The $825,000 proposal, according to EMO geophysical seismic supervisor Juan T. Camacho, includes new equipment for Pagan which will cost $660,000, and the maintenance of an existing seismic system on Anatahan which will cost $165,000.
Camacho said they may also include Sarigan in these projects the proposal for which has already been submitted to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The type of camera that will be installed in the Northern Islands will be equipped with protective mechanism and motion sensors so in case of eruption, it will be capable of covering itself from ash fall while continuing its work.
Once these cameras are installed, the volcanoes and craters can be watched at real time on the monitor at EMO on Capital Hill and the USGS office on Guam.
Currently, most volcanoes in the continental U.S. and Hawaii already have cameras that can be observed on USGS Web sites.
“We are still waiting for the USGS’ response to the proposal,” Camacho said expressing confidence that the federal agency will approve it.
Pagan, 200 miles north of Saipan, is the largest and historically most active of the volcanic islands north of Saipan.
Its eruptions can cause ash fall that can reach as far as Guam and poses danger to civilian, military and marine activities in the Marianas.
Anatahan is located 75 miles north of Saipan.
Its recent eruptions have resulted ash fall on Saipan and Guam.
The volcano monitoring system, Camacho said, is necessary to provide early warning of future eruptions.
EMO and USGS have developed a plan to evaluate the volcanoes and the core of the monitoring system will be a satellite telemetered seismic network that will send data to EMO and share them through the Internet with USGS in real time.
