Massive eruption at Sinabung volcano, ash to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l.

Massive eruption at Sinabung volcano, ash to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l.:

A high impact volcanic ash eruption started at Sinabung volcano, Indonesia at 01:53 UTC on Monday, February 19, 2018. Pyroclastic flows traveled 3.5 km (2.1 miles) and 4.9 km (3 miles) from the summit. Ash plume was reaching an altitude of 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level, the Darwin VAAC reported 04:50 UTC. Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.

The eruption started at 01:53 UTC (08:53 local time) and lasted 4 minutes and 51 seconds, Sinabung Volcano Observatory reported.

Their best estimate of the ash cloud top at 02:13 UTC was 7.4 km (23 872 feet) above sea level. The observatory noted that the ash cloud is drifting to the east and southeast, adding that its top may be higher than what can be clearly observed from the ground. The Aviation Color Code was raised from Orange to Red.

“Pyroclastic flow is observed through the ESE slope to a distance of 3.5 km [2.1 miles] from the summit and through the south slope to a distance of 4.9 km [3 miles] from the summit,” they said.

Major ashfall was reported around the volcano and visibility was down to only 5 to 10 meters (16 – 32 feet).

The volcanic ash cloud is reaching an altitude of 16.7 km (55 000 feet) above sea level and extending 46.3 km (28.7 miles) ENE, the Darwin VAAC reported 03:35 UTC. At the same time, the second volcanic ash cloud was reaching 7.6 km (25 000 feet) a.s.l. and extending 18.5 km (11.5 miles) S.

H/t reader squodgy:

“Five months later…ongoing.
Laterally speaking, Sinabung is roughly equatorial, meaning the fine ash’s next port of call is the Andes followed by the Amazon rain forest, eventually moving to equatorial Africa.
Not encouraging.”

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2 thoughts on “Massive eruption at Sinabung volcano, ash to 16.7 km (55 000 feet) a.s.l.”

  1. With this, yesterday’s report of earthquake swarms at Yellowstone, and record volcanic eruptions worldwide, we actually have a plausible cause for the forecast “Three Days of Darkness” ,except it would be most likely three months to three years.

    Reply

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