ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 11:01 AM AKST (Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 20:01 UTC)
Lava continues to erupt slowly at Great Sitkin Volcano, and small earthquakes associated with this ongoing eruption continue at a low rate. No unusual activity observed in cloudy satellite and web camera imagery over the past day.
The current eruption of Great Sitkin Volcano began with a single explosive event in May 2021. The ongoing eruption of lava at the summit began shortly afterward, in July 2021. The volcano is monitored using local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data and web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.
Unrest continues at Mount Spurr. Small earthquakes underneath the summit region continue at a low rate. No activity was observed in cloudy webcam and satellite views over the past day. AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spurr for signals that would indicate that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption. Based on previous eruptions, changes from current activity in the earthquakes, ground deformation, summit lake, and fumaroles would be expected if magma began to move closer to the surface. Therefore, it is very likely that if an eruption were to occur it would be preceded by additional signals that would allow advance warning.
Local seismic, infrasound, web cameras, and GNSS stations are used to monitor Mount Spurr along with regional infrasound, lightning networks and satellite data.
Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@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.