Panza verde is the nickname given to Antigüeños in Guatemala. They are said to have green bellies from eating so many avocados. After my undergraduate schooling, I spent two years living in Guatemala, teaching preschool and learning Spanish. I returned in September 2009 (although I have been back for short visits a few times since then). I have created this blog to document my next adventure, a two-week educational tour of Havana, Cuba. The main goal of the trip is to learn about Cuba’s educational system. Additionally, I’m looking forward to some great food, great architecture, and great company.

Paz.

Aguacate

Breit wie ein See und ein faszinierendes Stückchen Erde: der Rio Dulce im westlichen Guatemala.

…der Mayawelt: Quirigua, Guatemala.

Kunstvoll bearbeitete Stelen und mythische Zoomorphen – Fabelwesen zwischen Tieren und Göttern – machen den ganz eigentümlichen Reiz dieses Ortes aus.

Ein Narr? Oder doch die Darstellung eines Affen? Die Symbole und Schriftzeichen der Maya stellen uns vor immer neue Rätsel…

Fotos: streifzug

miércoles 25 de noviembre de 2009

URGENTE: Avistamiento Masivo OVNI en Lima, Perú

La tarde de hoy Miércoles 25 de Noviembre (2009) No pasó inadvertida para los pobladores y público concurrente a la ciudad de Lima, capital de Perú. Alrededor de las 2 de la tarde decenas de personas identificaban en los cielos y entre las nubes inicialmente 3 objetos luminosos al parecer de tipo esférico, OVNI’s que al parecer se multiplicarían y se convertirían en 8 objetos que luego de diversas formas y alineaciones pareciesen haber conformado una figura octogonal. El avistamiento se dió por alrededor de 40 minutos y puedo ser visto por cientos de testigos y curiosos al lugar. Radios locales reportaron en Vivo el suceso. Ojo, el caso está en investigación, andamos tras fuentes directas al avistamiento. Ampliaremos.Observa el video:

Para ver más videos del avistamiento clic aqui:

Publicado por Marquillo en;Últimos Avistamientos de Ovnis

Fuentes;

Links: www.elcomercio.com.pe / www.peru21.com.pe / www.larepublica.pe / www.rpp.com.pe

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26 de Noviembre (2009)

* Ovni; ¿Causante de gran apagón en Argentina?

El día de ayer 26 de Noviembre (2009) alrededor de las 2AM pobladores del pueblo de Salta Argentina afirmaron haber sido testigos del avistamiento de un enorme OVNI tipo cigarro muy luminoso que atravezó la localidad al parecer suspendido en un cochón de extrañas nubes y luces. La dirección del objeto era hacia el sudeste hacia un lugar conocido como El Tunal. Se habla de un avistamiento de entre 5 y 15 minutos de interminable show en el cielo nocturno, apenas se desvaneció en el firmamento toda la localida de Joaquín V. Gonzales se quedó completamente a oscuras y sumergidas en un completo apagón de 200KM a la redonda, los reservorios de agua se secaron y las líneas de teléfono de cortaron. Todo se reanudó alrededor de las 11AM es decir nueve horas despues. EDESA empresa electrica de la zona confirma el apagón y aún se buscan las causas probables. Atención con ésta noticia. Leer más

• Fuentes; www.popularonline.com

• Publicado por Marquillo en;Nuestro pasado extraterrestre

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26 de Noviembre (2009)

• La Tierra sigue Convulsionando

Ayer 26 de Noviembre (2009) hubo un terremoto de la costas de El Salvador y Guatemala. La intensidad fué de 5.9 Richter y se dejó sentir a la 1:18.11PM local time. El día de hoy 27 de Noviembre (2009) un terremoto moderado de 5.0 Richter se dejó sentir en Maracaibo Venezuela su epicentro fué cerca de la costa del sudeste de Venezuela cerca a Islas Los Monjes. La Tierra continúa temblando. Preguntas: ¿Ésto que tiene que ver con el calentamiento global?, ¿Es también nuestra culpa?

