Copahue Volcano In Chile Raised to Red Alert

Chile's Copahue Volcano, which also shares its summit with neighboring Argentina, has been raised to alert level "RED" by Southern Andes Volcanological Observatory (OVDAS) after strong eruptive activity today. The volcano became restless a couple of weeks ago when tremor and minor steam, gas, and ash emissions were observed. A Facebook statement from the Smithsonian GVP stated:

"...Red Alert status was maintained and increased seismicity was reported in yesterday's report by the Southern Andes Volcanological Observatory (OVDAS). Approx 130 EQ were recorded per hour (mostly hybrid but some spasmodic tremor); these were shallow events. Last year the seismic network was expanded to include a new station (the 3rd in the network) located across Argentina's border, expanding early warning capabilities. (http://www.perfil.com/ediciones/ciencia/-201212-740-0057.html) Dated 28 May 2013, this photo was available from Argentina's publication "La Voz" (http://www.lavoz.com.ar/noticias/sucesos/exodo-pobladores-ante-posible-erupcion-volcan-copahue#). — at Caviahue-Copahue."

Copahue volcano is characterized by the GVP here:

"Volcán Copahue is an elongated composite cone constructed along the Chile-Argentina border within the 6.5 x 8.5 km wide Trapa-Trapa caldera that formed between 0.6 and 0.4 million years ago near the NW margin of the 20 x 15 km Pliocene Caviahue (Del Agrio) caldera. The eastern summit crater, part of a 2-km-long, ENE-WSW line of nine craters, contains a briny, acidic 300-m-wide crater lake (also referred to as El Agrio or Del Agrio) and displays intense fumarolic activity. Acidic hot springs occur below the eastern outlet of the crater lake, contributing to the acidity of the Río Agrio, and another geothermal zone is located within Caviahue caldera about 7 km NE of the summit. Infrequent mild-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Copahue since the 18th century. Twentieth-century eruptions from the crater lake have ejected pyroclastic rocks and chilled liquid sulfur fragments."

Image posted by Smithsonian GVP showing ash eruption from Copahue on May 28th.

The last eruption of Copahue volcano was in the year 2000, so it has not erupted for about 13 years or so.

Chile lies along the so-called "Ring of Fire" and is prone to frequent eruptive activity from its many active volcanoes. 

AVO Reports Possible Eruption From Pavlof Volcano [UPDATED 6/10]

Pavlof volcano on the Aleutian Peninsula of Alaska has entered an eruptive phase after increased seismicity and thermal anomalies detected in satellite data. A Facebook post from USGS issued the following statement today (although a bit late).

"On May 13, 2013, USGS-AVO reported that seismic activity at Pavlof increased that morning, along with the presence of an intense thermal anomaly at its summit. The Alert Level is "Watch;" Aviation Color Code Orange.

Similar patterns of seismicity and elevated surface temperatures have previously signaled the onset of eruptive activity at Pavlof. Although not yet visually confirmed, a low-level eruption of lava has likely begun from a summit vent. No ash clouds have been detected."

An overflight by a pilot has confirmed the presence of a summit spatter cone, and advancing lava flow. (seen below in a picture from AVO, Photograph by Brandon Wilson). The last eruption from Pavlof was in 2007.

Google Earth snapshot of Pavlof and Pavlof Sister volcanoes.

The Smithsonian GVP characterizes the volcano of being capable of Strombolian eruptions, and explosive eruptions. This eruption currently appears to be mostly effusive, or possibly Strombolian, although it's a bit unlikely that we'll get to see any great nighttime shots.

Pavlof joins Cleveland Volcano in the 'currently erupting' club of Alaskan stratovolcanoes, as earlier this month, Cleveland let out a nice explosion that was strong enough for air traffic to be diverted around the volcano (aside from this minor annoyance, that's pretty typical of Cleveland).

There are no major human populations immediately near Pavlof, although the town of Aleutian East Burrough with a population of around 2700+ lies about 12 miles SSW of the volcano. Damage to this area is unlikely, although if the volcano does have an ash eruption, ash fall could affect the area.

