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SERNAGEOMIN report, 23 September 2008

volcanism — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:04:06 +0000

SERNAGEOMIN have published a new report (available on their website) which economically wraps up everything going on in the Southern Andes into a single bulletin. Translation as follows.

23.09.2008 SERNAGEOMIN report on seismic and volcanic activity in the Southern Andes

In the Riñinahue-Puyehue sector continuing anomalous seismic activity has caused a yellow alert. Llaima volcano presents only weak fumarolic activity and the alert level is green. Meanwhile, Chaitén volcano shows weak but sustained eruptive activity accompanied by variable seismicity.

Riñinahue-Puyehue area

The area situated to the east of Lake Ranco, where the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic complex and Carrán-Los Venados group are found, has for more than one year presented anomalous seismic activity. Even though there are no indications of eruptive activity in the volcanic centres of the sector, SERNAGEOMIN maintains alert level yellow. In recent days, the seismic activity has been weak with events of less than magnitude 2.7M. The location of the epicentres, since May 2007, involves an area that includes both active segments of regional geological faults (Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone) with volcanic groups that have experienced successive volcanic eruptions during the twentieth century.

Llaima Volcano

Llaima Volcano has exhibited, during recent days, only weak degassing accompanied by declining seismic activity whose released energy dropped to 15 RSAM units. Because of these conditions, SERNAGEOMIN has maintained alert level green since 12 September.

[Caption: Photograph of the craters formed in the pyroclastic cone nested within the principal crater. The weak emission of gases can be seen (aerial photograph of 12 September 2008).]

Chaitén Volcano

Chaitén Volcano maintains a weak but sustained eruptive activity with columns of pyroclastic material and gases that do not exceed 2km in altitude. The seismic activity is also persistent although somewhat variable, with periodic upsurges in the number or magnitude of the seismic events. In recent days, for example, an increase in the magnitude of hybrid-type earthquakes has been recorded, but without immediate consequence for the eruptive activity. Under these conditions, SERNAGEOMIN maintains Volcanic Red Alert.

[End of bulletin.]

For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog.
For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog.

Information
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén - summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
Global Volcanism Program: Llaima - summary information for Llaima (1507-11=)
ONEMI, Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Chilean government emergencies office (Spanish)
SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (Spanish)
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén - extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
Proyecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima - Llaima Visual Observation Project

Week 35 Volcano Watch

feww — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:12:06 +0000

27 August-2 September 2008

New Activity/Unrest:

Kasatochi, Andreanof Islands
Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
Soufrière Hills, Montserrat

Deposits from the pyroclastic flow on 25 August 2008. Inset shows image from thermal camera. Source: Montserrat Volcano Observatory's photostream. Image may be subject to copyright.

Ongoing Activity:

Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
Chaitén, Southern Chile |
Chikurachki, Paramushir Island
Dukono, Halmahera
Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
Llaima, Central Chile
Nevado del Huila, Colombia
Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
Okmok, Fox Islands
Rabaul, New Britain
Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)
Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Taal, Luzon
Ubinas, Perú

See the GVP Home Page for news of the latest significant activity.

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program.

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:53:22 +0000

On 2 September, SERNAGEOMIN reported that clouds had prevented visual observations of Llaima during the previous few days. Explosions were heard during 25-28 August. On 28 August, seismic signals indicated that gas-and-ash plumes were possibly emitted from the pyroclastic cones in the main crater. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at Yellow.

Source: Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) - “Reports provided courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program.”

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:33:01 +0000

SERNAGEOMIN reported that steam plumes from the pyroclastic cones in Llaima's main crater were visible during periods of clear weather on 16 August. Steam plumes rose from the W flank where lava flows were active in February and July. On 17 August, sporadic gas-and-ash emissions were observed. Cloud cover prevented observations during 18-20 August. On 21 August, three explosions produced ash plumes that rose to an altitude of 3.6 km (11,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. Gas and steam was emitted in between explosions; resultant plumes rose to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 9 km E. During an overflight, scientists observed steam-and-gas plumes being emitted from a small crater in the N sector of the main crater. A larger crater, about 100 m in diameter, in the central sector emitted ash. The ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. A thin layer of ash blanketed the E flank. Ash-and-gas plumes from the main crater drifted W on 22 August. On 23 August, observers reported that incandescent material was ejected less than 1 km above the crater. The next day, an ash plume drifted about 1.5 km SSE. Ash blanketed some areas of the flanks. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at Yellow.

