Volcano Update from Archive
NMI/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice
Volcano: Pagan (CAVW #0804-17=)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: UNASSIGNED
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: UNASSIGNED
Issued: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 3:24 AM ChST (20100505/1724Z)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Notice Number: 2010/N1
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.
A minor ash emission event was reported from Pagan Volcano at approximately 9 a.m. ChST on the morning of May 3 (May 2, 11 UTC) by a local visitor to the island. Recent observations of steam and gas plumes from Pagan Volcano in MODIS satellite imagery occurred on April 28 (UTC) and in ASTER satellite imagery on May 3. The ASTER image shows no evidence of unusual thermal activity in the summit crater. Based on these reports, we are raising the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory.
Pagan is not monitored with ground-based geophysical instrumentation and the only source of information is satellite observation and occasional reports from observers who visit the island. We will continue to evaluate satellite imagery and on-island reports when they become available, but because the volcano is not monitored with ground-based instruments, we cannot provide advanced warning of activity.
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] Unknown
[Other volcanic cloud information] Unknown
Remarks: Pagan is the largest of the Northern Islands. Pagan Island consists of two volcanoes: Mount Pagan on the north and South Pagan Volcano on the south. Mount Pagan is a stratovolcano that is growing within a 6-km-diameter caldera formed less than 9,400 years ago. South Pagan volcano is a large young stratovolcano with a summit caldera 2.8 km across. There are no known historical eruptions of South Pagan volcano. Mount Pagan is one of the most historically active volcanoes in the Northern Marianas. Its most recent large (VEI 4) eruption was in 1981. The volcano was intermittently active through 1996, producing mainly light ashfall from a column that would occasionally reach 10,000 feet above sea level. Following the 1981 eruption, destructive rain-triggered (secondary) debris flows buried large tracts of land, including the site of a village that contained a school, dispensary, church, power generating buildings, cisterns and associated infrastructure.
Mount Pagan is possibly the most dangerous volcano in the Northern Marianas. It is frequently active, and a full spectrum of acutely hazardous phenomena such as pyroclastic flows and surges, directed blasts, and secondary lahars (volcanic debris flows) have affected the relatively flat land close to the volcano; areas that are attractive for settlement. All known historical eruptions have originated at the central stratovolcano, but eruptions from flank or satellitic vents are possible. For instance, a large maar, with extensive surge deposits, formed on the west flank of Mount Pagan about 200 years ago.
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/
Volcano: Pagan (CAVW #0804-17=)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: UNASSIGNED
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: UNASSIGNED
Issued: Thursday, May 6, 2010, 3:24 AM ChST (20100505/1724Z)
Source: U.S. Geological Survey
Notice Number: 2010/N1
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.
A minor ash emission event was reported from Pagan Volcano at approximately 9 a.m. ChST on the morning of May 3 (May 2, 11 UTC) by a local visitor to the island. Recent observations of steam and gas plumes from Pagan Volcano in MODIS satellite imagery occurred on April 28 (UTC) and in ASTER satellite imagery on May 3. The ASTER image shows no evidence of unusual thermal activity in the summit crater. Based on these reports, we are raising the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory.
Pagan is not monitored with ground-based geophysical instrumentation and the only source of information is satellite observation and occasional reports from observers who visit the island. We will continue to evaluate satellite imagery and on-island reports when they become available, but because the volcano is not monitored with ground-based instruments, we cannot provide advanced warning of activity.
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] Unknown
[Other volcanic cloud information] Unknown
Remarks: Pagan is the largest of the Northern Islands. Pagan Island consists of two volcanoes: Mount Pagan on the north and South Pagan Volcano on the south. Mount Pagan is a stratovolcano that is growing within a 6-km-diameter caldera formed less than 9,400 years ago. South Pagan volcano is a large young stratovolcano with a summit caldera 2.8 km across. There are no known historical eruptions of South Pagan volcano. Mount Pagan is one of the most historically active volcanoes in the Northern Marianas. Its most recent large (VEI 4) eruption was in 1981. The volcano was intermittently active through 1996, producing mainly light ashfall from a column that would occasionally reach 10,000 feet above sea level. Following the 1981 eruption, destructive rain-triggered (secondary) debris flows buried large tracts of land, including the site of a village that contained a school, dispensary, church, power generating buildings, cisterns and associated infrastructure.
