NASA Earth Observation Image: Lava Flow on Mawson Peak, Heard Island

In October 2012, satellites measured subtle signals that suggested volcanic activity on remote Heard Island. 

These images, captured several months later, show proof of an eruption on Mawson Peak. 

By April 7, 2013, Mawson's steep-walled summit crater had filled, and a trickle of lava had spilled down the volcano’s southwestern flank. 

On April 20, the lava flow remained visible and had even widened slightly just below the summit.

These natural-colour images were collected by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite.

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Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

Russian Plosky Tolbachik volcano erupts after 30 years

The Plosky Tolbachik volcano is continuing to erupt in Russia's Kamchatka peninsula, sending plumes of gas and ash into the sky.

The Plosky Tolbachik volcano in East Russia, is one of 29 on the Kamchatka peninsular, and has been erupting since last November.

Officials have warned people to stay away, but the eruption has led to stunning images of lava flowing through snow.

It is not known how long the eruption will last but it is believed that the volcano had been dormant for 30 years.

Volcanic eruption: Stromboli Lava Flow on Sciara del Fuoco

The activity at Stromboli has lately increased, over the holidays. Since 23 December small lava overflows occurred from the eastern crater area and produced lava flows with varying length on the upper part of the Sciara del Fuoco (360deg view).

Yesterday afternoon and evening, it looked as if the lava flow had increased and extended on a good portion of the Sciara where lava blocks detaching from the flow rolling down created a dense incandescent stream.

It is still unclear whether the flows come from a new vent at the eastern crater terrace or whether they are overflows of lava from an existing vent.

The seismic activity has increased and in addition to the tremor, explosion and rockfall, signals are elevated as well.

Such lava (over-)flows from the crater are usually relatively short-lived, but come often in phases.

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