September 5, 1981 Eruption of Paluweh

Start Date: 1980 Nov 5, Stop Date: 1981 Sep. Area of Activity: Rokatenda. Eruptive Characteristics:

Central vent eruption, Explosive eruption,

Pyroclastic flow(s), Lava dome extrusion,

Damage (land, property, etc.), Evacuation.

09/1981 (SEAN 06:09) Lava dome destoyed; pyroclastic flows. No pyroclastic flows were observed during the growth of the lava dome first seen 31 January (although some sliding occurred), but it generated blasts of hot air felt by residents of a flank village. They were evacuated by the end of February, after VSI had issued a volcanic hazard warning. By July, the lava dome was 200 m high, its volume exceeded 8.5 x 106 m3, and its summit had become the highest point on the volcano at 875 m above sea level. Explosive activity resumed on 5 September between 2010 and 2105, producing a 1-km-high plume. This activity was followed by the destruction of the lava dome. Pyroclastic flows and nuées ardentes d'avalanche moved downslope, depositing 5-20 cm of tephra at one village, and starting fires at 36 structures, including a church and five shelters, at another. Because residents had previously been evacuated, there were no casualties. Since the destruction of the dome, the 3-component seismograph monitoring the volcano has recorded shallow earthquakes which VSI believes may be generated by sliding from remnants of the dome.

(above from reference #2432)