Scientists: Anatahan eruption iffy

With the way things are going, the continuing unrest of the Anatahan volcano could go either way—it may stop altogether but it could also proceed to an eruption, according to a visiting U.S. Geological Survey volcano scientist.

Volcano hazards program coordinator Dr. James E. Quick, in an interview with the Saipan Tribune yesterday at the Emergency Management Office, said they could not categorically say that there will be no eruption.

“The activity could cease without an eruption happening, but it could also proceed to an eruption. We don’t know the answer,” said Quick after he and James Kauahikaua of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducted a presentation about volcanic activities at EMO. Two other USGS geologists, Bill Burton and Dave Weary, are also on island.

“[The] Anatahan volcano is starting to show a little unrest again. There had been smells of gas, which is produced by volcanic ash. People also noted another smell like match sticks which is produced by another volcanic gas, sulfur dioxide. These are emissions coming from Anatahan volcano,” Quick explained.

Quick and two other scientists will be visiting Anatahan today to conduct a visual check on the volcano’s situation.

“We will go and see what the situation is like inside the crater, whether we can see the evidence of any activity that could tell us where the volcano might be headed toward,” he said.

Quick said they are not worried about the unrest, but they are paying attention to the fact that seismic activity has increased.

He said people are also now aware of the presence of sulfur dioxide.

“So we want to look at the island and see what it looks inside the crater so we can try to determine if these are serious…or [if] there is anything there that we should pay attention to,” he said.

Quick, however, said that there is no need for the public to panic.

Anatahan last year erupted for nine months beginning Jan. 5, and continuing to Sept. 3.

Quick and the three other scientists arrived Wednesday night. They are here to provide an update to the EMO about their activities.

Quick said they are also on island to visit the new Fitial administration so the USGS can work with them in establishing a memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation in the future.