Amount of warming triggering carbon dioxide in air hits new peak, growing at near-record fast rate
June 5, 2023 GMTThe cause of global warming is showing no signs of slowing as heat-trapping carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere increased to record highs in its annual Spring peak, jumping at one of the fastest rates on record, officials announced Monday.
SANTIAGO XALITZINTLA, Mexico (AP) — When the Popocatepetl volcano reawakened in 1994, Mexican scientists needed people in the area who could be their eyes and ears. State police helped them find one, Nefi de Aquino, a farmer then in his 40s who lived beside the volcano.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Towering a couple of hours from one of the world's largest cities, the Popocatepetl volcano has been coating nearby towns with ash and disrupting flights at Mexico City's airport, the busiest in Latin America.
AMECAMECA, Mexico (AP) — Concern about the Popocatepetl volcano changes with the wind. While east of the mountain residents swept streets and didn’t remove their masks on Tuesday, here to the west, they casually watched the gas and ash plume emerging from its crater.
SANTIAGO XALITZINTLA, Mexico (AP) — At the edge of this town near the Popocatepetl volcano, away from the din of traffic, there was an occasional low rumble Monday, like an idling engine.
A cloud of superfine ash descended, slightly reducing visibility and coming to rest on vehicles’ windshields.
Mount Etna volcano erupts, raining ash on Catania, forcing flight suspension at local airport
May 21, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, was erupting on Sunday, spewing ash on Catania, eastern Sicily’s largest city, and forcing a suspension of flights at that city’s airport.
Threatening 22 million people, Mexico’s Popocatepetl is a very closely watched volcano
May 19, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano rumbled to life again this week, belching out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions.
The residents weren't the only ones keeping a close eye on the towering peak.
Skeletons found in Pompeii ruins reveal deaths by earthquake, not just Vesuvius’ ancient eruption
May 16, 2023 GMTMILAN (AP) — The discovery of two skeletons buried beneath a collapsed wall in the Pompeii archaeological site point to deaths by powerful earthquakes that accompanied the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the first century, experts said Tuesday, in addition to the victims of volcanic ash and gas.
250 evacuated as Volcano of Fire erupts in Guatemala
May 4, 2023 GMTGUATEMALA CITY (AP) — About 250 residents were evacuated Thursday from the slopes of Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire as red-hot rock and ash flowed down the slopes toward an area devastated by a deadly 2018 eruption.
Ash from Russian volcano prompts Alaska flight cancellations
April 13, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Airlines canceled more than two dozen flights in its namesake state Thursday because of an ash cloud from a volcano in Russia that drifted into Alaska, the Seattle-based airline said.
Volcano spews ash cloud for 2nd day on Russia’s Kamchatka
April 12, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — A volcano spewed out ash for a second day Wednesday on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, throwing clouds of dust high into the sky and blanketing wide areas.
Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, started erupting early Tuesday, spewing dust over 500 kilometers (more than 300 miles) northwest and engulfing several villages in grey volcanic dust in the largest fallout in nearly 60 years.
Volcano eruption in Russia’s Kamchatka spews vast ash clouds
April 12, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — A volcano erupted early Tuesday on Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, spewing clouds of dust 20 kilometers (12 miles) into the sky and covering broad areas with ash.
The ash cloud from the eruption of Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka's most active volcanoes, extended over 500 kilometers (more than 300 miles) northwest and engulfed several villages in grey volcanic dust.
Colombia evacuates families living near active volcano
April 3, 2023 GMTBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian officials began to evacuate 40 families from their homes Monday after a volcano in the center of the country showed high levels of seismic activity that could signal an eruption in the coming days or weeks.
Alaska volcanoes now pose lower threat, after quakes slow
March 16, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Diminished earthquake activity led authorities Thursday to reduce the warning levels at two volcanoes on an uninhabited island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain because of the decreased potential for eruptions.
Scientists: Hawaii’s Kilauea not erupting, reversing warning
March 12, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's second-largest volcano is not erupting, scientists said in an update to a previous warning.
The U.S. Geological Survey said in a statement late Saturday that seismic activity beneath the summit of Kilauea “has returned to background levels, ground deformation has stabilized, and no lava has been observed at the surface.”
Indonesia’s Merapi volcano spews hot clouds in new eruption
March 11, 2023 GMTMOUNT MERAPI, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Mount Merapi erupted Saturday with avalanches of searing gas clouds and lava, forcing authorities to halt tourism and mining activities on the slopes of the country’s most active volcano.
Quake swarms at neighboring Alaska volcanoes raise concerns
March 11, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Not one but two volcanoes on the same island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain were rocked by earthquakes on Friday, prompting concerns about a possible eruption.
Elevated earthquake activity was reported at both Tanaga and Takawangha volcanoes on uninhabited Tanaga Island, hundreds of miles (kilometers) from Anchorage.
Swarm of quakes at Alaska volcano could mean eruption coming
March 10, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A swarm of earthquakes occurring over the past few weeks has intensified at a remote Alaska volcano dormant for over a century, a possible indication of an impending eruption.
