NASA Terra Aqua MODIS images: Volcano Kizimen Spews Fresh Ash Clouds

Kizimen, an isolated stratovolcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, spewed ash nearly 10 kilometers (32,800 feet) into the air in mid-December 2011.

Seismic activity and thermal anomalies increased near the volcano in early December, culminating in a fresh eruption starting on December 13. Kizimen has been erupting sporadically since 2009.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites captured these natural-color images on December 14, 2011.

Terra passed over far eastern Russia first, at 11:05 a.m. local time, with Aqua following one hour and 50 minutes later. The time difference afforded a view of the movement of the ash plume as it blew to the south and east.

Observers with the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team detected lava flows and pyroclastic flows (hot avalanches of rock, ash, and water debris) on the eastern and northeastern flanks.

According to scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences, air temperatures were 32 degrees Centigrade near the summit, while air temperatures in the surrounding region were –26 degrees.

Itar-Tass reported potential disruptions to air traffic in the northwest Pacific, particularly for low-flying planes, as aviators were put on the highest (red) alert for ash and debris.

The small abrasive particles in volcanic ash can get lodged in jet engines, causing engine failures. There was no threat, however, to local populations on the ground because of the remote location of Kizimen.

1. References

2. Itar-Tass News Agency (2011, December 14) Kamchatka’s Kizimen volcano erupting ash columns to height of more than 7 km. Accessed December 16, 2011.
3. Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (2011, December 16) KVERT Information Releases. Accessed December 16, 2011.
4. Smithsonian/U.S. Geological Survey Global Volcanism Program (n.d.) Kizimen. Accessed December 16, 2011.
5. Smithsonian/U.S. Geological Survey Global Volcanism Program (2011, December 13) Weekly Volcanic Activity Report. Accessed December 16, 2011.
6. Voice of Russia (2011, December 15) Kizimen volcano spewing ashes. Accessed December 16, 2011.

NASA image by Jeff Schmaltz, LANCE/EOSDIS MODIS Rapid Response. Caption by Michael Carlowicz.

NASA Landsat-5 Image: Siberia, Chaunskaya Bay

Vivid colors and bizarre shapes come together in an image that could be an imaginative illustration for a fantasy story.

This labyrinth of exotic features is present along the edge of Russia's Chaunskaya Bay (vivid blue half circle) in northeastern Siberia.

Two major rivers, the Chaun and Palyavaam, flow into the bay, which in turn opens into the Arctic Ocean. Ribbon lakes and bogs are present throughout the area, created by depressions left by receding glaciers.

Credit: USGS/NASA/Landsat 5

To learn more about the Landsat satellite go to: landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Endangered Siberian Tigers Exploited by Chinese Authorities

A beautifil, rare and endangered species, the Siberian tigers, is compelled to sit up and beg for the amusement of dumb visitors. Part of an entertainment sideshow at a zoo on the second day of the Lunar New Year in Fuzhou, China.

China continues to treat endangered species with contempt and force them to perform humiliating acts for the amesement of an ignorant public.

This sends the completely wrong message; that these animals are put on this Earth for the exploitation and amusement of humanity.