Ruang

[bjdeming]

This InSAR image of deformation at Ruang's summit over the last fifteen days makes starting a dedicated thread seem like a good idea (see also posts in the volcano thread, starting here).

I hope there won't need to be any more posts, making this a waste of space, but such rapid deformation on a volcano that has already released so much energy is not good (layperson opinion only).



Of course, everyone worries about collapse with subsequent tsunami, but AFAIK (not very far) such events happen without warning.

Presumably magma and/or magmatic gases and fluids are behind that deformation, not impending collapse (although one conceivably could occur as part of an eruption or, for that matter, even if the deformation passes some critical threshold; in that scenario, the landslide itself might set off an eruption as happened at Mount St. Helens 44 years ago this month.)

 

[bjdeming]

No more news -- just consolidating some info here for future reference:

Ruang on May 5th:



Smithsonian's GVP page.

Couldn't get the MAGMA ID VONA page to link today. I did figure out a way to translate the app's daily update via document conversion and Google Translate but found it not all that helpful (today's report, at least): the "automatically generated" text says that Ruang is at Level I when it is definitely at Level IV. See quote below image; I have crossed out the obviously incorrect information.

Reading between the lines, I think they just mean that it is acting normally at the moment but is still very dangerous.

Still, when Ruang is going off this will be very helpful.

There is a webcam image, as well as histogram and seismicity report (low at the moment -- not all that reassuring in light of the deformation):

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY REPORT (VAR)
GEOLOGICAL AGENCY-CENTER FOR VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL DISASTER MITIGATION
JL DIPONEGORO 57 BANDUNG 40122 TEL:+62-22-7272606
Observation Period: 2020-07-1200:00-23:59 WITA
GMA

General information

Ruang Volcano is one of the active volcanoes in Indonesia which is located in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro), North Sulawesi Province. Its peak is at the coordinate position 125,408 E; 2,322 N with a height of 725 meters above sea level. In its history, at least 13 eruptions have been recorded, where the last eruption occurred on 25-29 September 2002. The explosive explosive index (VEl/Volcanic Explosivity Index) is in the range of 1- 4 (last VEl 4). Monitoring of spatial volcanic activity is carried out through the Volcano Observation Post (Pos PGA) located in Tulusan Village, Tagulandang District.

Observation Resume

Visually, the weather was clear to cloudy, the wind was weak to the west. The air temperature was around 28-32 C. Mount Api was clearly visible until it was covered in 0-1 haze. Smoke from the main crater was not observed.

In terms of seismicity, 3 Deep Tectonic earthquakes were recorded (Amax 3 -8 mm, S-P not readable, duration 72-115 seconds).

Conclusion

Based on the results of analysis of visual and instrumental observation data, it was concluded that the activity level of the Ruang Volcano was at Level l (Normal).

Recommendation

Communities around G. Ruang and visitors/tourists should limit their activities (not stay for long) and not spend the night in active crater areas, and not approach gas leak holes around the crater to avoid the potential danger of toxic gas.

Report Compiler
Heymans Tamaka,
▲6.Fuag
Observation Pot

Gnnap
an-11337
Location map
Lor 12737
t 43
1257:23
Papatua Seamount
Petain dbut vuMAGMA ntotsi hitp./sagmt vstedngb
Latest Photos
cxd
GmsnTerse
nt lca
Earthquake Histogram per Day
G. Ruang's Daily Seismicity Histogram (last 3 months)
G shtin dmade memiginotan MAGMA Indcnese thps.Mmagna vs esd=goie
GM

This report was generated automatically via MAGMA Indonesia (https://magma.vsi.esdm.go.id)

 

[bjdeming]

Aaaand...absolutely nothing has happened; they have lowered the alert to Level III.

No one will be returning to their once lovely homes there, though. And from today's report (autotranslated), Ruang is still quite restive.