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Archived Volcano News - John Seach
August 2002
News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach
Pago Eruption Update
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Saturday 31st August 2002
This report is based on information from the United Nations Resident Coordinator in PNG.
Situation
1. After its eruption on 5 August 2002, Mt Pago Volcano in Papua New Guinea's West New Britain Province remains very active, spewing fine ash with silicone of a high health risk factor and fluorine/sulphur dioxide fumes which will cause acid rain. The combination of these factors will eventually destroy all crops, kill livestock, and continue to have adverse effects on human health. Therefore, human and environmental consequences of the eruption are becoming increasingly serious.
2. Ash falls are affecting the north-northwest part of Mt Pago reaching areas of more than 10 km from the Hoskins Peninsula. Changing wind patterns have shifted previously declared low risk areas to high risk zones. Lava is continuing to flow from the vent system that extends northwest from Mt. Pago. Ground deformation is likely to continue in the western part of Witori Caldera.
3. The Provincial Government has evacuated more than 12,000 people from villages surrounding the Mt Pago Volcano. About 8,000 people are being sheltered in seven evacuation centers around the Kimbe area. More than a third of the affected people remain at risk in their villages. Kimbe, a town of about 20,000 populations and the evacuated people, is located 35 km from Mt. Pago. Although it has not yet been affected, the entire town may need to be evacuated in the event of a large scale of eruption, which remains possible.
4. The evacuation centers suffer from overcrowding and a lack of water and sanitation facilities. Skin problems are prevalent in the centers as is malaria. Though still at a low level, gastroenteritis is feared to become epidemic. As the volcano continues to erupt, the number of people seeking shelter is likely to increase.
National Response
5. On 17 August, the Minister for Inter-Governmental Affairs set up a Task Force to coordinate assistance to the West New Britain Provincial Government to respond to the volcanic eruption. The Task Force, known as the "PAGO Task Force", is chaired by the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and includes representatives from the Government, Non Governmental Organisations and donors, including AUSAID.
6. The PNG Government has released PGK 1 million (USD 286,000) to the Province, but much more is required.
International Response
7. The Government has formally requested international emergency relief assistance. The request includes: 1,500 tents, 8,000 blankets, 8,000 mosquito nets (single), 150 water tanks (2000litters), 2,500 water containers (20 liter capacity), 200 water sealed manually flushed toilets (squat type), 8,000 bath soap bars, 90 tons of rice, 90,000 tins of corned beef, 90,000 tins fish. Although not likely to appear in the initial request, there will be further requirements for technical assistance with disaster coordination, nutrition and in managing the camps.
8. The Government of Japan has provided emergency assistance in kind (1,400 water tanks, 1,400 towels, 20 tents, 12 electricity generators and 12 reels of electric cord) equivalent to about 9 million yen (USD 75,000). It has also dispatched a Japan Disaster Relief Team comprised of five members including of volcanologists to monitor the eruption and give advice to the local government.
9. The Government of New Zealand has provided NZD100,000 (USD 47,000) for emergency assistance.
10. The Australian Government will provide up AUD 1 million (USD 546,000) to assist the affected communities.
11. A US rapid response team is due to arrive in two weeks time with necessary equipment and expertise to determine the nature of the eruption, which will be useful to see if areas such as Kimbe would be at risk.
12. OCHA is arranging the dispatch of an officer from the region to assist in the coordination process for the response activities and is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Papua New Guinea.
13. UNICEF carried out an assessment on disaster situation and the needs of supplies in the area of health, water, education and child protection and health.
More on Pago volcano...
Australian Aid for Mt Pago Eruption
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Friday 30th August 2002
Australia will provide up to $1 million to assist communities affected by the eruption of Mt Pago in the West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea. About 12,000 people are now in temporary camps following evacuation of villages around the base of the volcano. Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Chris Gallus, says Australia's emergency assistance comes in response to a formal request from the PNG Government.
'Volcanic activity at Mt Pago is continuing, with emissions of volcanic gas and some lava flows,' she said. 'Scientists are not yet able to predict how long the eruption will last or whether the intensity will increase. 'Australian experts are working with international volcano disaster teams assisting PNG authorities to monitor the volcano.'
Mrs Gallus said Australia was funding three disaster coordinators to assess the situation, provide advice to the national and provincial governments and help coordinate the aid effort.
'Their focus is on the provision of relief supplies including shelter, water supply and sanitation,' she said. The West New Britain Provincial Government had responded promptly and effectively to provide basic services to the evacuated people. However, its resources were limited and outside assistance was essential. Mrs Gallus said Australian emergency assistance would be managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) in conjunction with PNG authorities.
More on Pago volcano...