• Extraño Fenómeno en el Cielo de Brasil

Compartimos éste video grabado hoy 24 de Noviembre (2009) en Curitiba Brasil en el barrio de Pinheirinho. Éstas imágenes nos recuerdas a otros extraños fenómenos ocurridos en USA, Rusia y Rumania por ejemplo. ¿H.A.A.R.P.?, ¿Plasma Solar?, ¿OVNI extraterrestre?

Observa los Videos: Cilc aquí

Publicado por Marquillo en;Últimos Avistamientos de Ovnis

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Fotos por: Pedro Guerra.                      Publicado por: Michel de León.

@ home. Still haven’t figured out the abid.

il confine con il Chiapas

La Libertad

Una mia cara amica, Ania Pettinelli, ha mandato un pezzo molto interessante. Lo pubblico perchè oltre ad essere secondo me molto interessante si vede che è uscito dalla penna di una persona determinata.

Ania adesso si trova in Guatemala.

Le foto sono sue, sicuramente sta vivendo un’esperienza unica.

Alexander Langer parlava di conversione ecologica, di inflessibili e coraggiosi indigeni che agiscono con radicamento e responsabilità per difendere il proprio pezzetto di biosfera… erano i primi anni novanta. Oggi, in una situazione ancora più critica e preoccupante tutti siamo chiamati in causa e dobbiamo fare i conti con l’enorme debito che abbiamo negli anni contratto con l’ambiente, con le generazioni future e con quelle presenti. La crisi economica e ambientale sono il frutto delle singole scelte di ogni singolo cittadino, nessuno escluso, siamo al tempo stesso artefici e vittime di uno stile di vita consumista e obsolescente: produrre per consumare, consumare per produrre…la triste figura di un cane che si morde la coda, un circolo vizioso di autodistruzione fuori controllo. “Ma cosa posso fare io da solo?”, la domanda sorge spontanea e la risposta potrebbe essere altrettanto semplice: possiamo fare tanto. Siamo noi, come consumatori, la base e il motore di questo sistema insostenibile e autodistruttivo, le nostre scelte quotidiane di consumo possono diventare uno strumento incisivo, ognuno può fare la sua parte, nel proprio piccolo; le soluzioni ci sono già, ce ne sono tante, ma badano bene a non farcele conoscere. Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale; consumo a Km 0; abiti in tessuti naturali invece che abiti sintetici prodotti chissà dove, sfruttando chissà chi; prodotti biologici, boicottaggio di corporation e marchi con condotte socialmente irresponsabili; last minute market; banche del tempo; laboratori di autoproduzione e di recupero; orti cittadini; uno stile di vita più sobrio e attento agli sprechi; la bicicletta, anche l’idea di “Rifiuto con affetto” si colloca sulla stessa linea. Autolimitare il nostro consumo, ridurre la nostra impronta ecologica per non essere più corresponsabili delle enormi disuguaglianze dell’economia globale (“noi”, il 20% della popolazione mondiale, consumiamo l’80% delle risorse del pianeta); un’autolimitazione che non significa sacrificio ma “privilegio di non dipendere troppo dalla dotazione materiale e finanziaria,…privilegio di usare con saggezza e parsimonia l’eredità comune a tutti.” (A. Langer) In Italia tanti gruppi di cittadini si stanno organizzando per difendere il loro ambiente naturale e culturale, si sono riappropriati del loro territorio e del diritto di viverlo insieme; in molti casi c’è stata anche la risposta delle amministrazioni comunali che hanno adottato politiche di conversione

Carretera cerrada... attraversamento fiume

energetica, di conservazione del suolo e delle risorse naturali, di riduzione e riciclo dei rifiuti (tassazione vuoti a rendere e dell’indifferenziata). È una questione di singole scelte, anche piccole, anche graduali ma comunque importanti…da qualcheparte bisognerà pur cominciare.