*****UPDATE 5/29*****
AVO has lowered Pavlof to alert level Yellow (Advisory) after a few days of inactivity and lower seismic readings. AVO's statement reads:

"Over the past three days, the eruptive activity at Pavlof have greatly declined. Seismic tremor and small discrete explosions are no longer detected in seismic and pressure sensor data. Satellite observations show no evidence of elevated surface temperatures, volcanic gas or ash emissions. There have been no visual observations from pilots or web cameras of any eruptive activity. Consequently, the Aviation Color Code was reduced to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory today (28 May) at 12:50 AKDT (20:50 UTC)."

It is still possible for the volcano to continue its eruption. Past eruptions have had periods of intense explosion, followed by lulls in activity.

*****UPDATE 6/10*****

Activity has resumed at Pavlof. The following statement from AVO details the continuing eruption:

"Ash emissions have resumed at Pavlof starting at approximately 11:00 AKDT (19:00 UTC) this morning as seen in satellite data and observed by pilots. Weak seismicity beginning at 10:57 AKDT accompanied the emissions and is ongoing."

and:

"Ash emissions from Pavlof continue. Seismic tremor and explosion signals accompany the activity. Persistent elevated surface temperatures consistent with lava effusion were observed over the past day in satellite images. Satellite images from the last day also show an ash plume extending 12 miles (20 km) southeast of the volcano. This direction is consistent with low-level (less than 20,000 ft asl) winds."

So it appears that the volcano may erupt in 'spurts' and will likely continue erupting for some time. If anything changes I'll post about it!

Puzzling Seismicity at Helka, Iceland

Hekla volcano in Iceland is not known for giving much advance warning, but this time it may be. Scientists in the area have been monitoring the notorious volcano for signs that it may erupt, as it is "overdue" for a show. Hekla is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, and also one of its most disruptive. Typically this volcano does not give much warning in the way of tremor or earthquakes, indeed the earthquakes seem to precede an eruption only by hours... yet Hekla has been rumbling now for weeks.

Image copyright Icelandic Meteorological Office at http://en.vedur.is

The above photo details tonights seismicity, and while a 1.0 quake in its vicinity may seem benign, this website does not keep a visual record of quakes over 48 hours. As of now there have been dozens along the fissure zone, main volcano, and the NW area seen here in the picture. Volcanoes don't always behave the same way, sometimes their eruption signals can change. Any seismicity and deformation in the Hekla volcanic system can be reason for worry. Previous eruptions came with not a lot of warnings, as is the case with several volcanoes in the region. 

While Eyjafjallajökull created a bit of havoc for the world in 2010, as well as Grimsvötn (Grimsnes), an eruption of Hekla now has the potential to be every bit as bothersome to the Icleandic people. From pyroclastic ash eruptions to fissure fed lava effusion, this volcano is capable of a varying medley of eruptions, and the last time it erupted was in 2000. The volcano has within the last several decades erupted nearly every 10 years, however the volcano has not always done so, so prediction is not possible. 

A list from the Icelandic Meteorological Office at http://en.vedur.is/earthquakes-and-volcanism/articles/nr/1874 details the following Icelandic eruption dates (last two known eruptions in Iceland left in for reference):

2011 Grímsvötn
2010 Eyjafjallajökull
2000 Hekla
1991 Hekla
1981 Hekla
1980 Hekla
1970 Hekla
1947 Hekla
The Smithsonian GVP profile is below:

Volcano types:     Stratovolcano     Fissure vents	Summit Elev: 1491 m Latitude: 63.98°N Longitude: 19.70°W
One of Iceland's most prominent and active volcanoes, Hekla lies near the southern end of the eastern rift zone. Hekla occupies a rift-transform junction, and has produced basaltic andesites, in contrast to the tholeiitic basalts typical of Icelandic rift zone volcanoes. A 5.5-km-long fissure, Heklugjá, cuts across the 1491-m-high volcano and is often active along its full length during major eruptions. Repeated eruptions along this rift, which is oblique to most rifting structures in the eastern volcanic zone, are responsible for Hekla's elongated ENE-WSW profile. Frequent large silicic explosive eruptions during historical time have deposited tephra throughout Iceland, providing valuable time markers used to date eruptions from other Icelandic volcanoes. Hekla tephras are generally rich in fluorine and are consequently very hazardous to grazing animals. Extensive lava flows from Hekla's historical eruptions, which date back to 1104 AD, cover much of the volcano's flanks.

