Archived Volcano News - John Seach
December 2005

john

News reports posted in Eastern Australian Time (UT + 10 hr)
Reports written by John Seach

Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Thursday 22nd December 2005
Lava continues to flow into the sea at Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii. A new lava bench is forming at the site of last month's coastal collapse. Lava is present in Pu`u `O`o crater.
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...

Augustine Volcano (Alaska)
59.37 N, 153.42 W, summit elevation 1252 m, Stratovolcano
Saturday17th December 2005
Volcanic unrest has been detected at Augustine Volcano in Alaska. On 29th November the colour code was raised to yellow. On Thursday 15th December there was a small explosion at the volcano which damaged summit seismic station. These small explosions could affect low flying aircraft in the area. Steam plumes have been visible on satellite images.
More on Augustine Volcano...
Volcanoes of Alaska...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Friday 16th December 2005
The eruption at Ambae volcano has produced a 150 m high cone. Dry ash and steam is being emitted from the vent. This indicates the vent is isolated from the water in Lake Vui.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Wednesday 14th December 2005
Several small earthquakes were recorded at Ambae volcano last Saturday. The earthquakes were followed by an increase in tremor at the volcano. Two vents are active at the summit. One is emitting steam to 10,000 ft, and the other emitting ash into Lake Vui and surrounding areas. An ash cone is growing in Lake Vui. Three thousand people remain in evacuation centres on Ambae Island. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit 150 km north of Ambae Volcano today at 17:45 hr local time.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Papua New Guinea Earthquake (Magnitude 6.5)
Monday 12th December 2005
A large earthquake hit Papua New Guinea on Monday, December 12 at 12:20 AM local time. The earthquake hit 260 km ESE of Garbuna Volcano on the island of New Britain. Last month Garbuna volcano erupted for the first time in 1700 years. A local tsunami warning was issued this morning after the earthquake. Earthquakes of this size can sometimes generate local tsunamis which can be destructive within a hundred kilometres of the epicentre. No tsunami has been reported. Several earthquakes higher than magnitude 6 have hit Papua New Guinea in the past three months. Papua New Guinea is located on the Pacific ring of fire. Five volcanoes have erupted in Papua New Guinea during the past month (Manam, Langila, Garbuna, Rabaul, and Bagana).
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Saturday 10th December 2005
Ambae Volcano began erupting on 27th November. Moderate tremor is currently being recorded at the volcano. Ashfall and acid rain is expected to continue over the next week. Residents are being moved to safer areas on the island. The government of Vanuatu has declared a state of preparedness. Identified potential needs are water containers, water tanks, cooking utensils, food and shelter. Residents on the island are using local food crops. Families living in the capital, Port Vila, and other islands are sending food supplies.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Friday 9th December 2005
Ongoing eruptions at are reported at Ambae Volcano in Vanuatu. Today, ash was visible to 6000 ft and steam 9000 ft. Forecast is for ash to reach 10,000 ft drifting 50 nautical miles of the volcano.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Long Island Volcano (Papua New Guinea)
5.358S, 147.12E, summit elevation 1280 m, complex volcano
Friday 9th December 2005
A large earthquake (magnitude 6.1) occurred south of Long Island Volcano in Papua New Guinea on Thursday 8th December at 7:01 pm local time. 
More on Long Island Volcano...
Volcanoes of Papua New Guinea...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Thursday 8th December 2005
Eruptions continue at Ambae volcano in Vanuatu. Today, aircraft observations reported a vertical ash plume rising to 8000 ft. Ash is expected to reach 10,000 ft elevation and drift 120 nautical miles west of the volcano. The Vanuatu government has declared the island a disaster zone, and communities in high-risk areas have started to relocate to safer areas. Two ships are on standby in case a rapid evacuation is required.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Lopevi Volcano (Vanuatu)
16.50 S, 168.34 E, summit elevation 1413 m, Stratovolcano
Thursday 8th December 2005
Eruptions continue at Lopevi volcano in Vanuatu. This eruption has been in progress since October. No ash emissions have been reported.
More on Lopevi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Loihi Volcano (Hawaii)
18.92 N, 155.27 W, summit elevation  - 980 m, Submarine volcano
Thursday 8th December 2005
An earthquake swarm occurred at Loihi volcano on December 6-7. The swarm produced 16 earthquakes with magnitudes 3 to 4.7. 
More on Loihi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Tuesday 6th December 2005
Ambae volcano has been raised to level 2 alert, indicating regular eruptions are occurring at the summit. Ambae volcano began erupting last week, after being dormant since 1870. 5000 people are being evacuated from dangerous areas in the east and west of the island.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Monday 5th December 2005
The eruption of Ambae Volcano in Vanuatu continues to cause problems for residents. Fears of further eruptions under lake Vui have required evacation of 5000 people from a 10 km danger zone to safer areas on the island. Volcanic activity is increasing, and ash emissions are occurring every 3 to 5 minutes. Emissions can be seen from neighbouring islands of Maewo and Pentecost. Measurements of gas emissions at the volcano indicate large amounts comparable to Yasur volcano in southern of Vanuatu. Acid rain may become a problem. Pentecost and Maewo remain the priority islands to settle the resident in the case of a mass evacuation.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Karthala Volcano (Comoros)
11.75 S, 43.38 E, summit elevation 2361 m, shield volcano
Sunday 4th December 2005
The eruption of Karthala Volcano in Comoros has affected up to 250,000 people in 76 villages. Approximately 175,000 people have inadequate access to clean drinking water due to the contamination of rain water. Many people have been suffering the effects of inhaling volcanic dust. Karthala Volcano has been erupting since 24th November, with volcanic fallout covering large areas of Grande Comore Island, including the capital Moroni. Seismic activity remains high at the volcano and a lava lake has formed in the crater.
More on Karthala volcano...
Volcanoes of Comoros...

Popocatepetl Volcano (Mexico)
19.023 N, 98.622 W, summit elevation 5426 m, stratovolcano
Sunday 4th December 2005
Popocatepetl Volcano erupted on 1st December at 0653 hr (local time). Ash was emitted to an elevation of 5 km. In 24 hours to 1100 hr on 3rd December, there were 65 recorded emissions at the summit. Photographs taken on 11th November show a lava dome in the crater. Activity at the volcano in the coming days is expected to consist of moderate emissions of ash, some incandescence, and projectiles ejected a small distance from the crater.
More on Popocatepetl Volcano...
Volcanoes of Mexico...

Lopevi Volcano (Vanuatu)
16.50 S, 168.34 E, summit elevation 1413 m, Stratovolcano
Saturday 3rd December 2005
Eruptions continue at Lopevi volcano in Vanuatu. Satellite images show hotspots. There are no reports of ash emissions. Currently four volcanoes are erupting in Vanuatu.
More on Lopevi Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Ambae Volcano (Vanuatu)
15.38 S, 167.83 E,, summit elevation 1496 m, Shield Volcano
Friday 2nd December 2005
Ambae volcano in Vanuatu erupted on 27th November. Up to 5000 people in 15 villages have been affected. A new island was formed in one of the summit crater lakes (Vui). Further eruptions through the crater lake could prove dangerous. Food crops have been covered in ash.
More on Ambae Volcano...
Volcanoes of Vanuatu...

Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii)
19.425 N, 155.292 W, summit elevation 1222 m, Shield volcano
Friday 2nd December 2005
A 40 acre section on coast has fallen into the sea at Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Explosions caused by lava entering the sea at the collapse site, sent fragments up to 500 m inland. This is the largest collapse at Kilauea volcano since the current eruption began in 1983. 
More on Kilauea Volcano...
Volcanoes of Hawaii...