USGS Volcano Notice for Aviation - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-07-22T15:49:07-08:00

The level of unrest has increased at Shishaldin Volcano over the past 6 hours. A steady increase in seismic tremor and intermittent infrasound signals consistent with small explosions are ongoing. Despite cloud cover obscuring the volcano, elevated surface temperatures consistent with lava erupting at the summit are evident in the latest satellite data. Based on previous eruption cycles, minor ash emissions are likely to occur and may increase over the next few hours. Clouds are obscuring web cameras and satellite images, and we have had no clear views of the volcano over the past day. Based on the level of unrest, we infer that any ash emissions occurring are below 20,000 ft. (6 km) above sea level and below the altitude of clouds in the region.

The last three significant ash events during the current eruption resulted in ash clouds up to 40,000 ft. (12 km) above sea level, similar to other historical eruptions. These events can occur with little warning. 

Shishaldin Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a telemetered geodetic network. The local monitoring network has been partially impaired over the last few weeks due to telecommunications issues but seismic stations and web cameras south of the volcano were brought back online on July 19. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lighting data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.