Mount Pagan is possibly the most dangerous volcano in the Northern Marianas. It is frequently active, and a full spectrum of acutely hazardous phenomena such as pyroclastic flows and surges, directed blasts, and secondary lahars (volcanic debris flows) have affected the relatively flat land close to the volcano; areas that are attractive for settlement. All known historical eruptions have originated at the central stratovolcano, but eruptions from flank or satellitic vents are possible. For instance, a large maar, with extensive surge deposits, formed on the west flank of Mount Pagan about 200 years ago.
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/
| (1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA) | |
| (2) Issued: | (20100505/1724Z) |
| (3) Volcano: | Pagan (CAVW# 0804-17=) |
| (4) Current Color Code: | YELLOW |
| (5) Previous Color Code: | unassigned |
| (6) Source: | Northern Mariana Islands |
| (7) Notice Number: | 2010/N1 |
| (8) Volcano Location: | N 18 deg 7 min E 145 deg 48 min |
| (9) Area: | Mariana Islands |
| (10) Summit Elevation: | 1870 ft (570 m) |
| (11) Volcanic Activity Summary: | Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey. A minor ash emission event was reported from Pagan Volcano at approximately 9 a.m. ChST on the morning of May 3 (May 2, 11 UTC) by a local visitor to the island. Recent observations of steam and gas plumes from Pagan Volcano in MODIS satellite imagery occurred on April 28 (UTC) and in ASTER satellite imagery on May 3. The ASTER image shows no evidence of unusual thermal activity in the summit crater. Based on these reports, we are raising the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory. Pagan is not monitored with ground-based geophysical instrumentation and the only source of information is satellite observation and occasional reports from observers who visit the island. We will continue to evaluate satellite imagery and on-island reports when they become available, but because the volcano is not monitored with ground-based instruments, we cannot provide advanced warning of activity. Access to the island may be restricted by the CNMI government. Contact the Emergency Management Office to get the latest information. |
| (12) Volcanic cloud height: | Unknown |
| (13) Other volcanic cloud information: | Unknown |
| (14) Remarks: | Pagan is the largest of the Northern Islands. Pagan Island consists of two volcanoes: Mount Pagan on the north and South Pagan Volcano on the south. Mount Pagan is a stratovolcano that is growing within a 6-km-diameter caldera formed less than 9,400 years ago. South Pagan volcano is a large young stratovolcano with a summit caldera 2.8 km across. There are no known historical eruptions of South Pagan volcano. Mount Pagan is one of the most historically active volcanoes in the Northern Marianas. Its most recent large (VEI 4) eruption was in 1981. The volcano was intermittently active through 1996, producing mainly light ashfall from a column that would occasionally reach 10,000 feet above sea level. Following the 1981 eruption, destructive rain-triggered (secondary) debris flows buried large tracts of land, including the site of a village that contained a school, dispensary, church, power generating buildings, cisterns and associated infrastructure. Mount Pagan is possibly the most dangerous volcano in the Northern Marianas. It is frequently active, and a full spectrum of acutely hazardous phenomena such as pyroclastic flows and surges, directed blasts, and secondary lahars (volcanic debris flows) have affected the relatively flat land close to the volcano; areas that are attractive for settlement. All known historical eruptions have originated at the central stratovolcano, but eruptions from flank or satellitic vents are possible. For instance, a large maar, with extensive surge deposits, formed on the west flank of Mount Pagan about 200 years ago. |
| (15) 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/ |
