Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has declared a state of disaster emergency in the CNMI following the eruption of an active submarine volcano south of Sarigan Friday noon.
Fitial declared the island of Sarigan as unsafe for human habitation and restricted all travel to the island with exception of scientific expeditions.
According to the Emergency Management Office, due to continuing volcanic activity south of Sarigan, base on seismic activity and visual observations, “the activity is on-going in the area, presenting a continuing threat of adverse impact in the waters and air space south of Sarigan island.”
Sarigan, an island 175 kilometers (109 miles) north of Saipan, is reportedly a stratovolcano with no known historic eruptions.
The U.S. Geological Survey's report yesterday stated that an eruption cloud up to 40,000 feet appeared to be over or near Anatahan volcano in the satellite image.
USGS said current evidence points to the source being the submarine seamount south of Sarigan.
USGS said the cloud may contain ash but could be made up largely of water vapor and appears to be shrinking as northerly winds carry it toward the CNMI and Guam.
“No additional volcanic clouds have been detected and it is unknown if submarine activity is continuing. Observers on Sarigan reported hearing a loud explosion from the south, and shortly thereafter receiving ash fall. They also reported the sound of a wave passing by,” USGS said.
In his declaration of emergency, Fitial said Sarigan is off limits, except for approved CNMI government personnel or approved scientific missions.
Fitial restricted the public, fishermen, tour operators, boat operators, and pilots from coming within five nautical miles radius of the island.
He said except for activities of the Department of Public Safety, EMO will grant written approval, in advance, for any and all government and scientific visits to Sarigan.
The governor directed the EMO director to consult with the Northern Islands mayor concerning official government visit to Sarigan so that the mayor's office is fully informed of the government approved activities on the island.
“DPS, in cooperation with EMO and the Mayor of the Northern Islands shall be responsible within the limits of existing resources and personnel to enforce the off limits ban. DPS is authorized to cooperate with federal agencies that might provided enforcement and surveillance assets,” the governor said.
The Northern Mariana Islands 
/ˈnɔrðərn mɛəriˈænə ˈaɪləndz/ (help·info), officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), is a commonwealth in political union with the United States, occupying a strategic region of the western Pacific Ocean. It consists of fifteen islands about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines, at 15°1′2″N 145°4′5″E / 15.01722°N 145.06806°E. The United States Census Bureau reports the total land area of all islands as 179.01 square miles (463.63 km2).
The Northern Mariana Islands has a population of 80,362 (2005 estimate). The official 2000 census count was 69,221.[2] More than 90% of the Commonwealth's population lives on the island of Saipan. Of the fourteen other islands, only two, Tinian and Rota, have a significant population. The islands of Agrihan and Alamagan have fewer than ten residents, and the remaining ten islands are unpopulated. The Northern Mariana Islands have the lowest male to female sex ratio in the world with an average of 76 men to every 100 women.[3] That is due to the overwhelming female majority of foreign workers, especially in the garment industry.[4]
The Commonwealth's centre of government is located in the village of Capitol Hill on the island of Saipan. As the island is governed as a single municipality, most publications term "Saipan" as the Commonwealth's capital.
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