Current Alerts for U.S. Volcanoes
- 2012-09-14 07:36:57 Kilauea Watch Orange
- 2012-09-14 11:26:03 Little Sitkin Advisory Yellow
- 2012-09-14 11:26:03 Iliamna Advisory Yellow
- 2012-09-14 11:26:03 Cleveland Advisory Yellow
- 2012-09-14 08:59:37 Pagan Advisory Yellow
- 2012-09-04 13:01:16 Mauna Loa Normal Green
- 2012-09-04 13:01:16 Hualalai Normal Green
- 2012-09-04 13:01:16 Haleakala Normal Green
- 2012-09-04 13:01:16 Mauna Kea Normal Green
- 2012-08-31 18:32:29 Yellowstone Normal Green
- 2012-09-04 13:01:16 Lo`ihi Unassigned Unassigned
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LITTLE SITKIN VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-05-)
51°57'11" N 178°32'8" E, Summit Elevation 3898 ft (1188 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
There were two swarms of elevated earthquake activity detected at Little Sitkin over the last week, on Sept. 11 and Sept. 13. Seismic activity remains moderately elevated at the current time. Satellite views of the volcano have been cloudy over the past week. AVO continues to closely monitor the situation and will issue further updates as conditions change.
CLEVELAND VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-24-)
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Weak elevated surface temperatures were detected at Cleveland in Satellite data from early this morning. Cloudy weather conditions have prevented clear satellite views of Cleveland earlier in the past week. No other activity has been reported.
Sudden explosions of blocks and ash remain possible with little or no warning. Associated ash clouds could exceed 20,000 feet above sea level. If a large ash-producing event occurs, nearby seismic, infrasound, or volcanic lightning networks should alert AVO staff quickly. However, for some events, a delay of several hours is possible. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network on Mount Cleveland and AVO is unable to track activity in real time.
ILIAMNA VOLCANO (CAVW #1103-02-)
60°1'55" N 153°5'30" W, Summit Elevation 10016 ft (3053 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Seismicity remains slightly above background. Satellite images of the volcano during most of the week were cloudy. No anomalous activity was detected in partly clear satellite data on Sept. 10.
The current level of activity does not indicate an imminent or certain eruption. Seismic activity, along with gas emissions, appear to be declining gradually. A similar seismic swarm occurred at Iliamna Volcano in 1996-1997 and was not followed by eruptive activity. Prior to an eruption, AVO would expect to see a significant increase in earthquake activity beneath the volcano.
OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES
Seismic activity is monitored in real time at 29 volcanoes in Alaska. Satellite images of all Alaskan volcanoes are analyzed daily for evidence of ash plumes and elevated surface temperatures. Some volcanoes may currently display anomalous behavior but are not considered to be at a dangerous level of unrest. Akutan, Aniakchak, Augustine, Dutton, Fisher, Fourpeaked, Gareloi, Great Sitkin, Griggs, Isanotski, Kanaga, Katmai, Mageik, Makushin, Martin, Novarupta, Okmok, Pavlof, Redoubt, Shishaldin, Snowy, Spurr, Tanaga, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof, and Westdahl volcanoes are in color code GREEN and volcano alert level Normal. All are at or near normal levels of background seismicity. AVO did not detect ash plumes or significant elevated surface temperatures in the vicinity of any of these volcanoes.
Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels.
VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu
RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478
CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Power, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
Jeff Freymueller, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
jeff.freymueller@gi.alaska.edu (907) 978-5458
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.
AVO Alert Archive Search
CASCADE RANGE VOLCANOES
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington are at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State; and Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry Volcano, and Crater Lake, in Oregon.
Recent Observations: An M 2.4 earthquake occurred beneath the summit of Mount Rainier at 08:45 PDT, September 13, and was followed by a dozen or so aftershocks over the next ~20 minutes. According to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (http://pnsn.org), the M 2.4 earthquake was located beneath the north rim of East Crater at a depth of ~2.7 km. Such earthquakes, while not common, are also not unprecedented at Mount Rainier -- M > 2 earthquakes occur about once per year on average below the Rainier summit, with the most recent being an M 2.9 on October 14, 2011, and an M 2.2 on October 25, 2011. The location and depth of the the 09/13/2012 M 2.4 earthquake are entirely consistent with past Rainier earthquakes, and such events are considered by CVO and the PNSN to be part of the background "normal" level of activity at Mount Rainier.
