Daredevil adventurer descends into live volcano and has the video to prove it

 

The above video certainly fits into all the subhead categories on Outposts -- Outdoors, Action and Adventure.

Entitled "Most Incredible Volcano Footage Ever," the video shows extreme adventurer Drew Bristol as he ventures into Marum volcano on Ambrym Island in the South Pacific.

Bristol was part of a team led by New Zealand filmmaker/vulcanologist Geoff Mackley on an expedition 10 years in the planning.

On his website, Mackley describes the experience: "The incredible noise ... the heat ... the toxic gas ... the falling rocks ... the danger, nothing else in life will ever compare to the mind blowing rush of being  so close to a spectacle like this!"

44-year-old Mackley told the Daily Mail Online that while the video has gone viral on the Internet, it has also brought out the skeptics.

"I don't fake things," he said. "What would be the point of me traveling around the world to film volcanoes and earthquakes and then faking the footage?"

"Of course, you can fake anything in a studio these days, but that's not for me," added Mackley. "What you see from me is real."

The men are believed to be the first people who have ever dared venture so close to Marum volcano, located in the Vanuatu archipelago about 400 miles from Australia.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Video credit: YouTube

Climber falls into Mt. St. Helens crater; rescue effort underway

A climber has fallen into the crater at Mt. St. Helens in Washington state and a rescue effort is underway.

The Associated Press reports that the Skamania County Sheriff's office said that a U.S. Geological Survey helicopter spotted the climber on a steep slope near the bottom of the crater, but was unable to pick him up because of whiteout conditions and high winds.

The climber's condition is unknown, though he is conscious because he has been blowing a rescue whistle.

Undersheriff Dave Cox said that a Coast Guard rescue helicopter has been contacted but it's uncertain if the climber can be rescued before nightfall. Meanwhile, a ground rescue team is being organized.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: Image from Mt. St. Helens volcano cam at 4 p.m. Monday. Credit: USDA Forest Service / Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument  

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Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has remained conspicuously quiet

What a beautiful photo of Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano, which is restless but not threatening to erupt as it did many times during the spring. 

There was genuine concern after a lengthy series of violent eruptions that Redoubt's tempestuousness would last through the summer and spoil the fishing business on and near the Kenai Peninsula, east of Redoubt across the Cook Inlet.

In fact, with the peak July and August seasons behind, resort and fleet operators can say they dodged a bullet. Redoubt, which in 1989 and 1990 erupted sporadically over a period of seven months, remained on an yellow alert code throughout the summer.

The yellow code means a volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. An orange code means a major eruption is imminent, suspected or underway but poses a limited hazard to aviation because of insignificant volcanic ash emissions. A red code is used when a major eruption is imminent, underway or suspected with hazardous activity on the ground and in the air.

Presently, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the cautionary advisory remains in effect: "In the unlikely event of a major dome collapse, significant ash production, hot block-and-ash flows and flooding in the Drift River valley could all result."

If Redoubt erupts, Outposts will post the news. Meanwhile, I just wanted to share the image, one of many posted on the observatory website.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo: A steam plume rises above the cooling lava dome at Mt. Redoubt on Sept. 18, as viewed from near Homer, Alaska, on the Kenai Peninsula. Credit: Dennis Anderson / Night Trax Photography

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano a beautiful sight for anglers--so far

Fishing season has begun in Alaska and anglers visiting the Kenai Peninsula will want to tote cameras regardless of how well the salmon and halibut are cooperating.

That's because Mt. Redoubt volcano is erupting in a mild manner--for the time being--and generating spectacular imagery. The accompanying photo was taken May 26 by Dennis Josefczyk, from the peninsula, which is about 50 miles east of the volcano, across the Cook Inlet.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory reports low seismic activity and as long as that remains the case travel disruptions should be minimal or nonexistent. However, Redoubt's mood could change instantaneously so visitors are encouraged to check the AVO website and consult their airline carriers in the days leading to their departure date.

Good fishing everyone. Hope you enjoy the show.

-- Pete Thomas

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano showing increased activity

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has started showing increased activity again.

