Eruptions

Fernandina and Llaima Eruption Updates for 4/13/2009 – Updated!

Posted by Erik Klemetti on April 13, 2009
(39)
More »

Fernandina, Ecuador

Fernandina erupting in 2009.

UPDATE 4/13/09 at 12PM: The NASA Earth Observatory has posted a nice MODIS image showing the plume from the Fernandina eruption drifting out over the Pacific.

We have a few more details on the ongoing eruption at Fernandina in the Galapagos Islands. Officials from the Parque Nacional Galápagos (PNG) flew over the island (in spanish) and saw the eruption is coming from a several-kilometer-long fissure vent that flows towards the sea, dividing into multiple flows and then coalescing when it reaches the sea. There is also a lot of vapor being produced at the ocean entrance of the lava flows (not surprisingly). You can see the fissure erupting – looks like what we like to call the “curtain of fire” phase – in the first few picturs of the photo gallery at the bottom of this article. So far, the iguanas of Fernandina aren’t thought to be in much danger from the eruption.

Llaima, Chile

Llaima erupting in 2009.

In Chile, Llaima continues to steam away after its intense eruption of the last few weeks. A constant glow (in spanish) was spotted at the summit of the volcano on Saturday and the lava flow from the new eruptions appears to still be active. There is still constant low-level seismic activity and gas emissions at the volcano. The pyroclastic debris is still blocking part of the vent as well. There is also some impressive video of the strombolian activity, lava flows and mudflows from the eruption.

Keywords: ,
(39)
More »

Comments

  1. #1 EKoh
    April 13, 2009

    Great fissure eruption photo!

  2. #2 agesilaus
    April 13, 2009

    What a great blog. I stumbled across it when I was searching for some real info on the La Cumbre eruption. There must be hundreds of stories online about this and they all are about the dangers to the wildlife. Don’t any of these folks consider the fact that these critters have been on these volcanic islands for millions of years and survived just fine thru inumerable eruptions.

    Anyway I posted a link to this blog on the rockhounds list which has a lot of people interested in geology on it.

    BK

  3. #3 B&B
    April 14, 2009

    We are about to book a Galapagos trip and have now held off due to the eruption on Fernandina. Would appreciate input as to travel in the area and how it will be affected by the blow. I do agree with the blogger who said “it has been going on for centuries”.

  4. #4 Erik Klemetti
    April 14, 2009

    BK – Thanks for the kind words. It is rather amusing that people might think that animals living on a volcanic archipelago would be in danger (more so) when the volcano erupts.

    B&B – I would imagine that traveling to the Galapagos would be fine. The eruption is likely be to confined is the island of Fernandina and from the sound of it, this eruption is effusive (lava flows) in nature. However, as always, you should check with the Geophysical Institute in Ecuador or the USGS/SI volcanic activity reports the closer it comes to your trip.

  5. #5 mike
    April 15, 2009

    With a spectacular eruption on Fernandina, now would be the very best time to visit the Galapagos! A tour by small boat that takes in all the major islands including Fernandina is a must!

  6. #6 mike
    April 15, 2009

    PS The satellite photo shows that the eruption is on the far side of Fernandina from the side visitors are allowed to access – bummer! So if you went there you wouldn’t even see the eruption – just lots and lots of sunbathing iguanas and sea lions.

  7. #7 Paul Karabinos
    April 16, 2009

    First of all, Erik is a former student of mine, so it’s pretty cool to find his blog.

    Second, I just returned from a field trip with students to the Galapagos Islands, and am desolate that we missed the eruption by two weeks!

    Third, the eruption site is far from the visitors’ site on Fernandina, so regular tours will not be affected. I have read about boats making detours to allow visitors a better view of the eruption. This style of eruption does not pose a serious danger, and the prevailing westerly winds are taking the ash and steam generated by the eruption away from the islands.

    Hope all is well Erik.

  8. #8 Erik Klemetti
    April 17, 2009

    Hello there Dr. Karabinos! Glad you could stop by … too bad you just missed the eruption on Fernandina, but I imagine any trip to the Galapagos would be amazing.

    (For those of you curious, I did indeed take structural geology for Paul Karabinos at Williams. Many a outcrop did I sketch in that class … it was a blast!)

  9. #9 Bob Becker
    May 1, 2009

    We just returned from our Galapagos visit and had the good fortune to witness the Fernandina volcano eruption. We were on the M/V Santa Cruz at 4am on April 26th and approached within a couple miles of shore. We could see the lava spurting into the air and the glowing rivers of lava as they flowed to the sea. As dawn broke, we could see the gas plumes and clouds defined by the rising sun. Spectacular!

  10. #10 Proper Running Form
    April 22, 2011

    I’m really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today..

