Description: From McGimsey and others (2005): "AVO received a PIREP of steaming in the Katmai area -- specifically at coordinates 58°16', 154°50' -- that was rising to an estimated 17,000 ft. ASL on February 15, 2003. The AAWU called to consult as to whether or not to issue a Significant Meteorological Information Statement (SIGMET). A check of the webicorders and spectrograms revealed no unusual seismicity at any of the Katmai Group volcanoes and no advisory was forthcoming. Based on the coordinates reported and the past reports of steaming, the most likely source was Mageik [see fig. 9 in original text]. Nearby Martin also typically issues a vigorous steam plume.
"An observer in the town of Naknek (about 110 km [70 mi.] from Mageik) called on April 8, 2003 to report two 'significant' steam plumes coming from 2 mountains in the VTTS the previous evening. Having lived in the area for 40 years, he stated that he had never seen anything as large as these plumes, although he estimated the plumes to be about 3,000 ft above the mountaintops. AVO staff checked the webicorders and spectrograms of the greater Katmai network and found nothing out of the ordinary. The observer was advised that he was likely seeing vigorous steam plumes emanating from Martin and Mageik, a common occurrence in the Katmai area."