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ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATEWednesday, February 13, 2013 11:55 AM (Wednesday, February 13, 2013 20:55 UTC)

CLEVELAND VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-24-)
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Elevated surface temperatures were detected in satellite images of Cleveland in the last 24 hours. AVO has received no other reports of activity.

VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu
RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
cwaythomas@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Jeff Freymueller, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
jeff.freymueller@gi.alaska.edu (907) 378-7556

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.

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CASCADES VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEEKLY UPDATEFriday, February 8, 2013 2:58 PM PST (Friday, February 8, 2013 22:58 UTC)

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: No unusual activity was noted at any of the Cascades Range volcanoes during the week. Volcano seismicity remained at background levels.

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.

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Mount St. Helens Seismic Information
CVO Alert Archive Search

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATEWednesday, February 13, 2013 07:43 AM (Wednesday, February 13, 2013 17:43 UTC)

This report on the status of Kilauea volcanic activity, in addition to maps, photos, and Webcam images (available at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php), 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: Kilauea continued to erupt at two locations: At the summit, slowing DI inflation continued and the lava lake level rose briefly above 27 m (90 ft) below the Halema`uma`u Crater floor this morning. At Pu`u `O`o cone, the SW spatter cone issued multiple brief flows inside the crater while lava flows continued to spread out on older flows to the north of the cone and outside the crater. To the southeast of Pu`u `O`o, lava was entering the ocean in multiple areas both inside and outside the National Park boundary. Gas emissions remained elevated.

Recent Observations at Kilauea summit: The summit tiltmeter network continued recording slowing DI inflation. The level of the lava lake remained fairly stable until early this morning; at about 2 am, the surface rose to about 27 m (90 ft) below the Halema`uma`u Crater floor and continued to rise slowly so that, by 6:40 am this morning, the lake began overflowing the inner ledge and receding about 30 minutes later. The most recent (preliminary) sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 800 tonnes/day on February 12, 2013; this value is within the range of typical background emission rates between rise/fall events. A very small amount of ash-sized tephra (mostly fresh spatter bits and Pele's hair) was carried out of the vent in the gas plume and deposited on nearby surfaces.

Seismic tremor levels were low with two rise/fall-like drops starting at 2 am this morning. Nine earthquakes were strong enough to be located beneath Kilauea Volcano in the past 24 hours: 5 within the upper east rift zone and 4 on south flank faults. Over the past 6 months, the GPS receivers located on either side of the summit caldera have measured about 9 cm of extension - 2 cm/mo during the first 3 months and 1 cm/mo during the last 3 months with short-term minor fluctuations that mimicked tilt.

Background: The summit lava lake is deep within an ~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 has varied from about 25 m to more than 200 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. The surface level of the lava lake has remained mostly below the inner ledge (~31 m or 100 ft below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater on October 29, 2012) and has risen above and flooded the ledge in October, 2012, and January, 2013. The lake level responds to summit tilt changes with the lake receding during deflation and rising during inflation.

Recent Observations at the middle east rift zone vents: Lava activity on the pali and the coastal plain, fed by lava tubes extending from Pu`u `O`o, continued in three areas with no significant changes. Lava flows remained active just above the pali. An approximately 1 km-wide (0.6 mi wide) lava flow remained active on the coastal plain with minor surface activity straddling the easternmost boundary of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at the coast and entering the ocean at two or more locations, both inside and outside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. To the west, a 350 m (1,150 ft) wide lava flow continued to advance slowly toward the coast with scattered breakouts through this morning (visible in the R2cam).

HAZARD ALERT: Lava entering the ocean builds lava deltas. The lava delta and adjacent areas are some of the most hazardous areas on the flow field. Frequent delta/bench collapses give little warning, can produce explosions capable of throwing both dense and molten rocks hundreds of meters (yards) in all directions (inland as well as out to sea), and can produce damaging 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.

Within the Pu`u `O`o crater, glow was visible from the usual four sources augmented with brief lava flows issued from southeastern spatter cone at 3:30 pm yesterday, 2 am and 7 am this morning. The tiltmeter on the north flank of Pu`u `O`o cone recorded fluctuations with an abrupt 0.2 microradian decrease accompanying the first lava flow and smaller tilt decreases accompanying later flows. Seismic tremor levels near Pu`u `O`o remained low. The most recent (preliminary) sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 300 tonnes/day on February 12, 2013, from all east rift zone sources.

Outside the crater and across the northeast flank of Pu`u `O`o cone, multiple lava flow lobes continued to be actively spreading to the north and east on older Pu`u `O`o between Pu`u `O`o and Pu`u Kahauale`a (visible in Pu`u `O`o East Thermal and North Webcams).

