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Anatahan eruption continues
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Posted on Jun 15 2004
The Emergency Management Office maintained its advisory for aircrafts to take precaution amid the continuing volcanic activity on Anatahan, citing the possibility that the eruption could escalate with little or no warning.
The EMO’s Juan Takai Camacho flew to Anatahan sometime last week and observed “an active spatter cone from which continuous strombolian explosions throw material as high as 100 meters upward every 10 seconds to one minute.”
The EMO and the U.S. Geological Survey reported on a sustained high seismicity and frequent small volcanic eruptions on Anatahan this month. The agencies said the high seismicity correlates with a 100-km-long, light-colored plume of steam and ash.
Anatahan’s current eruption began with increased seismicity on March 30 this year, although volcanic activity had continued even after the big eruption on May 10 last year. A more energetic period began on April 24, when a light ash cloud rose to a few thousand feet, according to the EMO and the USGS.
The EMO said that, while the current volcanic activity is not dangerous to most aircraft, the condition could change rapidly. It advised aircraft to pass upwind of Anatahan or farther than 30 kilometers downwind from the island and exercise due caution within 30-50 km of the island.
Anatahan remains off-limits to the general public amid a standing emergency declaration by Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who restricted all travels to the island except for scientific expedition. According to the EMO, the off-limits zone extends to 10 nautical miles around Anatahan.
The governor began placing Anatahan under such declaration days after the volcano’s big eruption on May 10 last year. The volcanic activity eventually slowed down, but regained intensity since March.
