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.

Possible lava lake on Michael Volcano?

Satellite image from 30th January 2020 shows a cresent shape-like thermal anomaly inside the summit crater of Michael Volcano which looks possibly partially obscured by a gas plume suggesting that a possible lava lake or pool could be present.

Thermal anomaly inside the crater of Mount Michael on 30th January. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Three thermal anomalies inside the crater of Michael Volcano

Satellite image from 24th December 2019 shows three anomalies present inside the summit crater of Mount Michael, Saunders Island. It is an indicator that the volcano is pretty much active and that there maybe currently 3 active vents present on the crater floor. Images from 29th November and 2nd December 2019 also show similar anomalies suggesting that the volcano became active sometime in November.

Thermal anomaly present inside the crater of Mount Michael on 24th December. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Thermal anomaly present inside the crater of Mount Michael on 2nd December. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Thermal anomaly present inside the crater of Mount Michael on 29th November. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Extensive gas plume from Saunders Island

Satellite image from the 10th October 2019 shows an extensive white plume being emitted from Michael Volcano on Saunders Island and being blown in an east-southeasterly direction. There is no thermal anomaly present in the summit crater area which brings me to the opinion that it is just a gas plume.

Further images of Saunders Island from the 13th and 15th October 2019 show nothing more than degassing activity on Michael Volcano.

Extensive gas plume drifting ESE on 10th October 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Degassing activity on 13th October 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Degassing activity on 15th October 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Few more photos of the South Sandwich Islands volcanoes

Some of you may or may not recall a post I done earlier this year showing photos of the South Sandwich Islands volcanoes taken by a scientist on board the Discovery Expedition 99 voyage to South Georgia Island and the South Sandwich Islands.

Well this is a kind of belated post but another scientist, Chris Darby who was also aboard the same expedition that time had also gave me kind permission to share his pics.

All photos taken by Chris Darby, late February to early March 2019.

ZAVODOVSKI ISLAND

SAUNDERS ISLAND

THULE ISLAND

Quick Mt. Michael September satellite image updates

This is just a quick post so I'm able to catch up quicker, but below are some satellite images of activity on Mount Michael during September taken from the Sentinel-hub website. It's mostly about the plumes but one image shows a weak thermal anomaly inside the summit crater.

3rd September 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

8th September 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

15th September 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

28th September 2019. SOURCE: Sentinel-2/Sentinel Hub.

Strong earthquake hits South Sandwich Islands during late August

A strong magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit the South Sandwich Islands on the 27th August 2019 at 23:55 UTC. The epicenter of the quake was reported to be about 131km south of Bristol Island with a depth of 16km.

6.6 magnitude earthquake on 27th August 2019. SOURCE: USGS.