ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, January 17, 2019, 12:10 PM AKST (Thursday, January 17, 2019, 21:10 UTC)

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

A new lava dome was observed in the summit crater of Cleveland volcano prompting AVO to upgrade the Color Code/Alert Level to ORANGE/WATCH earlier today. According to satellite data this lava dome was observed as early as January 12 and likely began extruding after the last explosion at the volcano on January 9. No explosive activity has been detected or observed in seismic or infrasound data today. The presence of the lava dome may increase the likelihood of explosive activity at the volcano. Periodic explosions are common at Cleveland and will likely occur without warning. Most explosions have a short duration and only present a hazard to aviation in the immediate vicinity of the volcano. Larger explosions that present a more widespread hazard to aviation are possible, but less likely and/or frequent.

Cleveland volcano is monitored by only one seismic station, which restricts 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. The web camera, one seismic station, and the local infrasound array are offline due to a equipment failure on September 23rd. This hampers efforts to rapidly detect explosive activity; however, Cleveland remains monitored with a single seismic station and regional instruments.

VENIAMINOF VOLCANO (VNUM #312070)
56°11'52" N 159°23'35" W, Summit Elevation 8225 ft (2507 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Unrest at Veniaminof continues. Seismic tremor remains at low levels. Weak to moderately elevated surface temperatures were observed in satellite views and a steam plume was observed in web camera views over the past 24 hours. Eruptive activity consisting of lava effusion and/or ash emissions could resume at any time without significant seismic precursors.

Veniaminof volcano is monitored with a local real-time seismic network, which will typically allow AVO to detect changes in unrest that may lead to a more significant explosive eruption. AVO combines seismic, infrasound, lightning, and satellite data for rapid detection of such events.

GREAT SITKIN VOLCANO (VNUM #311120)
52°4'35" N 176°6'39" W, Summit Elevation 5709 ft (1740 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Unrest continues at Great Sitkin volcano. No unusual activity was observed in seismic data or partly cloudy satellite views over the past 24 hours. No explosive activity was detected on a regional infrasound array on Adak Island.

Great Sitkin volcano is monitored with a local real-time seismic network, which will typically allow AVO to detect changes in unrest that may lead to an explosive eruption. Rapid detection of an ash-producing eruption would be accomplished 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

Pavel Izbekov, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
peizbekov@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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