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St. Michael

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5 km
3 mi
Leaflet U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey | Policies

Facts

  • Official Name: Saint Michael Island
  • Seismically Monitored: No
  • Color Code: UNASSIGNED
  • Alert Level: UNASSIGNED
  • Elevation: 715m (2345ft)
  • Latitude: 63.4493
  • Longitude: -162.123
  • Smithsonian VNum: 314040
  • Pronunciation:
  • Nearby Towns:
    • Saint Michael 3 mi (5 km) NE
    • Stebbins 7 mi (12 km) NW
    • Unalakleet 50 mi (81 km) NE
    • Kotlik 53 mi (85 km) SW
    • Bill Moore's Slough 62 mi (99 km) SW

    Distance from Anchorage: 421 mi (677 km)

  • Subfeatures:
    • Stuart Hill
    • Crater Mtn 1
    • St. Michael Mtn 1
    • The Sisters
    • Stephens Hill
    • West Hill 1

Description

From Wood and Kienle (1990) [1] : "The St. Michael volcanic field is one of a number of late Tertiary and Quaternary, alkaline to subalkaline basaltic volcanic fields in the Bering Sea region of western Alaska. The volcanic field covers all of St. Michael and Stuart Islands, extending inland as far as the Golsovia and Kogok rivers. It consists of >55 cones and craters and numerous flat-lying flows and tuffs covering >3,000 square km. The section of flows has a maximum thickness of 40 m exposed in sea cliffs along Norton Sound, but is probably much thicker in the interior of the field. Most of the volcanic field consists of flat-lying tholeiitic or alkali-olivine basalt flows which appear to be erupted from broad shield volcanoes, such as those comprising St. Michael Mountain and Stuart Mountain. These older dissected shield volcanoes are ~4 km across and 150 m high. Young steep-sided cinder cones consisting of alkali-olivine basalt, basanite, or hawaiite overlie the flat-lying flows. The cones and flows surrounding Crater Mountain, in the western part of the field, consist of highly alkalic basanite containing lherzolite nodules. Most of the cones in "The Sisters" region are basanite or alkali olivine basalt, although a small group of cones ~4 km northeast of "The Sisters" are olivine tholeiite. The alkalic cones in "The Sisters" region are aligned east-west, possibly following a fracture. These young, small cones are 200-700 m across and ~40-75 m high. A Holocene flow and two associated cones in the south-central part of the volcanic field are tholeiite. Seven maar volcanoes occur on St. Michael Island in the northwest part of the field. The western half of Stuart Island is made of young tholeiitic aa flows, probably erupted from a vent at West Hill." Dall (1870) [2] notes that "The natives have a tradition that St. Michael's has been thrice submerged" indicating possibly very young volcanism.

Name Origin

"St. Michael volcanic field" is an informal name, after Saint Michael Island. The volcanic field covers Saint Michael Island, as well as Stuart Island, and extends inland as well. Saint Michael Island's name was reported as "Ostrov Mikhaila" by Zagoskin (Orth,1971).

References Cited

[1] Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada, 1990

Wood, C. A., and Kienle, Juergen, (eds.), 1990, Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada: New York, Cambridge University Press, 354 p.

[2] Alaska and its resources, 1870

Dall, W. H., 1870, Alaska and its resources: Boston, Lee and Shepard, 627 p.

Reported Activity

Modern Eruptions

0 Event Date(s)

Past Activity Legend:
Eruption
Questionable eruption
Non-eruptive activity


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Map Images

Map References

Volcanoes of Alaska, 1998

Nye, C. J., Queen, Katherine, and McCarthy, A. M., 1998, Volcanoes of Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular IC 0038, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:4,000,000, available at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=7043 .
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska, 1986

Luedke, R. G., and Smith, R. L., 1986, Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 1091-F, unpaged, 3 sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.

Geologic map of the northern and central parts of Unalakleet quadrangle, 1985

Patton, W. W. Jr., and Moll, E. J., 1985, Geologic map of the northern and central parts of Unalakleet quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF 1749, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Geothermal energy resources of Alaska, 1980

Turner, D. L., Forbes, R. B., Albanese, Mary, Macbeth, Joyce, Lockhart, A. B., and Seed, S. M., 1980, Geothermal energy resources of Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R 279, 19 p., 3 sheets, scale 1 at 1:2,500,000.

