AHYI seamount, an undersea volcano near the island of Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas), has been active since mid-October, CNMI Homeland Security & Emergency Management public information officer Claude M. Celis said.
“At the start of mid-October,” he added, “hydroacoustic sensors at Wake Island began recording signals consistent with activity from the undersea volcanic source. Recent combined analysis of the hydroacoustic signals together with the data from seismic stations located in Guam, Chichijima Island, and Japan suggest that the source of the activity is at or near Ahyi seamount.”
Satellite imagery from these data strongly suggest that Ahyi is the source of the activity in spite of there being several other seamounts in the area, Celis said.
“The hydroacoustic signals are ongoing as we speak, although the number of events being detected has declined over the past three days. There are no local monitoring stations near Ahyi seamount, which limits our ability to detect and characterize volcanic unrest there. However, we will continue to monitor available remote hydroponic, seismic, and satellite data closely,” Celis said.
He noted that the information regarding Ahyi seamount was prepared and submitted by the U.S Geological Survey.
On Nov. 15, 2022 at 6:03 p.m., the CNMI Emergency Operations Center reported that a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12.169°N 141.905°E Mariana Islands Region. However, there were no tsunami warnings or advisories issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas)
