Alaska Volcano ObservatoryCurrent Status ReportTuesday, August 19, 2008 12:25 PM AKDT (20:25 UTC)

OKMOK VOLCANO
53°23'49" N 168°9'58" W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Eruptive activity continues at Okmok Volcano. Low-level ash emissions have been observed in satellite data at Okmok though most of the past 24 hours. However, since 14:30 UTC today the level of seismic activity has gradually decreased to near pre-eruption levels. Satellite data show that ash is no longer being emitted since seismicity levels decreased.

Given the level of unrest at the volcano, it remains possible for vigorous ash emissions to occur at any time, and ash plumes higher than 15,000 feet remain a possibility.

KASATOCHI VOLCANO
52°10'9" N 175°30'41" W, Summit Elevation 1030 ft (314 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Seismic activity at Kasatochi continues to be detected by the AVO seismic network on Great Sitkin Island 25 miles to the west. Clear satellite views yesterday showed a steam plume from the volcano's summit.

The volcano remains in a restless condition and is still considered hazardous to approach. Further explosive eruptive activity remains possible.

CLEVELAND VOLCANO
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Partly cloudy satellite views over the past day show a weak thermal anomaly at Cleveland volcano. No plume has been observed.Small ash bursts and low-level ash plumes may resume at the volcano. It is also possible for larger, higher reaching plumes to be produced without warning.

AVO monitors Cleveland volcano with satellite imagery as weather allows. The lack of a real-time seismic network at Cleveland means that AVO is unable to track local earthquake activity related to volcanic unrest. Short-lived explosions of ash that could exceed 20,000 ft above sea level can occur without warning and may go undetected on satellite imagery. Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Cleveland.php for more information.

OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES

Seismic activity is monitored in real time at 30 volcanoes in Alaska. Satellite images of all Alaskan volcanoes are analyzed daily for evidence of ash plumes and elevated surface temperatures. Some volcanoes may currently display anomalous behavior but are not considered to be at a dangerous level of unrest. Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt, Wrangell, Gareloi, Great Sitkin, Makushin, Fisher, Shishaldin, Isanotski, Pavlof, Veniaminof, Ugashik-Peulik, Griggs, Snowy, Fourpeaked, Aniakchak, Tanaga, Kanaga, Akutan, Westdahl, Dutton, Ukinrek Maars, Martin, Mageik, Trident, Katmai, Novarupta, Spurr, and Korovin volcanoes are in color code GREEN and volcano alert level Normal. All are at or near normal levels of background seismicity. AVO did not detect ash plumes or significant elevated surface temperatures in the vicinity of any volcano.

Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels.

VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu
RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478

CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Power, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Jon Dehn, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
dehn@gi.alaska.edu (907) 474-6499

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.