ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 11:21 AM AKDT (Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 19:21 UTC)
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
An eruption signal was detected on a regional infrasound network this morning (12:17 UTC, 4:17 AKDT) suggesting that low-level eruptive activity continues at Semisopochnoi. Sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data over the last 24 hours. No satellite data are available at the time of the eruption signal and clouds to ~13,000 feet above sea level obscure current satellite images. Recent explosive activity at this volcano has generated intermittent ash clouds under 10,000 feet above sea level.
Semisopochnoi is monitored by satellite data, regional infrasound, and lightning detection instruments. An infrasound array on Adak Island may detect explosive emissions from Semisopochnoi with a slight delay (approximately 13 minutes) if atmospheric conditions permit.
VENIAMINOF VOLCANO
(VNUM #312070)
56°11'52" N 159°23'35" W,
Summit Elevation 8225 ft (2507 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code:
ORANGE
No significant activity was observed in seismic data or cloudy satellite and web camera data over the past day.
Eruptive activity at Veniaminof usually consists of minor ash emissions, lava fountaining and lava flows from the small cone in the summit caldera. Ash emissions are typically confined to the summit crater, but larger events can result in ash fall in nearby communities and drifting airborne ash.
The partial restoration of local seismic data will help the Alaska Volcano Observatory to detect changes in unrest that may lead to a more significant explosive eruption. AVO combines seismic, infrasound, lightning, web camera, and satellite data for rapid detection of such events.
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 significant activity was observed in seismic data or cloudy satellite and web camera data over the past day.
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 precisely locate earthquakes and 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/
FOLLOW AVO ON FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/alaska.avo
FOLLOW AVO ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/alaska_avo
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Aaron Wech, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
awech@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
Jessica Larsen, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAF
jflarsen@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.