Ash Plume from Anatahan

Ash Plume from Anatahan

The Anatahan Volcano emitted another plume of volcanic ash on March 24, 2006. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying onboard the Terra satellite captured this image the same day. In this image, the tiny volcanic island sends a plume of volcanic ash toward the west, over the Pacific Ocean. The ash cloud disperses rapidly as it travels westward.

In early March 2006, the governor of the Northern Mariana Islands extended the state of emergency for the island of Anatahan, citing continued volcanic activity. Except for those conducting scientific research, the island remained off limits for human habitation and travel.

NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. The MODIS Rapid Response Team provides daily images of Anatahan.