Tuve la oportunidad de asistir a este evento de Microsoft que se celebró el día de ayer en el Real InterContinental y debo decir que me agradó más de lo que esperaba. Siendo un amigo del pingüino iba con mis reservas a aprender sobre Windows 7, la más reciente versión del sistema operativo de Redmond.

Arrancó con unas rápidas palabras del representante de Microsoft para Guatemala y luego entramos de lleno en una keynote sobre la visión que tiene la compañía sobre el futuro de Internet de la mano de Ricardo Jimenez. Básicamente sobre las posibles interfaces del futuro, el Surface, Natal y otras cosas de ese estilo. También comentó algo sobre el software instalable comparado son los servicios de la Nube y como buscar una alternativa a las desventajas que ofrecen ambos métodos. Muy ingeniosa la presentación.

Luego de un breve y delicioso coffee break pasamos al Dev1 a ver el tema de compatibilidad de aplicaciones en Windows 7 y bueno decir que ya no es aquello tan simple de click derecho, propiedades y elegir la compatibilidad. Una buena explicación de la diferencias del registro de Windows, el manejo de procesos y la emulación con la máquina virtual de Windows XP que ya viene incluída. También sobre elaborar una Shim Database (SDB), dejando en claro que era la última opción. Claro que como se dijo lo mejor sería actualizar la aplicación para Windows 7 utilizando, por ejemplo el User Account Control adecuado, con una versión más reciente de Visual Studio.

Luego al salón de ITPro2 para  aprender a hacer una correcta migración a Windows 7 y debo decir que de primera mano parece un rollo en extremo complicado, pero es cuestión de seguir un ciclo comprobado y recomendado por Microsoft, tanto para una actualización limpia ó una migración. Sobre las herramientas de migración de Windows Easy Transfer, User State Migration Tool, ó el Windows Advisor para verificar el hardware, etc. realmente parece que lo hacen todo más rápido y fácil. Esta conferencia en particular fue bastante rápida.

Lo que me gustó: varias herramientas sin costo adicional para hacer funcionar el Windows 7, una de las edecanes de Microsoft, Mesh.com y los regalitos que habían sobre la mesa.

Tengo que lamentar que: las conferencias fueron rápidas, nadie llevó CD’s de Linux y que no vi ningún BSOD.

Fotos no hay, sigo sin cámara.

Enlaces de interés que surgieron en la jornada:

• http://blogs.msdn.com/ricardoj
• http://twitter.com/ricardoj
• http://edcontinua.galileo.edu
• http://www.mesh.com

Ya está la edición número de 13 de Guatemala Football Magazine, con toda la información de lo que acontece en el vecino país centroamericano en el deporte de las tacleadas.

En esta edición:

Editorial: Se está haciendo historia

PARTIDOS DISPAREJOS FUE LA TONICA DE LA SEMANA 1

Resultados la la puesta en marcha de la liga de futbol americano de Guatemala.

Reporte de los Cabros de Xela

Flag football Guatemala-Tapachula

Estadísticas de la Liga de Football Americano de Guatemala

Por equipo, jugadores de la semana y reporte de lesionados.

Futbol Americano en el Mundo

Ligas centroamericanas, Tigres de la UANL campeones de la ONEFA, NFL, College Football NCAA.

Comunidad del Ovoide

Pronósticos de la semana

Pañuelo Rojo

Descarga la Magazine Ya.

Guatemala football magazine XIII

21.10.2009

Nach unserem letzten Highlight in Mexiko, Palenque, machen  wir uns auf nach Guatemala. Ein Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten – Im positiven wie im negativen Sinne. Mit anderen Worten: Die Kriminalitätsrate ist ziemlich hoch und das auswärtige Amt führt eine lange Liste von Sicherheitshinweisen.