More images of Llaima in eruption

volcanism — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:46:01 +0000

The weather around Llaima volcano in central Chile has been clear over the past few days, enabling the cameras operated by the Llaima visual observation project (POVI) to capture some very clear and often dramatic images of the current eruptive activity. The pictures below show Llaima in eruption on the morning of 23 August, producing the weak strombolian activity and ash emissions that are characteristic of its current behaviour. There has been no powerful, short-duration strombolian eruption at Llaima since 26 July; the current weak strombolian eruptions have been occurring since 13 August, and scientists expect a more powerful eruption to take place in the near future. The source of the activity shown here is the pyroclastic cone (80 metres wide) located within the main crater of the volcano (350 metres wide)

The current eruption of Llaima (beginning in May 2007) is the best-documented in the five centuries of historically-documented eruptive events at the volcano. Since the current eruptive phase began in January 2008 POVI has captured over 10 million images via their two remotely-operated cameras. The most significant and interesting sequences have been compiled into videos which can be accessed via the POVI Llaima website.

(There are eight images in total. Two are shown in the short version of this post: to see all eight click on 'more'.)

Our thanks to the team at POVI for supplying these remarkable images of Llaima in eruption.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Information
Global Volcanism Program: Llaima - summary information for Llaima (1507-11=)
Volcán Llaima - information from the Observatorio Volcanológico de los Andes del Sur (Spanish)
Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Chilean government emergencies office (Spanish)
SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Chile (Spanish)
Proyecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima - Llaima Visual Observation Project

Llaima activity, 21 August 2008

volcanism — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:50:54 +0000

The following images from the Llaima visual observation project (POVI) show eruptive activity at Llaima on the afternoon and evening of 21 August. The activity consisted of the weak sporadic ash emissions that have characterized Llaima's behaviour since 13 August. In these pictures the eruption clouds can be seen rising from the pyroclastic cone within the main crater and dispersing to the east. In the later evening shots incandescence can be seen. These images are copyright POVI, and are exclusive to The Volcanism Blog. Our thanks to the team at POVI for supplying these remarkable images of Llaima in eruption.

(There are fifteen images in total. Only the first two are shown in the short version of this post: click on 'more' to see all the images.)

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:30:21 +0000

During 8-11 August, SERNAGEOMIN reported that fumarolic activity from the snow-free pyroclastic cones in Llaima's main crater was visible during periods of clear weather; resultant plumes drifted E. A 2-km long strip on the NE flank was black in color (snow-free) due to elevated temperatures. On 13 August, gas-and-ash plumes rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted E. Later that day, incandescence from the crater accompanied the gas-and-ash emissions.

Llaima images, 22 August 2008

volcanism — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:07:06 +0000

More images from our friends at the Llaima visual observation project (POVI) showing activity at Llaima today, when the weather has been clear and the volcano has been producing sporadic ash emissions.

Above: image captured at 09:38 local time, 22 August 2008 (copyright POVI).

Above: image captured via the Telescope-Cam at 11:22 local time on 22 August (copyright POVI). The Telescope-Cam is located 17km south of Llaima and shows close-up images of the volcano. This image shows the cone within the main crater, which has been built up during the many eruptions of the current eruptive cycle, beginning in May 2007. The cone is now approximately 80m wide.

Many thanks to POVI for these images, which are exclusive to The Volcanism Blog. Many more to come tomorrow ...

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Week 33 Volcano Watch

feww — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:59:00 +0000

13 August-19 August 2008

New Activity/Unrest:

Asama, Honshu
Bezymianny, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Kasatochi, Andreanof Islands
Piton de la Fournaise, Reunion Island
Soufrière Hills, Montserrat

Piton de la Fournaise. The massive Piton de la Fournaise on the island of Réunion is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It is seen here in 1977 with a fresh black lava flow descending the outer NE flank of the shield volcano to the sea. An unvegetated summit lava shield (upper left) was constructed within an 8-km-wide caldera that is breached to the sea. Its sloping northern rim is marked by the diagonal vegetation line at the left. More than 150 eruptions have occurred since the 17th century, mostly from vents within the caldera. (Caption:Global Volcanism Program ). Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1977 (published in SEAN Bulletin, 1977).

