Dark strip on Saunders Island

Satellite image from the 29th December 2015 shows what appears to be a dark strip on Saunders Island extending from the summit area of Michael Volcano to the eastern shore of the island. Based on the image posted in my last post, this suggests that a lava flow from an eruption may have occurred. To be able to determine whether it really is a lava flow, I need a clear image of Saunders Island from Landsat 8.

Has a lava flow occurred on Saunders Island? SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Also, an emission appears to have originated from Zavodovski Island in a satellite image from 28th December 2015.

What appears to be an emission from Zavodovski Island. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Dark patch near the summit of Michael Volcano

In the satellite pic of Saunders Island from the 25th December 2015, a new dark patch is present at the "Old Crater" located immediately southeast of the summit crater on Michael Volcano. This suggests that some new activity had taken place on that part of the volcano. Judging from the colour of the dark patch through the mist, this suggests that (in my opinion) the activity may have been effusive or simply just new fumaroles. As the eastern half of the island is covered in clouds this cannot be clearly determined what took place there.

What appears to be some form of new activity just to the southeast of the summit crater. SOURCE: Landsat 8/USGS/NASA.

Grey area on Saunders Island

In the satellite image of Saunders Island from the 23rd December 2015, I noticed what appears to be a grey area on the east side of the island extending from the volcano to the shoreline. Although it is not easy to explain for sure what it is, I'm not ruling out an ash stained slope or even a probable ash plume.

Notice the grey area on the east side of Saunders Island, is that ashfall? or even a probable ash plume? SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Oh and also, I've previously forgot to post an image of Saunders Island from the 23rd November 2015 covered in clouds but showing a vapour plume being emitted from Mount Michael.

Vapour emission from Mount Michael on 23rd November 2015. SOURCE: Landsat 8/USGS/NASA.

Some possible December emissions

Some possible emissions look present in the satellite images of Saunders Island in images from 1st, 5th, and 19th December 2015. In the image from 1st December, there appears to be a white plume originating from the summit of Mount Michael and drifting west. In the image from 5th December, there appears to be a dirty white or light grey plume originating from the same area and drifting northeast. And in the image from 19th December, a white plume is drifting towards the west. It is not clear what exactly is going on due to the quality of the images.

Saunders Island 1st December 2015. SOURCE: Terra/MODIS/NASA.

Saunders Island 5th December 2015. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Saunders Island 19th December 2015. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Dark patch on Saunders Island Nov 2015

Satellite image from 20th November 2015 shows a clear dark patch on Saunders Island indicating possible activity at the summit area of Mount Michael. Whether this is related to volcanic activity or just high ground temperatures is unclear.

Dark patch indicating possible activity. SOURCE: Aqua/MODIS/NASA.

Lava inside the crater of Mount Michael!

In the clear day satellite image of 6th October 2015, I discovered what is the most concrete evidence of volcanic activity on Mount Michael to date. The image clearly shows the presence of lava inside the summit crater. In my view, this is either a lava lake or it could be intensive strombolian activity inside the crater.

Definitely some activity on Michael Volcano. SOURCE: Landsat 8/USGS/NASA.

In other images, a dark area is present on the peninsula of Candlemas Island which indicates elevated ground temperatures of volcanic origin or fumarolic activity, and a thermal image shows what appears to be a slight thermal anomaly on Montagu Island.

Hot spot again detected by satellite

A hot spot has been detected on Saunders Island in the data provided by the MODVOLC website dated 30th September 2015. This is most likely an indicator of volcanic activity on Mount Michael as the South Sandwich Islands in the south Atlantic Ocean lacks human activity. A hot spot was previously detected on Saunders Island during the 28th, the 30th, and the 31st August 2015.

Thermal anomaly detected on Mount Michael by satellite on 30th September 2015. SOURCE: MODVOLC.