Situation Update No. 3
Posted:2011-05-22, 02:09:17 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110522-30830-ISL
Situation Update No. 3
On 2011-05-22 at 03:15:23 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Iceland Vatnajökull glacier Grímsvötn Volcano
Situation: A lot of ash has been falling around the Vatnajokull glacier and nearby towns this evening. It is expected to continue through the night and maybe into tomorrow, according to Icelandic Met Office geologist, Hjorleifur Sveinbjornsson. The ash is much coarser than that which came from Eyjafjallajokull last year. Sveinbjornsson told mbl.is that there has been little change in the eruption since it began and that ash is falling on the towns of Kirkjubaerklaustur and Hofn i Hornafirdi — as well as nearby farms. He added that the volcano is a basalt eruption and that it is a good thing that the ash is less fine than last year; which will prevent it from spreading so far. The eruption seems to be taking place very near to the site of the 2004 volcano. Sveinbjornsson says that there was very little warning of an eruption today: no warning at all at 17.00 as he was preparing to go home from his shift. At 17.30 it was clear that something was happening; and then earthquakes at 18.00 confirmed suspicions. Residents of local towns and farms reported visual confirmation of the eruption at 19.00. It seems the lava did not have much ice to melt through, as the ash cloud was very quick to form. The sizeable ash cloud can be seen from far and wide — and has even been seen from Reykjavik. Grimsvotn is in the Vatnajokull National park, which is the biggest national park in Europe. The famous Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon is also in the park and is being affected by the ash cloud. Mila provides a free webcam of Jokulsarlon here. At the time of writing the camera was showing a completely black screen — despite the fact that it no longer gets completely dark at night time at this time of year.
Info4 Volcanic eruptions
World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters, and Plate Tectonics | ||
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This site supports and extends a 1x1.5 m wall map available through the "Order" link [above]. |
 | | 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. |
Back of Map | ||
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. | ||
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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
| 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.
Situation Update No. 2
Posted:2011-05-22, 02:09:17 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110522-30830-ISL
Situation Update No. 2
On 2011-05-22 at 02:52:00 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Iceland Vatnajökull glacier Grímsvötn Volcano
Situation: It has been confirmed that Grimsvotn volcano underneath the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland has begun erupting. A plume of ash is visible, which has led scientists to confirm earlier reports of an eruption. Vidir Reynisson at the public safety unit of the Icelandic police says it is too early to tell how big an eruption it will be, although it shows signs of being bigger than the last one in 2004. Earthquake activity began in the area at 18.00 this evening (local time) — which was taken as a clear sign of an imminent eruption. The emergency co-ordination centre at Skogarhlid in Reykjavik is in operation. Grimsvotn is a large volcano buried under glacial ice. It erupts regularly, the last time in 2004. At the time, aviation was directed away from the ash; but there was no major disruption. Grimsvotn has never caused any major delays or cancellations to international air traffic — unlike the bigger Eyjafjallajokull eruption last year. The 2004 eruption and the one in 1998 both lasted around a week. Authorities have set up a no fly zone over the volcano this evening. It stretches 120 nautical miles in all directions. There are no delays or cancellations to flights into and out of Iceland and international aviation is easily able to fly around the volcano zone. A joklahlaup is expected some time tomorrow, whereby the pressure of melted water literally lifts the glacier to release a huge and sudden flood. Such events are usual when Grimsvotn erupts and south Iceland infrastructure is built to cope with it. Road closures are somewhat likely and can be followed on www.vegagerdin.is. Vegagerdin has already decided to close the Route 1 highway near the glacier in preparation — and because visibility is extremely poor due to the ash. The ash cloud has already risen to some 45,000 feet.
