Martin 2012/4
Start: April 11, 2012 [1]
Event Type: Not an eruption
- Fumarolic or hydrothermal activity [1]
Description: From Herrick and others (2014): "During 2012, in addition to reports of strong fumarolic activity, the AVO seismic network recorded bursts of elevated seismicity, similar to episodes seen in recent years (Dixon and Power, 2009; O'Brien and others, 2012). The Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level at Martin remained GREEN/NORMAL.
"In mid-April, AVO received three emails regarding activity at Martin. Observers in the area of Lower Ugashik Lake about 120 km (75 mi) to the southwest noted a plume that was larger than any that had been seen in more than 50 years in the area. Another observation from an overflight reported a strong sulfur odor; this observer shared photographs of the cone and the summit crater with AVO. Comparisons with other recent photographs of Martin suggested no significant change in activity. Previous overflights of Martin routinely noted sulfur smell and gas measurement flights typically measure both SO2 and H2S (Doukas and McGee, 2007).
"On June 27, climbers ascended the volcano and reported a strong sulfur odor upon reaching the crater rim. Gas concentration was strong enough to cause coughing and a burning-throat sensation. They described roaring and bubbling noises coming from the crater lake and three fumaroles located on the triangular peak 'below the summit cone on the northeastern side of Mount Martin.' Additionally, 'snow on the entire final summit cone was tinged yellow from sulfur. . . .' These attributes previously have been noted at Martin during many AVO field visits to the volcano and are considered typical."
"In mid-April, AVO received three emails regarding activity at Martin. Observers in the area of Lower Ugashik Lake about 120 km (75 mi) to the southwest noted a plume that was larger than any that had been seen in more than 50 years in the area. Another observation from an overflight reported a strong sulfur odor; this observer shared photographs of the cone and the summit crater with AVO. Comparisons with other recent photographs of Martin suggested no significant change in activity. Previous overflights of Martin routinely noted sulfur smell and gas measurement flights typically measure both SO2 and H2S (Doukas and McGee, 2007).
"On June 27, climbers ascended the volcano and reported a strong sulfur odor upon reaching the crater rim. Gas concentration was strong enough to cause coughing and a burning-throat sensation. They described roaring and bubbling noises coming from the crater lake and three fumaroles located on the triangular peak 'below the summit cone on the northeastern side of Mount Martin.' Additionally, 'snow on the entire final summit cone was tinged yellow from sulfur. . . .' These attributes previously have been noted at Martin during many AVO field visits to the volcano and are considered typical."
References Cited
[1] 2012 Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, 2014
Herrick, J.A., Neal, C.A., Cameron, C.E., Dixon, J.P., and McGimsey, R.G., 2014, 2012 Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5160, 82p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145160.
Complete Eruption References
2012 Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory, 2014
Herrick, J.A., Neal, C.A., Cameron, C.E., Dixon, J.P., and McGimsey, R.G., 2014, 2012 Volcanic activity in Alaska: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014-5160, 82p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145160.
Multiple causes for non-eruptive seismic swarms at Mt. Martin, Katmai Volcanic Cluster, Alaska (2004-2008), 2012
O'Brien, J.F., Roman, D.C., Dixon, J.P., Power, J.A., and Arnold, Richard, 2012, Multiple causes for non-eruptive seismic swarms at Mt. Martin, Katmai Volcanic Cluster, Alaska (2004-2008): Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 229-230, p. 13-22, doi: 10.1016/j.volgeores.2012.03.011.
The January 2006 volcanic-tectonic earthquake swarm at Mount Martin, Alaska, 2009
Dixon, J.P., and Power, J.A., 2009, The January 2006 volcanic-tectonic earthquake swarm at Mount Martin, Alaska, in Haeusseler, P.J., and Galloway, J.P., eds., Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1760-D, 17 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1760/d/ .
A compilation of gas emission-rate data from volcanoes of Cook Inlet (Spurr, Crater Peak, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine) and Alaska Peninsula (Douglas, Fourpeaked, Griggs, Mageik, Martin, Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, and Veniaminof), Alaska, from 1995-2006, 2007
Doukas, M.P., and McGee, K.A., 2007, A compilation of gas emission-rate data from volcanoes of Cook Inlet (Spurr, Crater Peak, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine) and Alaska Peninsula (Douglas, Fourpeaked, Griggs, Mageik, Martin, Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, and Veniaminof), Alaska, from 1995-2006: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1400, 13 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1400/ .
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