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Steaming vents and volcanic ash provide important clues

INETER, the Nicaraguan geological survey, reported a quieter night for Volcán Telica on Thursday but the geologists here with the team from the University of Pennsylvania continue to gather as much data as possible.  Two new seismic monitoring stations have been installed a short distance away from the crater and at the base of the volcano.  GPS readings are also being taken across the whole area to monitor any change in elevation which might indicate movement of the magma below.  Every little piece of information helps to provide a fuller picture of what is going on. 

For this reason the experts were very interested to hear that our team had noted increased activity in the fumaroles on the way up to El Ñajo, one of the communities we visit regularly to check on the hives which are part of our beekeeping project.  On Friday morning two of our team set off with representatives from INETER and the local health authority to check on these fumaroles and to monitor the water in a hot spring in El Ñajo.  A new boiling mud pool had appeared and gases were observed rising from cracks in the ground surround by fresh deposits of yellow sulphur.  Thanks to our previous monitoring of springs in the area, we were able to show that the temperature of the water in the spring had risen from 43°C to 59°C.  We also detected increases in the concentrations of sulphate and chloride.  The INETER team were concerned by the high temperatures they found in the fumaroles themselves as well as other evidence of an increase in hydrothermal activity.

For several days pinkish coloured ash deposits have been falling on the communities of El Ñajo and Agua Fría, and the geologists were keen to collect samples of ash to send to Mexico to be analysed.  Once again, Nuevas Esperanzas’ local knowledge was in demand and three of the team set out to take bowls out to different locations ready for the next ash fall.  One of these went to the house in Agua Fría at only 700m from the crater.  The location of each bowl was recorded with the GPS and arrangements made with the residents for the sample to be bagged and brought down the next day.  While in Agua Fría the team also attended a meeting between concerned residents and the army, the police and the local mayor.

Three other members of the team spent the day at the centre of operations in the town of Telica once again offering support to those coordinating the emergency response.  Our relationship with the families in the affected areas helped us communicate with them about the current situation as well as finding out how many were willing or keen to be evacuated.  Once again our maps and experience helped us advise the authorities on the best paths and evacuation routes to recommend should a more significant eruption occur.  And those of us holding the fort back in the office?  Well, on a clear day we have a fantastic view of the crater of Volcán Telica from the roof of the office so we can keep an eye on what is going on from a much safer distance.

20/05/11