Indonesian Batu Tara enters stronger phase of eruptions

A series of volcanic ash plumes originating from Indonesian Batu Tara volcano are being detected on satellite imagery. It seems that the volcano has entered a stronger phase of eruptions during the past few days. 

Darwin VAAC reported volcanic ash plume was observed reaching altitude of 3 km on April 28 at 07:32 UTC. It was extending 20NM (37 km) to the north. Aviation color code is set to orange.

Volcanic ash cloud could not be identified on latest imagery due to meteorological cloud.

Image credit: Darwin VAAC

Batu Tara was last mentioned in GVP's Weekly Volcanic Report released on April 2, 2014: " Based on analyses of satellite imagery and wind data, the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) reported that on March 26 an ash plume from Batu Tara drifted almost 30 km W."

Geologic summary

The small isolated island of Batu Tara in the Flores Sea about 50 km north of Lembata (fomerly Lomblen) Island contains a scarp on the eastern side similar to the Sciara del Fuoco of Italy's Stromboli volcano. Vegetation covers the flanks of Batu Tara to within 50 m of the 748-m-high summit.

Batu Tara lies north of the main volcanic arc and is noted for its potassic leucite-bearing basanitic and tephritic rocks. The first historical eruption from Batu Tara, during 1847-52, produced explosions and a lava flow. (GVP)

Featured image: Volcanic ash plume rising from Batu Tara on April 28, 2014. Image credit: NASA Terra / MODIS