Copahue volcano (Chile): increasing earthquake activity

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volcanodiscovery.com-May 26,2013

 

 

Steam-ash plume from Copahue on 24 May (SERNAGEOMIN webcam)

 

Although degassing and ash emissions have decreased, seismic activity at the volcano has picked up, SERNAGEOMIN reported. An average of 356 earthquakes per hour, sometimes merging into what looks as volcanic tremor, has been recorded recently. This could be related to intruding magma from a new batch of magma rising at the moment and as a result, phreatomagmatic or magmatic activity could occur at the surface in the near future.
The hazards from the volcano to populated areas are only significant in the case of a larger eruption creating a large ash plume, possible pyroclastic flows and lahars capable of travelling greater distances. Ash fall in particular would mainly threaten the areas to the east (ie. the Argentine side) because of the prevailing westerly wind directions.

 

 

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