ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 11:14 AM AKDT (Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 19:14 UTC)
Lava continues to erupt slowly within the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano. Seismic activity was low with a few small earthquakes detected over the past day. Weakly elevated surface temperatures from the warm lava dome were observed in partly cloudy overnight satellite imagery.
The current lava eruption began in July 2021 and, since then, has filled most of the summit crater and advanced into valleys below. There have been no explosions at Great Sitkin Volcano since an event in May 2021. The volcano is monitored using local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, webcams, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.
To view monitoring data and other information about Great Sitkin: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/great-sitkin
Unrest continues at Shishaldin Volcano. Seismic and infrasound activity remains elevated, with numerous small earthquakes and infrasound detections observed over the past day. A steam plume was seen in clear webcam imagery.
An ash resuspension event is ongoing with strong northerly winds in the vicinity currently picking up loose volcanic ash and dust off the ground surface and carrying it to the south. This ash and dust is visible in satellite and webcam imagery. The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET (https://www.weather.gov/aawu/sigmets) for this low-level event with a maximum cloud height of 6,000 ft (1.8 km) above sea level. This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions at Shishaldin and other volcanic areas of Alaska. Resuspended volcanic ash should be considered hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health.
Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network are used to monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.
To view monitoring data and other information about Shishaldin: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/shishaldin
Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS cwaythomas@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
Contact AVO: https://avo.alaska.edu/contact
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.
Strong northerly winds in the vicinity of Shishaldin Volcano have picked up loose volcanic ash and dust on the surface and are carrying it to the south. The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET (https://www.weather.gov/aawu/sigmets) for this low-level event and suggests that the maximum cloud height is 6,000 ft (1.8 km) above sea level.
No eruption is in progress. This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions at Shishaldin and other volcanic areas of Alaska. Resuspended volcanic ash should be considered hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health.
Shishaldin Volcano remains in a state of volcanic unrest at Aviation Color Code YELLOW and Volcano Alert Level ADVISORY. Numerous small earthquakes, infrasound signals, and volcanic tremor have been detected daily. A steam and gas plume is visible from the summit of the volcano when the weather is clear.
Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network are used to monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite data to detect eruptions.
To view information about Shishaldin Volcano: https://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Shishaldin.php
Shishaldin Volcano, located near the center of Unimak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands, is a spectacular symmetric cone with a base diameter of approximately 10 miles (16 km). A 660 ft. (200 m) wide funnel-shaped summit crater typically emits a steam plume and occasional small amounts of ash. Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian volcanic arc, with at least 54 episodes of unrest including over 26 confirmed eruptions since 1824. Most eruptions are relatively small, although activity during July–November, 2023 generated ash columns that reached between 30,000 ft (9 km) and 42,000 ft (13 km) above sea level.
Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS cwaythomas@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
Contact AVO: https://avo.alaska.edu/contact
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.
WMAK01 PAVO 111612 VONA DTG: 20260311/1612Z VOLCANO: SHISHALDIN 311360 PSN: N5445 W16358 AREA: ALASKA SOURCE ELEV: 9373FT AMSL NOTICE NR: 2026/01 CURRENT COLOUR CODE: YELLOW PREVIOUS COLOUR CODE: YELLOW SVO: ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY ACT STS: RE-SUSPENDED VA ONSET: NIL DUR: NIL VA CLD HGT: 6000FT AMSL HGT SOURCE: SIGMET MOV: S CTC: AVO DUTY SCIENTIST TEL +1-907-786-7497 RMK: NO ERUPTION. RESUSPENDED VA FROM GND LEVEL ONLY. SEE SIGMET FOR MORE INFO. NXT NOTICE: A NEW VONA WILL BE ISSUED IF COND CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY OR IF THE COLOR CODE CHANGES NNNN
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 8:45 AM HST (Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 18:45 UTC)
Activity Summary:
The Halemaʻumaʻu eruption of Kīlauea is paused. Episode 43 ended last night at 6:21 p.m. HST. Very preliminary models suggest that episode 44 fountains are likely to occur between the end of March and the first half of April.
No significant activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.
A summary of episode 43 can be found in this Status Report.
See the citizen reported tephra fall map for episode 43 here: Hawaiian Volcano Observatory | Tephra Reports Map
NOTE: The V1 Camera was knocked over during episode 43. Crews will attempt to repair it in the next few days weather permitting.
Significant changes in activity between Daily Updates are posted here: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/observatory-messages
Summit Observations:
Episode 43 ended at 6:21 p.m. HST after fountaining for just over 9 hours from both vents and sending tephra into surrounding communities. A complete summary of activity can be found here. Bright glow from both vents was visible through the night. At this time, both vents are quiet and emitting plumes of gas.
Lava flows remained incandescent and continued to spread across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu crater covering another 5-10% along the southeastern margin of the crater. Incandescence dimmed and flows slowed significantly in the early morning hours. Lava emplaced around and above the vents continued to creep downslope into the crater but also slowed in the early morning hours. Incandescence on the crater floor may remain for several days and flows around the vent will likely continue to move downslope during this time.
Seismic tremor continues during the current pause, with bursts of tremor every three to five minutes typically associated with gas pistoning within the vent. There were less than 10 small earthquakes located across the summit region in the last 24 hours.
The Uēkahuna tiltmeter (UWD) recorded ~33.7 microradians of deflation in association with yesterday’s fountaining. Since the cessation of fountaining, inflation has resumed, with the tiltmeter recording a recovery of nearly 3.9 microradians.
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates from the summit have typically averaged 1000-1500 t/d during eruptive pauses. Webcams show cloudy conditions at the summit. The National Weather Service forecast for the Kīlauea summit region for today indicates winds from the southwest at 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. This forecast indicates that the SO2 plume from summit vents is generally being carried to the northeast this morning.
Rift Zone Observations:
Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain very low in the East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone. SO2 emissions from the East Rift Zone remain below the detection limit.
Analysis:
The rapid rebound of tilt and strong glow from both vents indicates that another fountaining episode is likely. There is not enough information at this time to develop a forecast window for episode 44. Based on deflation associated with episode 43 and preliminary models, the next fountaining episode will likely take place between the end of March and the first half of April.
Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 23, 2024, primarily from two vents (north and south) in Halema‘uma‘u. Eruptive episodes, which generally last for less than 12 hours, are separated by pauses that can be as long as over two weeks.
HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and is in contact with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency about eruptive hazards.
Please see the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for visitor information: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
Recap of episode 42:
A recap of episode 42 can be found in this Status Report.
Resources:
The following links provide more information about the current eruption that began on December 23, 2024:
Hazards:
This episodic eruption is occurring within a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Other significant hazards exist around Kīlauea caldera from Halemaʻumaʻu crater wall instability, ground cracking, and rockfalls that can be enhanced by earthquakes. Close to the vents, the tephra material on the crater rim is prone to cracking, slumping, and small landslides that sometimes expose hot and molten material within. This underscores the extremely hazardous nature of Kīlauea's caldera rim surrounding Halemaʻumaʻu crater, an area that has been closed to the public since late 2007.
More Information:
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is one of five volcano observatories within the U.S. Geological Survey and is responsible for monitoring volcanoes and earthquakes in Hawaiʻi and American Samoa.
Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
Summary of volcanic hazards from eruptions: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hazards
Recent earthquakes in Hawaiʻi (map and list): https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo
Explanation of Volcano Alert Levels and Aviation Color Codes: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcanic-alert-levels-characterize-conditions-us-volcanoes