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Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua): strong explosion this morning

Sun, 3 Jan 2016, 16:55 | BY: T
The cone of Momotombo volcano covered by glowing bombs from this morning's eruption
The cone of Momotombo volcano covered by glowing bombs from this morning's eruption
A strong explosion occurred this morning at 04:22 local time at the volcano, covering much of the summit cone with incandescent ejecta.
The lava flow effusion and continuous strombolian activity had stopped in early December, followed by only high-temperature degassing, sporadic minor explosions and the growth of what might have been a small lava dome. A more intense phase of activity seems to have started yesterday. Early on 2 January, small ash emissions occurred, followed by more, still weak explosions in the early afternoon of yesterday.
The strong explosion this morning might have involved a small pyroclastic flow on the NE side of the volcano, reaching about 1.5-2 km length.
Whether or not this activity is sign of a new batch of magma arriving at the vent, and leading up to more intense activity to come, or result of more superficial processes, e.g. surface pressure released beneath the recently emplaced lava occupying the summit is unclear.
No damages were reported to have occurred from this morning's explosion.

Previous news

Wed, 30 Dec 2015, 06:00

Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 30 December-5 January 2016 (Continuing Activity)

INETER reported that during 29-30 December no explosions at Momotombo were detected, though Real-time Seismic-Amplitude Measurements (RSAM) continued to be at moderate-to-high levels. Based on INETER and SINAPRED reports, three gas-and-ash explosions on 2 January, at 1333, 1426, and 1434, excavated the remaining parts of the lava dome which was emplaced about a month ago. An ash plume rose 500 m above the crater, drifted S and SW, and caused ashfall in Puerto Momotombo (9 km WSW). ... Read all
Wed, 9 Dec 2015, 06:00

Momotombo volcano (Nicaragua) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 9 December-15 December 2015 (New Activity / Unrest)

Based on INETER and SINAPRED reports, activity at Momotombo continued through 10 December. Fieldwork revealed a small, incandescent, circular crater halfway up Momotombo's E flank that was fuming during the morning on 6 December. An explosion on 7 December destroyed part of the crater. ... Read all
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Momotombo volcano
stratovolcano 1297 m / 4,255 ft
Nicaragua, 12.42°N / -86.54°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) Momotombo volcano eruptions:
2015-ongoing (2016), 1918 (?), 1905, 1902, 1886-87, 1885 (?), 1882, 1878, 1870, 1858-66, 1854, 1852, 1849, 1764, 1736, 1609 (?), 1605-06, 1578, 1524
Radiocarbon-dated: 1100 ± 50 years, 800 BC ± 50 years, 2550 BC ± 300 years
Typical eruption style
explosive, strombolian activity