51: Ash explosions reported at Indonesia, Kamchatka, Ecuador, and Papua New Guinea volcanoes

March 17, 2013 – INDONESIA – A small explosive eruption occurred this morning at around 08:05 local time, generating a small ash plume rising a few hundred meters above the crater. Marapi volcano, one of Sumatra’s most active, has been producing intermittent explosions with ash plumes up to 1 km high frequently since August 2011. For Indonesian standards, this is no big activity, and Indonesia’s Volcanological Survey maintains alert level II only. A larger explosive eruption from Karkar volcano (PNG) produced an ash plume rising to 28,000 ft (8.5 km). The plume is rapidly drifting NW. Activity at the Colima volcano (Mexico) continues to increase. The new lava dome in the summit crater has apparently grown enough that incandescent lava could soon start descending into the Lumbre canyon on the western flank and produce pyroclastic flows, scientists from the university of Colima have warned.  In a similar way, the Cordobán and Monte Grande canyons in southwestern and southern flanks are at increased risk, and Civil Protection has advised the population to avoid these valleys.  –Volcano Discovery

Quake rattles dormant NZ volcano: Two earthquakes, within minutes of each other, have rattled Aucklanders and put cracks in some driveways, but experts say it’s nothing to worry about. The first quake, registering just over three on the Richter scale, hit just after 4pm and was felt in parts of Auckland. A bigger 3.9 quake centred on Motutapu Island beside the volcano Rangitoto sent many scurrying into the streets. Although the quakes were small, both were shallow, at less than 6km deep. Auckland is believed to be far from major fault lines, but the city is built on a field of more than 40 volcanoes, the youngest of which – Rangitot0 – blew up only 700 years ago. –ID

Shiveluch unleashes ash plume: Kamchatka’s Shiveluch volcano in the Russian Far East has been spewing ash to a height of 6 kilometers above sea level. There is no danger to the population; no volcanic dust has been recorded in surrounding villages. In the last 24 hours around 90 local quakes have been registered at Shiveluch. This volcano is the northernmost, and one of the most restless of Kamchatka’s active volcanoes. –English Ruvr

Increased activity at Ecuadorian volcano: Several Ecuadorian zones in the provinces of Tungurahua and Chimborazo remain today on orange alert due to the increased activity of the Tungurahua volcano, located 80 kilometers south of Quito, which was rated high by the Geological Institute (IG). The National Secretariat for Risk Management (SNGR) raised the alert from yellow to orange in areas of those provinces located close to the volcano. The IG report noted that activity in the Tungurahua increased substantially by generating columns of ash and gases, the highest rose to about four kilometers above the crater. Noises have been longer, lava fountains or constant emissions of incandescent material were observed rising 200 to 300 meters above the crater. This activity is expected to increase with incandescent flows down streams. There are reports of ash falling in the towns of El Manzano, Palitagua and Chogluntus. There is also a report of material rolling in the upper headwaters of the Rio Ulba. This volcano erupted in 1999 and has since periods of high activity interspersed with periods of relative calm. The Tungurahua is located in the Royal Mountain Range of the Andes (Cordillera Real de los Andes) in Ecuador and has a height of 5,020 meters. –Prensa Latina

New crater on Italy’s Mt. Etna: Europe’s most active volcano sent streams of red hot lava high into the night sky on Saturday. The latest activity is from a new crater on the south east face of the Sicilian volcano. Officials said the spectacular eruption was not a threat to nearby residents in Catania. –Telegraph