USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-02-21T21:49:17-09:00

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Semisopochnoi (VNUM #311060)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: ORANGE


Issued: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 9:47 AM AKST
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2023/A188
Location: N 51 deg 55 min E 179 deg 35 min
Elevation: 2625 ft (800 m)
Area: Aleutians

Volcanic Activity Summary:

Although the active north cone of Mount Young continues to produce a robust steam plume, no ash emissions or explosive activity have been detected at Semisopochnoi volcano since late January. The level of seismic activity has also decreased, with no significant seismic tremor observed since January 25th. Thus, we are lowering the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY.  

Small eruptions producing minor ash deposits within the vicinity of the active north crater of Mount Young, and ash clouds usually under 10,000 ft (3 km) above sea level, have characterized the recent activity at Semisopochnoi. More ash-producing events could occur again with little warning.  

Semisopochnoi is monitored by a local seismic and infrasound network, local web cameras, regional lightning and infrasound sensors, and satellite data.  

Recent Observations:
[Volcanic cloud height] none
[Other volcanic cloud information] Steam only
[Ballistics] none
[Lava flow/dome] none
[Lava flow] none

Hazard Analysis:
[General hazards] none
[Ash cloud] none

Remarks:

Remote Semisopochnoi volcano occupies the largest, young volcanic island in the western Aleutians. The uninhabited island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is located 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Amchitka Island and 200 km (130 mi) west of Adak, Alaska. Semisopochnoi volcano is dominated by an 8-km (5-mile) diameter caldera that contains a small lake and several post-caldera cones and craters. The age of the caldera is not known with certainty but is likely early Holocene. The north cone of Mount Young, in the southwest part of the caldera, is the site of the current eruption, which began in 2018. The last known eruption prior to 2018 was in 1987 from Sugarloaf Peak on the south coast of the island.

Contacts:

Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mcoombs@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Társilo Girona, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI tarsilo.girona@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085

Next Notice:

A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu.

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.

(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)
(2) Issued:	(20230222/1847Z)
(3) Volcano:	Semisopochnoi (VNUM #311060)
(4) Current Color Code:	YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:	ORANGE
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2023/A188
(8) Volcano Location:	N 51 deg 55 min E 179 deg 35 min
(9) Area:	Aleutians
(10) Summit Elevation:	2625 ft (800 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	Although the active north cone of Mount Young continues to produce a robust steam plume, no ash emissions or explosive activity have been detected at Semisopochnoi volcano since late January. The level of seismic activity has also decreased, with no significant seismic tremor observed since January 25th. Thus, we are lowering the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY.   Small eruptions producing minor ash deposits within the vicinity of the active north crater of Mount Young, and ash clouds usually under 10,000 ft (3 km) above sea level, have characterized the recent activity at Semisopochnoi. More ash-producing events could occur again with little warning.   Semisopochnoi is monitored by a local seismic and infrasound network, local web cameras, regional lightning and infrasound sensors, and satellite data.
(12) Volcanic cloud height:	none
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:	Steam only
(14) Remarks:	Remote Semisopochnoi volcano occupies the largest, young volcanic island in the western Aleutians. The uninhabited island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is located 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Amchitka Island and 200 km (130 mi) west of Adak, Alaska. Semisopochnoi volcano is dominated by an 8-km (5-mile) diameter caldera that contains a small lake and several post-caldera cones and craters. The age of the caldera is not known with certainty but is likely early Holocene. The north cone of Mount Young, in the southwest part of the caldera, is the site of the current eruption, which began in 2018. The last known eruption prior to 2018 was in 1987 from Sugarloaf Peak on the south coast of the island.
(15) Contacts:	Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mcoombs@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 Társilo Girona, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI tarsilo.girona@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085
(16) Next Notice:	A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu.