[Steve Van Doorn]

This is the first I heard of this, it looks as though the Caldera collapsed?

What is the expected VEI strength rated at? That looks very significant. What effects is expected to have on the northern hemisphere?

[cogitator]

This is the first I heard of this, it looks as though the Caldera collapsed?

I doubt it. You can tell from the other pictures that Okmok has several subsidiary cones inside the caldera, and I would think one of them is the source; it could also be a new vent, too. As for the VEI, you'd have to ask the AVO. The sulfur cloud spread pretty good, according to NASA (I really cut down the size of this one; click for full):

Given the obvious dissipation, probably no notable effects at distance. But I'd ask my pilot to China to check the flight plan.

I found this blog (I'll have to bookmark it), with news about Okmok. They peg it at VEI 4 from a new vent. It's got a great shot of the current eruption.

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