(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA) | |
(2) Issued: | (20200103/2038Z) |
(3) Volcano: | Shishaldin (VNUM #311360) |
(4) Current Color Code: | ORANGE |
(5) Previous Color Code: | ORANGE |
(6) Source: | Alaska Volcano Observatory |
(7) Notice Number: | 2020/A1 |
(8) Volcano Location: | N 54 deg 45 min W 163 deg 58 min |
(9) Area: | Aleutians |
(10) Summit Elevation: | 9373 ft (2857 m) |
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary: | Eruptive activity occurring at Shishaldin Volcano. Activity this morning has produced an ash cloud to 20,000 - 24,000 feet that is moving to the E-SE. The level of seismic activity has increased to moderate levels and several pilot observations of ash clouds have been reported to AVO. The ash cloud is visible in satellite data and extends 15-20 miles beyond the volcano to the southeast. Shishaldin remains at Aviation Color Code ORANGE and Alert Level WATCH. The National Weather Service has issued SIGMET to 24,000 ft above sea level (https://www.weather.gov/aawu/). Shishadin remains at a heightened level of unrest and explosions may occur with little warning. Shishaldin is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, a web camera, a telemetered geodetic network, and distant infrasound and lightning networks. |
(12) Volcanic cloud height: | 24,000 |
(13) Other volcanic cloud information: | Unknown |
(14) Remarks: | Shishaldin volcano, located near the center of Unimak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands, is a spectacular symmetric cone with a base diameter of approximately 16 km (10 mi). A 200-m-wide (660 ft) funnel-shaped summit crater typically emits a steam plume and occasional small amounts of ash. Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian volcanic arc, with at least 54 episodes of unrest including over 24 confirmed eruptions since 1775. Most eruptions are relatively small, although the April-May 1999 event generated an ash column that reached 45,000 ft above sea level. |
(15) Contacts: | Matt Haney, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085 |
(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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