Eine (wieder einmal) beschwerliche Busfahrt mit Grenzübergang steckt uns noch in den Knochen, als wir in Panajachel ankommen.  Auf dem Weg schauen wir uns den anliegenden „Lake Atitlan” an. Der See strahlt majestätisch in einem phantastischen Blau.

Wir schlendern ein wenig umher und machen uns mit der Umgebung vertraut. Beim Rundgang durch die Stadt stellen wir fest, dass Panajachel sehr touristisch ist. Wir können keinen Fuß an den nächsten setzen, ohne von einheimischen Verkäufern belagert zu werden. Ihre Tücher und Armbändchen können Michi nur ein müdes Lächeln abgewinnen.

Dafür begutachtet er den See in alter Seemannsmanier. (Wie bei „Der alte Mann und das Meer“ –Anm. der Red. Tobi)

In Gedanken versunken beenden wir den Tag und freuen uns auf viele neue Eindrücke (Michi und Seb waren mit diesem Satz nicht einverstanden, er bleibt aber drin –Anm. der Red. Tobi).

22.10.2009

Heute haben wir die Möglichkeit, in einem Maya Dorf bei einer Familie zu übernachten. Hierbei verzichten wir auf jeglichen westlichen Luxus (bis auf fließendes Wasser, Strom und Licht) und leben für einen halben Tag und eine Nacht (!) wie die Leute im Dorf. Hier ein Eindruck der kleinen Community, in der wir den Abend verbringen:

Nach einigen Hostelnächten (Die Hostels waren wesentlich schlechter ausgestattet) fällt Michi und Tobi die Umstellung aber nicht ganz so schwer und sie schauen „wohlgemut“ (Ein schönes Wort! – Anm. der Red. Tobi):

Wir erkunden die Umgebung noch ein wenig mehr und finden einen echt netten Aussichtspunkt, um uns die anliegenden Vulkane und den Lake im Sonnenuntergang anzuschauen. Wäre eigentlich ganz romantisch. Blöd, dass wir drei (glücklicherweise heterosexuelle) Männer auf Weltreise sind und keine Frauen dabei haben.

Tobi, der ein wenig (man könnte auch stattdessen von „viel“ sprechen. Anm. d. Red. (MR)) von Höhenangst geplagt ist, freut sich über das Erklimmen der kleinen Klippe hoch über dem See:

Die Freude wehrt nur kurz, denn Michi und Seb genießen den tollen Ausblick auch.

So schön uns dieser See auch erscheinen mag, wir finden ein noch lohnenswerteres Motiv:

Nach unserem kleinen Spaziergang gehen wir zurück ins Dorf und finden uns in der Küche ein. Denn wenn wir etwas können, dann ist es Kochen! Ach nee, Moment…Essen! :

Hier lernen wir unsere Gastgeberfamilie ein wenig näher kennen. Neben Spanisch sprechen die Leute im Dorf  auch ihre eigene Maya Sprache. Englisch verstehen sie leider nicht, sodass wir die Gelegenheit nutzen, unsere Spanisch-Kenntnisse zu verbessern, um wenigstens einigermaßen mit unserer lieben Gastgeberfamilie kommunizieren zu können.

(Achtung, jetzt kommt mein toller Aufmisch-Witz mit verschachtelten Sätzen – Anm. der Red. Tobi):

Der kleine Wirbelwind Ingrid, (Die eigentlich Isabell heißt- Anm. der Red. Seb.), spielt mit uns Verstecken und mischt (!) uns verschlafene Backpacker ein wenig auf.

Das zweite wichtige Familienmitglied ist Danielito, der erst ein paar Monate alte Sohn. Echt niedlich, der Kleine, oder?

Der mischt (!!) mehr die Mutter des Hauses und Chefin der Küche, Marcela, auf. Diese wiederum mischt (!!!) uns aber auch auf, weil sie uns dazu bringt, Tortillas zu machen:

Da mischt (Juhu!!!!) jeder ein wenig mit…

Die besten Tortillabäcker sind Seb und Tobi allerdings nicht, obwohl sie mit großem Eifer bei der Sache sind und den Instruktionen der Chefin lauschen.

