News from Sangay, Nishinoshima and Grimsvötn.

Sangay - photos taken by FlyToUio Aviador Ecuatoriano 10.06.2020 (via Infopinion / Twitter)

In the past 15 hours, an increase in volcanic activity has been observed in the Sangay volcano, in Ecuador.

This activity is characterized by a higher gas and ash emission height, reaching between 1.5 and 2.8 km above the crater level, an increase in the range of the ash cloud to the west, reaching more than 600 km from the volcano, and an increase in the number of thermal alerts on the southeast flank of the volcano associated with an increase in lava emissions.

Due to these circumstances, Sangay's activity is classified as HIGH with an upward trend.

Multiparametric graph of the activity of the Sangay volcano from May 2019 to June 12, 2020. a: seismic activity (number of events per day) detected at the PUYO station (source: IG-EPN); b: SO2 emissions (tonnes per day) detected by the Sentinel-5P satellite sensor (TROPOMI: red squares; source: MOUNTS) and by IGEPN (DOAS: green bars); c: height of the ash clouds (m above the crater level) detected by the GOES-16 satellite sensor (source: Washington VAAC); d: thermal emission power (megawatt) detected by the MODIS satellite sensor (source: MODVOLC) and estimate of the accumulated lava volume (millions of m3, the fine lines represent the error range). - Doc. IGEPN

Sangay - thermal anomalies / Mirova and thermal alerts detected by the FIRMS system in the last 24 hours. / IGEPN 12.06.2020 - one click to enlarge Sangay - thermal anomalies / Mirova and thermal alerts detected by the FIRMS system during the last 24 hours. / IGEPN 12.06.2020 - one click to enlarge

Sangay - 11.06.2020 / 06:11 - cam ECU 911 / IGEPN

This June 12, on GOES-16 satellite images, a continuous emission of ash from the Sangay volcano is observed, directed to the southwest and northwest. This activity could cause light to moderate ash falls in the provinces of Chimborazo, Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, Bolivar, Azuay, Cañar and Guayas.

Sangay - Ashes emitted in 2 directions - Goes satellite image -16 / 12.06.2020

The main phenomenon that can affect the population in the coming hours or days, associated with this activity, is the fall of the ashes. At the time of publication of the observatory report, the wind direction is towards the southwest, which could cause light to moderate ash falls in the provinces of Chimborazo, Cañar, Guayas, Azuay and El Oro. If the wind direction changes, it could affect other provinces.

The increase in materials at the head of the Volcán river could also lead to an increase in sediments and even lahars in the Volcán and Upano rivers.

Sources: IGEPN reports 2 - 3

Nishinoshima - activity during the overflight of 07.06.2020 / 12:25 by the Japan Coast Guards.

In the Ogasawara Islands, the activity of Nishinoshima does not weaken, with many high thermal anomalies on June 11 and 12, 2020, listed between 46 and 578 MW.

The last overview by the Japan Coast Guards on June 7 shows an intense gas and ash emission activity at the crater of the pyroclastic cone, as well as the plumes of gas and vapor emitted by the arrival of lava at sea.

Sources: Japan Coast Guards & Mirova

Nishinoshima - the pyroclastic cone and its ash emissions on 07.06.2020 / 12:41 pm during the overflight by the Japan Coast Guards.

Nishinoshima - thermal anomalies on 12 June / 04h20 - Doc. Mirova - one click to enlarge

An IMO research team measured an increase in volcanic gases from the Icelandic volcano Grímsvötn.

The water surface of the subglacial lake in the caldera is high and a jökulhlaup (a glacial debacle) could occur in weeks / months, which can trigger an eruption following a discharge of weight on the magma chamber, according to Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, professor of geophysics at the University of Iceland.

Higher seismic activity, increased geothermal energy, and magmatic gas flow indicate that Grímsvötn is preparing for an eruption, according Magnús Tumi.

The last major eruption of the Grimsvötn dates back to 2011, and emitted 0.8 km³ of tephra, preceded by smaller eruptions in 1998 and 2004.

Sources: Icelandic Met Office (IMO), EuroVolc, Visir and Iceland Review