New Zealand Aid for Mt Pago Eruption
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 29th August 2002
New Zealand is giving up to $100,000 in emergency relief to support communities affected by the eruption of Mt Pago in the West New Britain province of Papua New Guinea.
Associate Foreign Affairs Minister Marian Hobbs says the New Zealand Agency for International Development would make up to $100,000 available to the West New Britain provincial government for food and other supplies.
"Of the 30,000 people affected by the eruption, 10,000 to12,000 have left their villages and most are now living in care centres," Marian Hobbs said.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said gardens, water supplies and oil palm plantations around Mount Pago were drastically affected.
Volcanic activity from Mt Pago began on August 5. Australian vulcanologists expected ash and lava flows would be similar to those witnessed during eruptions in 1911 and 1933 causing months of displacement for residents.
The West New Britain Provincial Disaster Management Committee made a plea this week for an initial NZ$2.3million in emergency funds. The Papua New Guinea Government has committed $1.2m and New Zealand and other donors were asked to meet the shortfall.
Funds contributed to the appeal would be used to buy tents, water tanks, food, transport and machinery hire, mosquito nets, water purification tablets, and fuel.
It was expected PNG will require a further NZ$2.9million to meet resettlement costs.
More on Pago volcano...
Ulawun Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.04 S, 151.34 E, summit elevation 2334 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 28th August 2002
A second volcano has erupted on the Island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea.
Ulawun volcano has erupted in Papua New Guinea. Ash emissions visible on GMS satellite images. Ulawun stratovolcano is the highest volcano of the Bismarck arc, and one of Papua New Guinea's most frequently active. Twentieth-century eruptions were mildly explosive until 1967, but after 1970 several larger eruptions produced lava flows and basaltic pyroclastic flows.
More on Ulawun Volcano...
Kerinci Volcano (Indonesia)
1.69 S, 101.27 E, summit elevation 3805 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 28th August 2002
Kerinci volcano has erupted on Tuesday 27th August. Ash visible to 11,500 ft moving NW at 10 knots.
Kerinci volcano in central Sumatra forms Indonesia's highest volcano and is one of the most active in Sumatra. The frequently active Gunung Kerinci has been the source of numerous moderate explosive eruptions since its first recorded eruption in 1838.
More on Kerinci Volcano...
Humanitarian Impact of Pago Eruption (PNG)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Tuesday 27th August 2002
The humanitarian impact of a volcano in Papua New Guinea's islands region continues to grow.
Around 15,000 people are now being accommodated in care centres because of the continuing eruption of Mount Pago. Mt Pago first erupted more than three weeks ago, dumping ash and generating small lava flows. William Padio from the provincial disaster committee says the evacuation of villages near the volcano has put a big strain on care centres. "Right now they have about 90 people living in one tent, and as you can understand that is not very healthy," he says.
International aid is arriving and assisting with the logistical effort. It is hoped an alternative airstrip will open within a fortnight, to take over from the main airport which has been closed for nearly a month.
More on Pago volcano...
Raung Volcano (Indonesia)
8.12 S, 114.04 E, summit elevation 3332 m, stratovolcano
Monday 26th August 2002
An ash plume has been observed by several aircraft above Raung volcano on 25th August. Ash to 3000 ft drifting west. Low level ash is drifting east.
More on Raung Volcano...
Galunggung Volcano (Java, Indonesia)
7.25 S, 108.05 E, summit elevation 2168 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 25th August 2002
Galunggung volcano (Indonesia) has erupted. A Qantas flight reported a low level eruption on Saturday 24th August. More details will be posted when available.
During 1982-1983 strong explosive eruptions of Galunggung volcano caused severe economic disruption to populated areas near the volcano.
More on Galunggung Volcano...
Pago Volcano Eruption Update (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Friday 23rd August 2002
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has pledged two million kina (US$516,500) in relief for communities around the erupting Mount Pago volcano in the country's West New Britain province.
"Food gardens, water sources and oil palm plantations within the vicinity of Mount Pago have been drastically affected," Sir Michael said in a statement today.
"An estimated 30,000 people have been affected, of which 12,000 have left their villages and another 8,000 are housed in six care centres.
"An estimated 2000 people have established their own evacuation camps away from the volcanic zone," he said. Sir Michael said the National Executive Council had received a full report on the Mount Pago and considered possible long-term resettlement plans and funding for the victims of the eruptions.
Sir Michael said the government would give K2 million for short-term relief programmes. The funds will enable the Provincial Disaster Committee to purchase essential supplies like tents, water tanks, basic food items, transport and machinery hire, water purification tablets, mosquito nets and fuel.
