Volcano Update from Archive
CLEVELAND VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-24-)
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Alert Level to Watch yesterday in response to observations of a new lava dome in the summit crater of Cleveland Volcano . New observations from August 2 show that the lava dome has grown from about 40 meters (131 feet) to about 50 meters (164 feet) in diameter since July 29. Weak thermal anomalies were detected in satellite images last night and this morning which is consistent with slow dome growth or a cooling dome.
If dome growth continues, lava flows onto the flanks of the volcano may develop but would not be hazardous to aviation. The presence of the lava dome increases the possibility of an explosive eruption, but does not necessarily indicate that one will occur. Short-lived explosions could produce an ash cloud that exceeds 20,000 ft above sea level. These events can occur without warning and may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours.
Without a real-time seismic network at Cleveland, AVO is unable to track local earthquake activity related to volcanic unrest, provide forecasts of potential eruptions, or confirmation of explosive activity. Low-level ash emissions and elevated surface temperatures such as those observed recently do not necessarily mean a larger eruption is imminent. AVO continues to monitor the volcano using satellite imagery.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Power, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAF
steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907) 474-7131
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.
