An ash plume towers above Pagan volcano on 18 May 1981, three days after the onset of the eruption. The initial eruption on 15 May produced ash plumes that rose to estimated heights of 16-20 km. Three vents along a fissure formed across the summit on 15 May. An upper NE flank cone produced a new scoria cone, and vents on the N and S summit crater rims produced lava flows that traveled down the flanks. Intermittent explosive activity continued until 1985.

Photo by Gary Haust, 1981 (courtesy Norm Banks, U.S. Geological Survey).

This image is made available as a Public Domain Work, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Explosive Eruptions | Ash Plumes and Ashfall

Keywords: ash plume | ash | plume | tephra | eruption | explosive eruption

Pagan