Zu unserer Ehrenrettung: Wenigstens Michi hat ein paar semigute Tortillas geknetet, die von Ingrid äußerst kritisch beäugt werden. Sie hat noch nie drei so schlechte Tortillabäcker gesehen und tut ihre Meinung lautstark kund. Auch deutliche Größenunterschiede zwischen unseren Tortillas und den Profitortillas zeichnen sich ab:

Das Patent des Minitortillas ist uns aber sicher!!

Mmmmh, die passen super zu Bohnen mit Reis. Oder zu Mole, einem Brei gemacht aus Bohnen. Auch Eier mit Bohnen kann man mit Tortillas essen. Naja, irgendwie isst man hier wohl immer Tortillas und Bohnen. Ab und zu isst man die Bohnen aber auch so. Um ehrlich zu sein: Bohnen wurden nicht unser Lieblingsessen. Michi, unserem Wonneproppen, hats aber trotzdem geschmeckt:

Nach dem Essen widmen wir uns dann noch einmal den kleinen Familienmitgliedern und malen ein wenig. Michis Bilder (wie auch seine Tortillas) gefallen Ingrid zwar nicht, aber die Kunst liegt ja bekanntlich im Auge des Betrachters…

Abends haben wir dann noch ein nettes Gespräch mit dem Familienvater Daniel, der sogar ein wenig Englisch sprechen kann und BWL studiert. In Gedanken versunken beenden wir den Tag und freuen uns auf viele neue Eindrücke (Michi und Seb waren mit diesem Satz immernoch nicht einverstanden, er bleibt aber drin – Anm. der Red. Tobi).

Fotos y Publicación por: Michel de León.

so, anything under 6.0 is a tremor.  but there was one today.  guess what?  i missed it.  havent figured out yet if i am disappointed or not.  if i was rational, i would say YES, but i am a new orleans girl, and even after the disaster Katrina dumped on me, there is something intriguing about the “natural” storms we have the opportunity to witness.  And, it is in those moments, i think, that everyone, EVERYONE ponders, even if for a moment, if there is a God.

alas, i missed it, because, as it turns out, if you are in a car, you dont necessarily feel it unless its really strong.  so at Casa Bernabe, david and his kids went running out the house because it was shaking and the cabinet doors were slamming open and closed.  and elsewhere, windows were creaking and people were stressing.  it was a long one, and it was actually strong at 5.7 i think.  makes me aware that i do live near a ring of fire…

so, i had thanksgiving with fernando and his family.  it was unexpected, and an absolute blessing.  they asked if it was hard being away for the holidays and i said yes and no.  i think christmas will be harder, but i was missing my mom’s food more than anything else.  dressing and ruby jello and sweet potatoes and green beans, and whatever crazy new dish my sister added to the menu.  the supposed “stress” of the holidays is my favorite part.  watching lindsay run around like crazy and my mom change plans 10 times.  its those kinds of things that i love (and entertain me) and no matter who i am with for the holidays, they cannot provide that.  but eating turkey and listening to someone else’s famly reminense and tell jokes was equally entertaining and certainly warmed my soul.  thank you God for unexpected blessings.

Happy Turkey Day everyone.

fotos por: Byron Melgar                         Publicado por: Michel de León

On Nov 25 Salvadoran federal police intelligence reported that no fewer than 40 gang members from several countries in Central America  were  recently trained at a Zetas training camp alongside Laguna  El Tigre  in Guatemala across the border from Tabasco. A dozen were members of Mara Salvatrucha  (MS 13) cliques from  several municipalities in El Salvador–a new wrinkle as most Maras working for the Zetas have been from southern Mexico and Guatemala.