Though it's still at an "orange" watch level instead of a "red" eruption level on the Alaska Volcano Observatory website, the most recent observation posted on the site states that seismic and rockfall activity is at a heightened level.

Scientists monitoring the volcano believe an eruption is likely in the coming days.

Their observations conclude that the growing lava dome is becoming increasingly unstable. Should a dome failure occur, it likely would result in a significant explosion producing high-altitude ash plumes and possible ash fall in parts of south-central Alaska.

Sounds as if the slumbering giant is reawakening.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo courtesy of Dennis Anderson/Night Trax Photography

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano is a sight to behold

It has been a while since Outposts shared images from Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano, which continues to rumble and bark and spew steam and ash high and far across a wintry landscape.

The top image was captured Tuesday by Neil Sutton from Cannery Road on the Kenai Peninsula, about 50 miles to the east across the Cook Inlet. The bottom image was captured Thursday by scientist Kristi Wallace. It shows a fellow scientist gathering ash fall and how the ash is discoloring snow.

Meanwhile, Redoubt continues to make breathing uncomfortable for many and to disrupt travel to and from Anchorage on Alaska Airlines (though there are currently normal operations and no ash fall warnings). Also, this weekend, six million gallons of oil at the nearby Drift River terminal will be moved to a safer location.

The volcano's last major eruption was Tuesday and scientists with the Alaska Volcano Observatory say a lava dome is forming. That hardened lava atop the crater might ultimately become unstable and lead to more explosive eruptions. In fact, this tempestuousness might last months, as it did in 1989-90.

No good will come of all of this--the continuous disruption of airline service could be ruinous during the peak summer tourism season--but the images it generates are pretty spectacular.

--Pete Thomas

 

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano continues to erupt

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt certainly seems to be keeping scientists and researchers on their toes and alert. No sooner does the volcano seem to be quieting down than another eruption occurs, spewing ash and steam into the air. 

The most recent occurred about 7:25 p.m. Friday (Alaska time). The Alaska Volcano Observatory website states that the eruption emitted an ash cloud up approximately 51,000 feet.

It closely followed one at about 5:35 p.m. that sent ash to an estimated height of 40,000 feet, and was the third or fourth eruption of the day.

Alaska Airlines had resumed flights into the area only to post an alert on its website stating that flights may experience delays or cancellations because of the extremely active volcano.

I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of this, as the eruptions seem to be growing in frequency.

—Kelly Burgess 

Photo: Mt. Redoubt bellows steam and ash across the Cook Inlet.

Credit: Al Grillo / Associated Press

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt spews ash 65,000 feet, placing Kenai Peninsula residents on alert

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt sounded a late wake-up call this morning, erupting at 9:24 local time and sending a cloud of ash 65,000 feet, causing another disruption of service on Alaska Airlines and placing Kenai Peninsula residents on alert.

The explosion produced a swift mud flow down the Drift River and the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the Drift River drainage because of rapidly melting snow and ice. Residents within the drainage area were advised to seek higher ground and those along streams and creeks were urged to "protect life and property."

An ash fall advisory was in effect until 4 p.m. for the western Kenai Peninsula, 50 miles to the east. I just called Mark Glassmaker, who runs Alaska Fishing Lodge on the Kenai, and he said the wind had changed to a southerly direction toward Homer, at the south portion of the peninsula.

"The only sign that anyone on the Kenai Peninsula has felt is just a really light sulfur smell," Glassmaker said, adding that he did not expect Redoubt to seriously jeopardize the upcoming salmon-fishing season.

"I've been doing this for more than 20 years and had volcanoes go off in the middle of season and it has not had much of an effect on the fisheries or wildlife," Glassmaker said. "But if it happens in the middle of July, during our busiest month, and a lot of flights shut down, it'll be a bummer."

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt quiets, Alaska Airlines flights resume

Alaska Airlines has resumed flights to and from Alaska after assessing conditions following six volcanic eruptions of the state's 10,200-foot Mt. Redoubt volcano on Sunday and Monday.

It states on the airline's website: "Scheduled service to Bethel, Nome and Kotzebue will operate pending favorable reports that ash clouds have moved out of the area."

