Alaska's Cleveland Volcano Has Minor Explosion

News from AVO and CNN confirm with NASA satellite pictures that Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska had a minor explosion. Pictures from AVO show a large plume over the summit of the volcano emitting from the summit crater area, with the ash cloud moving SSE. No other information was provided due to the remoteness of the volcano. Image from AVO (Below) shows the infrared satellite data.

                              

(Image from AVO showing gas/ash/steam plume on radar)

The current statement from AVO reads as follows:

"A detached drifting ash cloud to approximately 15,000 ft ASL has been detected at Cleveland Volcano in satellite images from 1402 UTC, Dec 29. As of 1445 UTC the ash cloud was approximately 80 KM/50 miles moving ESE from the volcano. 

Based on the presence of an ash cloud, AVO has raised the aviation color code at Cleveland Volcano to ORANGE and alert level WATCH.


Satellite data indicate that this is a single explosion event, however, more sudden explosions producing ash could occur with plumes exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level. Such explosions and their associated ash clouds may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours. However, in cooperation with the University of Washington, AVO has implemented a lightning alarm system that may detect significant ash-producing events within minutes of onset. If a large explosive event occurs, seismic signals may be recorded on AVO seismic networks at nearby volcanoes. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network at Cleveland.

Additional information on Cleveland Volcano and the current activity may be found at this link:
http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Cleveland.php

Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels."

The volcano has been showing signs of activity for nearly a year now, with a lava dome being extruded at the summit during the last time the volcano was at ORANGE alert level. It was recently downgraded to "Yellow" however AVO stated that activity could resume anytime in the form of explosions, dome collapse, or avalanches (I guess they were right!). Cleveland volcano is one of Alaska's most active in the Aleutian Island chain, having had multiple eruptions this decade alone.

Due to its remoteness, it is unlikely to affect life in Alaska much, save from a few diverted flight patterns, and the chance of light ashfall should the cloud blow over any populated area. The winds are currently blowing away from land, out into the Pacific ocean.

Given the recent trend of activity, it is probable that dome collapse and a minor explosion have occurred, but satellite pictures will tell us that story later. It is likely that Cleveland will remain under ORANGE alert for a while, until AVO can confirm the eruption is over or subsiding. Cleveland's summit is usually at least steaming, and satellites regularly record elevated temperatures at the crater. This volcano can have very short, or very long duration eruptions, and with no seismic or other equipment on the island itself, it is near impossible to make any observations except satellite on the island, or the occasional boat or plane that goes near it.

*****UPDATE 12/31/11*****

AVO has lowered the alert code to YELLOW down from ORANGE stating:

"2011-12-30 14:43:07 - Weekly Update

Earlier today, AVO lowered the aviation color code to YELLOW and alert level to ADVISORY for Cleveland Volcano. No new explosive activity has been observed at the volcano since the ash cloud that was detected yesterday morning.

More sudden explosions producing ash or ejecting blocks may still occur with plumes exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level. Such explosions and their associated ash clouds may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours. However, in cooperation with the University of Washington, AVO has implemented a lightning alarm system that may detect significant ash-producing events within minutes of onset. If a large explosive event occurs, seismic signals may be recorded on AVO seismic networks at nearby volcanoes. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network at Cleveland.

Additional information on Cleveland Volcano and the current activity may be found at this link:

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Cleveland.php

Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels."

No reason for the quick lowering of the code was given.

El Hierro Eruption Ongoing, Ejects Steaming Lava Rocks On Ocean Surface

Despite claims by a few bloggers, the eruption at El Hierro continues. Earthquake-report.com captured video from Dec. 29th that clearly shows a large stain and jacuzzi, with occasional ejection of steaming lava rocks. These rocks would not simply float to the surface if there were no eruptions taking place. This confirms that the eruption, while sputtering occasionally is ongoing.

Harmonic tremor is twice what it has been in recent days, and explosions are being detected underwater. This is not simply hydrothermal as has been suggested by other blogs.

It is important, again, to note that volcanoes do not go according to blogger's schedules. The eruption will be declared dead when there is more than a week of quiescence, not before. In any case, enjoy the link to the video, where you can easily see the floating, steaming rocks! The volcano still has a shot to break the oceans surface, however given the weak level of tremor, I will agree with some that say the eruption is "slowing down"... but again, it is NOT over.

*****UPDATE 12/31/11******

El Hierro continued today to eject floating steaming lava chunks onto the surface of the water, clearly signaling that despite low harmonic tremor, it is still erupting fresh lava. The eruption CONTINUES, despite reports from other blogs, and news outlets to the contrary.

