Info4 Volcanic eruptions

This Dynamic Planet

World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters, and Plate Tectonics

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The map is designed to show Earth's most prominent features when viewed from a distance, and more detailed features upon closer inspection. The back of the map zooms in further, highlighting examples of fundamental processes, while providing text, timelines, references, and other resources to enhance understanding of this dynamic planet. The main and polar maps, above, are interactive, inviting you to make your own regional map, using whichever "layers" you choose. Data for any volcano, earthquake, or impact symbol can be found via the "Identify" tool.
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Most new crust forms at ocean ridge crests, is carried slowly away by plate movement, and is ultimately recycled deep into the earth�causing earthquakes and volcanism along the boundaries between moving tectonic plates. Oceans are continually opening (e.g., Red Sea, Atlantic) or closing (e.g., Mediterranean). Because continental crust is thicker and less dense than thinner, younger oceanic crust, most does not sink deep enough to be recycled, and remains largely preserved on land. Consequently, most continental bedrock is far older than the oldest oceanic bedrock (see back of map).

The earthquakes and volcanoes that mark plate boundaries are clearly shown on this map, as are craters made by impacts of extraterrestrial objects that punctuate Earth's history, some causing catastrophic ecological changes. Over geologic time, continuing plate movements, together with relentless erosion and redeposition of material, mask or obliterate traces of earlier plate-tectonic or impact processes, making the older chapters of Earth's 4,500-million-year history increasingly difficult to read. The recent activity shown on this map provides only a present-day snapshot of Earth's long history, helping to illustrate how its present surface came to be.

Both the front and back of this map illustrate the enormous recent growth in our knowledge of planet Earth. Yet, much remains unknown, particularly about the processes operating below the ever-shifting plates and the detailed geological history during all but the most recent stage of Earth's development.



Volcano

A volcano is a mountain that opens downward to a reservoir of molten rock below the surface of the earth. Unlike most mountains, which are pushed up from below, volcanoes are built up by an accumulation of their own eruptive products. When pressure from gases within the molten rock becomes too great, an eruption occurs. Eruptions can be quiet or explosive. There may be lava flows, flattened landscapes, poisonous gases, and flying rock and ash.

Because of their intense heat, lava flows are great fire hazards. Lava flows destroy everything in their path, but most move slowly enough that people can move out of the way.

Fresh volcanic ash, made of pulverized rock, can be abrasive, acidic, gritty, gassy, and odorous. While not immediately dangerous to most adults, the acidic gas and ash can cause lung damage to small infants, to older adults, and to those suffering from severe respiratory illnesses. Volcanic ash also can damage machinery, including engines and electrical equipment. Ash accumulations mixed with water become heavy and can collapse roofs. Volcanic ash can affect people hundreds of miles away from the cone of a volcano.

Sideways directed volcanic explosions, known as "lateral blasts," can shoot large pieces of rock at very high speeds for several miles. These explosions can kill by impact, burial, or heat. They have been known to knock down entire forests.

Volcanic eruptions can be accompanied by other natural hazards, including earthquakes, mudflows and flash floods, rock falls and landslides, acid rain, fire, and (under special conditions) tsunamis.

Active volcanoes in the U.S. are found mainly in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. Active volcanoes of the Cascade Mountain Range in California, Oregon, and Washington have created problems recently. The danger area around a volcano covers approximately a 20-mile radius. Some danger may exist 100 miles or more from a volcano, leaving Montana and Wyoming at risk.

What is the history of volcanic eruptions where I live?

How can I protect myself from a volcanic eruption?

Find a Volcano by Region

Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program


World Map of Volcanic Regions

| Mediterranean and W Asia | Africa and Red Sea | Middle East and Indian Ocean | New Zealand to Fiji | Melanesia and Australia | Indonesia | Philippines and SE Asia | Japan, Taiwan, Marianas | Kuril Islands | Kamchatka and Mainland Asia | Alaska | Canada and Western USA | Hawaii and Pacific Ocean | México and Central America | South America | West Indies | Iceland and Arctic Ocean | Atlantic Ocean | Antarctica |


All of the base maps in this section, for the world and volcanic regions, were generated using ER Mapper.

Citation Guidelines for this electronic version of Volcanoes of the World.

Amazing Pictures of Chile Volcano Eruption!!

cent months the seismic network at Tungurahua

20 April-26 April 2011
On 22 April, IG reported that in recent months the seismic network at Tungurahua detected volcano-tectonic earthquakes, indicating increased pressure in the volcano. Deformation of the NW quadrant that began in early February was slow but continuous, and then accelerated during the previous nine days. On 21 April gas-and-ash plumes caused fine ashfall in Choglontús and Cahuají (8 km SW), Pillate (8 km W), Cotaló (8 km NW), Juive (7 km NNW), and Baños (8 km N). Strombolian activity was seen at night, producing small lava fountains and incandescent blocks that rolled 1 km down the flanks. Roaring was heard and a few explosions occurred during 21-22 April. IG recommended that residents do not go within 3 km of Tungurahua's crater. On 26 April six explosions were detected and constantly-generated ash plumes rose to an altitude of 12 km (39,400 ft) a.s.l. Plumes drifted W and NW, causing steady ashfall in areas downwind. Structures vibrated in surrounding areas, including in Baños.
Source: Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG)
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Ecuador Cordillera Oriental Tungurahua volcano