Ongoing Activity:

Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
Chaitén, Southern Chile
Chikurachki, Paramushir Island
Cleveland, Chuginadak Island
Colima, México
Dukono, Halmahera
Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
Krakatau, Indonesia
Llaima, Central Chile
Manam, Northeast of New Guinea (SW Pacific)
Masaya, Nicaragua
Okmok, Fox Islands
Rabaul, New Britain
Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Ubinas, Perú

The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program. This page is updated on Wednesdays, please see the GVP Home Page for news of the latest significant activity.

Llaima update, 20 August 2008

volcanism — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:57:56 +0000

On 18 August a Red Alert was imposed by the La Araucanía regional government on a number of localities around Llaima because of increased seismicity. ONEMI's bulletin on this development notes that 'The seismic activity recorded in recent days is comparable to that recorded in the days before the start of the eruption on 1 January and preceding the reactivation of February 2008'. SERNAGEOMIN's alert for Llaima remains at Volcanic Alert Yellow.

The team at the Llaima visual observation project (POVI) have sent over the following two images, showing Llaima in eruption amid the clouds of 18 August. Both views are taken from the south and show the eruption plumes produced by the volcano's sporadic ash emissions being blown eastwards (from left to right). The upper picture was taken at 16:20 local time and the lower at 17:17 local time.

Our thanks to the team at POVI for sharing these images with The Volcanism Blog. The POVI Llaima website has further pictures of this eruption, and a spectacular time-lapse video of the eruptive activity on 18 August.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Llaima update, 18 August 2008

volcanism — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:28:32 +0000

The most recent SERNAGEOMIN bulletin on Llaima (12 August 2008) noted that the volcano was showing activity similar to that of previous days. The pyroclastic cone within the main crater, which has been the seat of recent eruptions, was producing 'an intense and continuous emission of steam, with small quantities of volcanic gases'; seismicity was reported to be at a low level. On 13 August weak ash emissions and nocturnal incandescence were reported by the POVI Llaima observation project.

Today from POVI comes news that Llaima is erupting once again with sporadic weak ash emissions that are being carried to the east by strong winds. The following picture comes from POVI and shows clearly the pulses of ash cloud produced by the activity within the main crater.

Many thanks to our friends at POVI for this information and the image, which is copyright POVI. Information about and pictures of all recent and current activity can be found of course at POVI's Llaima site.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Week 31 Volcano Watch

feww — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:01:04 +0000

30 July-5 August 2008

Breaking News:

Color Code Purple

Recent activity at the Kilauea volcano has increased atmospheric levels of sulfur dioxide in the districts of Kau and Puna, Hawaii, resulting in a spike of sulfur of 9 parts per million, which is considered to be extremely high. (Source)

New Activity/Unrest:

Anatahan, Mariana Islands (Central Pacific)
Chikurachki, Paramushir Island
Cleveland, Chuginadak Island
Llaima, Central Chile
Manam, Northeast of New Guinea (SW Pacific)
Okmok, Fox Islands
Reventador, Ecuador
Sumbing, Central Java (Indonesia)

Kilauea volcano eruption. Photo dated July 14. 2008. Copyright: Steven and Donna O’Meara. Source: HawaiiMagazine.com. See Fair Use Notice!

Ongoing Activity:

Batu Tara, Komba Island (Indonesia)
Chaitén, Southern Chile
Fuego, Guatemala
Karymsky, Eastern Kamchatka
Kilauea, Hawaii (USA)
Rabaul, New Britain
Semeru, Eastern Java (Indonesia)
Shiveluch, Central Kamchatka (Russia)
Tungurahua, Ecuador

[The Weekly Volcanic Activity Report is a cooperative project between the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program and the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program.]

