Description: From McGimsey and others (1995): "On March 8 at 1645, a pilot reported a small steam plume, possibly containing ash, rising about 2 km above the summit of Akutan (summit elevation 1303 m). Localized ashfall at the summit accompanied the eruption. Minor steam and ash plumes (<100 m high) were reported on March 11-12. On March 22 a pilot reported at 4.3-km-high ash plume at 1637 and fishing vessels off Akutan Island reported ashfall. A resident of Akutan Village, located 16 km east of the volcano, reported ash plumes rising 450-550 m above the summit on April 7. Two days later, at 10:00 am AST, a pilot reported an ash cloud at about 3-3.5 altitude, drifting northwest. On April 26, a pilot reported ash rising to about 2.5 km altitude (1.2 km above summit). The next report of activity came on May 21 when an observer in Akutan Village saw fresh ash on the snow-covered flank and small ash emissions rising 250-300 m above the summit. Inclement weather prevented frequent observation of the summit during March-May and there were probably many more plumes than reported. Nearly continuous low-level emission of ash and steam is typical of historical eruptions at Akutan. The final episode of activity was reported at 2:45 pm AST on December 18 when a pilot observed a small ash cloud rising several hundred meters above the summit.
"AVO responded to reports of eruptive activity by monitoring pilot reports and satellite imagery, making daily inquiries to observers in Akutan and Dutch Harbor, studying video footage provided by commercial and private pilots, and issuing the information to federal and state agencies and the media."