June 13, 2014 - Ash plume from Ubinas Volcano, Peru

Ash plume from Ubinas Volcano, Peru

Ubinas volcano continued its most recent eruption through early June, 2014. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite captured this true-color image of Peru’s most active volcano on June 6 at 14:40 UTC (9:40 a.m. local time).

In this image, a thick, light gray plume of volcanic ash rises from the summit of Ubinas, blows towards the east, then rises again high into the air, casting a dark shadow on the ground. Light gray volcanic ash can also be seen coloring the ground around Ubinas. According to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History Global Volcanism Program, gas-and-ash plumes observed during June 5-7 rose 0.2 – 2.2 km (656 – 7,218 ft) above the crater. Minor ashfall was reported in Llogue and Yungas on June 6 and 7.

Located in the southern Peruvian Andes, Ubinas has experienced intermittent small to moderate eruptions recorded since 1550. It has been showing signs of an impending eruption since mid-2014, highlighted by the appearance of a fresh lava dome in March 2014. Explosive activity began in mid-April, sending an ash cloud at least 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) into the air. Smaller explosions and ash plumes have continued since that time, with waxing and waning intensity.

As of June 12, Alert Level Orange continued for the Ubinas volcano. Residents of Querapi and Tonohaya remained evacuated.

Image Facts
Satellite: Terra
Date Acquired: 6/3/2014
Resolutions: 250m ( B)
Bands Used: 1,4,3
Image Credit: Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC