Pagan and the 1994 Eruption

Earthquake activity began to increase beneath Pagan in late 1992. In January of 1993, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred deep beneath the volcano. Several eruptions occurred early in the year, sending columns of ash over a mile (2 km) above the summit of North Pagan stratovolcano. Bursts of tremor continued during the first half of 1993, indicating intermittent ash eruptions. Minor volcanic activity continued during the remainder of the year. A typical eruption at Pagan followed a set series of events. Activity started with earthquake tremor. A few minutes later gases were emitted. About a minute later ash was erupted. After about 5 minutes the ash plume reached a height of 2 km.

Looking south to the island of Pagan. Photograph by Frank Trusdell, U.S. Geological Survey, April 30, 1994.

Global Volcanism Network, 1993, Summary of Recent Activity: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 55, p. 392. Global Volcanism Network, 1993, Summary of Recent Activity: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 55, p. 538. Global Volcanism Network, 1994, Summary of Recent Activity: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 56, p. 241-242.

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