Ash plume subsides to 10K ft
Extensive cloud cover associated with tropical storm Matsa obscured satellite monitoring of Anatahan volcano’s ash plume yesterday, but the U.S. Geological Survey and the Emergency Management Office presumed it was at 10,000 feet and moving northward.
Ash emissions seemed to have temporarily subsided, as both agencies reported that plume reached an altitude of 34,000 feet Saturday.
The agencies reiterated that the volcano continues to be in a state of constant eruption.
They added, though, that tremor levels on Anatahan fluctuated at lesser magnitudes compared to peak levels from June 17 to 26. Yesterday, they said tremor levels ranged from 30 to 60 percent of the June peak levels.
The agencies said two of its seismometers are currently functioning. Earlier this month, all seismic stations malfunctioned due to heavy ash fall.
They stressed that aircraft should pass upwind of the island or beyond 10 nautical miles downwind, pointing out that conditions could change rapidly, and volcanic activity could just suddenly escalate.
