Kizimen, an isolated stratovolcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, spewed ash nearly 10 kilometers (32,800 feet) into the air in mid-December 2011. Seismic activity and thermal anomalies increased near the volcano in early December, culminating in a fresh eruption starting on December 13. Kizimen has been erupting sporadically since 2009.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on NASA’s Terra and Aqua satellites captured these natural-color images on December 14, 2011. Terra passed over far eastern Russia first, at 11:05 a.m. local time, with Aqua following one hour and 50 minutes later. The time difference afforded a view of the movement of the ash plume as it blew to the south and east.

Observers with the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team detected lava flows and pyroclastic flows (hot avalanches of rock, ash, and water debris) on the eastern and northeastern flanks. According to scientists at the Russian Academy of Sciences, air temperatures were 32 degrees Centigrade near the summit, while air temperatures in the surrounding region were –26 degrees.

Itar-Tass reported potential disruptions to air traffic in the northwest Pacific, particularly for low-flying planes, as aviators were put on the highest (red) alert for ash and debris. The small abrasive particles in volcanic ash can get lodged in jet engines, causing engine failures. There was no threat, however, to local populations on the ground because of the remote location of Kizimen.

Tropical Storm Alenga formed over the Indian Ocean on December 5, 2011, and strengthened into a cyclone two days later. On December 8, 2011, the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) reported that Alenga was located roughly 400 nautical miles (740 kilometers) south-southeast of the Cocos Islands. Alenga had maximum sustained winds of 80 knots (150 kilometers per hour) with gusts up to 100 knots (185 kilometers per hour).

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured this natural-color image on December 8, 2011. Although a central eye is barely discernible, Alenga bears the spiral shape characteristic of strong storms.

The JTWC forecast that Alenga would continue moving in a southeastward direction, but increasing vertical wind shear (changing wind speed and direction with altitude) and decreasing sea surface temperatures would likely weaken the storm.