Activity update 18/6/16: Bristol Island, Zavodovski Island

Satellite images from the 7th and 15th June shows that the eruption on Mount Sourabaya on Bristol Island persists. The ash emissions however seems to have diminished suggesting that the intensity of the eruption has reduced.

Meanwhile on Zavodovski Island a gas plume was visible in satellite images from various days since 8th June 2016.

Bristol Island (bottom left) continues to emit an ash plume on 7th June 2016. SOURCE: Suomi NPP/VIIRS/NASA.

Ash emissions continue on 15th June 2016. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Gas plume originating from Zavodovski Island on 13th June 2016. SOURCE: Terra/MODIS/NASA.

Bristol Island update 4/6/16

This is going to be a very quick post but the eruption continues on Bristol Island and the satellite image from 4th June 2016 clearly shows an ash plume drifting east indicating that the intensity of the eruption persists.

Ash plume drifts east on 4th June 2016. SOURCE: Suomi NPP/VIIRS/NASA.

Activity update 2/6/16: Bristol Island, Zavodovski Island, Saunders Island

Satellite images from the 31st May and 1st June 2016 shows that an ash plume originating from Bristol Island is clearly evident and is drifting for a considerable distance in a northeasterly direction. Bristol Island however is not the only place displaying some form of volcanic activity, Mount Curry on Zavodovski Island has been emitting a gas plume also drifting for a considerable distance in a northeasterly direction on the same days.

Ash plume from Bristol Island more evident plus gas emission from Zavodovski Island is present in the image from 1st June 2016. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

In an image from the 28th May 2016, a faintly dark line appears to be originating from Mount Michael on Saunders Island indicating a possible minor ash emission.

Possible ash emission on Saunders Island 28th May?. SOURCE: Terra/MODIS/NASA.

Bristol Island update 30/5/16

Satellite image from the 26th May 2016 shows some faintly dark lines on Bristol Island suggesting the presence of lava flows and also a dark patch just west-northwest of the Mount Sourabaya area. The dark patch suggests the possibility that a new cinder cone vent may have formed or it could simply be an accumulation of lava.

Image from the 28th May 2016 shows an ash plume drifting northeast and again on the 29th May 2016 only this time it's drifting north-northeast. This could suggest that the activity may have intensified.

On the MODVOLC website a hotspot was detected during most days in May on Bristol island.

Bristol Island on 26th May 2016. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Ash plume drifts northeast from Bristol Island on 28th May 2016. SOURCE: Terra/MODIS/NASA.

Ash plume from Bristol Island (bottom centre-left) drifting NNE on 29th May 2016. SOURCE: Suomi NPP/VIIRS/NASA.

Most recent hotspot detection on Bristol Island. SOURCE: MODVOLC.

7.2 magnitude earthquake in South Sandwich Islands

A strong magnitude 7.2 earthquake has hit the South Sandwich Islands on the 28th May 2016. The epicenter of the quake was reported to be about 58km north-northeast of Visokoi Island with a depth of 72.7km (45.2 miles).

Earthquake 28th May 2016. SOURCE: USGS.

Bristol Island update 21/5/16

Nothing really shows up in the satellite image from 17th May 2016 due to cloudy conditions although incandescence is still present over Sourabaya Volcano on Bristol Island suggesting that the eruption is still continuing. Otherwise nothing else could be determined.

Incandescence is still visible despite cloudy conditions. SOURCE: Landsat 8/USGS/NASA.

Bristol Island update 13/5/16

New image from 13th May 2016 shows a plume is still present and drifting northeast indicating that the eruption on Mount Sourabaya continues. A little dark area is also present at the centre-left of the island indicating possible lava activity.

Eruption continues in the image from 13th May 2016. SOURCE: Terra/MODIS/NASA.