2024/04/30 11:30 Weather News
At around 4:00 a.m. today, April 30th (Tuesday) Japan time, a large-scale eruption occurred at Luang Volcano in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
According to the Air Route Volcanic Ash Information Center (VAAC) in Darwin, Australia, the plume is estimated to have reached an altitude of approximately 19,000 meters based on observations from the meteorological satellite Himawari 9.
Indonesia has many active volcanoes, which often cause large-scale eruptions.
The Japan Meteorological Agency announced “information regarding distant earthquakes” at 5:00 a.m. and said it would monitor whether a tsunami similar to the one caused by the Tonga volcanic eruption in January 2022 occurs.
(Additional note) According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, no significant changes in tide levels were observed at tide gauge stations overseas or in Japan, and at 11:30 it was announced that there would be no impact on Japan from the tsunami.
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Observation of plume by meteorological satellite
Ruang Volcano (725m above sea level) is a volcanic island in the Sangihe Islands of Indonesia. In September 2002, a large-scale eruption occurred that sent plumes of smoke up to a height of approximately 20,000 meters.
Although things have calmed down in recent years, there was an eruption of similar magnitude on April 17th, which is causing concern. This eruption also appears to have sent volcanic smoke up to the top of the troposphere, and the volcanic plume was also confirmed by the Himawari 9 meteorological satellite.
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Raised to alert level 4
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has announced to the public the alert level for Taal Volcano’s eruptive activity on a scale of 0 to 5. PHIVOLCS has gradually raised its alert level to 4, the second highest level, at 8:30 pm Japan time.
Ash has been detected in the surrounding area, and local authorities have issued an evacuation advisory for Taal Volcano Island and the areas of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas due to the risk of pyroclastic flows and tsunamis.
Depending on the situation of the volcanic smoke, aircraft may be affected.
If a large amount of volcanic ash is released into the atmosphere due to an eruption, it can have serious effects on aircraft operations, such as stopping the engines of airplanes that inhale it or damaging the cockpit window glass, making it difficult to see. There is a risk of harm.
Depending on the status of future volcanic activity, there is a possibility that international flights connecting Eurasia and Oceania may have to be rerouted, resulting in delays or other impacts.
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Japan Meteorological Agency investigates possibility of tidal level changes due to eruption
When a large-scale eruption occurred in Tonga’s volcano Hunga Tonga-Hungaha’apai in January 2022, an unusual tsunami was generated, and the tsunami even reached Japan.
As the height of the eruption of Mount Luang reached the standards set by the Japan Meteorological Agency, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that it would monitor changes in the tide level.
Similar announcements will be made for the Manam volcano in March 2022, the Bezimiany volcano in May 2022, the Semer volcano in December 2022, the Siberci volcano in April 2023, the Uraun volcano in November 2023, and the Bezimiany volcano in December 2023. This is the eighth such eruption, following the eruption of Mt. Marapi and Mt. Luang on April 17th this year.
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The Japan Meteorological Agency is investigating the possibility of tidal level changes due to the eruption.
When Tonga’s volcano Hunga Tonga-Hungaha’apai erupted on a large scale in January this year, an unusual tsunami was generated, which even reached Japan.
Although it is not known whether this eruption of Semeru Volcano will cause a tsunami, the Japan Meteorological Agency has announced that it will monitor changes in the tide level.
This is the third similar announcement, following the eruptions of Manam volcano in March and Bezimiany volcano in May.