Augustine 1976/1
Start: 17:59:00 January 22, 1976 [1]
Stop: April 24, 1976 [2]
Event Type: Explosive
Max VEI: 4 [3]
Description: From Shackelford (1978): "In the morning of 22 January Augustine began a period of major activity from a new vent located at the contact of the 1935 and 1964 domes. The first major eruption began at 0740 AST on 23 January. On that date there were at least 8 major eruptions, one was at 1618 AST. An additional 4 major explosive outbreaks took place on 24-25 January. The eruption clouds pierced the tropopause, reaching heights + 10,000 m to 14,000 m a.s.l. Ash falls took place at Iliamna, Homer, Seldovia, and Anchorage (1.5mm). The January eruptions explosively removed most of the summit 1964 dome, forming a crater breached to the N.
"* * * The explosive activity was accompanied by major pyroclastic flows, and mudflows and lahars. The January glowing avalanches spread radially over the island, reaching the sea on the S, NE, and NW flanks. The Burr Point Research Station (NW tip of island) was severely damaged by one or more avalanches, although protected by a ridge, as a result of a back eddy in the clouds. Several days afterwards, temperatures in the pyroclastic flow deposit exceeded 400 degrees C at a depth of 2.7 (deposit is on the NE slope). There was an active fumarole field at the distal end of the deposit. Augustine was relatively quiet from 26 January to 5 February.
"The second cycle of eruptions began with the renewal of major activity at 0443 on 6 February, resulting in falls of ash and mud along the Kenai Peninsula. A strong eruption at 1230 on the 6th produced a cloud that rose to a height of 8-9 km. A blizzard-like ash fall at Homer on the 6th was the heaviest of the entire eruption, prohibiting vehicular traffic because of the induced darkness at 1800. Eruptions generally ended on the 15th, producing eruption plumes that usually rose to heights of 3-4, 5 km. Again, there was production of major pyroclastic flows which followed the same paths as those of January. The January flows had formed a new beach on the NE part of the island, and a further extension of this beach resulted from the glowing avalanches of February * * * Activity on the 16th consisted of occasional steam explosions. On the 18th there were a few ash-laden puffs rising from Augustine. Observations on that date showed that a new tholoid had formed in the new crater, probably on the 12th and 13th which was a period of continuous harmonic tremor. The new dome was found to be about 260 m above its base. From 19 February to April another quiet period ensued, although there were some block and ash flows off of the new dome beginning in late February. There was some earthquake swarm activity on 15 to 25 March.
"The third and last cycle took place in April. In the early part of the month explosion earthquakes began to be recorded on the new seismic array. The number of eruptions as follows: 6-12 eruptions per day during 6-9 April, 1 eruption per hour on 10-11 April, almost continuous intense eruptions during 12-18 April, 12 eruptions per day on 18-22 April. Eruptive behavior returned to low levels on the 23rd. Since 24 April there have been no further eruptions, just quiet degassing from the new dome, with some spectacular plumes reported. The April explosive activity was accompanied by block and ash flows shed off the new dome, which underwent a period of renewed growth in April."
David Johnston (1978) calculates that "roughly 0.17 cubic km of rock was erupted in 1976, of which about 27% was erupted in January, 59% in February, and 14% in April. Fifty-three percent of the volume is in pyroclastic flow deposits, 38% in the lava dome, and 8% in ash-fall and pyroclastic surge deposits. Ejecta erupted in January include approximately 10% andesite scoria, 50% dacite pumice, and 40% hybrid and banded pumices."
Kienle and Swanson (1985) have slightly different volume estimates for this eruption: "* * * the estimated bulk volume of the ejecta from the 1976 eruption is about 0.4 cubic km, of which 0.06 cubic km are flows on the island itself and the rest [0.339 cubic km] is tephra. We arrived at this estimate by digitizing the the pre- and post-eruption topography of the sector most affected by debris flow activity, the northeast sector of the Island (see Figure 31 in original text) and by using conservative estimates of the total thickness of tephra accumulation for the area that was affected by ash falls (See Figure 15 in original text)."
