Cite this Report
Seismicity since May 1988 summarized
[Agua de Pau information only; extracted from a summary of significant seismic activity in the E Azores (figure 1) since May 1988.]
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Figure 1. Sketch map showing islands in the eastern Azores. Approximate epicenters of the 3-5 October 1988 swarm at the submarine volcano Don Joao de Castro Bank (4) and the 21 November 1988 and 21 January 1989 earthquakes in the Hirondelle Basin (6 and 7) are shown. Courtesy of R. Moore. |
"A swarm of microearthquakes, accompanied by weak harmonic tremor, occurred beneath the NE flank of Agua de Pau Volcano on Sao Miguel (figure 2, zone 1) 23-24 May 1988. Seismometers recorded 383 earthquakes; the largest had intensities of MM IV-V in villages along the N coast. A similar but smaller swarm occurred in the same area in 1983 and was recorded by USGS seismographs. Numerous, small, normal faults (including some that show scissor-type movement) displace basaltic, tristanitic, and trachytic vent deposits and flows in this area. However, the area has had no eruptions for about 3,000 years and is the least active of the five volcanic zones on Sao Miguel that have erupted during Holocene time.
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Figure 2. Approximate epicenters for earthquakes on and near the island of Sao Miguel, May-October, 1988. Courtesy of R. Moore. |
"A small swarm of microearthquakes occurred 24-26 June [1988] on the S flank of Agua de Pau Volcano (zone 2). Sixty-four earthquakes were recorded; the largest had intensities of MM III-IV in nearby villages. No tremor accompanied this episode.
"A small swarm of microearthquakes occurred 6 July [1988] near the S coast of Sao Miguel (zone 3). Fifty-one earthquakes were recorded; the largest was felt and had an intensity of MM III-IV. No tremor accompanied this episode.
Information Contacts: A. Rodrigues da Silva, Consorcio Geotermico de S. Miguel; R. Moore, USGS; National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics, Portugal.
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Agua de Pau.
Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.
Cite this Report
Seismicity since May 1988 summarized
[Agua de Pau information only; extracted from a summary of significant seismic activity in the E Azores (figure 1) since May 1988.]
|
Figure 1. Sketch map showing islands in the eastern Azores. Approximate epicenters of the 3-5 October 1988 swarm at the submarine volcano Don Joao de Castro Bank (4) and the 21 November 1988 and 21 January 1989 earthquakes in the Hirondelle Basin (6 and 7) are shown. Courtesy of R. Moore. |
"A swarm of microearthquakes, accompanied by weak harmonic tremor, occurred beneath the NE flank of Agua de Pau Volcano on Sao Miguel (figure 2, zone 1) 23-24 May 1988. Seismometers recorded 383 earthquakes; the largest had intensities of MM IV-V in villages along the N coast. A similar but smaller swarm occurred in the same area in 1983 and was recorded by USGS seismographs. Numerous, small, normal faults (including some that show scissor-type movement) displace basaltic, tristanitic, and trachytic vent deposits and flows in this area. However, the area has had no eruptions for about 3,000 years and is the least active of the five volcanic zones on Sao Miguel that have erupted during Holocene time.
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Figure 2. Approximate epicenters for earthquakes on and near the island of Sao Miguel, May-October, 1988. Courtesy of R. Moore. |
"A small swarm of microearthquakes occurred 24-26 June [1988] on the S flank of Agua de Pau Volcano (zone 2). Sixty-four earthquakes were recorded; the largest had intensities of MM III-IV in nearby villages. No tremor accompanied this episode.
"A small swarm of microearthquakes occurred 6 July [1988] near the S coast of Sao Miguel (zone 3). Fifty-one earthquakes were recorded; the largest was felt and had an intensity of MM III-IV. No tremor accompanied this episode.
Information Contacts: A. Rodrigues da Silva, Consorcio Geotermico de S. Miguel; R. Moore, USGS; National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics, Portugal.
This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
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| Vulcao de Lagoa do Fogo | Fogo | ||||
Cones |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Escuro, Monte | Cone | 889 m | 37° 47' 0" N | 25° 26' 0" W |
| Joao Fernandes, Pico | Cone | 386 m | 37° 46' 0" N | 25° 33' 0" W |
| Mariana, Pico da | Cone | 445 m | 37° 45' 0" N | 25° 31' 0" W |
| Mos | Cone | 358 m | 37° 46' 0" N | 25° 33' 0" W |
| Vermelho, Pico | Cone | 269 m | 37° 48' 0" N | 25° 30' 0" W |
Craters |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Congro, Lagoa do | Maar | 569 m | 37° 45' 0" N | 25° 25' 0" W |
| Fogo, Lagoa do | Pleistocene caldera | 948 m | 37° 46' 0" N | 25° 28' 0" W |
| San Bras, Lagoa de | Maar | 711 m | 37° 48' 0" N | 25° 25' 0" W |
Domes |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Altinetes, Pico | Dome | 226 m | 37° 48' 0" N | 25° 33' 0" W |
| Barnabe, Pico | Dome | 213 m | 37° 48' 0" N | 25° 33' 0" W |
| Cerrado Novo | Dome | 532 m | 37° 48' 0" N | 25° 27' 0" W |
| Cintrao | Dome | 166 m | 37° 50' 0" N | 25° 29' 0" W |
| Queimado, Cerro | Dome | 347 m | 37° 47' 0" N | 25° 33' 0" W |
Thermal |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Velha, Caldeira | Thermal | |||
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There is data available for 10 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.