El Hierro Vent Back to Near Full Strength

The vent at El Hierro seems to have roared back to life, producing the biggest stain in days. Despite decrease in harmonic tremor, and occasional vent collapse, the eruption continues as of this morning. Morning images (below) from the official webcam show a stain far larger than in previous days, with vigorous bubbling and churning at the vent site. This definitively says that the eruption is not over, nor can we tell when it will stop. Just like predicting an eruption, predicting the cessation of an eruption is also a near impossible task.

Why is it so hard to know? Because we can't see underneath the volcano, nor can we tell what the underground magma currents are like. It is possible we're just seeing the start of the eruption, or that its nearly over... impossible to tell for sure. The volcano will likely keep starting and stopping for awhile... again, speculation.

In the pictures taken this morning at around 7:40am, you can clearly see the large and vigorous stain in the water. This is hydromagmatic, not degassing.

The volcano has caused some confusion in recent days, with some people claiming the eruption is at an end. The eruption is ongoing, this much is certain. After watching the cam for a few minutes this morning, it looks as if the vent is actually now much larger, as the jacuzzi area is now apparently quite large in diameter, perhaps larger than it has been previously. It is hard to tell this early in the morning, but the camera pictures are telling a very different story from the last couple of days.

Keep your eyes peeled on the cam today!

El Hierro Sputters, Stops, Then Starts Again

Earthquake-report.com has reported that the eruption of El Hierro ceased altogether yesterday, yet resumed this morning with renewed tremor and eruption signals. Reports may suggest that new vents have opened, or the same vent is active again. This morning's view of the eruption area on the El Hierro Webcam  indeed showed a strong 'jacuzzi', and corresponding ocean water stain, suggesting that despite reports from blogger Jon Frimann, and earlier reports from Earthquake-report.com, this eruption remains persistent, and much to the chagrin of reporters and bloggers, frankly makes everyone look stupid... it's the volcanoes fault though for not making up its mind, not the bloggers, and Jon Frimann's article was posted yesterday when the volcano appeared to be finally at rest.

It is my personal opinion that this eruption is not going to truly end anytime soon. Some eruptions are slow, and last a long time, like the persistent activity at Kiluea volcano, and others, like the eruption of Fimmvörðuháls in Iceland that preceded the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, sputter out after a couple weeks. The eruption at El Hierro has continued for months now, and I see no reason for gut reaction reporting when the volcano takes a small break in its intensity. The eruption is not over at this time.

It is usually good protocol to declare an end to an eruption after 1-2 weeks of ceased activity, not 1 or 2 days. While sometimes it seems safe to assume an eruption has ended due to a day or two of quiescence, clearly El Hierro has proven this wrong.

So unless the eruption ceases for about two weeks or so, you won't see me calling this one over, not for a while. This is probably the third time El Hierro has played with volcanologists and bloggers... what's the old saying "fool me once...". In any case, keep your eyes on the El Hierro cam and make your own visual observations rather than believing whatever is written on a blog (link to the official cam page is provided in the first paragraph), and that goes for me too. There is no substitute for firsthand observations, and webcams provide that opportunity to everyone!

Eruption At Jebel Zubair Confirmed, New Island Forms (VIDEO)

NASA has finally put the confusion to rest as to whether it was Jebel al-Tair or Jebel Zubair that was erupting in the Red Sea. NASA has posted new pictures of the new island as seen from space. Several news outlets have published the before and after pictures (link provided above), which clearly shows a brand new, steaming volcanic island in the Jebel Zubair volcanic island chain. This puts to rest any question as to what island was erupting.

The Red Sea Rift has been a bit more active lately with an eruption of Jebel al-Tair preceding the eruption at Jebel Zubair. There are no historical records of eruptions at Jebel Zubair that I am aware of, but I will check my volcano almanac tonight and this statement may change. Historical explosive activity was reported from Saddle Island in the 19th century (-GVP).

Enjoy the pictures of the new island! I can't help but be a bit miffed that I have been sitting and watching the eruption of El Hierro with the hopes of seeing the moment where the volcano breaks the surface, and then one goes and does it behind all our backs! This new island in the Jebel Zubair chain was built quite quickly, and its structure looks pretty solid from the pictures. Many new volcanoes are quickly eroded and reclaimed by the sea within days to decades, so it will be interesting to see if this is a permanent addition, or if it's going to be a temporary island.

Below is a link to good video from Yemeni TV of the new island erupting!

Video from Yemeni TV of the eruption

Pictured below are the before and after shots of Jebel Zubair:

Jebel Zubair Before Eruption

Jebel Zubair After Eruption