"* * * The explosive activity was accompanied by major pyroclastic flows, and mudflows and lahars. The January glowing avalanches spread radially over the island, reaching the sea on the S, NE, and NW flanks. The Burr Point Research Station (NW tip of island) was severely damaged by one or more avalanches, although protected by a ridge, as a result of a back eddy in the clouds. Several days afterwards, temperatures in the pyroclastic flow deposit exceeded 400 degrees C at a depth of 2.7 (deposit is on the NE slope). There was an active fumarole field at the distal end of the deposit. Augustine was relatively quiet from 26 January to 5 February.
"The second cycle of eruptions began with the renewal of major activity at 0443 on 6 February, resulting in falls of ash and mud along the Kenai Peninsula. A strong eruption at 1230 on the 6th produced a cloud that rose to a height of 8-9 km. A blizzard-like ash fall at Homer on the 6th was the heaviest of the entire eruption, prohibiting vehicular traffic because of the induced darkness at 1800. Eruptions generally ended on the 15th, producing eruption plumes that usually rose to heights of 3-4, 5 km. Again, there was production of major pyroclastic flows which followed the same paths as those of January. The January flows had formed a new beach on the NE part of the island, and a further extension of this beach resulted from the glowing avalanches of February * * * Activity on the 16th consisted of occasional steam explosions. On the 18th there were a few ash-laden puffs rising from Augustine. Observations on that date showed that a new tholoid had formed in the new crater, probably on the 12th and 13th which was a period of continuous harmonic tremor. The new dome was found to be about 260 m above its base. From 19 February to April another quiet period ensued, although there were some block and ash flows off of the new dome beginning in late February. There was some earthquake swarm activity on 15 to 25 March.
"The third and last cycle took place in April. In the early part of the month explosion earthquakes began to be recorded on the new seismic array. The number of eruptions as follows: 6-12 eruptions per day during 6-9 April, 1 eruption per hour on 10-11 April, almost continuous intense eruptions during 12-18 April, 12 eruptions per day on 18-22 April. Eruptive behavior returned to low levels on the 23rd. Since 24 April there have been no further eruptions, just quiet degassing from the new dome, with some spectacular plumes reported. The April explosive activity was accompanied by block and ash flows shed off the new dome, which underwent a period of renewed growth in April."
David Johnston (1978) calculates that "roughly 0.17 cubic km of rock was erupted in 1976, of which about 27% was erupted in January, 59% in February, and 14% in April. Fifty-three percent of the volume is in pyroclastic flow deposits, 38% in the lava dome, and 8% in ash-fall and pyroclastic surge deposits. Ejecta erupted in January include approximately 10% andesite scoria, 50% dacite pumice, and 40% hybrid and banded pumices."
Kienle and Swanson (1985) have slightly different volume estimates for this eruption: "* * * the estimated bulk volume of the ejecta from the 1976 eruption is about 0.4 cubic km, of which 0.06 cubic km are flows on the island itself and the rest [0.339 cubic km] is tephra. We arrived at this estimate by digitizing the the pre- and post-eruption topography of the sector most affected by debris flow activity, the northeast sector of the Island (see Figure 31 in original text) and by using conservative estimates of the total thickness of tephra accumulation for the area that was affected by ash falls (See Figure 15 in original text)."
Impact: The eruption damaged two F-4E Phantom jets and three Japanese Airline jets. The F-4E canopies were scoured and the paint was sandblasted. Ash was ingested into the cockpit through the engine airtake. The three Japanese Airline jets had damage including scoured windshield that had to be replaced, ash adhered to plane, slight abrasion on external radio parts, landing gears, and air conditioning system.
The Burr Point research station on Augustine Island was severely damaged by blast, thermal effects, and ashfall.
In Anchorage, natural-gas-powered turbines at the Beluga power plant, the primary supply for the city, were damaged when airborne ash was ingested. Anchorage had light ashfalls in January that resulted in ash tracked into buildings and minor damage to paint finishes and auto engines. Due to the ashfall the public was advised to stay indoors and many schools and businesses were closed.
A precautionary evacuation warning was issued by the Civil Defense to all Cook Inlet communities in the event of seismic sea waves.
