Description: From McGimsey and others (2005): "AVO received reports on October 15, 2003 from several sources - both on land and at sea - of increased steaming from the northeast flank of the volcano. All reports indicate that the steaming was located at about the 1,500 to 2,000 ft. elevation (~500 to 600 m), and not from the summit crater or cone. A review of seismic data indicated nothing unusual. Hot Springs Bay Valley, which contains a string of thermal springs, heads on the northeast flank of Akutan, and a well-documented and long-lived fumarolic field exists at about the 1,500 ft. level (Richter and others, 1998) [see figs. 20 and 21 in original text]. Under favorable meteorological and visibility conditions, steam coalescing from this field can produce persistent steam clouds. AVO staff further reviewed recent seismic data and queried local residents in Akutan village. Nothing unusual was found and no further reports came forth."