  11. #11 top free mmorpg
    June 5, 2011

    Howdy, you should on earth do you convey to myself why on earth do you write about of which because im not really happy cause my spouse and i you should not observe where by don’t you wat to succeed in referring to this?? a part kind them there is a beneficial site! My oh my close to forget your own sitemap isn’t operating. Gives thanks Jonh.

  12. #12 Ultimate mmorpg 2010
    June 6, 2011

    Hi, make sure you is it possible tell myself why don’t you select that will since now i am definitely not happy result in my spouse and i do not find where by don’t you wat to reach dealing with this particular?? separate form it you’ve got a beneficial weblog! My oh my in the vicinity of forget about your sitemap isn’t doing the job. Many thanks Jonh.

  13. #13 Ultimate mmorpg 2010
    June 6, 2011

    Howdy, you need to on earth do you say to me why don’t you decide on this because i am definitely not happy cause post do not discover when don’t you wat to arrive talking about this?? apart type it you do have a great site! Oh around forget your current sitemap just isn’t operating. Gives thanks Jonh.

  14. #14 Kerry Strausbaugh
    July 4, 2011

    i am waiting for the new season of Numb3rs, this show is really really good”

  15. #15 Carlos Laditka
    July 4, 2011

    i love action movies and my idol is none other than Gerard Butler. this guy really rocks::

  16. #16 caramoan hotels
    July 4, 2011

    bad credits can happen at any point in your life so be prepared to always get some extra income..

  17. #17 Gaynell Brocious
    July 8, 2011

    the public schools on our district can really give some good education to young kids. they have high standards,.

  18. #18 Angelic Batra
    July 16, 2011

    there are many different operating systems but of course i would still prefer to use linux for stability.

  19. #19 Andre Marek
    July 19, 2011

    my mom gives me some dance lessons every week, that is how i got my dancing expertise,.

  20. #20 Matt Sieczkowski
    July 20, 2011

    SimCity is a classic city simulator game which i used to play in the early 90′s (the original version)**

  21. #21 Alida Letters
    July 23, 2011

    the public schools on our district can really give some good education to young kids. they have high standards;;

  22. #22 beat maker software
    July 28, 2011

    Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  23. #23 Robert Benwell
    July 29, 2011

    Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

  24. #24 jewelers mutual
    August 3, 2011

    This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!

  25. #25 99% isopropyl alcohol
    August 10, 2011

    i can say that David Archuleta has some great potential. all he need is more epxerience,,

  26. #26 rice cereal for infants
    August 13, 2011

    Assume that you’re being employed as a pc technician for any company having a large network. You are assigned to determine what’s wrong with an employee?s computer and repair it. You suspect how the computer is just not properly connected to the network. Describe the troubleshooting steps you’d decide to try test out your theory how the computer just isn’t physically or logically connected to the network, and describe the way you would resolve the resolve the different advantages of the pc not connecting to the network..

  27. #27 mypadmedia complaints
    August 13, 2011

    What is important is not what someone is but what he is waiting for. Not the events of life but its possibilities.

  28. #28 drinking water system
    August 13, 2011

    There are actually a lot of details like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice point to carry up. I provide the ideas above as basic inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up where crucial thing will probably be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both boys and girls feel the impression of only a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.

  29. #29 blackhat seo tactics
    August 13, 2011

    A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.

  30. #30 Nipple Shield
    August 14, 2011

    i would love to enter my baby on a baby contest because she is very nice and talented’

  31. #31 uniden homepatrol
    September 16, 2011

    Yay google is my king assisted me to find this great site! . “Don’t rule out working with your hands. It does not preclude using your head.” by Andy Rooney.

  32. #32 windows small business server 2003
    September 26, 2011

    Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you Nonetheless I am experiencing problem with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting similar rss problem? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  33. #33 Pupil
    October 24, 2011

    Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you really recognise what you are speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We will have a hyperlink alternate contract between us

  34. #34 bbq catering prices sorrento valley
    November 15, 2011

    Nevertheless, we are knitpicking about 1 for 15 or 0 for 15.

  35. #35 pipe reducer
    November 15, 2011

    Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks However Im experiencing subject with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical rss downside? Anyone who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx

  36. #36 http://comerciostock.es/papel-regalo-kraft/105-papel-regalo-kraft-ref-prk3144.html
    November 15, 2011

    Blogs Very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Yahoo and I?m really glad about the information you provide in your posts. Thank You for sharing this very informative article… Regards

  37. #37 hoen bulbs bmw
    November 22, 2011

    Hey, I found your site via Google during your search for herpes cures as well as your post looks very interesting to me.

  38. #38 Lynsey Boeckx
    November 22, 2011

    you know actually i got on this blog by an accident,didnt mean to search this.but still this post was a good read but surely agruable one.guild

  39. #39 ugg boots
    December 1, 2011

    IпїЅпїЅve looked throughout because of this details. You’ve been actually beneficial. Thanks so significantly. Download Pokemon Black and Pokemon White Rom Leaked!