More on Pago volcano...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Friday 23rd August 2002
The Highcastle Stairs lava flow is vigorous Thursday morning, with one or more lava cascades and falls dropping 12-15 m to the bench below. The bench has grown substantially since yesterday and now extends about 90 m along the shore line and reaches an estimated 25 m seaward. The bench is built in large part on a black sand beach created a couple of years ago. Several faucet-like entries drop lava 2-4 m into the ocean off the southeast corner of the bench.
Lava has covered the Chain of Craters Road in Highcastle kipuka. Part of the stone wall along the seaward edge of the road remains, as does the west end of the wall at the visitor overlook below the road.
More on Kilauea volcano...
Japan Sends Volcanologists to Pago Volcano (PNG)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Friday 23rd August 2002
1. The Government of Japan will dispatch a Japan Disaster Relief Team comprised of five people including volcanologists of the Meteorological Agency to Papua New Guinea, which has suffered damage from a volcanic eruption, from August 25 to September 3. The team will monitor information on the eruption, predict other eruptions based on the monitoring, and give advice and guidance to local governments and others.
2. Mt. Pago, near Hoskins, West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea, suddenly erupted on August 5 (Monday), ejecting lava flows and spewing strongly acidic volcanic ash. The eruption has been affecting about 10,500 people, causing the Hoskins airport and many schools to be closed, and doing great damage to reservoirs, fields and plantations that produce coconut oil, the country's staple industry.
3. Soon after the eruption, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind (1,400 water tanks, 1,400 towels, 20 tents, 12 electricity generators and 12 reels of electric cord) equivalent to about nine million yen to the Government of Papua New Guinea for the relief of the afflicted people. On August 19, the Government of Papua New Guinea made a further request to the Government of Japan for dispatching volcanologists.
4. The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch a Disaster Relief Team from a humanitarian point of view and in light of the friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 22nd August 2002
An ocean entry at Highcastle Stairs began in the early afternoon yesterday. The lava climbed down the stairs to the visitor overlook, moved several meters across a flat, banked against and finally overwhelmed the overlook's stone wall, and dropped into the water. By 0500 this morning, the entry had built a bench that reached 25-30 m along shore and extended about 10 m from the sea cliff. Activity was weak to moderate, decreasing as the nearly Full Sturgeon Moon set and the sun rose. The Highcastle Stairs entry is about 100 m northeast of the eastern group of entries that were active at Highcastle a week ago.
More on Kilauea volcano...
Dangers From Pago Volcano (PNG)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 22nd August 2002
An estimated 6,000-8,000 people have already been evacuated from nearby villages and no one has been injured from the eruption of Pago volcano on the island of New Britain, PNG. In the past 5600 years there has been five large explosive eruptions from Pago volcano producing pyroclastic flows (GVP). The current lava flows may indicate effusive volcanic activity, but the past explosive history of the volcano should be kept in mind. The volcano requires careful monitoring. Currently the volcano does not pose any immediate danger to residents in the sparsely populated area, but may affect the subsistence farming that is the mainstay of the economy.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Possible Magma Pool Under Pago Volcano (PNG)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 22nd August 2002
Lava has begun flowing from a volcano that has spewed ash for three weeks on the Papua New Guinea island of New Britain, but experts Wednesday played down the danger of a major eruption. Lava is flowing from one of the small vents that has formed on the volcano. (AFP)
Pago volcano on Papua New Guinea's New Britain island that has been spewing smoke and ash for weeks may be forming a magma pool under the surface that could become explosive, a seismologist said on Wednesday. Mount Pago, about 31 miles south of the town of Kimbe, began erupting on August 5, covering surrounding fields and recently established palm oil plantations in acidic ash. Volcanologists are keeping an eye on a "surface deformation" that could indicate that red-hot magma was building up under the ground.
Eventually the magma will come out. The magma will probably going to act in the same way as the lava that has already come out, which is nonexplosive. But if the magma is gaseous, then there could be an explosive eruption. An estimated 6,000-8,000 people have already been evacuated from nearby villages and no one has been injured. The volcano does not pose any immediate danger to residents in the sparsely populated area, but may affect the subsistence farming that is the mainstay of the economy. Mount Pago, a relatively unstudied volcano, is now being rigged with high-tech seismic monitoring equipment.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Evacuations from Pago Volcano (PNG)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Wednesday 21st August 2002
Following a briefing with emergency officials today, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare said the government was considering re-settling the 8000 displaced residents of Mount Pago. Volcanologists have warned that the villagers may be displaced for decades.
"Food gardens, water sources, oil palm plantations and vegetation within the vicinity of Mount Pago have also been drastically affected," said Sir Michael in a statement.
"An estimated 30,000 people have been affected, of which 12,000 have left their villages and another 8000 are housed in six care centres located in the Kimbe township."
Volcanologists today played down the possibility of a major eruption, but warned the volcano could remain active for decades.