Situation Update No. 3
Posted:2011-04-27, 03:13:21 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110427-30486-ECU

Situation Update No. 3
On 2011-04-30 at 02:32:17 [UTC]

Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Ecuador Cordillera Oriental Tungurahua volcano
Number of Evacuated: 300 person(s)

Situation: Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano hurled truck-sized pyroclastic boulders more than a mile Friday in a powerful eruption that prompted at least 300 people to flee their homes, authorities said. Schools were closed for a third straight day as ash showered down on a dozen towns in the sparsely populated area surrounding the 16,480-foot (5,023-meter) volcano. Thundering explosions could be heard miles from Tungurahua, which is on the Andes cordillera 84 miles (135 kilometers) southeast of Ecuador's capital, Quito. A state Geophysics Institute scientist monitoring the volcano from a nearby observation post said by phone that incandescent boulders were landing up to 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) beneath crater level. "The smallest blocks are that size of an automobile while the biggest reach the size of a truck, which cause impact craters up to 10 meters (33 feet) wide as they hit the flanks," the scientist, Silvana Hidalgo said. She called the eruption level "moderate to high." Civil defense officials reported an intense shower of ash east of the volcano, including in Banos, a tourist destination three miles (five kilometers) away that is popular for its hot springs. The volcano has been active since 1999. At least four people were killed and thousands evacuated in eruptions in July and August of 2006.
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Volcano Erupts in Ecuador

Volcano Erupts in Ecuador

The Tungurahua Volcano, some 85 miles southeast of Quito, has been active since 1999.
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Tungurahua Photo
 Country:Ecuador
Subregion Name:Ecuador
Volcano Number:1502-08=
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano
Volcano Status:Historical
Summit Elevation: 5023 m 16,479 feet
Latitude: 1.467°S 1°28'1"S
Longitude: 78.442°W 78°26'30"W

Tungurahua, a steep-sided andesitic-dacitic stratovolcano that towers more than 3 km above its northern base, is one of Ecuador's most active volcanoes. Three major volcanic edifices have been sequentially constructed since the mid-Pleistocene over a basement of metamorphic rocks. Tungurahua II was built within the past 14,000 years following the collapse of the initial edifice. Tungurahua II itself collapsed about 3000 years ago and produced a large debris-avalanche deposit and a horseshoe-shaped caldera open to the west, inside which the modern glacier-capped stratovolcano (Tungurahua III) was constructed. Historical eruptions have all originated from the summit crater. They have been accompanied by strong explosions and sometimes by pyroclastic flows and lava flows that reached populated areas at the volcano's base. Prior to a long-term eruption beginning in 1999 that caused the temporary evacuation of the city of Baños at the foot of the volcano, the last major eruption had occurred from 1916 to 1918, although minor activity continued until 1925.
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1373 People Evacuated from Province of Batangas (Luzon) Taal Volcano

Situation Update No. 14
On 2011-04-17 at 14:46:36 [UTC]

Event: Volcano Activity
Location: Philippines Province of Batangas (Luzon) Taal Volcano
Number of Evacuated: 1373 person(s)

Situation: Philippine authorities said on Sunday more people had been evacuated from towns and villages near a volcano island close to the capital amid increasing signs of seismic activity. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the number evacuated had increased to 1,375 as of Saturday from four towns near Taal volcano, while seismologists recorded 10 volcanic earthquakes overnight. Water temperatures and gas emissions also increased, seismologists said. 'This large rise in CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration indicates gas release from the magma at depth,' the council said. It advised the public to stay away from hiking trails on the scenic island because of the possibility of explosions. 'Breathing air with (a) high concentration of gases can be lethal to humans, animals and may even cause damage to vegetation,' it added.
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Phillipines Province of Batangas (Luzon) Taal Volcano

Ref.no.: VA-20110401-30140-PHL

Situation Update No. 12
On 2011-04-16 at 02:37:42 [UTC]

Event: Volcano Activity
Location: Philippines Province of Batangas (Luzon) Taal Volcano
Situation: State volcanologists on Saturday recorded a "noticeable" increase in seismic activity from Taal Volcano in Batangas, but said there is no reason to raise the alert level there, at least for now. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum Jr. said this means an eruption is possible but there is no definite timetable. "May 20 quakes for the last 24 hours. Ang ating sinasabi baka tumuloy sa eruption pero walang time frame pa," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Alert Level 2 remains on Taal, adding that raising the alert level to "3" will indicate a possible eruption in "days to weeks," while raising it to "4" will indicate a possible eruption in "hours to days." Phivolcs' Taal bulletin said water temperature at the Main Crater Lake slightly increased from 29.8 to 30.1 degrees Celsius. In its earlier interpretation of Taal's activities, Phivolcs said magma has been intruding towards the surface, as manifested by carbon dioxide being released in the Main Crater Lake and increase in seismic activity. Meanwhile, Solidum reminded the public the Main Crater, Daang Kastila Trail and Mt. Tabaro are strictly off-limits because sudden hazardous steam-driven explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate. According to a Phivolcs advisory, breathing air with high concentration of gases can be lethal to human, animals and even cause damage to vegetation. Also, it reminded the public the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended.
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How a Volcano Works
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FEMA: Are You Ready for a Volcano?

FEMA: Are You Ready?
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NASA - NASA Airborne Radar Set to Image Hawaiian Volcanoes

NASA - NASA Airborne Radar Set to Image Hawaiian Volcanoes
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