Volcano activity of December 13, 2012

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This (almost) daily post intends to follow up the activity changes of volcanoes all over the world.
This post is written by geologist Richard Wilson who specializes in Volcano seismicity and Armand Vervaeck. Please feel free to tell us about new or changed activity if we haven’t written about it. -

December 13, 2012 volcano activity

An increase in internal activity (virtually simultaneous increases at two Guatemalan volcanoes, which is always interesting!) at several volcanoes we watch overnight!

KVERT reports high amplitude volcanic tremor accompanying the flank eruption at Plosky Tolbachik (Kamchatka Peninsula) again today.

A mild resurgence of seismicity within the Coso Volcanic Field (CA) during the past 24 hours. Earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from M0.0 to M2.7 occurred an average of one per hour during that period. A swarm of small earthquakes (M0.0Long Valley Caldera, CA) at around 8 km depth.

Exhalations of gas and ash occurred an average of less than one per hour the past 24 hours at Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico). The Popo seismogram shows low amplitude volcanic tremor (repeated many times due to a web software problem!).

Volcanic tremor has appeared and become continuous at Pacaya volcano (Guatemala) (station PCG…see yesterday’s volcano report) and tremor amplitude has increased (simultaneously?) at nearby volcanoes Fuego (station FG3) and Santa Maria (station STG6). Being an old weatherman, I note wind generated clouds hovering over both Fuego and Agua volcanoes in the current volcanocam photo. The “simultaneous tremor” increase may also be wind-generated (by a regional weather system) rather than true internal activity at the volcanoes. The Fuego volcanocam shot also shows fume drifting from a lava flow descending the volcano’s flank.

Volcanic tremor and amplitudes of volcanic earthquakes a have increased at San Cristobal volcano (Nicaragua) (station CRIN) in the past day. Tremor also remains elevated at nearby Masaya volcano (station MASN).

Periods of volcanic tremor and small earthquakes continue to affect Nevado Del Ruiz volcano (Colombia) (station OLLZ), while numerous small earthquakes rattle nearby Machin volcano (station CIMA).

Two Ecuadoran volcanoes acting-up today. A swarm of volcanic earthquakes punctuates continuous low-level tremor at Tungurahua volcano (station RETU), while a burst of high amplitude volcanic tremor and volcanic earthquakes highlights an otherwise relatively quiet seismogram form Reventador volcano (station CONE).

Numerous periods of “chugging” earthquakes have appeared on Tongariro volcano seismograms today. The rapid-fire events are indicative of fluid movement beneath the volcano. This notable increase in their rate of occurrence may be a (near future) harbinger of an eruption at Tongariro. Relatively strong volcanic tremor rumbles within White Island volcano, accompanying (continued?) slow extrusion of a lava dome there. Volcanic tremor in the 3-5 Hz range has disappeared within the past few days at Ruapehu, although small local earthquakes are still visible on seismograms from the volcano.

Recents satellite imagery shows SO2 enriched plumes of various sizes drifting from Popocatepetl, Reventador, and Langila (New Guinea) volcanoes. John Seach (Volcanolive.com) has recently reported on increased explosive activity at Langila.

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