In Iliamna Lake, following ash deposits, "there was an increase of phytoplankters in the affected areas, especially of the genus Melosira. The secondary production did not change for the lake as a whole and increases in Cyclops scutifer abundance were of a local nature at places having the heaviest ashfall. Neither did the production of juvenile sockeye salmon differ in abundance nor in size from other postpeak years of the Kvichak salmon cycle." [1] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]
Aircraft Impact: Windshields sand-blasted on commercial and military aircraft that flew through ash clouds. From report by two F-4E Phantom Jet pilots: "Jan 22- Two F-4E Phantom jets canopy scoured, paint sandblasted, "very fine jewelers rouge-colored material was ingested into the cockpit through the engine airtake. The material was sticky and was found in every nook and cranny of the planes." Jan 25- Three Japanese Airline jets 1)cargo DC8 entered ash cloud near Whitefish lake, scoured center windshield and it had to be replaced, ash adhered to plane, slight abrasion on external radio parts, landing gears, air conditioning system, but none of these parts needed replacement 2&3) passenger Boeing 747 and DC8, ash adhering to planes which caused minor damage." [14] [1]
Other Impacts: Anchorage received light ash falls on Jan 24 and 25, which resulted in considerable excitement and some anxiety on the part of the of the local populace. Damage includes ash being tracked into buildings, minor damage to paint finishes, auto engines and gas turbines.
Precautionary evacuation warning was issued by the Civil Defense to all Cook Inlet communities in the event of seismic sea waves.
Due to ashfall public advised to stay indoors, many schools and businesses were closed. Some people experienced respiratory problems and visibility in some places was reduced to 100 meters or less.
In Iliamna Lake, following ash deposits, "there was an increase of phytoplankters in the affected areas, especially of the genus Melosira. The secondary production did not change for the lake as a whole and increases in Cyclops scutifer abundance were of a local nature at places having the heaviest ashfall. Neither did the production of juvenile sockeye salmon differ in abundance nor in size from other postpeak years of the Kvichak salmon cycle." [14] [15] [13] [16]
Images
References Cited
[1] Augustine volcano eruption: initial explosive phase, January 1976 : impact on the atmosphere, 1977
Kienle, J., and Shaw, G. E., 1977, Augustine volcano eruption: initial explosive phase, January 1976 : impact on the atmosphere: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R 249, 48 p.[2] Augustine, 1978
Shackelford, D. C., 1978, Augustine: in Annual report of the world volcanic eruptions in 1976 with supplements to the previous issues, Bulletin of Volcanic Eruptions, v. 16, p. 53-55.[3] Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions, 2003
Siebert, L., and Simkin, T., 2002-, Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series GVP-3, http://volcano.si.edu/search_volcano.cfm, unpaged internet resource.
[4] Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 04, unpaged.[5] Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 05, unpaged.[6] Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 08, unpaged.[7] Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 11, unpaged.[8] Hydrothermal manifestations of the northern part of Atka Island of the Aleutian arc, and their geologic and tectonic setting, 1985
Reeder, J. W., 1985, Hydrothermal manifestations of the northern part of Atka Island of the Aleutian arc, and their geologic and tectonic setting [abs.]: in IAVCEI 1985 Scientific Assembly, Potassic Volcanism - Mt. Etna Volcano, Giardini-Naxos, Italy, Sept. 16-21, 1985, p. 195-196.[9] Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 07, unpaged.[10] Magnificent Katmai, 1952
Sumner, Lowell, 1952, Magnificent Katmai: Sierra Club Bulletin, v. 37, n. 10, p. 29-51.[11] Augustine, 1977
Shackelford, D. C., 1977, Augustine: in Annual report of the world volcanic eruptions in 1975 with supplements to the previous issues, Bulletin of Volcanic Eruptions, v. 15, p. 41-42.[12] Recent eruption of Augustine volcano in Alaska, 1976
Forbes, R. B., 1976, Recent eruption of Augustine volcano in Alaska: Mines and Geology Bulletin, v. 24, n. 2, p. 1-2.[13] Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 1998
Waythomas, C. F., and Waitt, R. B., 1998, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Augustine Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-0106, 39 p., 1 plate, scale unknown.
full-text PDF 2.08 MB
map sheet plate 3.14 MB [14] Augustine volcano erupts, 1976
U.S. Geological Survey, 1976, Augustine volcano erupts: U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Information Bulletin v. 8, n. 4, p. 23.