"Lava is flowing from one of the small vents that was formed," said Itikarai. "But the lava is still contained within the corridor, so it's not a threat."
Itikarai said there had been further deformation of the volcano over the last three days.
"We speculate there's a magma source pressing upwards on, causing the deformation," he said. However, Itikarai said it was "very unlikely" that the lava would jump the walls of the corridor.
Meanwhile, further relief supplies arrived today from Japan for the refugees, who are being held in make-shift shelters near Kimbe.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Emergency aid for volcanic disaster in Papua New Guinea
Pago Volcano, 5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Wednesday 21st August 2002
1. On Monday August 19, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind (1,400 water tanks, 1,400 towels, 20 tents, 12 electricity generators and 12 reels of electric cord) equivalent to about nine million yen to the Government of Papua New Guinea, which has sustained damage from a volcanic eruption.
2. Mount Pago, near Hoskins, West New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea,on August 5 (Mon) suddenly erupted, ejecting lava flows and spewing strongly acidic volcanic ash. The eruption has been affecting about 10,500 people, causing Hoskins airport and many schools to be closed, and doing great damage to reservoirs,fields and plantations that produce coconut oil, the country's staple industry.
3. About 9,300 people from 18 villages who evacuated to care centers around Kimbe and Bialla are living in difficult circumstances. The Government of Papua New Guinea, while making its own rehabilitation efforts,asked on Friday August 16 the Government of Japan for aid as it needs further assistance from the international community.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Pago Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Wednesday 21st August 2002
Papua New Guinea's Mount Pago spouted volcanic ash high into the sky Wednesday, prompting fears that more villagers will be forced from their homes in West New Britain province. In the weeks since Mount Pago shook off its slumber, 8,000 people have been evacuated and the local airport closed by a blanket of ash. There have been small lava flows, but the main danger is volcanic ash. There has been increased activity in the past few days. Faults are starting to develop. Movement is quite substantial on some of the faults, up to about six metres.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Tungurahua Volcano (Ecuador)
1.467 S, 78.442 W, summit elevation 5023 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 21st August 2002
Eruptions continue from Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador. A pilot reports ash emissions from the volcano on 20th August at 2020 UT. Ash cloud from 16,500 ft to 20,000 ft moving west at 10 to 15 knots.
More on Tungurahua Volcano...
Shishaldin Volcano (Alaska)
54.75 N, 163.97 W, summit elevation 2857 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 21st August 2002
Alaska Volcano Observatory has analyzed seismic and satellite data and determined that Shishaldin was at a normal background state and had not erupted as previously announced by Anchorage VAAC on 18th August 2002. (GVP)
More on Shishaldin Volcano...
Fiji Earthquake (Magnitude 7.7)
Tuesday 20th August 2002
The following is a release by the United States Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center: A major earthquake occurred about 390 miles (625 km) south of Suva, Fiji or 450 miles (720 km) west-southwest of Nuku'alofa, Tonga at 5:08 AM MDT today, Aug 19, 2002 (11:08 PM local time in Fiji). A PRELIMINARY MAGNITUDE OF 7.7 WAS COMPUTED FOR THIS EARTHQUAKE. The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. This earthquake is located about 195 miles (315 km) southwest of another major, deep earthquake that occurred in the Fiji Islands region about 7 minutes earlier. Because of the earthquake depths and remote location, no damage or casualties are expected for either event.
DateAugust 19th 2002,, Time: 11:08:25 UTC.
Location 23.81S 178.36E, Depth 693.7 kilometers.
Volcanoes of Fiji...
Nyamuragira Volcano Update
Democratic Republic of Congo,
1.408 S, 29.20 E, summit elevation 3058 m, shield volcano
Tuesday 20th August 2002
The eruption has been initiated by 3 different fractures, or fractures systems, on July 25th, at 03.30 pm, local time. One fracture was open in the central caldera : lava flows have covered a major part of the floor and partially filled the pit crater (Crater B). Another fracture was active on the South flank, with lava fountains and one lava flow traveling towards the S-W. This fracture has been active during the first hours of the eruption only ; extension of the lava flow is not known yet.
The fractures open on North flank extended for about 2 km from the crater rim (2.959m) down to an altitude of approx. 2.540m. At the beginning of the activity, typical of Nyamuragira, lava fountains appeared along the fractures and important amount of spatters accumulated around it.
Numerous lava flows (either pahoehoe and aa) have been emitted from several points of the fracture system, following the usual pattern of Nyamuragira eruptions.
On August 6th, only the lower part of the fracture was active : an important cone (several hundreds meters long, approx 70m high) contained 3 very active lava fountains ejecting scoriae at an altitude of about 100m. From a breach in the lowest part of the cone (South) a very fast moving lava flowed in the N-E direction; production rate of lava was estimated, at that time, to approx. 3 millions cubic-meters per day, which is the normal average for the volcano.
