(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)
(2) Issued:	(20090325/2235Z)
(3) Volcano:	Redoubt (VNUM #313030)
(4) Current Color Code:	ORANGE
(5) Previous Color Code:	RED
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2009/A15
(8) Volcano Location:	N 60 deg 29 min W 152 deg 44 min
(9) Area:	Cook Inlet-South Central
(10) Summit Elevation:	10197 ft (3108 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	Seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano has declined over the last 36 hours, although there have been several brief increases in seismicity associated with minor low-level ash emissions. The last known ash emission was at 5:12 AKDT this morning. The plume from this event did not extend above about 15,000 feet. Based on the level of seismic activity, AVO is lowering the aviation color code to ORANGE and the volcanic alert level to WATCH. Current seismicity at Redoubt is at times suggestive of intermittent lava extrusion at the volcano's summit. However, the existence of a new lava dome has not been confirmed because of poor weather. Growth of lava domes is common at volcanoes like Redoubt and was observed several times throughout the last eruption of 1989-1990. As dome size increases, so does the possibility of dome collapse along with a return to a more explosive eruptive style. Though a distinct rise in seismicity often precedes dome failure, domes can fail with little or no warning and may result in a sudden explosion and ash emission. Based on observations from the Redoubt eruption of 1989-1990, episodes of dome growth followed by explosive dome destruction is a likely but by no means certain, near-term scenario. Cycles of dome growth and failure could occur for several months. In the event of an escalation in seismic activity or confirmation of a significant ash producing eruption, AVO would accordingly raise the color code and alert level to Red/Warning. It is possible that dome collapse events will initiate pyroclastic flows over Drift glacier that will result in meltwater generation and downstream mudflows and floods. Some of these floods could reach Cook Inlet within hours.
(12) Volcanic cloud height:
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:
(14) Remarks:	Over a 21 hour period beginning on Sunday, at March 22, 2009, 22:38 AKDT (Monday, March 23, 2009, 06:38 UTC ), 6 separate explosions occurred at Redoubt Volcano, each producing ash plumes exceeding 30,000 feet (10,000 m) above sea level. The last of these explosions occurred on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 19:41 AKDT (Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 03:41 UTC), about 36 hours ago as of this writing. During and following these events, large lahars (volcanic mud and debris flows) were observed traveling down the Drift River Valley, some reaching the mouth of the Valley at the Cook Inlet. Light ashfall (less than 5 mm) from the explosions has been reported at several locales spanning a region of about 100,000 square kilometers, mainly to the north of the volcano.
(15) Contacts:	Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAF steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907) 474-7131
(16) Next Notice:	A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu

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AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Redoubt (VNUM #313030)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Previous Aviation Color Code: RED

Issued: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 2:35 PM AKDT
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2009/A15
Location: N 60 deg 29 min W 152 deg 44 min
Elevation: 10197 ft (3108 m)
Area: Cook Inlet-South Central

Volcanic Activity Summary: Seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano has declined over the last 36 hours, although there have been several brief increases in seismicity associated with minor low-level ash emissions. The last known ash emission was at 5:12 AKDT this morning. The plume from this event did not extend above about 15,000 feet. Based on the level of seismic activity, AVO is lowering the aviation color code to ORANGE and the volcanic alert level to WATCH.

Current seismicity at Redoubt is at times suggestive of intermittent lava extrusion at the volcano's summit. However, the existence of a new lava dome has not been confirmed because of poor weather. Growth of lava domes is common at volcanoes like Redoubt and was observed several times throughout the last eruption of 1989-1990. As dome size increases, so does the possibility of dome collapse along with a return to a more explosive eruptive style. Though a distinct rise in seismicity often precedes dome failure, domes can fail with little or no warning and may result in a sudden explosion and ash emission.

Based on observations from the Redoubt eruption of 1989-1990, episodes of dome growth followed by explosive dome destruction is a likely but by no means certain, near-term scenario. Cycles of dome growth and failure could occur for several months. In the event of an escalation in seismic activity or confirmation of a significant ash producing eruption, AVO would accordingly raise the color code and alert level to Red/Warning.

It is possible that dome collapse events will initiate pyroclastic flows over Drift glacier that will result in meltwater generation and downstream mudflows and floods. Some of these floods could reach Cook Inlet within hours.

Remarks: Over a 21 hour period beginning on Sunday, at March 22, 2009, 22:38 AKDT (Monday, March 23, 2009, 06:38 UTC ), 6 separate explosions occurred at Redoubt Volcano, each producing ash plumes exceeding 30,000 feet (10,000 m) above sea level. The last of these explosions occurred on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 19:41 AKDT (Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 03:41 UTC), about 36 hours ago as of this writing.

During and following these events, large lahars (volcanic mud and debris flows) were observed traveling down the Drift River Valley, some reaching the mouth of the Valley at the Cook Inlet. Light ashfall (less than 5 mm) from the explosions has been reported at several locales spanning a region of about 100,000 square kilometers, mainly to the north of the volcano.

Contacts: Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAF
steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907) 474-7131

Next Notice: A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at
http://www.avo.alaska.edu

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