USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-02-21T07:56:14-09:00

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: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 9:47 AM AKST
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2023/A184
Location: N 58 deg 14 min W 155 deg 6 min
Elevation: 3599 ft (1097 m)
Area: Alaska Peninsula

Volcanic Activity Summary:

Earthquake activity beneath Trident Volcano has recently increased and is ongoing, although there have been no signs of unrest in other monitoring data. Due to this increase in seismic activity to above-background levels, the Alaska Volcano Observatory is raising the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY.

The current period of seismic unrest, or earthquake swarm, began on August 24, 2022. Earthquake depths at the beginning of the swarm were mostly deep, around 25 km (16 miles) below sea level, and became progressively shallower to around 5 km (3 miles) over the following four days. Since late August 2022, most earthquakes have been located in the shallow crust, with depths less than 6 km below sea level. Since January 1, 2023, earthquakes under Trident are occurring at an average rate of about ten per day. The largest event since August was a M4.6 quake on November 20, but most earthquakes are much smaller. A few episodes of weak seismic tremor and low frequency earthquakes have also occurred.

Within the Katmai group of volcanoes, earthquakes are typically clustered in three regions: under Trident Volcano, under Mount Katmai to the east, and under Martin and Mageik volcanoes to the west. The current period of seismic unrest is most prominent in the area under Trident, but the rate of earthquakes has also increased in the region beneath Martin and Mageik volcanoes. Because of the initial sequence of deep earthquakes and continued episodes of tremor under Trident, it is most likely, though not certain, that the unrest observed in the area is due to movement of magma or magmatic fluids at depth there.

There is no indication that an eruption of Trident is imminent, or that one will occur. 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

Hazard Analysis:
[General hazards] none
[Ash cloud] none

Remarks:

Trident Volcano 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

Társilo Girona, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI tarsilo.girona@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085

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:	(20230222/1847Z)
(3) Volcano:	Trident (VNUM #312160)
(4) Current Color Code:	YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:	GREEN
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2023/A184
(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:	Earthquake activity beneath Trident Volcano has recently increased and is ongoing, although there have been no signs of unrest in other monitoring data. Due to this increase in seismic activity to above-background levels, the Alaska Volcano Observatory is raising the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY. The current period of seismic unrest, or earthquake swarm, began on August 24, 2022. Earthquake depths at the beginning of the swarm were mostly deep, around 25 km (16 miles) below sea level, and became progressively shallower to around 5 km (3 miles) over the following four days. Since late August 2022, most earthquakes have been located in the shallow crust, with depths less than 6 km below sea level. Since January 1, 2023, earthquakes under Trident are occurring at an average rate of about ten per day. The largest event since August was a M4.6 quake on November 20, but most earthquakes are much smaller. A few episodes of weak seismic tremor and low frequency earthquakes have also occurred. Within the Katmai group of volcanoes, earthquakes are typically clustered in three regions: under Trident Volcano, under Mount Katmai to the east, and under Martin and Mageik volcanoes to the west. The current period of seismic unrest is most prominent in the area under Trident, but the rate of earthquakes has also increased in the region beneath Martin and Mageik volcanoes. Because of the initial sequence of deep earthquakes and continued episodes of tremor under Trident, it is most likely, though not certain, that the unrest observed in the area is due to movement of magma or magmatic fluids at depth there. There is no indication that an eruption of Trident is imminent, or that one will occur. 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 Volcano 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 Társilo Girona, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI tarsilo.girona@alaska.edu (907) 322-4085
(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.