ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 12:45 PM AKST (Tuesday, December 27, 2022, 21:45 UTC)
Lava continued to erupt in the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano over the past day. Weakly elevated surface temperatures and steaming were observed in partly cloudy satellite imagery. No significant activity was detected in seismic data.
Great Sitkin Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.
No eruptive explosions or lava flow activity was detected in seismic, infrasound, satellite, or web camera data over the last day. Seismicity remains above background with a few small earthquakes detected. Minor steaming and elevated surface temperatures were observed at the vent on the east flank of Pavlof in clear satellite and web camera views.
Small explosions associated with the current eruption could happen at any time and may be accompanied by small ash plumes within the immediate vicinity of the volcano. The level of unrest at Pavlof Volcano can change quickly and the progression to more significant eruptive activity can occur with little or no warning.
Pavlof Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.
Low-level unrest continued at Semisopochnoi over the past day. Seismicity is elevated with possible periods of low-level seismic tremor detected in the past day. Steaming from the north crater was observed in partly cloudy web camera views.
Small eruptions producing minor ash deposits within the vicinity of the active north crater of Mount Cerberus and ash clouds usually under 10,000 ft (3 km) above sea level have characterized the recent activity. Small explosions and associated ash emissions could resume and may be difficult to detect during periods of high winds and/or when thick cloud cover obscures the volcano. Ash emissions over the past several years of activity have typically reached altitudes of less than 10,000 ft (3 km) above mean sea level.
Semisopochnoi volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.
The ongoing earthquake swarm near Takawangha volcano is continuing over the past day. This activity may be due to the movement of magma beneath the volcano. No other signs of unrest were observed in partly cloudy satellite views.
No significant seismic activity was detected over the past day. A steam plume was observed in partly cloudy web camera imagery over the past day. No activity was observed in partly cloudy satellite views.
Episodes of lava effusion and explosions can occur without advance warning. Explosions from Mount 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.
When the seismic network is operational, Mount Cleveland is monitored by only three local 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.
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Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS, mcoombs@usgs.gov, (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
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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