Volcanic Activity News

feww — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:55:19 +0000

For New Volcanic Activity/Unrest See

SI / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report

23 July-29 July 2008

New Activity/Unrest:

"Garden of the Fugitives." Plaster casts of some of the victims of Mount Vesuvius eruption [AD79] are still in the ruins of Pompeii. A few hours after Mount Vesuvius exploded Pompeii and its residents were buried under 3 meters of volcanic ash. Photo copyright: Aschwin Prein. See FEWW Fair Use Notice!

Ongoing Activity:

The skeletal remains of a young woman killed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. The skeleton, unearthed from the ruins of Herculaneum in 1982, was named the "Ring Lady" because of the emerald and ruby rings found on the woman's left hand. Two gold bracelets and gold earrings were also found by the woman's side. (Source: Wikipedia)

What will Llaima do next?

volcanism — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:04:39 +0000

The Chilean newspaper El Diario Austral La Araucanía ran a story yesterday with the disturbing headline 'Advierten posibilidad de gran erupción del Llaima' ('warning of the possibility of a big eruption of Llaima'). The article is somewhat alarmist and ill-informed, stating as it does that the volcano's conduit is 'blocked' and that Llaima's behaviour is becoming 'increasingly unpredictable for the experts'. On the contrary, there is no evidence of any obstruction of the conduit, and Llaima's behaviour is following the same pattern as it has in previous eruptions and causing no exceptional concerns.

This story was based on a briefing given in Melipeuco by the emergency committee of the La Araucanía regional government. Local SERNAGEOMIN volcanologist Hugo Moreno reported that Llaima is 'calm' - also the word used in the latest SERNAGEOMIN bulletin on Llaima (PDF), released 28 July 2008 - but he then went on to wonder aloud about how long this 'calm' situation would last, observing that the volcano's behaviour can change very rapidly, and that the trend since 1 July has been for the eruptive episodes that punctuate the calm periods to release progressively larger amounts of energy: 'The disturbing fact is that while the eruptive episodes have been between much longer periods of calm, each is more intense. Unfortunately it is not possible to rule out a larger eruption'. This is also what the 28 July Llaima bulletin says; the prediction, however, is not 'a big eruption' but 'a larger eruption'.

Furthermore the Intendenta of La Araucanía said that the volcano's behaviour 'manifests itself with a rise every five or seven days. These increases entail a rise in the emission of lava, in the energy released and the emission of pyroclasts and ash'. The suggestion of progressively bigger eruptions 'every five or seven days' has been taken by some as indicating that a large eruption can be expected this weekend, and some unjustified alarm is being felt in the communities that neighbour the volcano.

Scientists working with limited information have to convey the situation as they understand it as clearly as possible to the people who live around an active volcano; but they also need to be careful when making statements that are reported by the local press. Journalists hear the words 'larger eruption' and 'five to seven days' and tend draw whatever conclusions produce the most dramatic story. Hence what appeared yesterday in El Diario Austral La Araucanía.

[Thanks to Werner Keller of POVI for information received.]

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

News
Advierten posibilidad de gran erupción del Llaima - El Diario Austral La Araucanía, 30 July 2008 (Spanish)

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:54:52 +0000

SERNAGEOMIN reported that cloud cover prevented observations of Llaima during 22-23 July. On 24 July a bluish gas was emitted from a pyroclastic cone in the main crater and steam plumes rose from the W margin of the crater. Later that day, gas-and-ash plumes rose 100 m above the crater and dissipated to the SSE. During an overflight prompted by increased seismicity on 26 July, scientists observed weak explosions and airborne spatter from a double crater at the N base of the pyroclastic cone. Area residents reported hearing "detonations" coming from the direction of the volcano and they observed small ash plumes. Strombolian activity intensified and ejected material 500-800 m above the crater. Rhythmic explosions ejected spatter 1 km above the summit and up to 2 km towards the E. A plume rose to an altitude of 10 km (32,800 ft) a.s.l. Lava flows emitted at a high rate descended the W and S flanks and ice evaporated, producing steam plumes. SERNAGEOMIN raised the Alert Level to Red.

SERNAGEOMIN reported that the eruption during 26-27 July lasted for 11.5 hours. During 28 and 29 July, the volcano was in a state of calm.