Geologic map of the St. Michael quadrangle, Alaska, 1971

Hoare, J. M., and Condon, W. H., 1971, Geologic map of the St. Michael quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 0682, 5 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reconnaissance geologic map of the Unalakleet quadrangle, Alaska, 1959

Cass, J.T., 1959, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Unalakleet quadrangle, Alaska: US Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 288, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000, available at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=13596 .

References

2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment, 2018

Ewert, J.W., Diefenbach, A.K., and Ramsey, D.W., 2018, 2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5140, 40 p., https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2018/5140/sir20185140.pdf.

Alaska Volcano Observatory image database, 2016

Cameron, C.E., and Snedigar, S.F., 2016, Alaska Volcano Observatory image database: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Digital Data Series 13, https://www.avo.alaska.edu/images/. https://doi.org/10.14509/29689.

Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska, 2014

Cameron, C.E., and Nye, C.J., 2014, Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 153, 11 p., doi:10.14509/27357 .

Preliminary spreadsheet of eruption source parameters for volcanoes of the world, 2009

Mastin, L.G., Guffanti, Marianne, Ewert, J.E., and Spiegel, Jessica, 2009, Preliminary spreadsheet of eruption source parameters for volcanoes of the world: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2009-1133, v. 1.2, 25 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1133/ .

System for ranking relative threats of U.S. volcanoes, 2007

Ewert, John, 2007, System for ranking relative threats of U.S. volcanoes: Natural Hazards Review, v. 8, n. 4, p. 112-124.

The (super 40) Ar/ (Super 39) Ar chronology and eruption rates of Cenozoic volcanism in the eastern Bering Sea Volcanic Province, Alaska, 2007

Mukasa, S.B., Andronikov, A.V., and Hall, C.M., 2007, The (super 40) Ar/ (Super 39) Ar chronology and eruption rates of Cenozoic volcanism in the eastern Bering Sea Volcanic Province, Alaska: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 112, 18 p., doi: 10.1029/2006JB004452, 2007.

Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions, 2003

Siebert, L., and Simkin, T., 2002-, Volcanoes of the world: an illustrated catalog of Holocene volcanoes and their eruptions: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series GVP-3, http://volcano.si.edu/search_volcano.cfm, unpaged internet resource.

Bibliography of information on Alaska volcanoes, 2003

Cameron, C. E., Triplehorn, J. H., and Robar, C. L., 2003, Bibliography of information on Alaska volcanoes: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication MP 131, 1 CD-ROM.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet

Evidence of crust and mantle beneath the Bering Sea region: Evidence from xenoliths and late Cenozoic basalts, 2002

Wirth, K.R., Grandy, Jeffrey, Kelley, Katherine, and Sadofsky, Seth, 2002, Evidence of crust and mantle beneath the Bering Sea region: Evidence from xenoliths and late Cenozoic basalts: in Miller, E.L., Grantz, Arthur, and Klemperer, S.L., eds., Tectonic evolution of the Bering Shelf - Chukchi Sea - Arctic margin and adjacent landmasses, Geological Society of America Special Paper 360, p. 167-193.

Volcanoes of Alaska, 1998

Nye, C. J., Queen, Katherine, and McCarthy, A. M., 1998, Volcanoes of Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular IC 0038, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:4,000,000, available at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=7043 .
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Petrogenesis of the St. Michael volcanic field, Norton Sound region, Alaska, 1997

Grandy, J. S., and Wirth, K. R., 1997, Petrogenesis of the St. Michael volcanic field, Norton Sound region, Alaska [abs.]: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 29, n. 6, p. 392.

Petrogenesis of the Bering Sea basalt province: Evidence from Saint Michael Volcanic Field, western Alaska, 1997

Grandy, J.S., 1997, Petrogenesis of the Bering Sea basalt province: Evidence from Saint Michael Volcanic Field, western Alaska: Macalester College Senior Honors thesis, 182 p.