full-text PDF 795 KB [15] The 1976 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 1976
Wrenn, S. C., 1976, The 1976 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Polar Record, v. 18, n. 114, p. 301-03.[16] Effect of volcanic ash deposits on sockeye salmon lakes, 1987
Mathisen, O. A., and Poe, P. H., 1987, Effect of volcanic ash deposits on sockeye salmon lakes: in Internationale Vereinigung fr Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie, Proceedings, v. 20, Copenhagen, Denmark, p. 165-172.Complete Eruption References
Recent eruption of Augustine volcano in Alaska, 1976
Forbes, R. B., 1976, Recent eruption of Augustine volcano in Alaska: Mines and Geology Bulletin, v. 24, n. 2, p. 1-2.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Augustine, 1977
Shackelford, D. C., 1977, Augustine: in Annual report of the world volcanic eruptions in 1975 with supplements to the previous issues, Bulletin of Volcanic Eruptions, v. 15, p. 41-42.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Augustine, 1978
Shackelford, D. C., 1978, Augustine: in Annual report of the world volcanic eruptions in 1976 with supplements to the previous issues, Bulletin of Volcanic Eruptions, v. 16, p. 53-55.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 04, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 05, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 06, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 07, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 08, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 09, unpaged.
Augustine, 1976
Smithsonian Institution, 1976, Augustine: Scientific Event Alert Network Bulletin v. 01, n. 11, unpaged.
Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions, 2003
Siebert, L., and Simkin, T., 2002-, Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series GVP-3, http://volcano.si.edu/search_volcano.cfm, unpaged internet resource.
The 1976 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 1976
Wrenn, S. C., 1976, The 1976 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Polar Record, v. 18, n. 114, p. 301-03.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
A three-dimensional magnetic model of Augustine Volcano, 1978
Barrett, S. A., 1978, A three-dimensional magnetic model of Augustine Volcano: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, Fairbanks, AK, 175 p.
Eruptions of the St. Augustine volcano: airborne measurements and observations, 1977
Hobbs, P. V., Radke, L. F., and Stith, J. L., 1977, Eruptions of the St. Augustine volcano: airborne measurements and observations: Science, v. 195, n. 4281, p. 871-873.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf
Onset of volcanism at Augustine Volcano, lower Cook Inlet, 1979
Johnston, D. A., 1979, Onset of volcanism at Augustine Volcano, lower Cook Inlet: in Johnson, K. M. and Williams, J. R., (eds.), The United States Geological Survey in Alaska: accomplishments during 1978, U.S. Geological Survey Circular C 0804-B, p. B78-B80.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf
Stratigraphy, chronology, and character of the 1976 pyroclastic eruption of Augustine volcano, Alaska, 1991
Kamata, H., Johnston, D. A., and Waitt, R. B., 1991, Stratigraphy, chronology, and character of the 1976 pyroclastic eruption of Augustine volcano, Alaska: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 53, n. 6, p. 407-419.
Augustine volcano eruption: initial explosive phase, January 1976 : impact on the atmosphere, 1977
Kienle, J., and Shaw, G. E., 1977, Augustine volcano eruption: initial explosive phase, January 1976 : impact on the atmosphere: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R 249, 48 p.
Volcanic hazards from future eruptions of Augustine volcano, Alaska, second edition, 1985
Kienle, J., and Swanson, S. E., 1985, Volcanic hazards from future eruptions of Augustine volcano, Alaska, second edition: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R 275, 122 p.
A reconnaissance of the major Holocene tephra deposits in the upper Cook Inlet region, Alaska, 1985
Riehle, J. R., 1985, A reconnaissance of the major Holocene tephra deposits in the upper Cook Inlet region, Alaska: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 26, n. 1-2, p. 37-74.
Augustine Volcano, 1976
Miller, T. P., 1976, Augustine Volcano: in Henning, R. A., Rosenthal, C. H., Olds, Barbara, and Reading, Ed, (eds.), Alaska's volcanoes, northern link in the ring of fire, Alaska Geographic, v. 4, n. 1, p. 17-28.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Volatiles, magma mixing, and the mechanism of eruption at Augustine volcano, Alaska, 1978
Johnston, D. A., 1978, Volatiles, magma mixing, and the mechanism of eruption at Augustine volcano, Alaska: University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation, 187 p., 20 plates, scale unknown.
Volcanic processes and geology of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, 2009
Waitt, R.B., and Beget, J.E., 2009, Volcanic processes and geology of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1762, 78 p., 2 plates, scale 1:25,000, available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1762/ .