SERNAGEOMIN updates, 29 July 2008: Llaima and Chaitén

volcanism — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:39:18 +0000

SERNAGEOMIN have just issued a bulletin covering both Llaima and Chaitén volcanoes.

The former is dealt with fairly briefly: it is 'calm' in the wake of Saturday's eruption, but another such eruptive episode could, we are warned, develop very rapidly.

There is much more to say about Chaitén, where the elevated seismicity of the last few weeks remains the main focus of concern. SERNAGEOMIN suggests that 'a percentage' (high? low?) of the higher-magnitude quakes could be tectonic in origin, associated with the nearby fault system that runs to the east of Chaitén. A volcanic explanation remains the most likely, however, with the ascent of a new pulse of lava continuing to be SERNAGEOMIN's suggestion. That new magma may well feel a renewal of eruptive activity.

29.07.2008 SERNAGEOMIN report concerning the volcanoes Chaitén and Llaima

Llaima volcano is in a period of 'calm', very different from the situation of Chaitén whose weak eruptive activity is not in accord with the high seismicity recorded in the last few weeks.

Llaima volcano

In the same way as the previous eruptive episodes of this month, the latest occurring on Saturday 26 July had a duration of 11.5 hours, although the stage of the greatest intensity lasted only one hour. This corresponds to a vigorous Strombolian-type event, effusive, with rapid onset and decline. Also, the presence of powerful tremor was associated with the emission of ashes, with intense ejection of pyroclasts and a very high rate of emission of lava.

At present, Llaima volcano is in a new period of 'calm', with weak background tremor and few LP-type earthquakes, which are associated with very weak degassing and movements of internal fluids. However, it could take only a few days for a new eruptive episode similar or greater than that of Saturday 26 July to come to pass.

Chaitén volcano

Thus far, available records indicate weak eruptive activity, which has shown a modest upswing in the last few days without giving rise to a significant eruption column. In general terms, the declining trend appears to continue on course.

The weather conditions have not permitted observation of the volcano, except for short periods in which the cloud has left uncovered an eruption column that does not surpass a kilometre in altitude above the summit of Chaitén.

Moreover, intense and continuous noise has been perceptible since 24 July, when an emission of ash accumulated to the depth of 3cm around Chaitén. On 27 July weather conditions again favoured the fall of fine ash on the town, albeit in a very restricted manner. The preceding describes, regardless, eruptive activity that is weak but sustained.

The foregoing notwithstanding, the latest seismic data clearly shows an elevated seismicity, which has been sustained for several weeks, both in the number of earthquakes and their magnitude (a large number of them being felt by people over several days) and recorded by stations at a distance, with an increase in the number of earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 3.5M. Likewise, it was possible to verify that the greater part of the earthquakes of greater energy were located to the south-east and south-south-east of the Chaitén volcano.

This seismicity could relate to the beginning of the ascent of a new pulse of magma, the depth of which has not yet been determined with precision. Also, it is possible that a percentage of these earthquakes could be associated with the movement of faults in the area east of the volcano. In that case, they would correspond well to earthquakes of tectonic origin, such as those reported in previous bulletins, which were located up to 10km east of the volcano.

The most worrying scenario is the ascent of a new pulse of magma which, eventually, culminates in a new large-scale eruption. For this reason, SERNAGEOMIN continues detailed analysis of this seismicity to determine, especially, its origin and depth.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog
For all our Chaitén coverage: Chaitén « The Volcanism Blog

Information
Global Volcanism Program: Llaima - summary information for Llaima (1507-11=)
Global Volcanism Program: Chaitén - summary information for Chaitén (1508-41)
Proyecto Observación Visual Volcán Llaima - Llaima Visual Observation Project
Erupción del Volcán Chaitén - extensive coverage of the Chaitén eruption
Oficina Nacional de Emergencia - Chilean government emergencies office (Spanish)
SERNAGEOMIN - Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Chile (Spanish)

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:12:58 +0000

SERNAGEOMIN reported that after increased seismicity at Llaima on 14 July, an ash plume rose to an altitude of 5.6 km (18,400 ft) a.s.l. Less than two hours later, very intense orange and red incandescence was seen through breaks in the cloud cover near the summit and at the base of the W flank. At 1915 a vigorous Strombolian eruption ejected incandescent pyroclastic material from the N vent in the main crater to heights of 500 m above the summit. Seismicity and the intensity of the explosions decreased later that day. On 15 July, diffuse ash emissions rose to an altitude of 3.4 km (11,200 ft) a.s.l. Ash and tephra covered areas of the SSE flank. Seismic activity decreased during 16-18 July.