According to these police sources the young gangsters were being skilled in light weapons tactics by former Kaibiles, the notorious Guatemalan special forces counterpart to the Mexican GAFE which produced the original Los Zetas cadre.

This shouldn’t be much of a surprise considering the longterm alliance between rogue Kaibiles and the Zetas, one that dates back to the late 90s when they were being schooled together in advanced special operations skills at Ft Bragg, Ft Huachuca and Ft Benning. See June posting-Blowback from Bragg.

Since being arrested  in July 2006 three mid-level Zetas–”Mateo”, “Rafael” and “Karen”–have been secreted  in the witness protection program of the  Procuraduria General de La Republica (PGR) (the  Mexican Attorney General’s office) .  Over the past three years the three have provided  lengthy insiders’ reports on the Zetas La Compania.. “Comandente Mateo” was a member of Los Tangos, the Gulf cartel security and assassination squad.

Thanksgiving Day at the computer taking a break.  On Facebook ragging one of my nieces about getting to eat Thanksgiving with the family while Cindy and I had to work.  The chair and floor started to move.  Now I come from Southern Appalachia, coal country.  We have abandoned shaft mines that collapse on occasions and you feel some one reach up and smack the bottoms of your feet from inside the earth, but one tap and its done.  This event was extended somewhere around 6 to 8 seconds (I finished the note to Jessie and discussed with Cindy that yes this is an earthquake and perhaps we ought to get outside)…  I did not now that concrete could move in wave form.  I wonder if “harmonics” is a factor in building destruction in major earthquakes?  This was a 5.9 earthquake centered close to the coast of El Salvador… 90 miles from us as the crow flies.

The next thought that came to mind is how arrogant we mere mortal men are.  We believe we are in control of weather, the earth etc.  We are our own gods!  Think you are in control of your life and circumstances, come to earthquake and volcano country and feel the tile floor turn to water.  After Job, a righteous man, says he wants to tell God a thing of two, God tells Job to come stand before Him and ‘gird up your loins like a man’! (Job 38:3)  Job is essentially speechless as God gives in the next four chapters how we can know that He is God and we will never be.  Job’s response is to clap his hand over his own mouth. 

So does your life feel out of control… it IS!  It’s out of your control.  God gives us “stewardship” over the earth.  It is not ours, it is His.  Watch and see.  Look at the character of men who believe in global warming for example.  God laughs at these men.   A couple of years ago the Governator of California announced a new government program in that state to deal with global warming and that night the orange crop froze on the trees.  We now have this week the announcement that a group of scientists and professors responsible for Al Gore’s famous Hockey Stick graph, have been manipulating the data and deleting emails and data that doesn’t fit their presumptuous ideology… how do you define the word LIE?  We are not little gods.  We are not in charge.  We are servants to one of two masters.  Can I encourage you to read these four chapters of Job (38-41)?  Remember God held Job up as the prime example of a righteous man.  Notice Job’s response to God in 40:1-5 and 42:1-6.   If righteous Job says, “I retract and repent in dust and ashes,” my response to the Only Holy God must have NO ARROGANCE, but in all humility be one of repentance, desiring a life of obedience from this day forward. 

Oh yes – Cindy and I used this as an excuse to call a lot of family and friends back home, because it is new to us and exciting… the local response, well no weed eaters or lawn mowers stopped, nobody else ran out in their yards.  So obviously the locals are in more control than we are!!!  so much for that deep spiritual lesson – grin.

Living an out of control life for the Glory of Jesus Christ in Guatemala and beyond, in His Name Amen.

Happy Thanksgiving friends and family:  In Christ, Dennis and Cindy McCutcheon

http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/last_event/world_el_salvador.html  a link for earthquake data. 

http://dennis51.smugmug.com/Guatemala/Mayan-Community-Fair/10438734_WqYtx#723887863_qBaQp  link to a few new photos of a rural Mayan community, with a medical clinic we have helped equip in Xocola.

Human Rights First, Nov 25, 2009

Demand Investigation into Killing of Indigenous Guatemalan Lawyer Fausto Otzín

–> <!–

Take action now to urge Guatemalan authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing Fausto Otzín, a celebrated indigenous rights activist.

Read HRF Petition in English | in Spanish

Fine…it’s Thankgiving Day in Gautemala: the breezes are up, as am I…a few things to do today, before the gringo dinner later in the day..’starting to look like a return to El Salvador on Monday or Tuesday and wrap up that disjointed road trip(see previous), take some more car parts for Cuba via John and get those assignments done….after that, back to the chilly nights of San Cristobal de las Casas for a week(and wrap up THAT assignment)..

no news out of Honduras, other than Mel is pouting in the Brazilian embassy and Michelletti is playing him like a violin: gee, no elections this month? how about December?  right…their terms expire in January…or does something change with Michelletti’s deal? Mel, the poor man’s Joe Stalin wannabe.

enjoy yourself(someone’s gotta)la vida es corte..disfrutalo!

Click on the map for a larger version (1280 x 898 pixels).

The Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 18-24 November 2009 is available on the Global Volcanism Program website. The following is a summary and not a substitute for the full report.

• The current report: Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
• Previous reports: Weekly Reports Archive.
• The SI/USGS map of volcanoes discussed this week.

New activity/unrest: Galeras (Colombia), Sarychev Peak (Russia).

Ongoing activity: Batu Tara (Indonesia), Chaitén (Chile), Karymsky (Russia), Kilauea (Hawaii, USA), Kliuchevskoi (Russia), Pacaya (Guatemala), Popocatépetl (Mexico), Rabaul (Papua New Guinea), Reventador (Ecuador), Sakura-jima (Japan), Santa María (Guatemala), Shiveluch (Russia), Soufrière Hills (Montserrat), Suwanose-jima (Japan).

Note: a.s.l. = ‘above sea level’.

NEW ACTIVITY/UNREST

Galeras (Colombia). An explosive eruption occurred on 20 November. Local inhabitants reported five explosions, sound waves and crater incandescence. The resulting ash plume was reported by Washington VAAC to have possibly risen to 14.3 km a.s.l. The plume drifted N, and ashfall was reported 10 km N, NNW and E. Seismicity increased after the eruption and then gradually decreased, and the alert level was lowered on 21 November from Red to Orange (‘eruption probable within days or weeks’).

Sarychev Peak (Russia). On 21 November a thermal anomaly was detected by satellite.

ONGOING ACTIVITY

Batu Tara (Indonesia). Darwin VAAC reported an ash plume to 2.4 km a.s.l. which drifted 90 km NW on 24 November.

Chaitén (Chile). Buenos Aires VAAC reported a gas plume from the lava-dome complex on 23 November which rose to 2.4 km a.s.l. and drifted SSE.

Karymsky (Russia). Seismic activity was above background levels on 12, 14 and 16 November, with no data available for other days during 13-20 November because of technical reasons. Elevated seismicity possibly indicated ash plumes rising to 3 km a.s.l. Analyses of satellite imagery revealed a daily thermal anomaly and ash plumes that drifted 130 km E during 12-14 and 17 November. Tokyo VAAC reported that on 23 November an eruption produced a plume that rose to 4 km a.s.l. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Kilauea (Hawaii, USA). During 18-24 November lava flowed SE through a lava tube system from beneath the Thanksgiving Eve Breakout (TEB) and rootless shield complex to reach the ocean at multiple locations between Waikupanaha and an area 700 m further W. Thermal anomalies detected by satellite and visual observations revealed active surface lava flows at locations on and at the base of the pali, at the TEB vent, and on the coastal plain. Incandescence was seen on the Pu’u ‘O’o crater floor. The Halema’uma’u crater vent continued to produce a white or off-white plume that drifted mainly SW and dropped small amounts of ash downwind. Incandescence originated from a circulating and spattering lava pond that occasionally rose above and drained back below holes in the vent cavity floor. On 21 November, a sliver of the rim collapsed and was followed by an explosion that produced a dense brown plume that dissipated after a few minutes. The sulphur dioxide emission rate at the summit remained elevated: 700-1,100 tonnes/day was measured during 18-20 and 23 November (2003-2007 average rate = 140 tonnes/day).