The activity of fountaining and lava emission regained some intensity at the beginning of the night, but later on, in the early morning August 7th dropped dramatically.
At that time, only one weak lava fountain remained active in the new crater. No correct estimations have been possible on the lava flow. The decreasing activity has also been detected by the lowering of the tremor level recorded on the whole seismic nertwork of the GVO : low level tremor was predominant on the morning of August 8.
More on Nyamuragira Volcano...
Volcanoes of Africa...
Suwanose-jima Volcano (Japan)
29.53 N, 129.72 E, summit elevation 799 m, stratovolcano
Monday 19th August 2002
One of Japan's most active volcanoes erupted twice Monday, spewing forth ash and smoke on a small, sparsely populated island but causing no injuries or damage, officials said.
The 2,640-foot Suwanose-jima volcano began erupting around midnight and again at 6:30 a.m., said volcano specialist Tomoyuki Kanno of the Meteorological Agency.
The volcano, about 740 miles southwest of Tokyo, is one of Japan's most active and has erupted every year since 1956, he said.
None of the 64 people on the island of Suwanose were hurt, and there were no reports of damage. The Meteorological Agency warned there is likely to be more activity, but has no plans to order an evacuation.
More on Suwanose-jima volcano...
Volcanoes Recycle Nitrogen
Sunday 18th August 2002
Nitrogen, the most common gas in the atmosphere, is efficiently recycled to the air from sea floor sediments, a study of volcanoes in Gautemala has found.
The amount of nitrogen released by fumaroles around Guatemalan volcanoes was almost exactly the same amount that was drawn into the Earth's mantle by the grinding plates that gave rise to the volcanoes, researchers found. In the Guatemalan subduction zone up to 95 percent of the nitrogen in volcanic gases comes from marine sediments.
That was not the case in nearby Costa Rica, however, where sea floor sediments are scraped away as the offshore Cocos plats slides beneath the Caribbean plate. There a different isotope of nitrogen is released, rising from the Earth's deep mantle.
Volcanoes of Guatemala...
Pago Volcano
New Britain, Papua New Guinea
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Saturday 17th August 2002
Intermittent eruptions continue from Pago volcano with low as content. Current low level of volcanic activity is expected to continue.
Winds below 7000 ft 15-20 knots SE. Winds above 7000 ft 15-25 knots N.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Santa Maria Volcano (Guatemala)
14.756 N, 91.552 W, summit elevation 3772 m, stratovolcano
Saturday 17th August 2002
A dome collapse has occured at Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala. There is some near summit ash. Dome collapse occurred at 1510 UT on 16th August.
More on Santa Maria volcano...
Hachijo-jima Volcano (Japan)
33.13 N, 139.77 E, summit elevation 854 m, stratovolcanoes
Friday 16th August 2002
Seismic swarms began in the Hachijojima island at about 4 p.m., August 13 (JST).
High seismic activity continues at Hachijojima volcano. According to Japan Meteorological Agency, the hourly number of erthquakes had been over 20 since the August 13th. The peak was about 250 on the August 15th.
More on Hachijo-jima Volcano...
Aso Volcano (Japan)
32.88 N, 131.10 E, summit elevation 1592 m, caldera
Friday 16th August 2002
High volcanic tremor levels have been recorded at Aso volcano since 9th August 2002. The infrared camera measurement shows the temperature of the southern crater wall as high as 307 degrees C on August 14th. This is the first time that isolated volcanic tremor events had continued over 300 times a day since June 19 to July 2 in 1992, when effusion of mud and sand took place within the crater.
More on Aso Volcano...
Indonesia Earthquake (Mag 6.2)
Friday 16th August 2002
A large earthquake rocked parts of central Indonesia, injuring dozens of villagers and damaging hundreds of houses, officials and news reports said Friday.
There were no deaths in the 6.2 magnitude quake, which struck at 2:30 p.m. (1:30 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, officials said. It was centered beneath Tomini Bay in Central Sulawesi province, about 1,000 miles northeast of Jakarta.
An official at the local government office said about 50 people were injured and 500 houses were damaged in four villages in Tojo, an area about 60 miles east of the district capital of Poso. (AP) A magnitude 5.0 aftershock occurred 33 minutes later.
Volcanoes of Indonesia...
