USGS Volcano Notice for Aviation - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-09-15T20:40:40-08:00

(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)
(2) Issued:	(20230916/0524Z)
(3) Volcano:	Shishaldin (VNUM #311360)
(4) Current Color Code:	RED
(5) Previous Color Code:	RED
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2023/A1392
(8) Volcano Location:	N 54 deg 45 min W 163 deg 58 min
(9) Area:	Aleutians
(10) Summit Elevation:	9373 ft (2857 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	The explosive eruption at Shishaldin Volcano continues, but has decreased in intensity. An explosive event began at 5:10 p.m. AKDT on September 15, 2023 (01:10 UTC on Sept 16) after a period of rapidly increasing seismicity. The explosive event produced an ash-rich cloud that the National Weather Service estimated reached an altitude of 42,000 ft (12.8 km) above sea level and was accompanied by volcanic lightning. This upper level cloud detached from the vent around 18:30 AKDT (0230 UTC) and is drifting towards the east. Seismicity began to decrease dramaticially at about this same time. Beginning around 19:30 AKDT (0330 UTC), lightning resumed indicating continued ash emssions. The meterological cloud deck over the volcano is currently at about 22,500 ft (6.8 km) above sea level and ash emissions are not visible in satellite data. Explosions continue to be detected in infrasound data, at a lower level than during the most energetic phase of this event. Seismicity is lower, it has not reached its pre-event levels and the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level remain at RED/WARNING. Trace ash fall was reported in the community of False Pass between 18:00 and 20:30 AKDT (0200 to 0430 UTC). The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET for the drifting ash cloud, and a Special Weather Statement has been issued for trace ash on False Pass. Based on previous eruption cycles, significant ash emissions are likely to continue for several hours. Pyroclastic and mudflows are likely on the immediate flanks of the volcano. Shishaldin Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a telemetered geodetic network. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lighting data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.
(12) Volcanic cloud height:	Less than 22,000 ft.
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:	Ash emission likely based on infrasound, seismic and lightning data.
(14) Remarks:	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 the April-May 1999 event generated an ash column that reached 45,000 ft. (14 km) above sea level.
(15) Contacts:	Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
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