Magnitude 6.1 - PAPUA, INDONESIA

USGS Earthquake Hazards ^ | 2004 November 28

[bd476]

From the Rabaul Volcanological Observatory in Papua New Guinea

[bd476]

Thank you, Oceanperch!

[bd476]

A view of Manam Volcano from the Space Shuttle (1988 December 2)

Space Shuttle photo (STS027-0032-0071) of Manam on December 2, 1988. The view is to the southeast and a small eruption plume is visible. Papua New Guinea is in the upper right of the photo.

[bd476]

From Volcanologist John Seach:

"November 2004: Large eruption occurred at Manam volcano in November. Ash to an altitude of 60,000 ft, and a plume extending 130 nautical miles from the volcano."

[Truth666]

BREAKING - Earthquake lets St. Helens volcano blow off steam

[bd476]

Tourism is big here - so many sites to see, volcanoes...

From Ecotourism Melanesia’s PAPUA NEW GUINEA VOLCANOES:

"Active Volcanoes:

Mt Matupit, Vulcan, Mt Rabalanakaia - Rabaul, East New Britain Province (vulcanology observatory)

Mt Bagana - Bougainville

Mt Lamington, Oro Province

Mt Pago, West New Britain Province (Mt Pago has been erupting during 2002 and villagers have been evacuated. When the area is safe, there are hot springs, bubbling mud pools and geysers in the Pokili Wildlife Management Area an hour's drive east of Hoskins which can be visited).

Manam Island, Madang Province

Karkar Island, Madang Province"

[Truth666]

Better title now :

Earthquake lets volcanoes blow off steam (Papiua, St. Helens)

[bd476]

Interesting comment about Mt. St. Helen's Volcano.

This 6.1 earthquake today will have probably have much impact upon local people in an area that was devastated by a 7.2 quake on Friday where 17 people were killed.

Did you notice this latest breaking news item about the evacuation in Papua New Guinea due to volcanic activity? There have been two deaths so far related to the Manam Volcano in Papua New Guinea.

Hundreds evacuated - Volcano

[bd476]

[Jemian]

Thanks for your ping. I've been considering the question you asked in the freepmail. This PM I'll write my thoughts.

[oceanperch]

I like those two maps you added. Very easy to read.

I was reading about the tourism too guess right now isn't a good time to book a vacation for scuba diving. : )

[bd476]

Another big quake and now evacuations due to an active, rumbling volcano Ping.

[bd476]

Not a great idea for being underwater anywhere near the Manam Volcano, unless you don't fear a sudden large boulder doing a cannonball in the water. The water temperature might get a bit hot, too.

It does look like a beautiful area, doesn't it? The insect population does well and makes a lot of noise after a rain storm, according to the tourist site.

[bd476]

Hi Truth,

That's an interesting theory and it might make sense if it were at least occasionally reliable.

However, six volcanologists along with three tourists lost their lives in 1993 when they ignored a series of earthquakes while exploring another currently active volcano, the Galeras Volcano in Colombia.

"Galeras volcano erupted in 1993 and killing 6 scientists and 3 tourists.

Tornillo earthquakes were measured prior to the 1993 Galeras eruption but they were not recognized by scientists as eruption precursors." John Seach Volcanologist

* * * * * * * * * *

Volcano World's Record of Volcanologist Killed While Studying Volcanoes

volcano	year	#volcanologists killed
Karkar	1979	2
Unzen	1991	3
Myojin-sho	1952	31
Mutnovsky	1991	1
Kliuchevskoi	1983	1
St. Helens	1980	1
El Chichon	1982	1
Galeras	1993	6
Guagua Pichincha	1993	2
Hekla	1947	1

[Darksheare]

yikes.
Wonder what's up?

[Lijahsbubbe]

I was watching a program the other nite about the 1985 Ruiz volcano, where 25,000 perished. It seems authorities wanted a specific prediction of eruption before evacuating the town. The scientists said that volcanic eruptions are extremely hard to predict. They would need something akin to an MRI of the volcano to see the magma movement in order to say when the volcano would erupt.

Here's an interesting link of the most deadly eruptions.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/LivingWith/VolcanicFacts/deadly_eruptions.html

[oceanperch]

7.1 Japan Nov. 28
Nov 28, 3:14 PM (ET)
TOKYO (AP) - A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 struck Japan's northern island of Hokkaido early Monday, swaying buildings and triggering a tsunami that lashed the shore, officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage from the 3:32 a.m. quake or the waves.
Japan's Meteorological Agency quickly issued a tsunami warning for the eastern shores of Hokkaido's Pacific coastal area.
Tsunami are potentially dangerous waves triggered by seismic activity.
The quake was centered off Hokkaido's east coast, about 550 miles northwest of Tokyo, some 30 miles below the sea surface.
The rocking was felt throughout northern Japan, including Hokkaido's largest city, Sapporo.
National broadcaster NHK showed footage of desks rumbling in their offices and convenience store goods thrown from shelves by the force of the quake.
A magnitude 7 earthquake is capable of causing widespread, heavy damage

[RWCon]

Who cares?

[bd476]

Thanks Oceanperch for posting that. I heard this on the Radio news earlier today, apparently there was a tsunami which hit somewhere close to the epicenter but at that point in time, there were no injuries or major damage reported.

[oceanperch]

OMG I cannot imagine the frustration of the volcano experts in trying to make them understand it is not a predictable event.

Bad bad call.