Pago Volcano Eruption Summary
New Britain, Papua New Guinea
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 15th August 2002
The eruption at Pago that began the previous week continued through 13 August. According to news articles, 6,000-8,000 people had been evacuated from villages surrounding the volcano by 9 August. No injuries had been reported. The Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) reported that the eruption was characterized by the ejection of light gray to some dark ash clouds. The clouds drifted primarily to the N and NW, after reaching heights of a few kilometers above the summit. Very little ash was deposited in areas surrounding the volcano. The thickest ashfall (3 mm) occurred at Rikau and Matmada, 6-8 km NNW of the volcano. There was not more than 1 mm of ash deposited at Hoskins airport. Aerial inspection of the summit area by RVO staff indicated that there were no lava flows descending the volcano's flanks, instead, lava extruded onto the surface formed cones above the active vents. The highest cone was about 60 m tall. Contrary to previous reports, there was no bulging on the N or NW sides of the volcano. During the week, seismicity was at low-to-moderate levels. The closure of the airport near the town of Kimbe, 30 miles N of Pago, disrupted island air traffic. On 13 August at 1030 a thin plume was visible on satellite imagery reaching a height of about 2.1 km and extending N to NW. The summit was covered by meteorological clouds, preventing visual observations. Only weak intermittent rumbling was heard. RVO advised that activity had settled into a steady pattern, although changes in the nature of the eruption could occur.
More on Pago volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...
Kerinci Volcano (Sumatra, Indonesia)
1.69 S, 101.27 E, summit elevation 3805 m, stratovolcano
Wednesday 14th August 2002
Kerinci volcano has erupted sending an ash plume to 24,000 ft.
More on Kerinci volcano...
Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano (Tanzania)
2.751 S, 35.902 E, summit elevation 2890 m, Stratovolcano
Wednesday 14th August 2002
At 0210 on Aug 5, 2002, part of an expedition camp in the crater of Ol
Doinyo Lengai was destroyed by an eruption. Extramely fluid pahoehoe flows
from a newly opened vent flooded into the "kitchen", a ledge near the base
of the west crater rim that was seperated from the crater floor by a low
wall. Lava entered a tent where Paul Mongi, a local guide, received several
second degree burns on one foot from material ignited by the lava. He was
able to descend Lengai on his own and later received medical care in Arusha.
Doctors did not consider the burns to be serious and no infection was
present. Food and water supplies were destroyed. Water bottles exploded from
steam pressure.
It is definately no longer safe to camp on the crater floor of Lengai.
Overnighting groups should place small bivouac tents on the crater rim, or
even safer, camp in the south crater.
During 4-9 Aug. 02 Lengai was in a heightened state of activity. Crater
visitors should beware of sudden explosive lava fountaining from cracks and
fissures in the crater floor. Such activity occured twice during our five
day visit, without any warning. Sulfurous gasses were also unusually strong
in the central crater and made breathing quite uncomfortable at times.
More on Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano...
Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano (Tanzania)
2.751 S, 35.902 E, summit elevation 2890 m, Stratovolcano
Monday 12th August 2002
Ol Doinyo Lengai is currently in an unprecedented state of high activity. An email from Tanzania reports an observer barely escaped with his life in the eruptions.
More on Ol Doinyo Lengai Volcano...
Torishima Volcano (Japan)
30.48 N, 140.32 E, summit elevation 403 m, stratovolcano
Monday 12th August 2002
Around 15:30 (JST) on Aug 11, a ship sailing near Izu-Torishima Island reported to the Japan Coast Guard that they witnessed a white smoke rising from the summit of the volcano island. After receiving this new, the Japan Coast Guard had inspected this island from the air during 17:38-18:18, and confirmed the rising plume of 200-300 m high from near the summit of Iwoyama.
Ash-laden plume was rising from SW crater wall of the summit crater and white plumes from S to SE crater wall. Vigorous ash plume had risen up to 200 to 300 m above the crater every few minutes, drifting W around 1 km altitudel. The summit area and the middle slope NNW of the summit were covered with ash fall deposits. Discolored sea surface was observed as long as 20 km W of the island.
More on Torishima volcano...
Pago Volcano Eruption Situation Report
New Britain, Papua New Guinea
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Saturday 10th August 2002
After several months of reports of vegetation dying off at the summit of Mt. Pago in Witori Caldera (near Hoskins) in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, small earthquakes and temors began occurring around the base of the mountain on Friday 2 July. On the morning of 5 August thick dark gray ash and sulfurous fumes began billowing out. An aerial inspection by the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory (RVO) showed increased activity from 5 vents on the northwest flank of the Pago cone, including short lava flows were also seen from the vents. RVO noticed that the main vent had commenced activity, and an explosion had been heard. Witori Caldera has long been recognized as active and is considered a potential dangerous volcano in the area. Since the Mt. Pago and Witori volcano are located in the same caldera, there is a possibility that the eruption of Mt. Pago may have a similar effect on the Witori volcano. At this stage, however, no eruption activities have been recorded at Witori. According to the latest RVO report, the current rate of eruptions may continue with slight fluctuations, and continue indefinitely. The current level of the eruptions at the moment is considered small in magnitude, but the situation could rapidly deteriorate. The latest eruption of Mt Pago was in 1911, but that occurrence resulted in ashes being into the environment for 22 (twenty two) years and there is some possibilities that this could occur again.
