Anatahan’s volcanic eruption stops

Posted on Aug 14 2004

Anatahan’s volcanic activity dramatically subsided, with the Emergency Management Office reporting very low seismicity level for the island.

The EMO and the U.S. Geological Survey said the seismic signals indicate that the frequent individual eruptions have ceased. The agencies said decreased seismicity level began on July 26.

“The ash plume is less than a few kilometers long and below 2,000 feet,” the agencies said.

The EMO maintained, though, that volcanic activity could change rapidly and could become dangerous to aircraft flying over CNMI airspace.

The EMO also advised aircraft to exercise due caution within 30 to 50 km of the island. It advised aircraft to pass upwind or farther than 30 km downwind from the island.

Anatahan’s increased activity began in late March this year, after temporarily subsiding months after the big volcanic eruption in May 2003.

It remains off-limits to anyone, except for government-approved scientific missions to the island.

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