HUNDREDS OF EARTHQUAKES ROCK SAIPAN, IN NORTHERN MARIANAS

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8-18-05

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands - Hundreds of earthquakes up to 5.8 on the Richter scale have rocked uninhabited islands in the Northern Marianas in recent days, which scientists have linked to the ongoing eruption of the Anatahan volcano.

The main concentration appeared to be Sarigan Island, about 160km north of Saipan where 570 quakes had been recorded within a few days, the US Geological Survey said in an advisory.

"These earthquakes are occurring at rates up to 30 events per hour," it said.

On the island of Maug, a further 310km north, a 5.8 earthquake was recorded on Saturday.

The volcano on Anatahan, south of Sarigan, has been in a constant state of eruption since January with the seismic activity fluctuating between 45 and 90 percent of peak levels.

The plume of ash extends 70 nautical miles south-east of Anatahan and pilots in the area have reported the smell of sulphur at 19 000 feet.

The US-administered Northern Marianas, a chain of 17 islands with around 80 000 people, lies about 2 400km south of Tokyo.