Report on Paluweh (Indonesia) — 2 January-8 January 2013
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 January-8 January 2013
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2013. Report on Paluweh (Indonesia) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 January-8 January 2013. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Paluweh
Indonesia
8.32°S, 121.708°E; summit elev. 875 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin VAAC reported that on 4 January ash plumes from Paluweh rose to an altitude of 3.7 km (12,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted 37 km NE. On 7 January an ash plume rose to an altitude of 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted less than 20 km NE.
Geological Summary. Paluweh volcano, also known as Rokatenda, forms the 8-km-wide island of Palu'e north of the volcanic arc that cuts across Flores Island. The broad irregular summit region contains overlapping craters up to 900 m wide and several lava domes. Several flank vents occur along a NW-trending fissure. The largest historical eruption occurred in 1928, when strong explosive activity was accompanied by landslide-induced tsunamis and lava dome emplacement. Pyroclastic flows in August 2013 resulted in fatalities.
