Recent activity on Saunders Island

Gas plumes have been present on Mount Michael in three recent images from 2nd February, 20th February, and 8th March 2020.

Gas plume drifting SW during 2nd February 2020. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Plume drifting from north-northwest to east during 20th February 2020. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub. 

Plume drifting west-northwest to north during 8th March 2020. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Two strong earthquakes hit the South Sandwich Islands

Two strong earthquakes have recently occurred in the South Sandwich Islands. The first one with a magnitude of 6.1 occurred on the 20th January 2020 at 06:51 UTC. The epicenter of the quake was reported to be about 25km south-southeast of Bristol Island with a depth of 93km. The second one with a magnitude of 6.0 occurred on the 8th February 2020 at 14:32 UTC. The epicenter of the quake was reported to be about 113km south-southeast of Bristol Island with a depth of 16km.

6.1 magnitude earthquake on 20th January 2020. SOURCE: USGS.

6.0 magnitude earthquake on 8th February 2020. SOURCE: USGS.