Volcanic Ash — Northern Marianas, Guam

2005-04-06 · Northern Marianas, Guam

Wider weather episode

Anatahan volcano, located 80 miles north of Saipan and 205 miles north-northeast of Guam, underwent a short but powerful eruption around 0130 SST the morning of April 6th, sending an ash/gas cloud up to above 50,000 feet. The ash cloud moved over Saipan and Tinian during the morning, causing twilight-like darkness until nearly 1200 SST, and depositing 2 to 3 mm of gritty black ash on both islands. Japan Air Lines and Cape Air cancelled flights into and out of Saipan, and most of the public schools sent their students home. The cloud slowly dispersed as it continued south, leaving a trace of ash on Rota during the afternoon, and on Guam that evening.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5447490. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.