In all, 35 flights were canceled because of the explosive eruptions, which sent ash clouds as high as 60,000 feet.

The airline was forced to seal its grounded jets from abrasive ash particles. Redoubt, located 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, has been relatively quiet today but scientists anticipate more violent explosions. The last time Redoubt erupted, in 1989-90, explosions occurred sporadically over a period of five months.

Travelers are encouraged to check Alaska's website and the Alaska Volcano Observatory website in advance of scheduled flights.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo from webcam Monday evening courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano erupts a sixth time, sending ash plume 60,000 feet high

There's no doubt: Alaska's Mt. Redoubt has lost its temper--again.

The volcano this evening--after a daylong period of relative calm in the wake of a series of explosions beginning late Sunday night--blew its top for a sixth time, sending a plume of ash and steam 60,000 feet skyward.

There's little more information at this point from the Alaska Volcano Observatory. (To read the L.A. Times story on the effects of the initial explosions, click here.)

The accompanying graphic shows the north-northeast direction of ash fall after the initial explosions. That was a relief to residents throughout the state's more populated south-central quadrant.

But if history is a judge, Alaskans are in for a lengthy period of sporadic explosions, and ash fall will be at the mercy of prevailing winds.

The five-month series of 1989-1990 eruptions from Mt. Redoubt had a severe impact on aviation and the oil industry, as well as on residents and businesses on the Kenai Peninsula, 50 miles to the east.

Because of ash fall, schools on the peninsula were closed for long periods and many residents experienced respiratory problems.

After Monday night's explosion, the National Weather Service issued a new ash-flow advisory, suggesting that residents in the Susitna Valley seal windows and doors and protect water supplies.

--Pete Thomas

Graphic courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory. Photo shows emissions from the crater on Saturday, before the eruptions began Sunday night. Credit: Cyrus Read/AVO/USGS via Getty Images

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano erupts with five major explosions; ash cloud ascends 50,000 feet

*UPDATE: Includes new comment from Skwentna resident regarding ash fall.

**UPDATE: Travelers asked to check flight status as some flights have been canceled.

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt Volcano, which had been in a tempestuous mood for two months, erupted Sunday night at 10:38 p.m., sending an ash cloud 50,000 feet above sea level and prompting several flight cancelations.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory recorded four more large explosions during the night. Tina Neal, a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, said that "so far the major population centers in south-central Alaska have been spared any kind of dusting of ash."

The enormous plume was drifting to the north over an expansive wilderness parcel and so far only the small town of Skwentna, 100 miles north of Redoubt, had reported experiencing ash fall, mixed with snow.

In an interview, Eric Johnson, who runs Northwoods Lodge in Skwentna, said he did not hear the eruptions. "I did not know it erupted till daylight when I could see the funny-looking color on the snow," he said. Johnson, whose lodge specializes in snowmobiling in the winter and fishing in late spring and summer, said he's canceling reservations for the next couple of weeks because the coarse ash can damage snowmobiles.

Alaska Airlines was forced to cancel at least 19 flights and is asking travelers to check their flight status on its website.

Neal said the duration of eruptions varied from 10 to 20 minutes. Redoubt is located 110 miles southwest of Anchorage, due west of the Kenai Peninsula across the Cook Inlet.

Redoubt volcano in Alaska: a view of the restless giant from Anchorage

Calm before the storm?

The accompanying photo of Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcano was shot from south Anchorage on Feb. 23.

Weeks have passed since scientists implied that an eruption is imminent, and the watch level remains Orange, which means "heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption."

This afternoon's report, from the Alaska Volcano Observatory: "Seismicity consists mostly of small discrete earthquakes. The web cams show clear views of the volcano this morning.

"The dark area on the north flank of Redoubt in the HUT web cam image appeared during a brief episode of strong tremor late yesterday afternoon. The dark area is evidence of a water rich flowage event coming from Drift Glacier."

Outposts has nothing more to report, at this point, but wanted to share one of the more colorful recent images.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of AVO/USGS. Credit: Cyrus Read