Ash puff from Ubinas volcano this morning
A small explosive eruption took place earlier today, producing a plume of steam and ash that rose a few 100 meters. As the new lava dome inside the volcano's crater continues to grow, more and possibly stronger explosions can be expected. Video showing the eruption:
The new lava dome with high-temperature degassing on 19 March (J. Acosta, Defensa Civil de Moquegua)
The volcano's new lava dome continues to grow slowly within the crater. New field observations published yesterday in a detailed report showed that the lava dome is now approx. 120 m in diameter and has completely filled the inner pit left by the explosive activity in 2006 (as of 19 March). Visible glow (even in daylight) indicates very high temperatures.
Wed, 26 Mar 2014, 06:00
IGP's Observatorio Volcanologico de Arequipa (IGP-OVA) reported that volcanologists visiting Ubinas on 19 March observed that lava had continued erupt, covering the 120-m-wide crater floor. Seismic signals detected during 20-21 and 23 March indicating increased lava emissions. Gas-and-ash plumes rose as high as 1.3 km above the crater almost daily during 10-25 March; ashfall was reported on 25 March in nearby villages and noises from the volcano were audible in areas as far as 6 km SE.
Read allWed, 19 Mar 2014, 06:00
In a 23 March news article IGP volcanologists noted that the seismic network at Ubinas indicated a large output of lava during 10-11 March; sulfur dioxide emissions also increased during this period. Lava in the crater was incandescent. Based on analysis of satellite images and the INGEMMET web cam, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that an emission of gas and steam on 23 March possibly contained diffuse ash.
Read allThu, 13 Mar 2014, 17:55
Small plume from Ubinas this morning (INGEMMET webcam)
Weak ash emissions could be occurring at the volcano, recent webcam images suggest. VAAC Buenos Aires (one of the less busy VAAC centers) issued an alert in any case.
Wed, 12 Mar 2014, 06:00
Based on analyses of satellite imagery, the Buenos Aires VAAC reported that diffuse plumes from Ubinas, possibly containing ash, drifted WNW on 13 March and SW on 15 March. Satellite images on 16 March showed a diffuse gas plume containing some ash drifting WSW.
Read allFri, 7 Mar 2014, 16:08
The new lava inside the crater of Ubinas volcano (photo: IGP)
A pilot reported a possible ash plume at flight level 290 (29,000 ft, 9 km altitude) this afternoon, which would mean a significant eruption took place. However, this needs to be confirmed yet.
Read allWed, 5 Mar 2014, 06:00
IGP reported that during 26 February-4 March activity at Ubinas was characterized as low to moderate; seismicity fluctuated but remained low. Volcanologists visited the crater during 1-2 March and observed a new elongated body of incandescent lava that was 30-40 m long and emitted bluish gas. The Buenos Aires VAAC reported that although a pilot reported an ash plume drifting NE at an altitude of 8.8 km (29,000 ft) a.s.l. on 7 March, there was no indication of ash in satellite images.
Read allTue, 4 Mar 2014, 12:12
MODIS hot spot at Ubinas volcano (ModVolc, Univ. Hawaii)
According to the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), magma has arrived near or at the crater of the volcano. This is indicated by a recent swarm of hybrid earthquakes and a weak thermal anomaly that has been detected at the summit during the past 3 weeks.
Read allSun, 16 Feb 2014, 12:08
Seismic activity at Ubinas during 14 Feb and since 31 Jan (IGP)
The volcano could be in the process of entering a new eruptive phase. Two small (likely phreatic) explosions occurred last Friday at 13:46 and 14:45 h local time (18:46 and 19:45 GMT), ejecting plumes of ash and steam rising approx. 1.5-2 km. A strong sulfur smell was noticed in up to 5 km distance.
Read allWed, 12 Feb 2014, 06:00
IGP reported that a phreatic explosion from Ubinas occurred at 1445 on 14 February and generated a water vapor, gas, and ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater. Seismic activity had been increasing before the explosion, since 8 February.
Read allWed, 5 Feb 2014, 06:00
IGP's Observatorio Volcanologico de Arequipa (IGP-OVA) reported that on 1 February at 1559 a gas-and-ash plume from Ubinas rose .5-2 km above the crater and drifted E and SE. A photo showed ash from the plume falling onto the flanks. The event was accompanied by increased seismicity for several hours.
Read allMon, 3 Feb 2014, 16:52
Seismic swarm on 25 Jan 2014 (IGP)
Two small earthquake swarms occurred in January, the latest bulletin of the Peru's Geophysical Institute (IGP) reports. The first one happened between 8-9 Jan, and the second and stronger one on 25 Jan. In addition, bluish degassing (SO2, an indicator of the presence of magma) was observed.
Read allWed, 29 Jan 2014, 06:00
IGP reported that two earthquake swarms at Ubinas were detected: the first during 8-9 January and the second on 25 January. An emission was observed on 23 January. Seismicity increased again during 30-31 January.
Read all