On 19 July, seismicity again increased and ash-and-gas plumes rose to an altitude of 3.3 km (10,800 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SE. The emissions became more intense and frequent, and one explosion produced an ash plume to an altitude of 4.1 km (13,500 ft) a.s.l. Ash and tephra fell on the SE flank. Later that day, constant explosions ejected incandescent material 500 m above the summit that fell near the crater. Steam plumes emitted from the W flank possibly indicated the presence of a new lava flow along with mobile incandescent blocks from a previous lava flow. After another brief period of calm, vapor emissions increased and were followed by strong explosions and lava flows. The Alert level remained at Yellow.

Images of Llaima in eruption, 26 July 2008

volcanism — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:01:05 +0000

From our friends at POVI come the following images of Llaima volcano in eruption on 26 July 2008. This event was the most powerful Strombolian eruption since the current eruptive cycle began on 1 July.

There are ten images in total. The first two are below, the remainder are under the cut, so click on 'More' to view the whole collection. All the images were captured during the evening of 26 July by members of the POVI team, and are copyright © POVI and the photographers, Roberto Alarcón (the first two) and Jean Paul de la Harpe (the remainder). Many more wonderful images of Llaima can be found at the POVI photographic galleries page.

POVI also have a spectacular time-lapse video on their homepage which condenses the 2 hours and 20 minutes of the eruption to 2 minutes 42 seconds.

Thanks, as always, to POVI for providing these images.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

Weekend update: Llaima, Chaiten, Okmok and Soufriere Hills

Erik Klemetti — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:54:59 +0000

There haven't been any major developments volcano-wise over the weekend, just a few updates on some current rumblings:

Soufriere Hills (Montserrat) coughed up more ash, producing ash columns to "thousands of feet" according to reports from the MVO. The eruptions/explosions were centered at the lava dome on the summit of the volcano, Seismicity has also increased, suggesting that a larger eruption might be in the works.
Chaiten continues to worry Chilean geologists. Although the eruption seems to have reduced in intensity over the weekend, the fear of a blockage that could lead to a major eruption persists with the SERNAGEOMIN.
Llaima erupted for the third time in 2008 (see above for a picture of the January eruption) as more lava and ash is erupting from the main summit and a lava flow continues to work its way down the snow fields near the summit.
Meanwhile, in Alaska, the AVO still lists Okmok's alert level at Red as it continues to issue ash, upwards of 40,000 feet according to pilots flying near the volcano.

Llaima update, 27 July 2008

volcanism — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:53:54 +0000

After a quiet few days there was spectacular activity at Llaima yesterday, 26 July 2008. The Chilean Government's emergencies office ONEMI reports that from 17:30 local time yesterday explosive activity took place at the crater, ash was erupted and a lava flow descended 250m in the direction of the Calbuco river. The eruption column reached an altitude of approximately 7000 metres. POVI describes the activity as a 'powerful new strombolian eruption in 2 cycles with lava fountains, lava flows, emissions of ash and expulsion of pyroclastic material to reach up to 700 metres in altitude', and has some spectacular photographs.

In an early report on the latest activity, Radio Cooperativa reports that increased seismicity was registered and a glow was visible from the summit crater. According to local ONEMI chief Claudia Novoa, quoted in the report, an overflight took place and 'observed that one of the small craters, which is nestled within the main crater, is erupting pyroclasts. There is no emission of lava, only explosions'. Since then, as reported above, lava has been erupted.

Llaima remains under Yellow Volcanic Alert. 123 Chile, reporting the latest eruption, notes that emergency committees in the surrounding towns are actively monitoring the volcano's activity.

