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Seismicity associated with the May 2010 eruption of South Sarigan Seamount, Northern Mariana Islands

January 1, 2013

On 29 May 2010, at approximately 11:48 UTC, an undersea volcano south of Sarigan in the Northern Mariana Islands (Figs. 1 and 2) erupted sending a cloud of volcanic ash and water vapor to 40,000 feet (12 km; Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center). Bathymetric data (Stern and Smoot, 1998; Embley et al., 2007) indicate an undersea vent exists at approximately 16.582° N and 145.821° E or about 12 km southwest of Sarigan and about 30 km northeast of Anatahan (Fig. 3). The vent depth is estimated to be 184 m below sea level. Based on physical observations of water discoloration (Juan Camacho, personal comm., 2010) and satellite imagery, the eruption plume is attributed to this undersea seamount.

Publication Year 2013
Title Seismicity associated with the May 2010 eruption of South Sarigan Seamount, Northern Mariana Islands
DOI 10.1785/0220120168
Authors Cheryl Searcy
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Seismological Research Letters
Index ID 70193601
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Volcano Science Center