Volcano activity of January 12, 2013

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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. -

January 12, 2013 volcano activity

KVERT reports a slight decrease in volcanic tremor amplitude at Plosky Tolbachik (Kamchatka Peninsula) today.  Recent MODIS satellite data show a diminished thermal anomaly over the new lava flows as they continue to cool.

@JohnSeach reported a large explosion (45,000+ feet high ash cloud) occurred at Manam volcano (New Guinea) earlier today.  Recent OMI satellite data shows a modest SO2 anomaly over the volcano. Below the VAAC ash plume map. The dotted line is the ash cloud from the powerful explosion, the dotted line expected further ash clouds.

Small earthquakes have clustered beneath Akutan volcano (Aleutian Islands) (station ZRO) the past week.  The earthquakes (small spikes) continue at a low, but regular rate of occurrence.  Akutan Island was the site of an intense earthquake swarm (dike injection-aborted eruption) in 1996.

Exhalations continue to occur at a reduced rate (less than once per hour on average) at Popocatepetl volcano (Mexico).  Small volcanic earthquakes continue at Colima volcano, suggesting further surface activity should be expected there.

Seismicity is reduced at Fuego volcano (Guatemala) (station FG3) and Santa Maria volcano (station STG6).  Both seismicity and a volcanocam photo indicate a recent exhalation from the Satiaguito Dome Complex (Santa Maria volcano).  Nearby Pacaya volcan chatters with frequent volcanic earthquakes (station PCG).

Banded volcanic tremor at San Cristobal volcano (Nicaragua) (station CRIN) has become more pulsatory and diminished during the past 24 hours.  Elevated volcanic tremor continues at Masaya volcano (station MASN), and volcanic earthquakes (and a train of volcanic tremor) continue to affect Concepcion volcano (station CONN) today.

Volcanic tremor has diminished at San Miguel volcano (station VSM), but occasional volcanic earthquakes have struck the volcano the past few days.

Numerous small earthquakes rattle Colombian volcanoes: Nevado Del Ruiz (station OLLZ), Machin (station CIMA), and Galeras (station ANGV) today.

Tungurahua volcano (Ecuador) (station RETU) has returned to slumber, internal activity appears on the increase again at Reventador volcano (station CONE), and a few small earthquakes have affected Cotopaxi volcano (station COV1) during the past few days.

SERNAGEOMIN reports that seismicity has diminished slightly beneath Copahue volcano during the past 24 hours.  Just over 1000 events occurred during that period.

Small “chugging” earthquakes are apparent on seismograms (at 16 Hour) recorded at Tongariro volcano (New Zealand) during the past day.  Low-level volcanic tremor and a few local earthquakes are visible on seismic records from Ruapehu volcano, and Volcanic tremor continues at White Island volcano.

Beside the activity at Manam volcano, recent satellite imagery shows SO2-enriched plumes over Popocatepetl volcano, and Ambrym volcano (Vanuatu).

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