Volcanoes of the world [2nd edition], 1994

Simkin, Tom, and Siebert, Lee, 1994, Volcanoes of the world [2nd edition]: Tucson, Arizona, Geoscience Press, 349 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Age, extent, and climatic significance of the c. 3400 BP Aniakchak tephra, western Alaska, USA, 1992

Beget, James, Mason, Owen, and Anderson, Patricia, 1992, Age, extent, and climatic significance of the c. 3400 BP Aniakchak tephra, western Alaska, USA: The Holocene, v. 2, n. 1, p. 51-56.

Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada, 1990

Wood, C. A., and Kienle, Juergen, (eds.), 1990, Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada: New York, Cambridge University Press, 354 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Bering Sea basalts, 1987

Moll-Stalcup, E. J., 1987, Bering Sea basalts: in Hawaii Symposium on How Volcanoes Work, Abstract Volume, Hilo, Hawaii, January 19-25, 1987, p. 177.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska, 1986

Luedke, R. G., and Smith, R. L., 1986, Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 1091-F, unpaged, 3 sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.

Geologic map of the northern and central parts of Unalakleet quadrangle, 1985

Patton, W. W. Jr., and Moll, E. J., 1985, Geologic map of the northern and central parts of Unalakleet quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF 1749, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Volcanoes of the world, 1981

Simkin, Tom, Siebert, Lee, McClelland, Lindsay, Bridge, David, Newhall, Christopher, and Latter, J. H., 1981, Volcanoes of the world: Stroudsburg, PA, Hutchinson Publishing Company, 233 p.

Geothermal energy resources of Alaska, 1980

Turner, D. L., Forbes, R. B., Albanese, Mary, Macbeth, Joyce, Lockhart, A. B., and Seed, S. M., 1980, Geothermal energy resources of Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Report UAG-R 279, 19 p., 3 sheets, scale 1 at 1:2,500,000.

Comprehensive tables giving physical data and thermal energy estimates for young igneous systems of the United States, 1978

Smith, R. L., Shaw, H. R., Luedke, R. G., and Russell, S. L., 1978, Comprehensive tables giving physical data and thermal energy estimates for young igneous systems of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-0925, p. 1-25.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf

Fault history of the Pribilof Islands and its relevance to bottom stability in St. George Basin, 1976

Hopkins, D.M., 1976, Fault history of the Pribilof Islands and its relevance to bottom stability in St. George Basin: in Environmental Assessment of the Alaskan Continental Shelf, Boulder, CO, Environmental Research Laboratories, v. 13, p. 41-67.

Geologic map of the St. Michael quadrangle, Alaska, 1971

Hoare, J. M., and Condon, W. H., 1971, Geologic map of the St. Michael quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 0682, 5 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reconnaissance geologic map of the Unalakleet quadrangle, Alaska, 1959

Cass, J.T., 1959, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Unalakleet quadrangle, Alaska: US Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations 288, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000, available at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=13596 .

Reminiscences of Alaskan volcanoes, 1918

Dall, W. H., 1918, Reminiscences of Alaskan volcanoes: Scientific Monthly, v. 7, n. 1, p. 80-90.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet

Volcanoes of North America, 1910

Russell, I. C., 1910, Volcanoes of North America: London, The Macmillan Company, 346 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet

Geological notes on some of the coasts and islands of the Bering Sea and vicinity, 1894

Dawson, G.M., 1894, Geological notes on some of the coasts and islands of the Bering Sea and vicinity: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 5, p. 117-146.

Geology of the Pribilof Islands, 1892

Brown, J.S., 1892, Geology of the Pribilof Islands: Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 3, p. 496-500.

The volcanic region of Alaska, 1884

Petroff, Ivan, 1884, The volcanic region of Alaska: in Population, Industries, and Resources of Alaska, Washington DC, Government Printing Office, p. 93-96.
full-text PDF 10.9 MB
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet

Alaska and its resources, 1870

Dall, W. H., 1870, Alaska and its resources: Boston, Lee and Shepard, 627 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet

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