Volcano in Indonesia Erupts for the Second Day

The volcano on Mount Sinabung, in Tanah Karo, Indonesia has been quiet for more than 400 years. The volcano became very active and erupted again Monday for more than six hours, sending smoke and volcanic ash into the air and causing many people to flee their homes and villages. If smoke continues to spew into the air it could interfere with flights and the health of people without masks. People in villages near Mount Sinabung, Indonesia are in need of more gas masks. The eruption happening two days in a row was very frightening for many and caused those in nearby villages to escape to safety.

Are Volcanoes Becoming More Active?

Recent activity with volcanoes like the one in Iceland back in April 2010 seems to be occurring more frequently and more intensely. This active volcano sent such a large volcanic ash plume into the air that airspace was closed in Northern Europe for a week, stranding many people. This volcano affected thousands of people as smoke plumes were sent miles into the air.

More Active Volcanoes

Another one of the many active volcanoes that erupted this year was the Pacaya volcano in Guatemala, which displaced many people. Although this volcano has been an active one, no activity from this particular volcano has been seen for more than twenty years until May of 2010. The active Tungurahua or the "Throat of Fire" volcano located in Ecuador also erupted in May, spewing lava, smoke and rocks and also displaced many people. Both volcanoes are considered to be very large and active and when they erupted they both affected many people in nearby cities and villages. An active volcano below the ocean erupted back in February 2010. The active submarine volcano Fukutoku-Okanoba erupted sending ash and steam into the ocean. Although this eruption did not affect people directly, it may be pointing to a common pattern for 2010.

Is the U.S. Due for a Major Eruption from a Volcano?

Some people believe the active Yellowstone Super Volcano that lies below, is way overdue for a major eruption. In fact, the last major active eruption of this volcano was 640,000 years ago, long before there were millions of people on the planet. However, several people and volcanologists believe that the warning signs are not there for this particular active volcano. These warning signs, such as earthquakes and small eruptions, would probably occur for decades before the big blow, allowing for the safe removal of many people.

2010 does appear to be a more active year for volcanoes and earthquakes. The planet appears to be becoming more active as more and more volcanoes erupt and earthquakes occur, dislocating people and villages. Volcanologists and other scientists do have the means for predicting when an eruption is coming, enabling organizers to take many people away from the path of active volcanoes.

For other topics by this contributor please see http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/743371/teresa_erwin.html

Authors' Disclaimer: While every caution has been taken to provide my readers with the most accurate information, please use your discretion before making any decisions based on the information in this article.

Resources

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38593342#38593342
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18786-get-ready-for-decades-of-icelandic-fireworks.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/30/indonesia.volcano.toll/?hpt=T2
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/29/world/la-fg-guatemala-volcano-20100529
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/05/29/volcanos-ecuador-guatemala.html
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/quarterly.php?cat_id=12http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=42632