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima « The Volcanism Blog

News
Lugareños advirtieron reactivación del volcán Llaima - Radio Cooperativa, 26 July 2008 (Spanish)
Se reactiva volcán Llaima - 123 Chile, 26 July 2008 (Spanish)

Llaima eruption images from POVI

volcanism — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:37:03 +0000

POVI is a private, non-profit Chilean volcano monitoring initiative, entirely funded by its own members and by donations (which are always gratefully received). Their use of advanced technology produces a wealth of visual and other information on Villarrica and Llaima volcanoes, available on their website. POVI has generously shared a great deal of this material with The Volcanism Blog, including the three images below which show spectacular explosive activity at Llaima on 19 July 2008. The images below are reduced in size: for full-size versions, and additional images, visit the POVI website.

The pictures were taken just after 1300 local time on 19 July and show phreatomagmatic explosive activity, the eruption of ash and volcanic bombs, and a pyroclastic flow.

Above: 1302 local time - explosive activity at the summit and eastwards-trending ash plume. The small feature to the right of the main summit is Pichillaima, a subsidiary crater south-east of the main vent which was last active in 1994.

Above: 1316 local time - phreatomagmatic explosions reach 500m above the summit. POVI notes that the phreatomagmatic episode which began at 1240 on 19 July was the most violent of the current eruption since 1 January 2008.

Above: 1318 local time - a small pyroclastic flow descends the south-western flank of the volcano.

All the above pictures are copyright Roberto Alarcón (Team-Povi).

For all our Llaima coverage: Llaima << The Volcanism Blog

Llaima eruption beginning to slow

Erik Klemetti — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:56:23 +0000

The latest eruption at Llaima is beginning to slow down according to Chilean state geologist, Hugo Moreno. The volcano has been erupting for most of the month, forcing limited evacuations. The eruption has (so far) produced lava flows, ash falls and some bombs thrown from the crater. However, the SERNAGEOMIN is keeping the "red alert" on Llaima.

With persistently active volcanoes like Llaima, it is not surprising that they see multiple eruptive periods during each year. In a sense, this is actually better for the people living around the volcano because the more often the volcano erupts, the smaller the eruptions tend to be (however, this is not an unbreakable rule).

I'll add a link to a youtube video I found for Llaima. I can't tell from the video which 2008 eruption this is (edit: this is the January 2008 eruption), but some of it is very impressive.

Llaima, Chile

cosmicbob — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:08:46 +0000

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Llaima Volcano Erupts (Image coutesy of EPA)"] [/caption]

SERNAGEOMIN reported that although observations of Llaima were inhibited by cloud cover on 2 July, incandescence from the 1-km-long lava flow on the W flank was observed. An overflight revealed cooled blocks at the end of the lava flow and a second lava flow (on the SW flank) about 150 m S of the first. The lava flows issued from the base of a pyroclastic cone in the main crater. Observers to the W witnessed an explosion from the summit that ejected material 1 km high. The material landed on the SW flank and up to 3.5 km away on the SE flank. Vapor plumes from the main crater were seen on 3 July. An overflight on the same day revealed that the lava flow on the W flank had advanced and generated a small lahar.

On 4 July, SERNAGEOMIN characterized the eruptive style as weakly Strombolian. A small explosion from the pyroclastic cone in the main crater produced an ash plume that rose 250-400 m and drifted 50 km SE. During 4-5 July, observers reported sporadic explosions and incandescence at the summit. Fine ashfall was reported in areas nearby. On 6 July, seismicity decreased to low levels. An overflight on 7 July revealed that the lava emission rate had decreased for both flows. The lava flow on the W flank was about 1.6 km long and the flow on the SW flank was about 2 km long. Bluish gas was emitted from the main crater.

The continuing eruption at Llaima

Erik Klemetti — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:33:35 +0000

Llaima (Chile) is experiencing an increased tempo in its current eruption. The National Emergency Office in Chile is reporting that the eruption has begun to take a more explosive character, with pyroclastic material being shot hundreds of meters from the main vent. Although the officials have not changed the current status of the evacuation, which has been limited to 50 people closest to the volcano, they are pondering their next step if the week-old eruption continues to escalate.

Vulcão Llaima

euclidespaim — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:07:53 +0000