Tracking the Long Valley Caldera

While Hollywood plays to Super-Volcano fears, the real danger comes from their less-flashy cousins

Active volcano under ice raises concerns

New data has caused researchers to conclude that at least one volcano a mile below the ice of Antarctica is active, despite previous speculation that it was the opposite; while an eruption is not expected for several decades they are confident one will eventually transpire.

While some have expressed concerns about the possibilty that an accelerated melt-off linked to the boiling magma chamber may contribute to rising sea levels, another 'expert' was quick to assert that such a theory was highly speculative, thus unlikely.

Source: http://cir.ca/s/e7o

Magma chamber under Yellowstone 'grows'

Scientists, utilizing the latest seismic technology, have determined that the magma chamber beneath the Yellowstone National Park caldera is actually 2.5 times larger than previously thought. They are quick to point out, however, that this discovery does not necessarily increase the chances for an eruption of the VEI 8 volcano, though they remain very concerned about earthquake activity in the volatile region.

This data suggests that the magma chamber is only at 7% of capacity, and while the gaseous pressure within is enough to cause rising and falling of the caldera floor it is insufficient for triggering a massive eruption. However, due to geological forces literally 'stretching' the region Yellowstone's crust is slowly being thinned, raising the chances of a cataclysmic earthquake striking the area.

Due to media saturation the potential of a Yellowstone eruption has been fodder for much discussion, since if it were to transpire it would certainly be an apocalyptic episode on a global scale. While geologists remain dubious of such an event occurring anytime soon, their fears of a major earthquake-based catastrophe have been elevated by this new data.

Worried about scary 'supervolcanoes' like Yellowstone? Check out where your focus SHOULD be... The Sevens: Ultra Plinian Volcanoes

Photo: Brocken Inaglory via Wikipedia

Volcano awakens after half-century slumber

Zhupanovsky, a volcano located in eastern Russia, exploded skyward yesterday, spewing ash up to 5 kilometers (16,400 foot) into the atmosphere. The eruption caught researchers off guard, as Zhupanovsky was not on their list of 'restless' volcanoes.

This recent event was measured as a category VEI 2, though future activity could cause scientists to raise the volcano's intensity. The surrounding area is sparsely populated, thus few were adversely affected by the over 1 millimeter of ash which fell on a nearby valley.

Zhupanovsky is listed as a complex volcanic system, consisting of four overlapping stratovolcanoes. Located in the southeastern part of Kamchatka Peninsula, it had been dormant since 1959.

Photo: Zhupanovsky [Игорь Шпиленок, via Wikipedia]

Volcanic vent opens under international airport

Scientists are baffled by a random hole which opened in the ground near a street-crossing at International Fiumicino airport in Rome last weekend. At first thought to be caused by either a broken water or gas line, geologists and engineers have determined this week that the geyser-like event is volcanic in nature, labeling the opening a fumarole. Researchers have no idea as yet how this transpired in a major city without any advanced notice, noting that they have only just begun their studies of the phenomenon.

Approximately two meters (six feet) in diameter, this miniature volcano burst open early on August 24th, surprising local residents by spewing steam and mud. As mentioned above, scientists had no forewarning that there was even a potential for volcanic activity under the metropolitan area of 2.75 million people, despite the generous number of hot springs within city limits. The closest known volcanic system is the Monti Albani, believed to be dormant, which is 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of Rome.

While scientists are excited about this rare event, others are alarmed. Monti Albani's last known major activity was 20,000 years ago, thus the prospect of it violently waking up without notice - and presenting evidence of its awakening so far northwest - is unsettling for many, even though this event is a minor one. A few others are even questioning this explanation as a possibility, however, given the distance of Rome from Albani; they fear instead a thus-far undiscovered volcanic system is brewing deep beneath the surface of the city, though supporters of mainstream science consider that scenario ludicrous.

If this fumarole is verified to be tied to Albani the ramifications are still disconcerting. The region is both currently and historically subject to low-level swarms of earthquakes, and is known for its persistent emissions of CO2 gases. Furthermore, the growing magma chamber beneath the area leads some geologists to conclude another major eruption is possible, an event which would be devastating to Italy's densely-populated capitol city.

Sakurajima stuns with massive eruption

Yesterday Mount Sakurajima erupted violently, projecting ash and smoke over 5,000 meters (3.1 miles) into the sky. The volcano, which resides on the southern portion of Japan, has been in a near-perpetual state of activity for over half a century, although this was the biggest eruption since it woke up from a decades-long slumber in 1955.

While residents of the nearby community of Kagoshima have become accustomed to the mountain's constant activity - this latest was the 500th blast of 2013 - they were still stunned by the scope of yesterday's event. The eruption lasted for 50 straight minutes, resulting in ash dusting the city heavily enough to cause interruptions in train services; poor visibility for both drivers and pedestrians also became an issue.

Authorities have issued advisories to those affected in Kagoshima, urging them to cover themselves and wear masks if outdoors. Sakurajima ranks as a 4 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index [VEI], and has been the subject of much scientific study due to its persistent, intense activity.

Mini-swarm of earthquakes shake caldera

The Long Valley Caldera, located in California, experienced a mini-swarm of earthquakes on Thursday. While none of the quakes were above 3.0 on the Richter scale, the fact that at least nine measurable ground-shakers occurred in such a condensed period of time was enough to cause a slight rise of alert-levels for the area.

The caldera has experienced various swarms of earthquakes since May 1980, when a strong swarm included four quakes hitting at 6.0 of greater; this event caused a substantial dome-shaped ground-rise a 10 inches (25 centimeters) in the region. While activity since then has been sporadic it has also been persistent, causing scientists to monitor the caldera closely.

Long Valley is ranked a 'seven' on the Volcanic Explosivity Index [VEI] scale. This marks it as an ultra-Plinian volcano, one level below super-volcanoes like the well-known Yellowstone Caldera.

Observation: As is apt to happen in my world, events follow ideas. The fact this came about one day after my article on Plan and Prep, The Sevens - Ultra-Plinian Volcanoes, was posted... yeah, that is odd to say the least. Click on the link to learn more about VEI 7 volcanoes, and why we should be concerned about them - SB.

The Sevens (Featured on Plan and Prep)

Scared of a Yellowstone eruption? There is something else that should be grabbing your concern.

The Sevens, my first full-length article in a long while, is now ready for your consideration, exclusively on the superb website Plan and Prep. I really had fun writing this piece, and I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

Click the link below to check out...

The Sevens – Ultra Plinian Volcanoes

... and feel free to leave a comment on the post, letting me know what you think.

- Stone

Indonesian Island Erupts, Five Dead

Mount Rokatenda erupted in spectacular fashion today, belching ash well over a mile (2,000 meters) into the sky. Hot lava flows followed, killing at least five people in a beach-side village.

Rokatenda makes up a bulk of the tiny island of Palue, a part of Indonesia. The island normally serves as home for a 3,000-plus people, though the entire island had been evacuated for months due to the threat the volcano posed; it has been active since November of last year. Officials currently cannot explain why there were people in the evacuation zone when the eruption occurred.

This volcano is located in the notorious "Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped line of geologically active hot-spots which encompasses the eastern, northern, and western shores of the Pacific Ocean.