SAIPAN, CNMI (16 May 2003) -- The volcanic eruption on Anatahan continued for the fifth day yesterday, with the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reporting ashes being spewed to an altitude of 13,000 feet . "I have not seen any change in it over the last 24 hours," said Nancy Merckle, a meteorologist at the center's Satellite Analysis Branch. Merckle said clouds of ashes extended up to 15 nautical miles wide were suspended up to an altitude of 13,000 feet above Pacific waters. The ashes were moving 5 to10 knots westward toward the northern portion of the Philippines. The ashes have reached over 1,000 miles from Anatahan. There were reports from the Philippines today saying the ash cloud had reached the Philippines and was considered a hazard to aircraft. Volcanic emissions seemed to subside, however, compared to the first few days of activity, when the plume reportedly reached about 16,000 feet. The Emergency Management Office disclosed that a team from the U.S. Coast Guard went to the Northern Islands, partly to check the situation on Anatahan. EMO director Rudolfo Pua said the Coast Guard left Saipan Wednesday. "They're doing their routine patrol. While they're doing [this], they want [to check Anatahan]." As of press time, the EMO has yet to get a report from the Coast Guard. The EMO had flown over Anatahan via helicopter in the past days. Renting the equipment, however, is costly. | | There was no report yet as to when the team from the Hawaii Volcano Observatory would arrive in the CNMI to assess seismic and volcanic hazards on Anatahan. The island's village is currently buried in about a foot-and-a-half of ash. EMO geophysical seismic technician Juan Takai Camacho said Wednesday HVO has yet to find the money to support the Anatahan mission. The team would install equipment to monitor volcanic eruptions. Meanwhile, the U.S. military announced it would conduct bombing exercises on Farallon de Mendinilla beginning Sunday until June 18. The training would be conducted 24 hours daily, based on a public advisory released by the EMO, which warned everyone-especially fishermen, tour operators and commercial pilots-to stay away from the area. FDM is the closest island north of Saipan, followed by Anatahan, which is about 120 kilometers from the CNMI capital. Gov. Juan N. Babauta, in an emergency declaration Tuesday, pronounced Anatahan and its 30-mile radius as off-limits, except for approved government or scientific missions to the area. Last Monday, another EMO advisory showed that the military conducted similar training that day on FDM, even as the Anatahan volcano continued to erupt. The military had planned to conduct training on Anatahan, but the Marianas Public Lands Authority, which already permitted such use, said the eruption could spoil the plan SOURCE - Saipan Tribune |
