Bulletin N°5, Activity blong Gaua Volkeno, Gaua Isl and, 18

Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources
Geo-Hazard Section
Port Vila
Telephone: 22907 Fax: 22213
Bulletin blong Alert blong volkeno
Bulletin N°5, Activity blong Gaua Volkeno, Gaua Isl and, 18 December 2009
14°16’0”S 167°30’0”E Summit (797m )
Wan narafala eraptiv phase blong Gaua volcano hemi bin start long Monday 14th December 2009
wetem wan significant erapsen blong asis. New eraptive phase ia hemi differen long previus activity
through long way we I gat plante asis (tick plume) I kamaot long volcano since long Monday kasem
tede mo kala blong asiss hemi dark pitim bifo (luk photos). Change ia hemi reflectem evolution blong
source (alimentation) blong volkeno. Ol assis ia oli continue blong fuldaon long westen part blong
Gaua mo wetem ol change blong daereksen blong win, oli save foldaon too long sam eria blong easten
part blong aelan.
Volcanic gas mesament blong Gaua volkeno long 17 December 2009 I soem se I gat moa tan 3,000
tones blong sulfuric gas I kamaot long volkeno ia long wan day.
Ol infomesen ia oli confemem se activity blong volkeno ia hemi still strong mo strong activity ia bae
hemi save stap longtaem. Alert Level blong activity blong volkeno ia hemi still stap long level 2
long Vanuatu Volcano Alert Level (VVAL). Monitoring blong volkeno ia hemi mas continue mo man I
mas save ol eria blong denja blong volkeno ia follem hazard map we I stap long last page.
Blong kasem moa infomesen yu save kontactem Geo-Hazard Unit blong Department blong Geology, Mines mo Water
Resources, telephone 22907/22423 email [email protected], mo [email protected] , or luk long internet
long www.geohazards.gov.vu .
Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources
Geo-Hazard Section
Port Vila
Telephone: 22907
fax: 22213
Volcano Alert Bulletin
Bulletin N°5, Gaua Volcano activity Gaua Island, 18 December 2009
14°16’0”S 167°30’0”E Summit 2615ft (797m)
A new eruptive phase of the Gaua volcano begun on Monday 14th December 2009 with the significant
emissions of ashes. This new eruptive phase is different from previous activities in terms of the amount
of ashes (represented by think plumes) that were emitted from the volcano since Monday and which is
currently ongoing. The colour of the ash is also darker than previously (see photos). These changes
reflect the evolution of the source (alimentation) of the volcano to be determined. Ash falls continue to
persist in the western part of Gaua and with the changes in the direction of the wind; it is possible that
ash falls may also be experienced in the eastern part of the island.
Chemical analysis of the ashes that fell and were collected in October, which were carried out by York
University in England, have indicated that there is a high concentration of chemicals which are
hazardous to the human health within these ash particles from Gaua.
A volcanic gas measurement of the Gaua volcano on 17th December 2009 shows that there are over
3,000 tones of sulphuric dioxide emitted from the volcano in one day.
All these information confirms that the activity of this volcano is still very strong and may be maintained
for a longer period of time.
The Alert Level of this volcano’s activity is still maintained at Level 2 according to the Vanuatu
Volcano Alert Level (VVAL). It is recommended that close monitoring of this volcano must
continue, and that the population of Gaua must take precautions to wash any food crops before
cooking and eating. People must also respect areas that have been declared dangerous
according to the hazard map given on the last page of this bulletin.
For specific information, please contact the Geo-Hazards Unit of the Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources,
telephone 22907/22423 email [email protected], and [email protected] or web: www.geohazards.gov.vu .
Department of Geology, Mines and Water Resources
Geo-Hazard Section
Port Vila
Telephone: 22907 Fax: 22213
Bulletin d’Alerte volcanique
Bulletin N°5, Activité volcanique de Gaua, le 18 De cember 2009
14°16’0”S 167°30’0”E Summit 2615ft (797m)
Une nouvelle phase éruptive du volcan de Gaua a eu lieu le lundi 14 Décembre 2009, accompagnée
d’une forte émission de cendres.
Cette phase éruptive diffère des activités précédentes par le fait que la colonne de cendres émise est
plus concentrée avec des cendres de couleur plus sombres et qui est émise depuis le 14 décembre
jusqu'à l’heure actuelle (voir photo). Cela traduit l’évolution de la source de l’alimentation du volcan qui
reste a déterminé.
Cette retombée de cendres continuent dans la partie Ouest de Gaua, avec le changement de la
direction du vent, elle peut atteindre certaines régions la partie Est de l’île.
Les analyses chimiques des cendres récupérées à Gaua au mois d’Octobre, effectuées par l’Université
d’Angleterre (York University) souligne l’existence d’une importante concentration des particules
toxiques dans les cendres.
Suite á une mesure de gaz volcanique de Gaua prise, le 17 décembre 2009, on en déduit la présence
de plus de 3,000 tonne de dioxyde de soufre sortant du volcan par jour, ce qui confirme la les images
OMI.
Ces informations confirment que l’activité de ce volcan reste forte et elle peut durer pendant un certain
temps. En conséquence, le niveau d'alerte volcanique reste au niveau 2, selon le Vanuatu
Volcano Alert Level (VVAL).
Ainsi, il est primordial de continuer la surveillance de ce volcan. De même, les habitants de
Gaua sont priés de bien laver les feuilles nourricières avant de les consommer. Enfin ses
habitants doivent impérativement respecter les zones de danger des impacts du volcan indique
sur la carte de risques situé á la dernière page.
Pour plus d’information spécifique, contacter la section Risques Géologiques du Département de la Géologie, Mines et
Ressources en Eaux, téléphone 22907, email [email protected], et [email protected] ou consulter le site
internet www.geohazards.gov.vu
Gaua volcano, 14 December 2009, view from the
caldera rim
Ash fall over on the North West Gaua, 17
December 2009, view from the aircraft
Gaua volcano, 15 December 2009, view from the
west
Ash fall over on the South West Gaua, 17
December 2009, view from the aircraft
Fig: Volcano hazard zoning of Gaua Island