ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Sunday, January 7, 2024, 10:10 AM AKST (Sunday, January 7, 2024, 19:10 UTC)
Slow eruption of lava in the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano continues. No activity was observed in cloudy satellite images. Local web cameras and seismic data are temporarily offline due to a storm-related power failure.
The current lava flow began erupting in July 2021. No explosive events have occurred since a single event in May 2021.
Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data are used to monitor the volcano.
Low-level unrest continues at Shishaldin Volcano. Seismic activity remains elevated, with small, low-frequency earthquakes observed. Clouds obscured satellite and web camera images over the last day.
Thirteen significant explosive events occurred at Shishaldin from July 12 through November 3, 2023. These events were preceded by increases in seismicity in the hours to days before they occurred. It is unknown how long this period of ongoing activity will last. However, previous eruptions of Shishaldin Volcano have lasted weeks to months with repeated cycles of eruptive activity like those seen since July.
Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lighting data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.
No activity was observed in cloudy satellite images over the last day. Local web cameras and seismic data are temporarily offline due to a storm-related power failure.
The recent unrest indicates a possibility for sudden explosions of ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Kanaga Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data.
Several small earthquakes were detected near Trident Volcano over the past day. Clouds obscured satellite and webcam images.
The current period of seismic unrest began in August 2022. Increases in seismic activity have been detected previously at Trident Volcano and other similar volcanoes and did not result in eruptions. We expect additional shallow seismicity and other signs of unrest, such as gas emissions, elevated surface temperatures, and ground movement, to precede any future eruption if one were to occur.
Trident Volcano is monitored by local seismic sensors, web cameras, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data.
Aaron Wech, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS awech@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.