ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 12:55 PM AKST (Tuesday, November 7, 2017, 21:55 UTC)

BOGOSLOF VOLCANO (VNUM #311300)
53°55'38" N 168°2'4" W, Summit Elevation 492 ft (150 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Low-level unrest at Bogoslof Volcano continues. A weak thermal signal was observed in one satellite image over the past day. Nothing noteworthy was detected in seismic or infrasound data from sensors located on neighboring islands over the past 24 hours.

Bogoslof volcano remains in an unpredictable condition. Activity can escalate quickly with explosions producing high-altitude (>15,000 ft) volcanic clouds with little to no detectable precursory activity. Some previous explosions have been preceded by an increase in earthquake activity that allowed for short-term forecasts of imminent significant explosive activity. Although we are able to detect energetic explosive activity in real-time, there can be a lag of tens of minutes until we can characterize the magnitude of the event and the altitude of the volcanic cloud. With existing data sources, AVO may not detect low-level unrest, including explosive activity. Such low-level periods of unrest and possible explosions could pose hazards near the volcano.

AVO has no ground-based volcano monitoring equipment on Bogoslof volcano. We continue to monitor volcanic activity with satellite images, seismic and infrasound instruments on nearby islands, and lightning data from the Worldwide Lightning Location Network.

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

Unrest at Cleveland volcano continues. Elevated surface temperatures have been visible in satellite data over the past day and may be indicative of a lava flow in the summit crater. No significant eruptive activity was detected by seismic or infrasound sensors over the past 24 hours.

Lava domes that have been erupted at Cleveland volcano since 2001 have all been destroyed by explosive activity within weeks to months after lava effusion. These explosions typically produce relatively small volcanic ash clouds that dissipate within hours; however, more significant ash emissions are possible. Satellite data shows that the most recent dome was partly destroyed by explosions on October 28 and 30, 2017. It is not yet known if a new dome has begun to form.

Cleveland volcano is monitored with a limited real-time seismic network, which inhibits AVO's ability to detect precursory unrest that may lead to an explosive eruption. Rapid detection of an ash-producing eruption may be possible using a combination of seismic, infrasound, lightning, and satellite data.

OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES

Information on all Alaska volcanoes is available at : http://www.avo.alaska.edu.

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

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

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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
mcoombs@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Jeff Freymueller, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
jfreymueller@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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