Sept. 5, 2013
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NASA captured this image of Paluweh (also known as Rokatenda or Palue) Island emitting steam and smoke today. (NASA Earth Observatory)
PALUWEH ISLAND, INDONESIA - On August 10, 2013, a small eruption hit the small, roughly 4-mile-wide island of Paluweh in the Flores Sea. In this NASA photo shot today, a fresh scar on the north (top) side of the volcanic Paluweh Island is visible and points out the unpredictability of volcanic debris.
Since the current volcanic activity on Paluweh began in late 2012, lava and ash had mainly flowed south from the volcano's summit. In early August, that patterned shifted, depositing material to the north -- killing at least 5 people.
A wide swath of gray that narrows to the northwest shows the likely path of last month's deadly pyroclastic flow (a rapidly spreading combination of blisteringly hot ash, gas, rocks, and volcanic debris).
Per NASA researchers, "As [the pyroclastic flow] descended from the 2,870-foot summit of the volcano, the flow narrowed as it was funneled into existing stream channels. The flow entered the ocean along the northwest coastline, extending the beach by a few meters."
After the deadly eruption in August, the Indonesian government has increased its efforts to evacuate Paluweh.
RELATED ON SKYE: 25 Incredible Photos of Volcanic Eruptions
![Lightning, Volcano]()
NASA captured this image of Paluweh (also known as Rokatenda or Palue) Island emitting steam and smoke today. (NASA Earth Observatory)
PALUWEH ISLAND, INDONESIA - On August 10, 2013, a small eruption hit the small, roughly 4-mile-wide island of Paluweh in the Flores Sea. In this NASA photo shot today, a fresh scar on the north (top) side of the volcanic Paluweh Island is visible and points out the unpredictability of volcanic debris.
Since the current volcanic activity on Paluweh began in late 2012, lava and ash had mainly flowed south from the volcano's summit. In early August, that patterned shifted, depositing material to the north -- killing at least 5 people.
A wide swath of gray that narrows to the northwest shows the likely path of last month's deadly pyroclastic flow (a rapidly spreading combination of blisteringly hot ash, gas, rocks, and volcanic debris).
Per NASA researchers, "As [the pyroclastic flow] descended from the 2,870-foot summit of the volcano, the flow narrowed as it was funneled into existing stream channels. The flow entered the ocean along the northwest coastline, extending the beach by a few meters."
After the deadly eruption in August, the Indonesian government has increased its efforts to evacuate Paluweh.
RELATED ON SKYE: 25 Incredible Photos of Volcanic Eruptions
