2020 eruption of Montaña Blanca: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 12:36, 14 May 2020

Micrasview.jpg This article relates to a current event.
Information may quickly become out of date as the event progresses.


2020 eruption of Montaña Blanca

The map above shows the locations of major micrasquakes that occurred around the time of the eruption. Information below is for the largest tremor, labelled D on the above map
CMT time 2020-05-03 10:32:31
Local time 2020-05-03 15:32:31
Magnitude 6.7 Mw
Depth 8.1 km
Epicentre 77°21'53"S 71°28'26"E
Areas affected North Antarctica, Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq
Casualties 2,761 dead, unknown injured

The 2020 eruption of Montaña Blanca (1684 AN) is a volcanic eruption in progress in North Antarctica, that began on 2 May 2020 with a series of micrasquakes. So far, over 450 people have been killed in the micrasquakes, with no reported casualties from the eruption.

The first micrasquake struck at 6:22 a.m. local time (01:22 CMT) with a magnitude of 5.2 Mw, at a depth of 5.3 kilometres. The epicentre was around 12 kilometres south of Livingston. Two further tremors were felt throughout the day. A fourth micrasquake struck on 3 May 2020, on the eastern coast of North Antarctica. This was the strongest of the micrasquakes, with a magnitude of 6.7 Mw. A fifth tremor struck on 6 May 2020 in an unpopulated area of eastern Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq.

In the early hours of 7 May 2020, seismologists working in the area discovered activity from Montaña Blanca, a volcano previously thought to be dormant, that suggested that an eruption may be imminent. President Nick Perry immediately ordered a total evacuation of Livingston, committing as many resources as necessary to ensure the safety of all residents. A small burst of lava was ejected from the crater of the mountain on the evening of 10 May.

On 11 May 2020, an explosion took place, collapsing the south-eastern side of the mountain, and creating a lahar, which destroyed a large portion of north-western Livingston, and reached as far as 50km south.

List of micrasquakes

The list contains micrasquakes that were over 3.0 in magnitude. There have been a further 56 micrasquakes below this magnitude.

Event Date Local time (CMT difference) Magnitude (Mw) Epicentre
A 2 May 2020 06:22:25 (+5) 5.2 77°48'09"S 71°12'53"E
B 2 May 2020 17:42:44 (+5) 3.8 77°43'11"S 70°47'24"E
C 2 May 2020 20:37:14 (+4) 4.1 78°26'15"S 69°20'44"E
D 3 May 2020 15:32:31 (+5) 6.7 77°21'53"S 71°28'26"E
E 6 May 2020 13:01:35 (+4) 4.1 78°49'02"S 68°30'04"E
F 8 May 2020 14:28:11 (+5) 5.5 77°46'17"S 71°15'01"E
G 14 May 2020 13:33:12 (+5) 5.8

Damage

Several buildings in the southern part of Livingston were destroyed by the quakes, including over 1,500 residential properties.

Casualties

At least 482 people were killed in the micrasquakes, with a further 3,671 injured, 780 of those being severely injured.

Following the eruption of Montaña Blanca, more than 2,000 people who had not left Livingston were reported to have died.

Reactions

Domestic

The President of Mercury, Nick Perry has committed a unspecified amount of resources to help the affected areas rebuild. Following the fourth micrasquake on 3 May, he announced that he would visit Livingston to personally help with disaster relief efforts.

The planned ice hockey friendly between Qavaqaqqaqqaniitqeqertaq and Mercury was cancelled as a result of the micrasquakes.

Following reports that an eruption of Montaña Blanca, situated immediately to the north-west of Livingston, was imminent, the government announced a total evacuation of the city, with transport out of the city provided as well as shelter and sustenance for evacuated residents.

International