The U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory and the University of Washington continue to monitor the Washington and Oregon volcanoes closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.
For other inquiries please call 360 993-8973.
For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/cvo/
For seismic information on Oregon and Washington volcanoes: http://old.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/
Mount St. Helens Seismic Information
CVO Alert Archive Search
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. All times are Hawai`i Standard Time.
KILAUEA VOLCANO (CAVW #1302-01-)
19°25'16" N 155°17'13" W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Activity Summary for past 24 hours: General activity levels were low with back-to-back DI tilt events and weak surface flows midway between vent and ocean: DI inflation started yesterday and the summit lava lake rose with it. At Pu`u `O`o, at least one lava lake was active; lava flows were weakly active to the southeast of Pu`u `O`o at the top of the pali. Seismic tremor levels were low. Gas emissions were elevated.
Past 24 hours at Kilauea summit: The summit tiltmeters recorded the switch to DI inflation at about 11 am and the lava lake and the seismic tremor levels rose with it; the summit lava lake level rose to just below the inner ledge. The most recent (preliminary) sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 700 tonnes/day on September 13, 2012; this value was within the typical range of baseline measurements made between rise/fall events. Small amounts of ash-sized tephra (spatter bits and Pele's hair) were carried out of the vent in the gas plume and deposited on nearby surfaces.
Seismic tremor levels were increasing with tilt. Five earthquakes were strong enough to be located beneath Kilauea: 1 beneath the summit caldera and 4 on south flank faults.
Background: The summit lava lake is deep within a ~160 m (520 ft) diameter cylindrical vent with nearly vertical sides inset within the east wall and floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. Its level fluctuates from about 60 m to more than 150 m (out of sight) below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater. The vent has been mostly active since opening with a small explosive event on March 19, 2008. Most recently, the lava level of the lake has remained below an inner ledge (60 m or 200 ft below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater on May 9, 2012) and responded to summit tilt changes with the lake receding during deflation and rising during inflation.
Past 24 hours at the middle east rift zone vents: The flows are still just out of R3cam view and may be weakening during the recent deflation because the glow was diminished over the last two nights.
The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o cone recorded inflation after 3 pm yesterday. Seismic tremor levels near Pu`u `O`o remained low. The most recent (preliminary) sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 230 tonnes/day on September 12, 2012, from all east rift zone sources.
At Pu`u `O`o Crater, lava continued to be visible in the east pit but only an occasional glowing spot was visible from the south pit was dark (PTcam); glow was again seen from spots on the west edge of the crusted north pit (POcam). The glowing spot at the base of the southeast flank of Pu`u `O`o, marking a collapse in the roof of the lava tube feeding lava flows downslope, continued to glow brightly overnight (PEcam).
Background: The eruption in Kilauea's middle east rift zone started with a fissure eruption on January 3, 1983, and continued with few interruptions at Pu`u `O`o Cone, or temporarily from vents within a few kilometers to the east or west,. A fissure eruption on the upper east flank of Pu`u `O`o Cone on Sept. 21, 2011, drained the lava lakes and fed a lava flow that advanced southeast through the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision to the ocean within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in early December. Since late December, the flows have remained intermittently active on the pali and the coastal plain but have not entered the ocean. In general, activity waxes with inflation and wanes with deflation.
Hazard Summary: East rift vents and flow field - near-vent areas could erupt or collapse without warning with spatter and/or ash being wafted within the gas plume; potentially-lethal concentrations of sulfur dioxide gas may be present within 1 km downwind of vent areas. All recently active lava flows are within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, adjacent State land managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and private property within the Royal Gardens subdivision; the lava flows do not pose a hazard to any structures not already within the County-declared mandatory evacuation zone. Kilauea Crater - ash and Pele's hair can be carried several kilometers downwind; potentially-lethal concentrations of sulfur dioxide can be present within 1 km downwind.
Viewing Summary: East rift zone flow field - The new breakout lava flows were within the closed-access Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve (NAR) and can only be viewed from the air. Under favorable weather conditions, glow from these flows may be reflected in clouds which can be seen from the County Viewing Area at Kalapana (Lava hotline 961-8093). Pu`u `O`o Cone, the strip of coastal plain nearest the ocean, and Kilauea Crater - these areas are within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; Park access and viewing information can be found at http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm.
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://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic/volcweb/earthquakes/
A definition of alert levels can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php
Definitions of Terms Used:
DI tilt event: DI is an abbreviation for 'deflation-inflation' and describes a geophysical event of uncertain volcanic significance. DI events are recorded by tiltmeters at Kilauea summit as an abrupt deflation of up to a few microradians in magnitude lasting several hours (weak DI events) to 2-3 days (strong DI events) followed by an abrupt inflation of approximately equal magnitude. The tilt events are usually accompanied by an increase in summit tremor during the deflation phase. A careful analysis of these events suggests that they may be related to changes in magma supply to a storage reservoir at less than 1 km depth, just east of Halema`uma`u crater. Usually, though not always, these changes propagate through the magma conduit from the summit to the east rift eruption site, as many of the DI events at Kilauea summit are also recorded at a tiltmeter at Pu`u `O`o delayed by several hours. DI events often correlate with lava pulses and/or pauses in the eruption at the Pu`u `O`o/Peace Day vents.
fill-and-drain, rise/fall cycles or high lava stands: one of the cyclical behaviors exhibited by the summit lava lake. A cycle starts with a rise in lava level, a decrease in summit tremor amplitude, and a small decrease in tilt. After a period of minutes to hours, the lava will abruptly drain back to its previous level, seismic tremor amplitude will increase for a short time (a seismic tremor burst), and summit tilt will return to its previous level. Although not measured continuously, spot checks of gas emissions demonstrate that far less gas is released during the high lava stand than during its draining phase suggesting that, during the high lava stand, lava is puffed up with gas trapped by crusts on the lava surface; the gas plume will also get thin and wispy during these cycles returning to more robustness afterward.
perched lava lake: a lava lake within a rim that is progressively built up by overflows of lava that have cooled and solidified. The most recent example of a perched lava lake is currently active within Pu`u `O`o maintaining a rim standing several meters (yards) above the crater floor. In many ways, a perched lava lake resembles an above-ground swimming pool. Overflows from the pond add layers to the surrounding crater floor building it higher; the overflows also build up the perched lake rim, continually keeping the lake rim raised above the floor.
mauka, makai: Hawaiian terms for directions relative to the coast - makai or ma kai (toward the coast) and mauka or ma uka (toward the highlands or away from the coast).
pali: Hawaiian term for cliff or precipice.
composite seismic events: is a seismic signal with multiple distinct phases that has been recorded frequently at HVO from the Halema`uma`u Overlook vent area since its explosive opening in March, 2008. For the composite events recorded at Halema`uma`u, we typically see an initial high frequency vibration lasting for a few seconds that have been correlated with rockfalls. This is followed by about 30 seconds of a long-period (LP) oscillation with an approximately 2- to 3-second period. The final phase of the signal is several minutes of a very-long-period (VLP) oscillation with an approximately 25- to 30-second period. The LP signals are interpreted to be from the uppermost portion of the conduit and VLP signals are interpreted to be fluid passing through a deep constriction in the conduit through which lava rises to the pond surface we see in the webcam.
Halema`uma`u Overlook vent: has been difficult to describe concisely. The vent is actually a pit, or crater, in the floor of the larger Halema`uma`u Crater in the floor of the larger Kilauea caldera or crater - a crater within a crater within a crater. It is easiest to describe as a pit inset within the floor of a crater within a caldera. The pit is about 140 m (460 ft) in diameter at the Halema`uma`u Crater floor, is about 50 m in diameter at the pit floor, and is about 200 m (660 ft) deep. As of November, 2009, a lava pond surface has been visible in a hole in the floor of this pit.
glow: light from an unseen source; indirect light.
incandescence: the production of visible light from a hot surface. The term also refers to the light emitted from a hot surface. The color of the light is related to surface temperature. Some surfaces can display dull red incandescence at temperatures as low as 430 degrees Centigrade (806 degrees Fahrenheit). By contrast, molten lava displays bright orange to orange-yellow light from surfaces that are hotter than 900 degrees C (1,650 degrees F).
CD: Hawai`i County Civil Defense
tonne: metric unit equal to 1,000 kilograms, 2,204.6 lbs, or 1.1 English tons.
tephra: all material deposited by fallout from an eruption-related plume, regardless of size.
ash: tephra less than 2 mm (5/64 inches) in size.
microradian: a measure of angle equivalent to 0.000057 degrees.
More definitions with photos can be found at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/images/pglossary/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.
HVO Alert Archive Search
Monitored CALIFORNIA VOLCANOES
Current Volcano Alert Level: all NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: all GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes monitored by CalVO's telemetered, real-time sensor networks exhibit normal levels of background seismicity and deformation. Real-time monitoring networks are in place at Mount Shasta, Medicine Lake Volcano, Clear Lake Volcanic Field, Lassen Volcanic Center, Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Chain.
Observations for August 1, 2012 (0000h PDT) through August 31, 2012 (2359h PDT):
Mt Shasta: One earthquake of magnitude M=1.6 detected.
Medicine Lake: No earthquakes were detected at or above M=1.0
Lassen Volcanic Center: Two earthquakes of magnitude M=1.0 or greater were detected.
Clear Lake Volcanic Field: Three earthquakes magnitude M=1.0 or greater were detected [Note: Typical high level of seismicity observed under the Geysers steam field located at the western margin of CLVF. All events were below magnitude M=2.0].
Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Chain: Ten earthquakes occurred in the southern half of the Long Valley Caldera east of the town of Mammoth Lakes (largest events were M=2.4 and M=2.3); One earthquake was located east of Mono Lake in Mono Valley (M=1.3); One earthquake of magnitude M=1.2 was detected under Mammoth Mountain. [Note: Typical high level of seismicity observed south of the caldera in the Sierra Nevada range. Largest events were M=2.5 and M=3.0]. Additionally, analysis of continuous GPS data over the last several months show continued modest inflation within the caldera. Ground motion is directed upward and away from the caldera's center, with a maximum uplift rate between 2 and 3 cm/yr. Horizontal deformation is similar in magnitude, with a N/S extension rate across the caldera's center of about 3 cm/yr. These rates of deformation are comparable to those observed in 2002-2003, and well below the rates seen in the late 1990s.
The U.S. Geological Survey will continue to monitor these volcanoes closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted. For a definition of alert levels see http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/icons.php.
As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program, the California Volcano Observatory aims to advance scientific understanding of volcanic processes and lessen the harmful impacts of volcanic activity in the volcanically active areas of California and Nevada. For additional USGS CalVO volcano information, background, images, and other graphics visit http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/vsc/observatories/calvo.html. For general information on the USGS Volcano Hazard Program http://volcanoes.usgs.gov. Statewide seismic information for California and Nevada can be found at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqscanv/.
CalVO Alert Archive Search
Report prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey.
PAGAN VOLCANO (CAVW #0804-17=)
18°7'48" N 145°48' E, Summit Elevation 1870 ft (570 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Steam and gas plumes were present throughout the past week. The USGS received no further reports of unrest or activity at Pagan volcano.
Pagan Volcano is not monitored with ground-based geophysical instrumentation and the only sources of information are satellite observations and occasional reports from observers who pass by or visit the island. We will continue to evaluate satellite imagery, on-island, and mariner 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 EMO for the latest information.
No eruptive activity or significant unrest was detected at other volcanoes in Northern Mariana Islands this week.
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/
NMI Alert Archive Search
YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO (CAVW #1205-01-)
44°25'48" N 110°40'12" W, Summit Elevation 9203 ft (2805 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
During the month of August 2012, the University of Utah reports 57 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region. The largest was a magnitude 3.2 event on August 6 at 11:07 PM MDT, located about 6.3 miles north of West Yellowstone, MT. A swarm of 15 earthquakes occurred ~8 miles North of Old Faithful, YNP.
Yellowstone earthquake activity remains at a relatively low background level.
Slow subsidence of the caldera, which began in early 2010, continues. Current deformation patterns at Yellowstone are well within historical norms.
Please see: http://www.uusatrg.utah.edu/ts_ysrp.html for a map of GPS stations in the Yellowstone vicinity. For a graph of daily GPS positions at White Lake, within the Yellowstone caldera, please see: http://pbo.unavco.org/station/overview/WLWY
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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.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jacob Lowenstern, USGS
Scientist-in-Charge, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
jlwnstrn@usgs.gov
Robert Smith, University of Utah
Coordinating Scientist, YVO
David Hallac, Yellowstone National Park
Coordinating Scientist, YVO
YVO Alert Archive Search