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 (Peace Day flow) that advanced southeast through the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision to the ocean within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in early December 2011. Since late December 2011, the flows have remained intermittently active on the pali and the coastal plain and finally re-entered the ocean starting on November 24, 2012. 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; the lava flows do not pose a hazard to any structures not already within the County-declared mandatory evacuation zone. Lava deltas, which can collapse into the ocean without warning, are extremely hazardous and should be avoided (see HAZARD ALERT above). 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 - Most of the flow field is within the closed-access Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve (NAR) and the abandoned Royal Gardens subdivision and can only be viewed from the air. A small part of the western flow field near the coast in within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park (see below for access info). Under favorable weather conditions, active flows-when present-can be seen from the County Viewing Area at Kalapana (Lava hotline 961-8093). Pu`u `O`o Cone 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.

Additional Information:

For a definition of volcano alert levels and aviation color codes: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php

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/

HVO Contact Information:

askHVO@usgs.gov

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/events or high lava stands: one of the cyclical behaviors exhibited by the summit lava lake in starting in 2009. An event starts with a rise in lava level, a decrease in high-frequency 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. In 2013, the character of these events has changed and are marked more by a lack of spattering sinks and less by a rise in lava level or tilt change during the low seismic tremor levels.

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 which is, in turn, 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 160 m (525 ft) in diameter at the Halema`uma`u Crater floor, is about 50 m in diameter at a depth of 200 m (660 ft) below the Halema`uma`u Crater floor. From November, 2009, to now, a lava pond surface has been visible in 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.

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HVO Alert Archive Search

CALIFORNIA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATEMonday, February 4, 2013 11:55 AM PST (Monday, February 4, 2013 19:55 UTC)

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 January 1, 2013 (0000h PT) through January 31, 2013 (2359h PST):
Mt Shasta: Three earthquakes, all M<2.0, were detected under the south flank of Mt Shasta.
Medicine Lake: No earthquakes were detected at or above magnitude 1.0.
Lassen Volcanic Center: Two earthquakes, both M<2.0, were detected within Lassen National Park.
Clear Lake Volcanic Field: A short-lived swarm of low-magnitude earthquakes was detected under the south flank of Mt Konocti on Jan 8-9. The largest event was M=2.8. [Note: Typical high level of seismicity was observed under the Geysers steam field located at the western margin of CLVF. The largest event was a magnitude M=3.0].
Long Valley Caldera and Mono-Inyo Chain: One earthquake (M=1.2) was detected in the southern half of the Long Valley Caldera; Nine earthquakes (all M 2.0) were detected in the vicinity of Mono Lake; Four earthquakes (all M<2.0) were detected under Mammoth Mountain. [Note: The typical high level of seismicity was observed south of the caldera in the Sierra Nevada range. The largest event was M=2.6].

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/.

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NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS WEEKLY UPDATEFriday, February 8, 2013 10:48 AM (Friday, February 8, 2013 00:48 UTC)

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 emissions were observed in clear satellite views of Pagan during the past week. The USGS received no further reports of unrest or activity at Pagan volcano.

It remains possible that residents of the CNMI may notice sulfurous odors under certain wind conditions. Additional information about volcanic gas and vog can be found at: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/hazards/FAQ_SO2-Vog-Ash/main.html

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.

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/

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YELLOWSTONE VOLCANO OBSERVATORY MONTHLY UPDATEFriday, February 1, 2013 12:03 PM MST (Friday, February 1, 2013 19:03 UTC)

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 January 2013, the University of Utah reports 113 earthquakes were located in the Yellowstone National Park region, including two earthquake swarms. The largest earthquake was a magnitude 2.1 event on January 7 at 3:12 AM MST, located about 4 miles northeast of West Thumb, YNP. On Jan. 6 a swarm of 37 events was located 4 miles east southeast of West Thumb, YNP with magnitudes -0.7 to 2.0. On Jan 7 a small swarm of 16 quakes was recorded about 8 miles south southeast of Lake Village, YNP with magnitudes -0.6 to 2.0. Overall Yellowstone earthquake rates are normal for this monthly reporting period.

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) provides long-term monitoring of volcanic and earthquake activity 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.

YVO Member agencies: USGS, Yellowstone National Park, University of Utah, University of Wyoming, UNAVCO, Inc., Wyoming State Geological Survey, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Idaho Geological Survey

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jacob Lowenstern, USGS
Scientist-in-Charge, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
jlwnstrn@usgs.gov

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