January 2009 can be found at:
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2009/09swarm.php
Scientists continue to look at data collected during the swarm and will publish their results over the coming months and years. However, if any findings have direct implications for public safety, they will be released to the public immediately.

Ground Deformation Summary: Through April 2009, continuous GPS data show that much of the Yellowstone caldera continued moving upward, though at a lower rate than the past several years. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera has undergone ~23 cm of uplift since mid-2004. The general uplift of the Yellowstone caldera is of scientific importance and will continue to be monitored closely by YVO staff.

An article on the current uplift episode at Yellowstone and discussion of long-term ground deformation at Yellowstone and elsewhere can be found at: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/publications/2007/upsanddowns.php




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The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a partnership of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Yellowstone National Park, and University of Utah to strengthen the long-term monitoring of volcanic and earthquake unrest in the Yellowstone National Park region. Yellowstone is the site of the largest and most diverse collection of natural thermal features in the world and the first National Park. YVO is one of the five USGS Volcano Observatories that monitor volcanoes within the United States for science and public safety.