USGS Volcano Notice for Aviation - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-05-17T09:32:50-08:00

(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)
(2) Issued:	(20230517/2125Z)
(3) Volcano:	Semisopochnoi (VNUM #311060)
(4) Current Color Code:	YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:	ORANGE
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2023/A694
(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:	The level of eruptive activity at Semisopochnoi has declined in the past week. The last evidence of ash emissions from the volcano was observed on May 5 and consisted of a light dusting of ash on the northwest flank of Mount Young. The Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level are being lowered to YELLOW/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 and 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:	NA
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:	none
(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 David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
(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.