7.8 Mag Quake Strikes South Eastern Iran

A 7.8 magnitude quake struck Iran near the city of Khāsh, near the Iran/Pakistan border, at a depth of approximately 82km. The quake was felt thousands of miles away and could easily be felt in New Dehli, India. The quake occurred about 66 miles East of the Iranian volcano of Taftan, which displays summit fumerolic activity, and has a (questionable) history of modern era eruptions. Another volcano in the (somewhat) near vicinity is Bazman, which also displays fumerolic activity, but like Taftan has no confirmed history of historical eruption.

Large earthquakes this close to large stratovolcanoes can be a concern, as plate slippage may generate magma injections, or destabilize magma chambers with pressure or rock fractures. It is far, far too early to tell whether this might be the case for these volcanoes, but I suspect that activity at them will not change given the history of large quakes in the area, and the fact that the volcanoes (as far as we know) haven't had any confirmed eruptive activity in recent times. But as is the case with volcanoes, you never truly know what they are up to.

Injuries were reported in an area that is home to around 400,000 residents, but the exact numbers have yet to be accurately reported. many buildings were damaged or destroyed in multiple areas.

Iran recently experienced another damaging earthquake at mag 6.2 near one of its nuclear power plants. Official statements from Iran following the quake indicated that the size and location of the quake would not deter the building of new plants, and a joint statement form Iran, and the Russian company that built the plant estimated that the nuclear facility could easily withstand a quake of up to magnitude 8.0. It is unclear if the current quake was near any such facility, but that has not been in any of the reports that I have read so far.

Aftershocks will most likely plague the area for a couple of days, if not for weeks, and more moderate shaking is probable. As Iran does not have a very public interface for volcanic monitoring, any change in activity is likely only to be reported on either social media, or other less-than-reliable channels unless NASA or an equivalent space program directs its satellites to check them out. More than likely, the volcanoes will keep on doing what they've been doing... a whole lot of nothing.

Google Earth/USGS snapshot of quake location and vicinity of 'active' volcanoes. 

Mt. Etna Enters Eruption Phase

While Etna is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, it typically has short "paroxysms", or short lived explosions with lava effusion. Yesterday it entered into a Strombolian eruption phase which is sustained as of right now. A Strombolian eruption consists of explosive activity with lava fountaining. A Facebook statement from INVOLCAN says "The Director of the Division of INGV-Catania, Domenico Patané, confirmed that "this time is not a paroxysm, it is a real eruption. Already at the beginning of April it had given indications that something was changing and a few days ago we had a very long pre-eruptive activity, 08 April 2013, with explosions of ash that lasted until the evening of April 10, when it changed to the Strombolian explosions started already in the afternoon. During yesterday afternoon activity gradually increased to become almost continuous overnight, with strong explosions and emissions of two small rivers of lava from the edge of the crater, and the area southeast of the "saddle" between the two cones of the Southeast Crater. The last eruptive phase of this type, occurred between May 2008 and July 2009 at the Eastern base of the crater to the Northeast."

The volcano does not typically erupt with this sort of force. Typically it has effusive eruptions and can generate long lava flows, but occasionally it can put on a more dangerous eruption type. The best Enta webcam angle I could find can be found here. The refresh rate is slow, but the shot is very good.

Etna is one of the best monitored volcanoes on the planet, so typically seismologists and volcanologists know what to expect from the volcano, and can warn people not to climb the mountain, or to stay indoors when there is heavy ash emission. Eruptions are typically restricted to summit and flank cones, and there are very rarely any injuries or fatalities.