USGS Volcano Notice for Aviation - DOI-USGS-NMI-2024-01-01T12:52:01-09:00

A plume of discolored water was observed in the vicinity of Ahyi Seamount in satellite images from yesterday afternoon (January 1, 2024 local time). It is possible that this plume is due to underwater volcanic activity however pressure sensors at Wake Island that have been used in the past to confirm underwater volcanic activity are not currently operational. More distant sensors have not registered any activity.  It is therefore not possible to confirm volcanic activity at Ahyi Seamount in independent data streams and the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level remain at UNASSIGNED. We will continue to monitor satellite data for additional evidence of discolored water associated with underwater volcanic activity.

Starting mid-October 2022, hydroacoustic sensors at Wake Island, 1,410 miles (2,270 km) east of Ahyi, began recording signals consistent with activity from an undersea volcanic source. In collaboration with the Laboratoire de Geophysique in Tahiti, a combined analysis of the hydroacoustic signals and data from seismic stations located at Guam and Chichijima Island, Japan, confirmed that the source of this activity was at or near Ahyi seamount. Observations of discolored water above the seamount in satellite data confirmed activity at Ahyi. The activity appears to have paused beginning in early April 2023 but briefly resumed in late May 2023.