In the town of Hoskins, the airport was closed due to ash fall. Approximately 5,000 people from about 9 villages around the base of Mt. Pago had by Monday evacuated their villages and moved to the township of Kimbe. The evacuees were accommodated at town facilities, with the local church and with the Salvation Army Center. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Office, more people may have to be evacuated if the volcanic activities intensify. If the current trend of eruption continues, many local fields and cash crops already affected in the areas could become severely affected due to the ash falls.
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Pago Volcano Eruption Update
New Britain, Papua New Guinea
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Saturday 10th August 2002
Pago volcano on the Papua New Guinea island of New Britain is erupting, spewing ash up to 6km into the air and forcing thousands of villagers to be evacuated.
A volcanologist in the island's capital, Rabaul, said yesterday that Mt Pago volcano, about 50km south of the town of Kimbe, began erupting on Monday, but there had been no lava flows. A spokeswoman at Kimbe's hospital said no one had been injured, although a few elderly people had been treated for breathing difficulties caused by the ash.
Ima Itikarai, at the Rabaul Volcanology Observatory, said the volcano had not really stopped since Monday. "It is spewing a volcanic ash cloud," he said. "The ash plume is five to six kilometres above the summit." The eruption has left many villages at the foot of Mt Pago under ash and has closed the nearby airport, disrupting regional air traffic. Kimbe, the nearest large town, has been unaffected. Itikarai said up to 8000 people had been evacuated from villages to care centres around Kimbe.
"There are five or six active vents on the northwest flank producing lava, but it is not flowing, just creating cones," he said.
Papua New Guinea is on the Pacific's volcanic belt known as the Ring of Fire.
Rabaul, on the northern tip of New Britain, northeast of the national capital, Port Moresby, was devastated in 1994 when two volcanoes on either side of the town erupted, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents.
Volcanologists said Mt Pago was a young volcano - its cone was probably only about 350 years old - but it was part of a much larger volcanic complex.
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Pago Volcano Eruption (PNG)
Friday 9th August 2002
Thousands of people have fled an erupting volcano in Papua New Guinea that is spewing ash thousands of feet into the air. Mount Pago volcano in the nation's West New Britain province began erupting on Monday, forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 villagers at the base of the volcano, The National newspaper said. No one has been injured, but a few elderly people have been treated for breathing difficulties caused by the clouds of ash, the newspaper said.
Experts said the volcano, some 310 miles northeast of the capital city of Port Moresby, last erupted in 1912. The city of Rabaul, on the northern tip of the island of New Britain, was devastated in 1994 when two volcanoes on either side of the town erupted, forcing the evacuation of 30,000 residents.
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Pago Volcano Eruption
New Britain, Papua New Guinea
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Thursday 8th August 2002
Report from Rabaul Volcano Observatory stated ash plume drifting to the north and northwest with eruption continuing, height of ash plume estimated to a few kilometres. Prominent ash plume evident on GMS satellite images. Pago volcano last erupted in 1933 with explosive eruptions from a central vent.
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Eruption Continues at Pago Volcano (PNG)
Wednesday 7th August 2002
Report from Rabaul Volcano Observatory at 0100hr on Wednesday stated ash plume drifting to the northwest with eruption continuing, height of ash plume estimated at 10000ft. GMS visible imagery during the day identified a thin ash plume extending NW from Pago 30 NM.
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Pago Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Tuesday 6th August 2002
Report from Rabaul Volcano Observatory at 2230 hr on 6th August of ash column extending up to 33000 ft (10,000 meters) in height above the volcano. Report from Air Niugini at 05/2030 hr grey ash plume 6,000-8,000 ft thick extending 80nm long WNW to 25,000 ft.
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Pinatubo Crater Collapse (Philippines)
15.13 N, 120.35 E, summit elevation 1486 m, stratovolcano
Tuesday 6th August 2002
The western wall of the Mt. Pinatubo crater has collapsed. A year ago, the Department of Public Works and Highways constructed a canal at the crater’s Maraunot notch to slowly drain water from the two-kilometer wide crater lake to prevent the wall from collapsing and endangering communities. On July 10, the canal finally eroded the materials and gradually released some 160 million cubic meters of lahar through Pinatubo’s western slopes.
Had the canal not been built, the crater’s western wall could have given way and sent at least 320 million cubic meters of water mixed with lahar sediments toward populated areas in Botolan. The breakout saved the government some P1.2 million initially earmarked for the canal’s widening.
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Pago Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Tuesday 6th August 2002
Eruptions continue at Pago Volcano in Papua New Guinea. An Air Niugini flight observed an ash cloud to 4000ft reported moving to North West 10nm wide, 20 nm long. Ash was observed on 4th August at 2105 hr.
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Volcano off Sicily
Monday 5th August 2002
Seismologists in Italy say that a submerged volcano off Sicily, which last rose above the sea in 1831 sparking territorial claims by four nations, is showing signs of increased activity.
"There's a slight increase in micro-seismic and geo-chemistry activity," Enzo Boschi, head of Italy's Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology, told a conference Saturday in Trapani, Sicily.
The volcano, the peak of which is currently eight meters (26 feet) below water, is located between Sicily and Tunisia in an area known for its volcanic activity. There have been some small tremors detectable by gas emissions and sophisticated sensors.
Boschi did not say whether the current level of activity would cause the volcano to breach the surface once again, but his team is watching for developments.
A group of Italian divers recently planted a flag on the submerged rock to claim it for Italy, should it emerge again. It set off months of diplomatic wrangling when it last emerged in July 1831, growing to nearly five kilometers in circumference and reaching a height of 63 meters (200ft.).
Volcanoes of Italy...
Pago Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.58 S, 150.52 E, summit elevation 742 m, Caldera
Sunday 4th August 2002
A Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory has reported an eruption of Pago Volcano in Papua New Guinea on 3rd August at 0440 hr. A Qantas flight reported an ash cloud to 3000 ft and increasing rapidly.
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Kilauea Volcano Update (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Saturday 3rd August 2002
The eruption at Kilauea volcano continues. The Mothers Day lava flow has calmed down. The main lava flow has largely crusted. Lava is still entering the ocean at Wilipe`a bench.
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Ritter Island Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.52 S, 148.121 E, summit elevation 140 m, stratovolcano
Friday 2nd August 2002
A Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory has reported an eruption of Ritter Island Volcano in Papua New Guinea. An ash cloud was reported by a Qantas flight rising to 10,000 ft at 0450 hr on Friday morning. This eruption has not been confirmed. Further updates will be posted when available.
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French Volcanologist Injured
Friday 2nd August 2002
A French volcanologist was badly scalded when he tried to climb up the side of New Zealand's only mud volcano, on the eastern outskirts of Rotorua. The Frenchman had ignored a barrier around the volcano at Tikitere in the incident on Wednesday. He climbed over on to the volcano to take a closer look and get pictures inside the cone when the side of the vent collapsed under him. The injured man's wife ran for help, returning about 10 minutes later with park staff and a trained first-aider, who bathed the man's scorched legs and feet in a nearby cold-water stream.
He was later taken to Rotorua Hospital.
The man's weight had left a 60-70cm hole in the volcano's side, and boiling mud and water were still gushing from it yesterday. His wife said he had had a similar experience in Hawaii.
About three weeks ago an Australian teenager suffered burns at Hell's Gate when he wandered off marked tracks into an active thermal area.
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Update on Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m,Shield volcano
Friday 2nd August 2002
The Mother's Day flow on Pulama pali is putting one of the most awesome displays of the flow in some time, according to the Hawaii Volcano Observatory. West Highcastle has a sparkly breakout covering a large part of the bench and a couple of lava falls from the front of the bench into the water.
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Yucca Mountain Volcano Dangers
Thursday 1st August 2002
A volcanic eruption at Yucca Mountain could do more damage than previously thought, possibly forcing radioactive waste from its burial site to the surface, according to a new study. If long-dormant volcanoes near the prospective high-level nuclear waste dump sprang back to life, molten rock could fill the repository deep beneath the Nevada desert within hours, said an article in the July issue of Geophysical Research Letters, a publication of the American Geophysical Union. Intense heat and pressure could cause some canisters of spent nuclear fuel that are to be buried at Yucca to rupture and allow radioactive material to flow toward the surface.
Seven extinct volcanoes are within 27 miles but the last eruption was 80,000 years ago. Yucca project scientists calculate that the chance of one occurring within the waste repository over the next 10,000 years is one in 70 million. Last week Yucca was designated as the USA's lone long-term waste repository. It is scheduled to open in 2010.
Volcanoes of USA...
Costa Rica and Panama Earthquake (Magnitude 6.5)
Thursday 1st August 2002
An earthquake of 6.5 magnitude shook Costa Rica on Tuesday evening, knocking down three houses and injuring at least two people, Costa Rica's national seismological service said. The quake, also felt in San Jose, was the strongest in the nation's south, near the border with Panama, where it also knocked out electricity in several communities. The earthquake was also felt in Panama, where communities near to the border with Costa Rica reported interrupted electricity and telephone service. There were no injuries reported.
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