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Ring of Fire triggers events in Alaska and Japan; guide to NASA's Eyes on the Earth
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The Pacific Rng of Fire, shown above in this USGS graphic, is rocking and rolling. Earlier today, observers at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) noted that the Mount Redoubt volcano began to rumble again:
A high intensity burst of volcanic tremor occurred from about 2:44 through 2:50 AST this morning at Redoubt. The tremor episode appears to have ended for now. There was no eruption associated with this tremor.
The volcano, which last erupted in 1980-90, also doubled the size of a hole in its glacier. The hole, now about the size of two football fields, has been officially identified as a fumarole, a volcanic opening that spews gases. Water was also observed running down the outside of the melt area.
In Japan, two volcanoes and an earthquake rattled the pots and pans, and sent ash flying into Tokyo. The 5.8 quake occurred underwater in the Pacific Ocean off Tokyo, scientists there said.
Mount Asama and Mount Sakurajim both erupted, sending smoke and ash into neighboring towns and cities. Among them: Tokyo and Yokohama. As in Alaska, officials advise residents in those areas to keep and use masks when ashfall is at hand.
So who's watching from above? A fleet of NASA satellites, tied into scientific ventures around the world.
In Eyes on the Earth, NASA provides a flash presentation of the more than one dozen satellites providing mission-specific Earth monitoring and research. Aqua and Terra are primary resources for natural hazards.
What's ahead for hot spots on the Ring of Fire? Is this the start of a season of earthquakes and volcano eruptions in this volatile region?
Experts, with help from satellites, will be watching closely. Here's a recap of Mount Redoubt activity and the Ring of Fire in my prior stories on volcanoes. If you have a question or idea for a story that you don't want to leave in the public comments section below, you can always email me here: spacenewsexaminer@hotmail.com
Image credit: USGS
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