This (almost) daily post intends to follow up the activity changes of volcanoes all over the world.
This post is written by geologist Rodger 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. -
May 2, 2013 volcano activity
KVERT reported a relatively dramatic decrease in amplitude of volcanic tremor at Tolbachik overnight. The tremor amplitude approximately halved. Otherwise, there was no mention of changes in the eruptive/seismic behavior of the remaining four active Kamchatkan volcanoes: Sheveluch, Bezymianny, Kizimen, and Karymsky. Recent MODIS satellite thermal imagery cpatured hotspost at Tolbachik and Sheveluch, while OMI satellite sensors detected a relatively large SO2 plume drifting westward from Tolbachik.
Still no seismic data from Colima volcano (Mexico). Exhalative activity at Popocatepetl remains low. Today's Popo seismogram shows low-level volcanic tremor, small volcano-tectonic earthquakes and exhalation signals.
Activity is also relatively low at the three active Guatemalan volcanoes: Pacaya (station PCG), Fuego (station FG3), and Santa Maria (station STG3).
A pulse of small volcano-tectonic events occurred at Masaya volcano (Nicaragua) (station MASN) this morning. Otherwise, continuous volcanic tremor is relatively low at the volcano.
Volcanic earthquakes continue within a background of elevated volcanic tremor at San Miguel volcano (El Salvador) (station VSM) today. Again, the tremor-like signal on the San Miguel seismograms is telemetry "noise" and is not related to the volcano.
Volcano-tectonic earthquakes have continued in relatively high numbers (and amplitudes) at Nevado Del Ruiz volcano (Colombia) (station OLLZ) overnight.
Emissions have increased at Tungurahua volcano (Ecudaor) (station RETU) overnight. Light ashfalls have been reported by local villages and "cannon-like" explosiosn have become more frequent from the volcano. What appear to be small volcanic earthquakes have increased in number again at Cotopaxi volcano (station CO1V). Volcanic seismicity has decreased overnight at Reventador volcano (station CONE)
SERNAGEOMIN reports that fumarolic activity has increased at Planchon-Peteroa volcano (Chile). Local inhabitants have reported strong sulfurous smells coming from the volcano as well.
Animated gif showing the expected ash plume of the volcano towards Argentina
Tremor level at White Island volcano (New Zealand has essentially reached a background level, and as such I will no longer report about the volcano on a daily basis (until of course, things change there!).
Recent OMI satellite data show relatively meager emissions of SO2 coming from: Popocatepetl, Santa Maria, Masaya, Ruiz, Mount Etna (Italy), Ambrym (Vanuatu), and Krakatau (Java) volcanoes. OMI sensors do show relatively large eruptions (or, at least SO2 emissions) ongoing at: Tolbachik, Nyiragongo (DRC), Sakurajima (Japan), Dukono (Sulawesi arc), and Bagana, Manam, and perhaps Rabaul (New Guinea) volcanoes. MODIS satellite thermal imagery depicted "hotspots" at Tolbachik and Sheveluch today.