As of January 2nd, 2022, there are 48 volcanoes which are actively erupting.
These include volcanoes such as Bagana in Papua New Guinea which is a very
rare type of volcano called a lava cone where layers of viscous lava piles on top of each
other in the shape of a cone.
It also includes the towering Popocatepetl volcano southeast of Mexico City in Mexico
which has been continuously erupting since January 9th of 2005.
With this being said, here are a few of this week's major volcano related news stories.
In Indonesia, the dangerous decade volcano known as Merapi is at risk of another major
explosive eruption as its primary lava dome has become over steeped to one side.
Meanwhile in Vanuatu, a new volcanic eruption began at the Ambae shield volcano, which is
producing spectacular surtseyan style explosions.
Also, in New Zealand, the Ruapehu volcano is showing signs of activity as its crater
lake which is rapidly heating.
On the north island of New Zealand, the most active of the nation's several volcanoes is
the towering Ruapehu, which has erupted 42 times since 1950.
It is 2,797 meters or 9,177 feet tall and produced the nation's deadliest volcanic disaster
when a large lahar was released from its crater lake in 1953, causing the collapse of a railway
bridge.
Since then, many of its volcanic eruptions have begun at its crater lake such as this
phreatic eruption in 2007.
As a result, the temperature of its crater lake is thoroughly monitored with one of the
most important measurements being its temperature.
If a higher temperature is detected, it indicates increased volcanic activity and an increased
likelihood of an eruption, potentially due to a shallow intrusion of magma.
Well, its crater lake has been continuously heating since December of 2021.
Although some earthquakes have occurred alongside this activity, I would not be too worried.
The change in temperature is not yet sufficient to indicate the likelihood of a new eruption.
Also, these heating and cooling phases are quite common at this lake, and this latest
example is not very noteworthy.
Thus, Ruapehu's alert level remains at 1 on the 0 to 5 scale.
In Indonesia, the Merapi stratovolcano has been continuously erupting since December
31st of 2020.
During this timespan, eruptive activity has slowly built several lava domes, which occasionally
partially collapse and release pyroclastic flows in what is termed a "pelean" style eruption.
At the present, there is a fear that another large eruption of Merapi will occur rather
soon, as its southwest facing lava dome has become over steepened and is showing signs
of structural instability.
Eventually this dome will collapse, releasing a large pyroclastic flow in a manner similar
to December's deadly eruption of Semeru.
Although there was recently declared a 5 kilometer exclusion zone around its summit, I recommend
temporarily expanding this to 10 kilometers in a southward facing orientation.
In Vanuatu, the Ambae shield volcano produced a new eruption, releasing ash from its central
vent and slowly expanding an existing tuff cone.
This volcano has a highly unusual geologic setting, which is how it can produce highly
explosive eruptions despite being merely a shield volcano.
At its summit, the outlines of two young calderas can be seen.
Within the youngest and smaller of the two calderas, is a maar filled crater lake.
Within this lake is a 600 meter wide tuff cone that formed from eruptions in the last
300 years.
At the interior of this tuff cone is a highly acidic crater lake, and this is where the
new eruption is occurring.
So far, this eruption has been quite small, only creating small pyroclastic flows and
ejecting bombs of lava which are confined to the crater lake.
Although this eruption could suddenly become more explosive, there are no immediate warning
signs which suggest a sudden change in activity.
On a final note, it truly appears that a new eruption from the Krysuvik volcanic system
in Iceland is imminent.
Magma is slowly travelling upwards towards the surface, and is only at 1600 meters in
depth.
Although it is uncertain where the new eruption will occur, it will likely begin adjacent
to Geldingadalir.
Here is a quick list of every volcano which is currently erupting.
Additionally, here are some volcanoes at raised alert statuses which are not erupting but
could erupt in the near future.
I hope that you enjoyed this video.
If you would like to request a specific topic please leave a comment below.
Additionally, I would like to thank my new patrons Jeff, Toni Atchinson, Qauthar Saleh,
and Jamie Wold for supporting this channel!