ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 12:30 PM AKST (Saturday, December 7, 2019, 21:30 UTC)

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 slightly elevated over the past 24 hours, but far lower than on Thursday December 5, suggesting that the eruption has slowed or paused. Satellite images recorded slightly elevated surface temperatures over the past 24 hours also consistent with a decrease or pause in lava effusion. Clear web camera views recorded no obvious eruptive activity apart from dark deposits on the north flank that could be from the previous week's activity.

Shishaldin is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, a telemetered geodetic network, and distant infrasound and lightning networks.

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

No eruptive activity has been detected in local seismic or infrasound data over the past day. Clear to partly cloudy views of the summit in web camera and satellite images showed no activity.

Episodes of lava effusion and explosions can occur without advance warning. Explosions from Cleveland are normally 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 are less likely and occur less frequently.

Cleveland volcano is monitored by only two seismic stations, 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.

SEMISOPOCHNOI VOLCANO (VNUM #311060)
51°55'44" N 179°35'52" E, Summit Elevation 2625 ft (800 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

A small eruption began at 00:26 AKST / 09:26 UTC from Semisopochnoi detected on the local seismic and regional infrasound networks. In response, the Aviation Color Code/Alert Level was raised to ORANGE/WATCH. Intermittent explosions continued overnight. Seismicity was slightly elevated prior to the first detected explosion and continues at elevated levels today. No significant ash emissions or other surface activity were detected in overnight satellite imagery.

Semisopochnoi is monitored with an on-island seismic network and remotely by satellite and lightning sensors. An infrasound array on Adak Island may detect explosive emissions from Semisopochnoi with a slight delay (approximately 13 minutes) if atmospheric conditions permit.

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

David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
dfee1@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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