Kliuchevskoi (Russia). During 13-20 November seismic activity was above background levels. Strombolian activity ejected tephra 200 m above the crater during 13-15 November. On 14 November, a new lava flow traveled 500 m down the ESE flank. Satellite imagery revealed a large daily thermal anomaly at the volcano. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Pacaya (Guatemala). White and blue plumes from MacKenney cone rose up to 400 m and drifted SSW on 20 and 24 November. Multiple lava flows on the S and SW flanks traveled 100-250 m SE and SW. Incandescence was observed at night.

Popocatépetl (Mexico). During 18-20 November steam-and-gas plumes were emitted that sometimes contained ash. On 21 November a small explosion was detected by the seismic network, accompanied by an ash plume that rose to 8.9 km a.s.l. and drifted E, causing ashfall in Atlixco (23 km SE), Huejotzingo (27 km NE), and areas in the state of Tlaxcala.

Rabaul (Papua New Guinea). Darwin VAAC reported that ash plumes from Tavurvur cone rose to 2.1 km a.s.l. and drifted 35-90 km NW on 19 November.

Reventador (Ecuador). Based on a pilot observation, Washington VAAC reported that on 20 November an ash plume from Reventador rose to 6.1 km a.s.l. A thermal anomaly was detected on satellite imagery.

Sakura-jima (Japan). Tokyo VAAC reported that explosions on 18 and 23 November produced plumes that rose to 2.1-2.7 km a.s.l. and drifted S and E.

Santa María (Guatemala). On 20 November two explosions from the Santiaguito lava dome complex produced an ash plume that drifted SW. Avalanches descended the SW flank of the dome. An explosion on 24 November produced an ash plume the rose to 3.3 km a.s.l. and drifted SE. Ashfall was reported in areas downwind.

Shiveluch (Russia). During 13-20 November seismic activity was above background levels, indicating ash plumes possibly rising to 5.3 km a.s.l. Video cameras observed fumarolic activity and hot avalanches on 14 and 15 November. A large daily thermal anomaly on the lava dome was detected by satellite. Tokyo VAAC reported that on 18 November an eruption produced a plume that rose to 5.5 km a.s.l. The Level of Concern Color Code remained at Orange.

Soufrière Hills (Montserrat). During 13-20 November activity from the lava dome consisted of ash venting along with semi-continuous rockfalls and pyroclastic flows that were concentrated on the W flank. Ashfall occurred across many areas of the island. Views of the lava dome on 16 November showed that the dome height had decreased because of collapses and that a deep channel had developed NE of Chances Peak. Pyroclastic flows in the Gages Valley (W) continued down Spring Ghaut and Aymer’s Ghaut, and spread onto the alluvial fan below St. Georges Hill. On 19 November, heavy ashfall occurred to the NW between Old Towne and Brades. The Hazard Level remained at 3.

Suwanose-jima (Japan). Tokyo VAAC reported an explosion from Suwanose-jima on 18 November. Details of possible resulting emissions were not reported.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND DISCLAIMER

The foregoing is a summary of the Smithsonian Institution/United States Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report covering 18-24 November 2009. It is provided for information only, and is based on but not a substitute for the full report, which comes with its own criteria and disclaimers. The map base is derived from the Smithsonian Institution/USGS/US Naval Research Laboratory This Dynamic Planet website.

For all our coverage of the SI/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports: Weekly Volcanic Activity Reports « The Volcanism Blog.