Posted:2011-05-22, 02:09:17 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110522-30830-ISL
Situation Update No. 2
On 2011-05-22 at 02:52:00 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Iceland Vatnajökull glacier Grímsvötn Volcano
Situation: It has been confirmed that Grimsvotn volcano underneath the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland has begun erupting. A plume of ash is visible, which has led scientists to confirm earlier reports of an eruption. Vidir Reynisson at the public safety unit of the Icelandic police says it is too early to tell how big an eruption it will be, although it shows signs of being bigger than the last one in 2004. Earthquake activity began in the area at 18.00 this evening (local time) — which was taken as a clear sign of an imminent eruption. The emergency co-ordination centre at Skogarhlid in Reykjavik is in operation. Grimsvotn is a large volcano buried under glacial ice. It erupts regularly, the last time in 2004. At the time, aviation was directed away from the ash; but there was no major disruption. Grimsvotn has never caused any major delays or cancellations to international air traffic — unlike the bigger Eyjafjallajokull eruption last year. The 2004 eruption and the one in 1998 both lasted around a week. Authorities have set up a no fly zone over the volcano this evening. It stretches 120 nautical miles in all directions. There are no delays or cancellations to flights into and out of Iceland and international aviation is easily able to fly around the volcano zone. A joklahlaup is expected some time tomorrow, whereby the pressure of melted water literally lifts the glacier to release a huge and sudden flood. Such events are usual when Grimsvotn erupts and south Iceland infrastructure is built to cope with it. Road closures are somewhat likely and can be followed on www.vegagerdin.is. Vegagerdin has already decided to close the Route 1 highway near the glacier in preparation — and because visibility is extremely poor due to the ash. The ash cloud has already risen to some 45,000 feet.
Situation Update No. 1
Posted:2011-05-22, 02:09:17 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110522-30830-ISL
Situation Update No. 1
On 2011-05-22 at 02:17:07 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Iceland Vatnajökull glacier Grímsvötn Volcano
Situation: Iceland's most active volcano has started erupting, scientists said Saturday — just over a year after another eruption on the North Atlantic island shut down European air traffic for days. Iceland's Meteorological Office confirmed that an eruption had begun at the Grimsvotn volcano, accompanied by a series of small earthquakes. Smoke could be seen rising from the volcano, which lies under the uninhabited Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland. A no fly zone has been designated for 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) in all directions from the eruption. Isavia, the company that operates and develops all airport facilities and air navigation services in Iceland, described this as standard procedure around eruptions. "The plume of smoke has reached jet flying altitude and plans have been made for planes flying through Icelandic air control space to fly southwardly tonight," said Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, the spokeswoman for Isavia. Grimsvotn last erupted in 2004. Scientists have been expecting a new eruption and have said previously that this volcano's eruption will likely be small and should not lead to the air travel chaos caused in April 2010 by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. History shows that previous eruptions in Grimsvotn have not had much influence on flight traffic — unlike the massive disruption caused last year.
Pall Einarsson, geophysicist at the University of Iceland, said last year's eruption was a rare event. "The ash in Eyjafjallajokull was persistent or unremitting and fine-grained," Einarsson said. "The ash in Grimsvotn is more coarse and not as likely to cause danger as it falls to the ground faster and doesn't stay as long in the air as in the Eyjafjallajokull eruption." A plane from the Icelandic Coast Guard carrying experts from the University of Iceland will fly over the volcano and evaluate the situation. One eyewitness, Bolli Valgardsson, said the plume rose quickly several thousand feet (meters) into the air. Sparsely populated Iceland is one of the world's most volcanically active countries and eruptions are frequent. Eruptions often cause local flooding from melting glacier ice, but rarely cause deaths. Last year's Eyjafjallajokul eruption left some 10 million air travelers stranded worldwide after winds pushed the ash cloud toward some of the world's busiest airspace and led most northern European countries to ground all planes for five days. Whether widespread disruption occurs again will depend on how long the eruption lasts, how high the ash plume rises and which way the wind blows. In November, melted glacial ice began pouring from Grimsvotn, signaling a possible eruption. That was a false alarm but scientists have been monitoring the volcano closely ever since. The volcano also erupted in 1998, 1996 and 1993. The eruptions have lasted between a day and several weeks.
Posted:2011-05-22, 02:09:17 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110522-30830-ISL
Situation Update No. 1
On 2011-05-22 at 02:17:07 [UTC]
Event: Volcano Eruption
Location: Iceland Vatnajökull glacier Grímsvötn Volcano
Situation: Iceland's most active volcano has started erupting, scientists said Saturday — just over a year after another eruption on the North Atlantic island shut down European air traffic for days. Iceland's Meteorological Office confirmed that an eruption had begun at the Grimsvotn volcano, accompanied by a series of small earthquakes. Smoke could be seen rising from the volcano, which lies under the uninhabited Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland. A no fly zone has been designated for 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) in all directions from the eruption. Isavia, the company that operates and develops all airport facilities and air navigation services in Iceland, described this as standard procedure around eruptions. "The plume of smoke has reached jet flying altitude and plans have been made for planes flying through Icelandic air control space to fly southwardly tonight," said Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, the spokeswoman for Isavia. Grimsvotn last erupted in 2004. Scientists have been expecting a new eruption and have said previously that this volcano's eruption will likely be small and should not lead to the air travel chaos caused in April 2010 by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. History shows that previous eruptions in Grimsvotn have not had much influence on flight traffic — unlike the massive disruption caused last year.
