Securely Travel Brief – 11 May 2018

Today’s Securely Travel brief is culled from the travel warnings and travel alerts found via news media, government and social networks.

SUMMARY:

Volcano activity in Hawaii has changed, with the expectation of an intense explosive eruption in the coming days. Meanwhile in Indonesia, Mount Merapi Volcano has had a minor eruption.

As detailed 09 May and 10 May 2018 advisories, Israel Golan Heights remains a hot spot, following Iranian rocket attacks on Israel and the subsequent air attack on Iranian locations within Syria.

National elections in Iraq are scheduled for 12 May and terrorism warnings are being issued for polling stations.

The DRC declares an Ebola outbreak and Nigeria, health officials ratchet up examining arrivals for Ebola.

Bolivia - all roads in and out of Sucre are once again blockaded by protesters.

United States - Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii

MilkyWay over Kilauea Volcano,Hawaii pic.twitter.com/IKwqCdJ7q5

— JTW Pilot Channel ✈️ (@jtwpilot) May 10, 2018

Mount Kilauea quieted considerably on 10 May, though high concentration of sodium-dioxide continues to seep out of the 15 fissures. The USGS is warning that a possibility of an eruption with debris is highly likely in the coming days.

Read our special report: Kilauea Volcano Securely Travel Brief - 07 May 2018

Read our “4 important tips to know before you go to Hawaii“

Securely Travel - 10 May 2018 - Kilauea — Kilauea - Ash Plume 10 May 2018 - Photo: USGS

USGS has provided the following info a of Thursday, 10 May 2018, 1851 hours HST

KILAUEA VOLCANO (VNUM #332010)
19°25’16” N 155°17’13” W, Summit Elevation 4091 ft (1247 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Lower East Rift Zone Eruption
High levels of unrest related to the intermittent eruption of lava in Leilani Estates in the lower East Rift Zone of Kīlauea Volcano continue. While no lava was noted erupting today from any of the 15 fissure vents formed thus far, earthquake activity, ground deformation, and continuing high emission rates of sulphur dioxide indicate additional outbreaks of lava are likely. The location of future outbreaks is not known with certainty, but could include areas both uprift (southwest) and downrift (northeast) of the existing fissures, or resumption of activity at existing fissures.

Earthquake activity was high in the area today. Continuing ground deformation and located earthquakes were mostly in the area around and northeast of Fissure 15 at Pohoiki Road indicating that the intrusion is migrating further to the northeast. Steaming ground cracks in the vicinity of Highway 130 continue.

Residents should remain informed and heed Hawaii County Civil Defense closures, warnings, and messages

The steady lowering of the lava lake in “Overlook crater” within Halemaʻumaʻu at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano has raised the potential for explosive eruptions in the coming weeks. If the lava column drops to the level of groundwater beneath Kīlauea Caldera, influx of water into the conduit could cause steam-driven explosions. Debris expelled during such explosions could impact the area surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu and the Kīlauea summit. At this time, we cannot say with certainty that explosive activity will occur, how large the explosions could be, or how long such explosive activity could continue.

Indonesia - Mount Merapi Volcano eruption

Reports from Indonesia indicate that Mt. Merapi has had a large phreatic eruption which sent an ash plume 5.5 kms high.

Mount Merapi volcano, near Yogyakarta in #Indonesia, has had a minor eruption. Flights may be disrupted. Volcanic ash rain has been reported in some tourist areas. Contact your airline or tour operator directly for the latest information. pic.twitter.com/oKcxAnzAgG

— Smartraveller (@Smartraveller) May 11, 2018

Securely Travel - Mt Merapi — Mt Merapi Volcano - Indonesia

Bolivia - all roads in and out of Sucre are once again blockaded by protesters.

#Bolivia All roads into Sucre are blocked by protestors. You will be unable to enter or leave the city. Several roads in the region of Chuquisaca are blockaded. The airport remains closed. Check travel advice and contact local authorities before travel. https://t.co/OM6MMYeW3F pic.twitter.com/3C09eiXEkd

— FCO travel advice (@FCOtravel) May 10, 2018

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - Declares outbreak of Ebola

DRC’s health minister advised Quartz Africa, that 17 people of died of Ebola in Bikoro, a town in tthe northwest Equateur province.

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo #DRC declared a new outbreak of #Ebola in Bikoro, Equateur province today. Laboratory results confirmed two cases.

— WHO (@WHO) May 8, 2018

Nigeria - Ebola screening at port of entry

CNN advises: Africa’s most populous country is taking no chances and Health Minister Isaac Adewole told CNN that people traveling from the Central Africa country where 17 people are suspected to have died from the viral hemorrhagic fever, will undergo temperature screening at all borders of the country.

Nigeria imposes #Ebola screenings at airports after an outbreak in the DRChttps://t.co/YL0LUDtwzV pic.twitter.com/0KaESsLLg8

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 9, 2018

Israel - Golan Heights

Iranian forces in Syria, fired 20 rockets into Israel and Israel returned fire with the launch of Israeli Air Force assets. Travelers are urged to stay clear of the Golan Heights for the foreseeable future.

Iraq - Terror Attack Warning for 12 May 2018

US Department of State warns of potential terrorist attack at polling stations on 12 May 2018 during national elections.

#Baghdad #Iraq Security Alert: National elections on May 12. The US Mission has received information of possible terrorist attacks against polling stations, specifically in Umm Al-Qura & Ghazaliya neighborhoods. Movement of Embassy personnel to these areas temporarily curtailed. pic.twitter.com/UBOgZ0sRhp

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) May 10, 2018