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Anatahan activity continues
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Posted on May 14 2004
Anatahan’s volcano continues to belch out magma into the air, more than a year since the big eruption led to the off-limits declaration for the island.
The Emergency Management Office reiterated that aircraft should take extra precaution in flying over near Anatahan.
“The most energetic phase of seismicity that began on April 24 is continuing. The onset of that phase produced a light ash cloud below 6,000 feet that only persisted for a day or so,” the EMO and the U.S. Geological Survey said in a report.
Seismicity, however, has decreased in intensity during the past several days, the agencies said.
The agencies also said the volcano continues to emit ash and steam to an altitude of a few thousand feet. They added that the eruption could become more energetic anytime with little or no warning.
“Aircraft should pass upwind of Anatahan or farther than 30 km downwind from the island and exercise due caution within 30-50 km of Anatahan,” the EMO said.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta had recently extended the emergency declaration for Anatahan, restricting all travels to the island except for scientific expedition. The off-limits zone extends to 10 nautical miles around Anatahan, according to the EMO.
Babauta has issued the emergency declaration following Anatahan’s big volcanic eruption on May 10 last year. Anatahan’s volcanic activity eventually slowed down, but it reportedly regained intensity since March this year.
