Web Users Flock to Volcano Site
Reuters reports that web users have flocked to a website set up by the Alaska Volcano Observatory that shows the Alaska's active Augustine Volcano.The site has received over 253 million hits since the start of the year, becoming a popular destination for everyone from scientists to amateur volcano buffs who want to keep tabs on the restless 4,134-foot (1,260-meter) volcano.The website includes webcams of the volcano as well as data, stats and information about the volcano.
"The Web has really revolutionized information dissemination and consequently the level of interest and knowledge of the public," said Shan de Silva, a volcanologist and professor at the University of North Dakota.
Augustine Volcano, on an uninhabited island about 175 miles southwest of Anchorage, roared to life on January 11 with an explosion that shot ash miles into the air. It sits under a major air travel route between Asia and North America.
The volcano has remained active since then with a series of ash-producing explosions but has settled into a period of less-dramatic lava burbling, dome building and occasional small ash puffs.
Posted on April 4, 2006
blog comments powered by Disqus
