Current Alerts for U.S. Volcanoes
- 2009-08-13 15:37:52 Anatahan Normal Green
- 2009-08-13 12:03:17 Kilauea Watch Orange
- 2009-08-13 11:19:58 Redoubt Advisory Yellow
- 2009-08-13 11:19:58 Shishaldin Advisory Yellow
- 2009-08-13 09:13:53 Long Valley Volcanic Center Normal Green
- 2009-08-07 11:40:28 Cascade Range Normal Green
- 2009-08-03 14:54:38 Yellowstone Normal Green
- 2009-07-27 14:14:21 Mauna Loa Advisory Yellow
- 2009-07-17 11:49:34 Cleveland Unassigned Unassigned
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Alaska Volcano Observatory
REDOUBT VOLCANO (CAVW #1103-03-)
60°29'7" N 152°44'38" W, Summit Elevation 10197 ft (3108 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Seismic activity at Redoubt remains low. Views from the Hut web cameras are currently mostly obscured by clouds. Recent partial views of the dome indicate that a continued small plume of water vapor persists from the dome area. The cooling lava dome remains potentially unstable, and could collapse with little or no warning, likely resulting in significant ash production, hot block and ash flows, and flooding in the Drift River valley.
Although the operations center is no longer staffed 24/7, AVO continues to monitor the volcano on a 24/7 basis using an alarm system that alerts on-call staff of potential unrest.
SHISHALDIN VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-36-)
54°45'19" N 163°58'16" W, Summit Elevation 9373 ft (2857 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Weather has been mostly cloudy at the volcano. When clear conditions exist a continued thermal anomaly is seen in satellite imagery at Shishaldin. Seismic, deformation, and gas emission data do not show anything abnormal at the volcano, and there is currently no indication that an eruption will occur. The Shishaldin webcam is operational again, and may show periodic steaming from the summit, which is typical behavior for this volcano. AVO will continue to closely monitor activity at Shishaldin.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
Jessica Larsen, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAF
faust@gi.alaska.edu (907) 322-4085
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.
Friday, August 7, 2009 11:39 PDT (Friday, August 7, 2009 18:39 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: No significant changes in activity have occurred during the past week. Field work this week included: reconnaissance overflight of Mount Rainier; installation of continuous gps, and seismic and telemetry maintenance at Crater Lake; telemetry maintenance, photo target installation, geologic mapping, and stream channel surveying at Mount St. Helens.
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/
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: There was glow in the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent last night; sulfur dioxide emission rates from Halema`uma`u and east rift zone vents were elevated; lava from the TEB vent, on the east rift zone, flows through tubes to the Waikupanaha ocean entry west of Kalapana.
Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: Glow from the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent was visible overnight and a new, brightly incandescent hole has appeared on the floor of the vent. Nearly-continuous gas rushing sounds were also heard but no lava was visible. Tephra production remains low and most of it is rock dust.
The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement on August 10 was an astounding 2050 tonnes/day. This is way above the 2003-2007 average of 140 tonnes/day.
The network of tiltmeters around the summit recorded the switch from deflation to inflation at about noon yesterday. The DI event is now over, but inflation continues this morning at a very low rate. The GPS network (less sensitive than the tiltmeter network) has recorded about 1 cm of contraction across the caldera since early June.
Seismic tremor decreased with the switch from deflation to inflation but remains elevated. The number of RB2S2BL earthquakes is just below background values. Nine earthquakes were located in the summit region.
Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vent and flow field: Magma continues to degas through Pu`u `O`o Crater before erupting from the TEB vent 2 km to the east. The most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 775 tonnes/day on August 10, compared to the 2003-2007 average of 1,700 tonnes/day. No glow was recorded within Pu`u `O`o crater or from the TEB vent overnight.
The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o mimicked the summit tiltmeters, recording the switch from deflation to inflation yesterday afternoon. Inflation has since slowed and now appears to be flat. GPS receivers on opposite sides of the crater have documented about 4 cm of contraction over the past 3 months. Seismic tremor levels are low and relatively steady.
Lava from the TEB vent flows through tubes to the coast and enters the ocean at Waikupanaha. The DI event disrupted the lava supply through the tube yesterday, and no surface flows were visible last night. GOES-WEST imagery recorded a weak thermal anomaly this morning suggesting that surface flows may have reactivated.
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://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/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/activity/alertsystem/index.php
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.
Thursday, August 13, 2009 09:13 PDT (Thursday, August 13, 2009 16:13 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 real-time detection system located just one small earthquake in the Long Valley caldera region since the last update at 9:19 AM (PDT) on August 12. This was a M=0.2 earthquake at 1:33 PM on the 12th centered beneath the southwest flank of Mammoth Mountain (3 miles WSW 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.
ANATAHAN VOLCANO (CAVW #0804-20=)
16°21' N 145°40'12" E, Summit Elevation 2592 ft (790 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.
No reports of eruptive activity at Anatahan were received the past week. Seismic levels have remained low over the past week. Nothing unusual was observed in satellite images throughout the week.
During times of northerly winds, the Anatahan plume, if present, could be directed towards the CNMI and Guam. If this happens, residents may notice hazy air conditions and smell sulfur. The Emergency Management Office (EMO) of the CNMI government will issue volcanic haze and sulfur advisories if appropriate.
Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the EMO to get the latest information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
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/
Monday, August 3, 2009 15:54 MDT (Monday, August 3, 2009 21:54 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
July 2009 Yellowstone Seismicity Summary
During the month of July 2009, 98 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone region. The largest event was a magnitude 2.7 on July 8 at 9:08 AM MDT, located about 5 miles south southeast of Fishing Bridge, WY. The swarm that began on June 30th continued through July 3. This small swarm was located about 15 miles east northeast of West Yellowstone, MT and totaled 37 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3.3 to -0.2.
Earthquake activity in the Yellowstone region is at relatively normal background levels.
Ground Deformation Summary: Through July 2009, continuous GPS data show that uplift of the Yellowstone Caldera has slowed but may be continuing. The WLWY station, located in the northeastern part of the caldera, has undergone a total of ~23 cm of uplift since mid-2004. Its record can be found at:
http://pboweb.unavco.org/shared/scripts/stations/?checkkey=WLWY&sec=timeseries_plots×eries=raw
The currently observed reduction in uplift rate may be related to seasonal changes related to snowmelt and groundwater recharge. In several of the past 5 years, such changes have caused decreased uplift or slight subsidence, but were followed later in the year by continued uplift. 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.