Pall Einarsson, geophysicist at the University of Iceland, said last year's eruption was a rare event. "The ash in Eyjafjallajokull was persistent or unremitting and fine-grained," Einarsson said. "The ash in Grimsvotn is more coarse and not as likely to cause danger as it falls to the ground faster and doesn't stay as long in the air as in the Eyjafjallajokull eruption." A plane from the Icelandic Coast Guard carrying experts from the University of Iceland will fly over the volcano and evaluate the situation. One eyewitness, Bolli Valgardsson, said the plume rose quickly several thousand feet (meters) into the air. Sparsely populated Iceland is one of the world's most volcanically active countries and eruptions are frequent. Eruptions often cause local flooding from melting glacier ice, but rarely cause deaths. Last year's Eyjafjallajokul eruption left some 10 million air travelers stranded worldwide after winds pushed the ash cloud toward some of the world's busiest airspace and led most northern European countries to ground all planes for five days. Whether widespread disruption occurs again will depend on how long the eruption lasts, how high the ash plume rises and which way the wind blows. In November, melted glacial ice began pouring from Grimsvotn, signaling a possible eruption. That was a false alarm but scientists have been monitoring the volcano closely ever since. The volcano also erupted in 1998, 1996 and 1993. The eruptions have lasted between a day and several weeks.
2011-05-22 02:11:09 - Volcano Eruption - Iceland | |||||||||||||||||
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| Iceland's most active volcano erupted on Saturday, hurling a plume of ash and smoke far into the sky, which aviation officials were closely monitoring after another volcano shut European airspace for days last year . Authorities banned flights close to the Grimsvotn volcano but an official said the eruption was not expected to affect European airline traffic at least for the next 24 hours. The plume from the Grimsvotn volcano shot 20 km (12 miles) into the sky. The website of newspaper Morgunbladid said the eruption was more powerful than its last in 2004. "We have closed the area until we know better what effect the ash will have," said Hjordis Gudmundsdottir, spokeswoman for the Isavia civil aviation authority which has imposed a flight ban of 120 nautical miles around the area. Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull caused chaos when it erupted in April last year. Authorities halted flights due to fears that dust and ash would get into aircraft engines and cause accidents after the cloud was blown into European air traffic lanes. Grimsvotn lies under the Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland, the largest glacier in Europe. When it last erupted in 2004 transatlantic flights had to be re-routed south of Iceland, but no airports were closed. Gudmundsdottir said the winds in the area were strong and that Isavia and the Icelandic meteorological office were coordinating with Volcanic Ash Advisory Centres (VAAC), which advise airlines about the movement of clouds of volcanic ash. There are two VAACs near Iceland, in London and the French city of Toulouse. "It can be a big eruption, but it is unlikely to be like last year," Icelandic Met Office geologist Hjorleifur Sveinbjornsson told Reuters, referring Eyjafjallajokull. He said the plume from Grimsvotn was going to the north and that the office's forecast for the next 24 hours was that ash would not affect European airline traffic. The volcano could erupt for several days, he added. One positive factor for air traffic was that the ash from this eruption was heavier, whereas the ash last year was lighter and so drifted further. Domestic airline Icelandair said no traffic had been affected. "We do not expect the Grimsvotn eruption to affect air traffic to and from the country in any way," said Icelandair communications director Gudjon Arngrimsson. Pictures on local media websites showed a thick cloud of white smoke like a mushroom cloud over surrounding mountains. "Grimsvotn is a very powerful volcano, so we're monitoring it closely, even if the last few eruptions have been harmless," University of Iceland geophysicist Pall Einarsson was quoted as saying on the website of Morgunbladid. "We do not expect this to be a big one as it's coming from the same crater as the last three eruptions, which were all small," he added. | |||||||||||||||||
| Posted:2011-05-22 02:11:09 [UTC] | |||||||||||||||||
Situation Update No. 4
Posted:2011-04-27, 03:13:21 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110427-30486-ECU
Situation Update No. 4
On 2011-05-02 at 19:19:26 [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."
Posted:2011-04-27, 03:13:21 [UTC]
Ref.no.: VE-20110427-30486-ECU
Situation Update No. 4
On 2011-05-02 at 19:19:26 [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."
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