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Indonesian
Mount Tangkuban Perahu volcano spews ash into sky
7
March, 2013
JAKARTA,
INDONESIA — Indonesia scientists say they are closely monitoring a
smoking volcano on Java island, urging villagers and tourists to stay
off the mountain's slope.
Government
volcanologist Hendra Gunawan said Thursday that Mount Tangkuban
Perahu in West Java province shot up smoke and ash nearly 500 meters
(1,640 feet) into the air since Monday, and was placed at the
second-highest alert level.
It
does not send debris or lava far down its slopes and nearby towns and
villages were in no danger, but authorities warned tourists off limit
its danger zone of 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) from the crater, citing a
build up of poison gas inside the peaks.
The
2,084 meter (6,837 feet)-high mountain is one of Java's most popular
tourist attractions where people can hike to the edge of the crater
to view boiling mud up close. It last erupted in 1983.
Health
alert issued for volcano fumes
ST
JOHN’S, Antigua – Pungent fumes drifting over Antigua from
Montserrat’s volcano sparked alarm yesterday, prompting disaster
chiefs to issue a health alert.
8
March, 2013
The
National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) told OBSERVER media that
staff had received a number of calls from concerned members of the
public complaining about a stench of sulphur.
Director
Philmore Mullin said a change in wind had blown gases from the
Soufriere Hills volcano over to the island.
He
advised residents with sensitive eyes, or who suffer from asthma or
other respiratory illnesses, to stay indoors.
Sulphur
dioxide is irritating to the eyes, throat and airways. It can cause a
burning sensation, difficulty breathing for those with pre-existing
conditions, and tightness in the chest.
Mullin
said, “We received several calls from people complaining about a
foul smell, something like sulphur, so I called our counterparts in
Montserrat and they confirmed there had been a wind change and fumes
from the volcano were now coming our way.”
He
continued that emissions were not unusual for this time of year and
that there was no immediate need to panic.
“If
you stand outdoors long enough and stick your tongue out, you will
definitely get a sulphur taste.
“People
with respiratory issues may see some moderate attacks and if you have
sensitive eyes, you could also feel burning.”
The
NODS director said there was a chance the gas could bring on an
asthma attack.
International
guidelines suggest prolonged or repeated exposure to sulphur dioxide
can be dangerous for people with pre-existing heart and lung
diseases.
Popocatépetl
volcano (Mexico): increased activity with continuous ash and steam
emission
A
phase of increased activity has just started at Popocatépetl.
Accompanied by strong tremor, a continuous ash and steam emission
column is rising to 23,000 ft (7 km) altitude and drifting NW.
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