1997
- The US Geological Survey at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported on January 30, 1997 that
25 million cubic meters of magma migrated down the east slope in a single day, and that eruptions at
Kilauea, which began on January 3, 1983 are the longest in the recorded history of Hawaii.
- Manam in Paupau, New Guinea began erupting on February 10, 1997, per the Port Moresby Post
Courier.
- On February 28, 1997, the Monowai seamount northeast of New Zealand, began erupting per the
Volcano Listserv.
- On April 19, 1997, Mount Karangetang in Indonesia near the town of Siau became active, per the
Nando Times. The last eruption was in 1974.
- The USGS reported that on April 21, 1997 a 7.9 magnitude earthquake occurred along plate
boundaries under water north of New Zealand.
- On May 3, 1997, Bezymianny in Kamchatka, Russia erupted, per the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
- Mount Hili Aludo in Indonesia began erupting on May 13, 1997 for the first time in 40 years.
- San Cristobal, Nicaragua erupted on May 20, 1997 since last erupting in 1977, per Volcanoes of
the World.
- Reuters reported that Popocatepetl near Mexico City erupted repeatedly in the spring of 1997,
throwing an ash cloud 2.5 miles high on June 11, 1997. The ground shook for 15 minutes leading up
to this eruption. Popucatepetl is continuously active to some degree. No evacuations were
conducted.
- MSCBC reported on July 4, 1997 that the Popocatepetl volcano rumbled ominously, at risk of
possible new eruptions. The 17,887-foot volcano blew three giant plumes of hot ash four miles into
the air - its fourth consecutive day of violent activity following its largest eruption in 70 years
Monday.
- On July 1, Reuters reported that Montserrat may have killed up to 20 people while two dozen
others are missing. Deadly pyroclastic flows - fast-moving bursts of 930 degree Fahrenheit volcanic
material - devastated a swath of southern Montserrat. Montserrat roared to life two years ago after
nearly four centuries of virtual dormancy.
- On October 22, 1997, Chiginagak, south of King Solomon on the Alaskan Peninsula became active,
per the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
- On November 8, the USGS reported a 7.9 in Tibet, the largest earthquake instrumentally recorded in
the area to date.
Below is the Quake Watch extreme quake and volcano activity as of the end of 1997.