Volcano Update from Archive
Seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano has declined over the last 36 hours, although there have been several brief increases in seismicity associated with minor low-level ash emissions. The last known ash emission was at 5:12 AKDT this morning. The plume from this event did not extend above about 15,000 feet. Based on the level of seismic activity, AVO is lowering the aviation color code to ORANGE and the volcanic alert level to WATCH.
Current seismicity at Redoubt is at times suggestive of intermittent lava extrusion at the volcano's summit. However, the existence of a new lava dome has not been confirmed because of poor weather. Growth of lava domes is common at volcanoes like Redoubt and was observed several times throughout the last eruption of 1989-1990. As dome size increases, so does the possibility of dome collapse along with a return to a more explosive eruptive style. Though a distinct rise in seismicity often precedes dome failure, domes can fail with little or no warning and may result in a sudden explosion and ash emission.
Based on observations from the Redoubt eruption of 1989-1990, episodes of dome growth followed by explosive dome destruction is a likely but by no means certain, near-term scenario. Cycles of dome growth and failure could occur for several months. In the event of an escalation in seismic activity or confirmation of a significant ash producing eruption, AVO would accordingly raise the color code and alert level to Red/Warning.
It is possible that dome collapse events will initiate pyroclastic flows over Drift glacier that will result in meltwater generation and downstream mudflows and floods. Some of these floods could reach Cook Inlet within hours. Over a 21 hour period beginning on Sunday, at March 22, 2009, 22:38 AKDT (Monday, March 23, 2009, 06:38 UTC ), 6 separate explosions occurred at Redoubt Volcano, each producing ash plumes exceeding 30,000 feet (10,000 m) above sea level. The last of these explosions occurred on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 19:41 AKDT (Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 03:41 UTC), about 36 hours ago as of this writing.
During and following these events, large lahars (volcanic mud and debris flows) were observed traveling down the Drift River Valley, some reaching the mouth of the Valley at the Cook Inlet. Light ashfall (less than 5 mm) from the explosions has been reported at several locales spanning a region of about 100,000 square kilometers, mainly to the north of the volcano.Ash and steam plumes in the immediate vicinity of the volcano are likely, but generally less than 20,000 feet above sea level.Mudflows and floods in the Drift River valley will be an ongoing hazard. Significant changes in water level and flow direction may occur rapidly.Refer to the NWS Redoubt Coordination web page (http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php) for more information about ashfall advisories. Ash and steam plumes in the immediate vicinity of the volcano are likely, but generally less than 20,000 feet above sea level.Mudflows and floods in the Drift River valley will be an ongoing hazard. Significant changes in water level and flow direction may occur rapidly.Refer to the NWS Redoubt Coordination web page (http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php) for more information about ashfall advisories.
Current seismicity at Redoubt is at times suggestive of intermittent lava extrusion at the volcano's summit. However, the existence of a new lava dome has not been confirmed because of poor weather. Growth of lava domes is common at volcanoes like Redoubt and was observed several times throughout the last eruption of 1989-1990. As dome size increases, so does the possibility of dome collapse along with a return to a more explosive eruptive style. Though a distinct rise in seismicity often precedes dome failure, domes can fail with little or no warning and may result in a sudden explosion and ash emission.
Based on observations from the Redoubt eruption of 1989-1990, episodes of dome growth followed by explosive dome destruction is a likely but by no means certain, near-term scenario. Cycles of dome growth and failure could occur for several months. In the event of an escalation in seismic activity or confirmation of a significant ash producing eruption, AVO would accordingly raise the color code and alert level to Red/Warning.
It is possible that dome collapse events will initiate pyroclastic flows over Drift glacier that will result in meltwater generation and downstream mudflows and floods. Some of these floods could reach Cook Inlet within hours. Over a 21 hour period beginning on Sunday, at March 22, 2009, 22:38 AKDT (Monday, March 23, 2009, 06:38 UTC ), 6 separate explosions occurred at Redoubt Volcano, each producing ash plumes exceeding 30,000 feet (10,000 m) above sea level. The last of these explosions occurred on Monday, March 23, 2009, at 19:41 AKDT (Tuesday, March 24, 2009, 03:41 UTC), about 36 hours ago as of this writing.
During and following these events, large lahars (volcanic mud and debris flows) were observed traveling down the Drift River Valley, some reaching the mouth of the Valley at the Cook Inlet. Light ashfall (less than 5 mm) from the explosions has been reported at several locales spanning a region of about 100,000 square kilometers, mainly to the north of the volcano.Ash and steam plumes in the immediate vicinity of the volcano are likely, but generally less than 20,000 feet above sea level.Mudflows and floods in the Drift River valley will be an ongoing hazard. Significant changes in water level and flow direction may occur rapidly.Refer to the NWS Redoubt Coordination web page (http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php) for more information about ashfall advisories. Ash and steam plumes in the immediate vicinity of the volcano are likely, but generally less than 20,000 feet above sea level.Mudflows and floods in the Drift River valley will be an ongoing hazard. Significant changes in water level and flow direction may occur rapidly.Refer to the NWS Redoubt Coordination web page (http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php) for more information about ashfall advisories.
