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LEVEL OF CONCERN COLOR CODE: ORANGE
LAST LEVEL OF CONCERN: ORANGE
The Strombolian eruption continues at Pavlof Volcano 60 km (37 mi) northeast of Cold Bay near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. The increased level of seismicity that began on 24 September is still occurring. AVO staff observing the eruption from Cold Bay reported incandescent spatter fountaining from 2 vents in the crater. Small explosions in the summit crater produced sporadic small steam and ash plumes which rose as much as 2000 ft above the vent. An incandescent spatter-fed flow followed a deep gulley on the NW side of the volcano and fanned out at the base of the mountain. AVO continues to monitor the volcano closely and will issue further Updates when the situation warrants. AVO operates a seismic network of six stations near the volcano.
Pavlof Volcano, perhaps the most active volcano in the
Aleutian volcanic arc, has a history of 3-8 year-long
periods of repose between eruptions. A new eruption is
then marked by an initial strong explosive event that can
send an ash plume to over 10 km (33,000 feet) above sea
level. The eruptive phase then changes to sporadic
Strombolian eruption of lava spatter and small amounts of
ash; this part of the eruption typically consists of
rhythmic ejection of incandescent bombs and ash to heights
of 200-300 m above the cone. Spatter-fed lava flows
emanate from the summit vent on occasion.
The nearest towns to the volcano are Cold Bay (37 mi),
King Cove (30 mi), Sand Point (60 mi), and Nelson Lagoon
(50 mi); these towns could expect light ash fall depending
on wind direction and continuing eruptive activity.
Mudflows and some flooding could be expected in the
Cathedral River valley north of the volcano. Airborne ash
hazards to aircraft may be considerable if a large
explosive event occurs but much less severe during a
typical Strombolian phase.