1564 Feb 10 - 1564 Feb 12 Confirmed Eruption VEI: 2
| Episode 1 | Eruption | Lagoa do Fogo caldera | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1564 Feb 10 - 1564 Feb 12 | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Lagoa do Fogo caldera
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1563 Jun 28 - 1563 Jul 26 ± 5 days Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5 (?)
| Episode 1 | Eruption | Caldera, NW flank (Cerro Queimado) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1563 Jun 28 - 1563 Jul 26 ± 5 days | Evidence from Observations: Reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Caldera, NW flank (Cerro Queimado)
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0700 ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | WNW flank (Mos) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0700 ± 150 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at WNW flank (Mos)
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0160 ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | NW flank (251 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0160 ± 150 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at NW flank (251 m)
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1290 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4
| Episode 1 | Eruption | Lagoa do Fogo caldera | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1290 BCE (?) - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at Lagoa do Fogo caldera
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1850 BCE ± 500 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 3
| Episode 1 | Eruption | East flank (Lagoa do Congro) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 BCE ± 500 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at East flank (Lagoa do Congro)
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2210 BCE ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | East flank (East Congo maar) | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2210 BCE ± 150 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at East flank (East Congo maar)
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2990 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption VEI: 5
| Episode 1 | Eruption | Lagoa do Fogo caldera and north flank | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2990 BCE (?) - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 8 Events for Episode 1 at Lagoa do Fogo caldera and north flank
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4550 BCE ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | SW flank (449 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4550 BCE ± 100 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at SW flank (449 m)
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6750 BCE ± 200 years Confirmed Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | West flank (Pico Joao Fernandes) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6750 BCE ± 200 years - Unknown | Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at West flank (Pico Joao Fernandes)
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There is no Deformation History data available for Agua de Pau.
There is no Emissions History data available for Agua de Pau.
The inner Agua de Pau caldera, seen here from the western caldera rim, is now partially filled by Lagoa do Fogo caldera lake. The caldera was the source of a major explosive eruption about 4,600 years ago that deposited tephra layer Fogo A, and marked the renewal of explosive activity within the approximately 12,000-year-old caldera. The eruption also produced massive pyroclastic flows across most of the volcano’s flanks.
Lagoa do Fogo ("Fire Lake") is seen here from the northwest caldera rim of Agua de Pau. A Plinian eruption from the central caldera began on 28 June 1563, depositing trachytic pumice predominantly eastward over the island. On 2 July an eruption began on the northwest flank, producing a lava flow that reached the northern coast at Ribeira Grande.
Lagoa do Fogo, seen here from the west, partially fills the younger of two Pleistocene calderas on Agua de Pau stratovolcano in central Sao Miguel Island. The walls of the caldera surrounding the lake rise to a maximum of about 370 m above the surface. Eruptions have occurred both inside the caldera and on the flanks, where multiple cones and domes can be found. Two major explosive eruptions have occurred in the Holocene from the caldera: the Ribeira Cha (8,000 to 12,000 years ago) and Fogo A (about 4,600 years ago). 
The forested ridge in the center of the photo is part of the northern rim of the approximately 3.2 km diameter inner Agua de Pau caldera, which formed at the beginning of the Holocene, in an eruption dated to between 12,000 and 8,000 years ago. The Serra de Agua de Pau hills in the background mark the northern rim of an outer late Pleistocene caldera. The Lagoa de Fogo caldera lake (lower right) partially fills the inner caldera.
A public fountain at Ribeira Grande on the northern coast of San Miguel Island was buried by a lava flow that was erupted from Agua de Pau volcano in 1563. The lava flow originated during the Pico do Sapateiro eruption, which began on 2 July when vents formed across the Queimado dome on the NW flank, generating an eruption column with blocks and bombs. The flank eruption was preceded by a major Plinian eruption from the central caldera that began on 28 June and deposited trachytic pumice dominantly eastward over the island; the summit eruption ended a day after the flank activity began.Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.
There are no samples for Agua de Pau in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences Rock and Ore collection.
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
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WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| IRIS seismic stations/networks | Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Agua de Pau. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations | Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Agua de Pau. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player. |
| DECADE Data | The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO2 to the atmosphere, but installing CO2 monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere. |
| Large Eruptions of Agua de Pau | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
