Makushin 1994/1
Start: January 19, 1994 [1]
Stop: January 26, 1994 [1]
Event Type: Not an eruption
Description: From Neal and others (1995): "On January 19, AVO received a pilot report of two distinct steam plumes, possibly containing ash, rising about 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above the summit of Makushin Volcano. AVO received at least one phone call from a major air carrier and one from the U.S. Air Force about the report. The NWS issued a SIGMET.
"On January 21, an AVO staff member received a phone call from the Alaska Department of Emergency Services (DES) at 10:45 pm AST. The Chief of Police in Unalaska had contacted the DES to report a strong sulfur smell and unusual lightning. In addition to speaking to the Unalaska Chief of Police, AVO made phone contact with NWS watch officers to obtain satellite information and discussed possible scenarios with DES. It was concluded that the lightning was related to a strong frontal system and associated westerly winds. Additional reports of a robust steam plume were received on January 26.
"AVO frequently receives reports of increased steaming at Makushin Volcano. Some observations suggest a small amount of ash is contained in these steam plumes; this is likely the result of vigorous fumarolic or minor phreatic activity."
The Smithsonian Institution (1994) reports this event as a false eruption report caused by a storm.
"On January 21, an AVO staff member received a phone call from the Alaska Department of Emergency Services (DES) at 10:45 pm AST. The Chief of Police in Unalaska had contacted the DES to report a strong sulfur smell and unusual lightning. In addition to speaking to the Unalaska Chief of Police, AVO made phone contact with NWS watch officers to obtain satellite information and discussed possible scenarios with DES. It was concluded that the lightning was related to a strong frontal system and associated westerly winds. Additional reports of a robust steam plume were received on January 26.
"AVO frequently receives reports of increased steaming at Makushin Volcano. Some observations suggest a small amount of ash is contained in these steam plumes; this is likely the result of vigorous fumarolic or minor phreatic activity."
The Smithsonian Institution (1994) reports this event as a false eruption report caused by a storm.
References Cited
[1] 1994 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1995
Neal, C. A., Doukas, M. P., and McGimsey, R. G., 1995, 1994 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-0271, 18 p.
full-text PDF 3 MB [2] Makushin, 1994
Smithsonian Institution, 1994, Makushin: Global Volcanism Network Bulletin v. 19, n. 01, unpaged.Complete Eruption References
1994 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1995
Neal, C. A., Doukas, M. P., and McGimsey, R. G., 1995, 1994 volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-0271, 18 p.
full-text PDF 3 MB 
Makushin, 1994
Smithsonian Institution, 1994, Makushin: Global Volcanism Network Bulletin v. 19, n. 01, unpaged.