Earthquakes at 2 Alaska volcanoes could signal eruption
March 10, 2023 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A second volcano in remote Alaska is experiencing elevated earthquake activity this week, signaling an increased potential for eruption, officials said.
Earthquake activity near Takawangha Volcano increased over the past 48 hours and are continuing, Alaska Volcano Observatory officials said in a news release Thursday.
Eruption at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano stops after 61 days
March 7, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — The latest eruption at Kilauea’s summit on Hawaii's has paused after 61 days of volcanic activity.
U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said Tuesday lava was no longer flowing on the crater floor of Halemaumau, where all recent volcanic activity had been confined, Hawaii News Now reported.
Search on Philippine volcano confirms 4 died in plane crash
February 23, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Searchers who hiked the slopes of a restive Philippine volcano to find the wreckage of a plane that crashed over the weekend confirmed the two Australian energy consultants and two Filipino crew members on board didn't survive, the local mayor said.
Wreckage of missing plane confirmed on Philippine volcano
February 21, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — The wreckage of a small plane carrying two Filipino pilots and two Australian passengers was identified Tuesday on one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes, officials said.
High-risk volcano search for Philippine plane with 4 aboard
February 20, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine authorities on Monday prepared to send a search mission near the crater of a restive volcano after they spotted the suspected wreckage of a small plane that went missing with four people on board over the weekend.
Strong quake hits Vanuatu, triggering tsunami warning
January 8, 2023 GMTWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, triggering a tsunami warning that was withdrawn hours later.
Hawaii eruption not dangerous but offers spectacular sight
January 7, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Lava from Kilauea spurted high into the air and spread out across about 300 acres (120 hectares) of the Hawaii volcano's summit crater floor, creating a spectacular sight as the mountain began erupting again after a few weeks' hiatus.
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts again, summit crater glows
January 6, 2023 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii's Kilauea began erupting inside its summit crater Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey said, less than one month after the volcano and its larger neighbor Mauna Loa stopped releasing lava.
Scientists declare 2 Hawaii volcanoes have stopped erupting
December 14, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — U.S. scientists declared Tuesday that two active Hawaii volcanoes — one where lava destroyed hundreds of homes in 2018 and another where lava recently stalled before reaching a crucial Big Island highway — have stopped erupting.
Scientists say eruption of Hawaii volcano continues to ease
December 12, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — The eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island continues to ease, scientists said Sunday, reinforcing an earlier pronouncement that the mountain’s first flare-up in nearly 40 years might soon end.
Scientists lower alert for Mauna Loa, say eruption could end
December 11, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Scientists lowered the alert level for the Mauna Loa volcano on Hawaii's Big Island from a warning to a watch on Saturday and said the mountain's first eruption in nearly 40 years may soon end.
Mauna Loa lava no longer imminent threat to Hawaii highway
December 8, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Lava from the world's largest volcano is no longer an imminent threat to the main highway across the Big Island of Hawaii, scientists said Thursday, a development that was a welcome reprieve for motorists who depend on the road.
For many Hawaiians, lava flows are a time to honor, reflect
December 2, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — When Willette Kalaokahaku Akima-Akau looks out at the the lava flowing from Mauna Loa volcano and makes an offering of gin, tobacco and coins, she will be taking part in a tradition passed down from her grandfather and other Native Hawaiians as a way to honor both the natural and spiritual worlds.
Hawaii eruption brings tourism boon during slow season
December 2, 2022 GMTHILO, Hawaii (AP) — The spectacle of incandescent lava spewing from Hawaii's Mauna Loa has drawn thousands of visitors and is turning into a tourism boon for this Big Island town near the world’s largest volcano.
Prayers? Bombs? Hawaii history shows stopping lava not easy
December 2, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Prayer. Bombs. Walls. Over the decades, people have tried all of them to stanch the flow of lava from Hawaii's volcanoes as it lumbered toward roads, homes and infrastructure.
Viewers flock to watch glowing lava ooze from Hawaii volcano
December 1, 2022 GMTKAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — The world's largest volcano oozed rivers of glowing lava Wednesday, drawing thousands of awestruck viewers who jammed a Hawaii highway that could soon be covered by the flow.
2 volcanoes rumble into action in Russia’s far east
November 20, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Towering clouds of ash and glowing lava are spewing from two volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and scientists say major eruptions could be on the way.
The peninsula, which extends into the Pacific Ocean about 6,600 kilometers (4,000 miles) east of Moscow, is one of the world's most concentrated areas of geothermal activity, with about 30 active volcanoes.
Strong earthquake shakes western Indonesia; no tsunami alert
November 18, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong undersea earthquake shook western Indonesia on Friday night but no serious damage or casualties were reported.
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake was centered 202 kilometers (126 miles) southwest of Bengkulu at a depth of 25 kilometers (15 miles), the U.S.
EXPLAINER: Where will Hawaii’s biggest volcano erupt from?
November 3, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — The ground is shaking and swelling at Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano in the world, indicating that it could erupt.
