USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2022-09-29T07:58:34-08:00

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Trident (VNUM #312160)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: GREEN

Issued: Thursday, September 29, 2022, 2:56 PM AKDT
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2022/A1083
Location: N 58 deg 14 min W 155 deg 6 min
Elevation: 3599 ft (1097 m)
Area: Alaska Peninsula

Volcanic Activity Summary:

The swarm of earthquakes that began on August 24, 2022, beneath Trident volcano continues. In addition, episodes of weak seismic tremor and low frequency earthquakes have been detected since August 28. Together, these observations mean that Trident is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level. Therefore, we are raising the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert level to ADVISORY.

During the current swarm, earthquake depths were initially mostly deep at around 25 km (16 miles) below sea level but became progressively shallower to around 5 km (3 miles) by August 28. Since then, earthquakes have mostly occurred 3 to 6 km (about 2 to 4 miles) below sea level, although some deeper events have been detected. Earthquake magnitudes (M) have ranged from M –0.7 to M 1.9. At the peak of the swarm, dozens of earthquakes occurred daily beneath the volcano, but earthquake rates have since decreased to just a few per day. No other signs of unrest have been detected in monitoring data.

The increase in seismic activity is likely caused by movement of magma or magmatic fluids. Increases in seismic activity have been detected previously at Trident and other similar volcanoes, with no subsequent eruptions. We expect additional shallow seismicity and other signs of unrest, such as gas emissions, elevated surface temperatures, and surface deformation to precede any future eruption, if one were to occur.

Should activity increase, AVO will issue further notices. AVO monitors Trident with a local network of seismometers, a webcam, remote sensing data, and regional infrasound and lightning networks. To view current monitoring data, see https://avo.alaska.edu/activity/Trident.php

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

Remarks:

Trident is one of the Katmai group of volcanoes located within Katmai National Park and Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula. Trident consists of a complex of four cones and numerous lava domes, all andesite and dacite in composition, that reach as high as 6,115 ft above sea level. An eruption beginning in 1953 constructed the newest cone, Southwest Trident, and four lava flows on the flank of the older complex. This eruption continued through 1974 and produced ash (an initial plume rose to 30,000 ft asl), bombs, and lava at various times. Fumaroles remain active on the summit of Southwest Trident and on the southeast flank of the oldest, central cone. Trident is located 148 km (92 miles) southeast of King Salmon and 440 km (273 miles) southwest of Anchorage.

Contacts:

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

David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI, dfee1@alaska.edu, (907) 378-5460

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:	(20220929/2256Z)
(3) Volcano:	Trident (VNUM #312160)
(4) Current Color Code:	YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:	GREEN
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2022/A1083
(8) Volcano Location:	N 58 deg 14 min W 155 deg 6 min
(9) Area:	Alaska Peninsula
(10) Summit Elevation:	3599 ft (1097 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	The swarm of earthquakes that began on August 24, 2022, beneath Trident volcano continues. In addition, episodes of weak seismic tremor and low frequency earthquakes have been detected since August 28. Together, these observations mean that Trident is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level. Therefore, we are raising the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert level to ADVISORY. During the current swarm, earthquake depths were initially mostly deep at around 25 km (16 miles) below sea level but became progressively shallower to around 5 km (3 miles) by August 28. Since then, earthquakes have mostly occurred 3 to 6 km (about 2 to 4 miles) below sea level, although some deeper events have been detected. Earthquake magnitudes (M) have ranged from M –0.7 to M 1.9. At the peak of the swarm, dozens of earthquakes occurred daily beneath the volcano, but earthquake rates have since decreased to just a few per day. No other signs of unrest have been detected in monitoring data. The increase in seismic activity is likely caused by movement of magma or magmatic fluids. Increases in seismic activity have been detected previously at Trident and other similar volcanoes, with no subsequent eruptions. We expect additional shallow seismicity and other signs of unrest, such as gas emissions, elevated surface temperatures, and surface deformation to precede any future eruption, if one were to occur. Should activity increase, AVO will issue further notices. AVO monitors Trident with a local network of seismometers, a webcam, remote sensing data, and regional infrasound and lightning networks. To view current monitoring data, see https://avo.alaska.edu/activity/Trident.php
(12) Volcanic cloud height:	none
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:	none
(14) Remarks:	Trident is one of the Katmai group of volcanoes located within Katmai National Park and Preserve on the Alaska Peninsula. Trident consists of a complex of four cones and numerous lava domes, all andesite and dacite in composition, that reach as high as 6,115 ft above sea level. An eruption beginning in 1953 constructed the newest cone, Southwest Trident, and four lava flows on the flank of the older complex. This eruption continued through 1974 and produced ash (an initial plume rose to 30,000 ft asl), bombs, and lava at various times. Fumaroles remain active on the summit of Southwest Trident and on the southeast flank of the oldest, central cone. Trident is located 148 km (92 miles) southeast of King Salmon and 440 km (273 miles) southwest of Anchorage.
(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.