ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Saturday, November 15, 2014, 1:21 PM AKST (Saturday, November 15, 2014, 22:21 UTC)

PAVLOF VOLCANO (VNUM #312030)
55°25'2" N 161°53'37" W, Summit Elevation 8261 ft (2518 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Current Aviation Color Code: RED

The eruption of Pavlof Volcano that began on November 12 has intensified and the Aviation Color Code was raised to RED and the Volcano Alert Level to WARNING earlier today.

The intensity of seismic tremor remains at high levels and pilot reports though 12:30 AKST (21:30 UTC) indicate that the ash cloud height has increased to 30,000 ft above sea level. Satellite, pilot reports, and wind data show the ash cloud moving towards the northwest over the Bering Sea. Ash cloud height and direction will vary significantly through an eruption and aviation users should refer to the National Weather Service for updated SIGMETs on the ash cloud hazard (http://www.weather.gov/aawu/sigmets).

No reports of ash fallout on nearby communities have been reported, and the ash cloud is currently moving away from populated areas. We encourage observers to contact AVO should it occur (https://www.avo.alaska.edu/ashfall/ashreport.php). The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for the possibility of ash fall in the vicinity of Pavlof and towards the northwest. Please see http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/ for updated ash fall statements.

SHISHALDIN VOLCANO (VNUM #311360)
54°45'19" N 163°58'16" W, Summit Elevation 9373 ft (2857 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Seismicity remains above background levels and elevated crater temperatures were observed in satellite images during periods of clear weather over the past week. It is unclear whether low-level eruptive activity continues, as there is no evidence of ash emissions in satellite images and no observations of ash deposits on the snow near the summit. Web camera images were mostly obscured by clouds.

CLEVELAND VOLCANO (VNUM #311240)
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Low-level volcanic unrest continues at Cleveland. Seismicity remains low, but vigorous steaming from the summit crater was observed in web camera images over the past week during periods of good weather. Steam emissions like these are routinely observed at Cleveland and do not necessarily indicate an increase in volcanic unrest. Satellite observations were mostly obscured by clouds and steaming over the past week.

OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES

Other Alaska volcanoes show no signs of significant unrest: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/

AVO scientists conduct daily checks of earthquake activity at all seismically-monitored volcanoes, examine web camera and satellite images for evidence of airborne ash and elevated surface temperatures, and consult other monitoring data as needed.

For definitions of Aviation Color Codes and Volcano Alert Levels, see: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALASKA VOLCANOES: http://www.avo.alaska.edu

SUBSCRIBE TO VOLCANO ALERT MESSAGES by email: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

Jeff Freymueller, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
jeff.freymueller@gi.alaska.edu (907) 322-4085

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.

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