‘Unrest’ on Hawaii volcano, no signs of imminent eruption
October 7, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on the planet, is in a “state of heightened unrest,” but is not erupting and there are no signs of an imminent eruption, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in an update Friday.
Tonga volcano blast was unusual, could even warm the Earth
September 22, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — When an undersea volcano erupted in Tonga in January, its watery blast was huge and unusual — and scientists are still trying to understand its impacts.
The volcano, known as Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, shot millions of tons of water vapor high up into the atmosphere, according to a study published Thursday in the journal Science.
Quake shakes west Indonesia; no immediate reports of damage
August 23, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A strong undersea earthquake struck Indonesia’s Sumatra island late Tuesday, causing residents to panic, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.
Magnitude 5.7 earthquake shakes part of eastern Indonesia
August 14, 2022 GMTJAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An undersea earthquake shook part of eastern Indonesia on Sunday, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the 5.7-magnitude quake struck about 158 kilometers (98 miles) off Laikit village in North Sulawesi province.
Firefighters continue battling large Hawaii wildfire
August 13, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — A wildfire on Hawaii's Big Island grew overnight as firefighters worked to contain the large blaze that is burning in a rural area between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes.
No homes were at risk, but the flames came within miles of a critical highway Friday.
Hawaii national park gets land where ancient villages stood
July 12, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island was given new land on Tuesday in a deal that will protect and manage a pristine white sand beach and ocean bay area that is home to endangered and endemic species and to rare, culturally significant Native Hawaiian artifacts.
Forest Service green-lights new monitors on Glacier Peak
July 6, 2022 GMTDARRINGTON, Wash. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service has given the green light to install new seismometers on Glacier Peak, classified as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the United States.
There’s only one monitor there now, according to federal agencies.
A celebrity volcanologist couple spotlighted in new doc
July 5, 2022 GMTThere is a curious love triangle that sits at the center of the new documentary “ Fire of Love." It's between a man, a woman and a volcano.
Review: In ‘Fire of Love,’ the mysterious alchemy of romance
July 5, 2022 GMTRarely have the conditions for love been less hospitable than in Sara Dosa’s documentary “Fire of Love." Yet here, amid shifting tectonics and quaking craters, French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft forge a strangely rock-steady romance.
Hawaii volcano lava flow steady after starts and stops
May 2, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano is now erupting a steady stream of lava after a period of intermittent pulsing.
The latest eruption began in September but until recently had been stopping and starting every few days, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Monday.
Philippine volcano spews ash and steam, evacuation underway
March 26, 2022 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — A small volcano in a scenic lake near the Philippine capital blew a white plume of steam and ash 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) into the sky in a brief but powerful explosion Saturday, prompting authorities to raise the alert level and evacuate hundreds of residents from high-risk villages.
Mount Etna roars again, sends up towering volcanic ash cloud
February 21, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Mount Etna has roared back to spectacular action after a few months of relative quiet, sending up a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) high volcanic ash cloud over eastern Sicily.
The lava flow from Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes, was centered around the crater on the mountain’s southeast slope, Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology said Monday.
Volcanic lightning streaks sky over fiery Mount Etna
February 11, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — A particularly powerful eruption of Mount Etna has created a volcanic storm that sent bolts of lightning dramatically across the sky over eastern Sicily.
A volcano expert with Italy’s National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology, said Friday that such volcanic storms are rare but can happen in particularly violent eruptions or with volcanoes located near the sea.
Man found dead in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
January 4, 2022 GMTHAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii (AP) — The body of a 75-year-old man was found after he apparently fell from a closed area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park late Sunday night on Hawaii's Big Island, authorities said.
Kilauea still spurting lava, 1 month into latest eruption
October 30, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Lava continues to pour out of Kilauea's summit crater, one month after the latest eruption began at the Hawaii volcano.
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said Friday lava was emerging from a single vent inside Halemaumau Crater.
El Salvador explores bitcoin mining powered by volcanoes
October 15, 2021 GMTBERLIN, El Salvador (AP) — At a geothermal power plant near El Salvador’s Tecapa volcano, 300 computers whir inside a trailer as they make complex mathematical calculations day and night verifying transactions for the cryptocurrency bitcoin.
Erupting Hawaii volcano’s alert level is lowered to ‘watch’
October 6, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — U.S. Geological Survey officials have lowered the alert level for a Hawaii volcano, saying they expect its latest eruption to remain confined to the summit.
The eruption began last week in Kilauea volcano's Halemaumau crater at the summit on the Big Island.
EXPLAINER: What Kilauea’s history tells us about its future
September 30, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea, one of the most active volcanos on Earth, began erupting on Hawaii’s Big Island Wednesday. The eruption is not in an area with homes and is entirely contained within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts, lava fountains form in park
September 30, 2021 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — One of the most active volcanos on Earth is erupting on Hawaii's Big Island.
Officials with the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed Wednesday that an eruption has begun in Kilauea volcano's Halemaumau crater at the volcano's summit.