(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA) | |
(2) Issued: | (20180610/2126Z) |
(3) Volcano: | Great Sitkin (VNUM #311120) |
(4) Current Color Code: | YELLOW |
(5) Previous Color Code: | GREEN |
(6) Source: | Alaska Volcano Observatory |
(7) Notice Number: | |
(8) Volcano Location: | N 52 deg 4 min W 176 deg 6 min |
(9) Area: | Aleutians |
(10) Summit Elevation: | 5709 ft (1740 m) |
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary: | Earthquake activity at Great Sitkin Volcano has been elevated over the past five days, and earlier today at 11:39 AKDT (19:39 UTC), a signal that may represent a short-lived steam explosion was detected by seismic data. AVO is thus raising the Aviation Color Code and Alert Level to YELLOW/ADVISORY. Great Sitkin Volcano is monitored by a five-station seismic network on Great Sitkin Island and with additional seismic stations on the nearby islands of Igitkin, Adak, Kagalaska, and Kanaga. A six-element infrasound array to detect explosions (atmospheric pressure waves) was installed on Adak Island in June, 2017, although it is currently (June 2018) only partly operational. AVO also uses satellite imagery to monitor Great Sitkin Volcano. |
(12) Volcanic cloud height: | not applicable |
(13) Other volcanic cloud information: | Unknown |
(14) Remarks: | Great Sitkin Volcano is a basaltic andesite volcano that occupies most of the northern half of Great Sitkin Island, a member of the Andreanof Islands group in the central Aleutian Islands. It is located 43 km (26 miles) east of the community of Adak. Great Sitkin erupted at least three times in the 20th century, most recently in 1974. That eruption produced at least one ash cloud that likely exceeded an altitude of 25,000 ft above sea level. A poorly documented eruption occurred in 1945, also producing a lava dome that was partially destroyed in the 1974 eruption. A seismic swarm occurred from July 2016 through the end of 2017. |
(15) Contacts: | Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mcoombs@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 David Fee, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085 |
(16) Next Notice: |
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