USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-09-01T10:10:03-08:00

The most recent significant explosive event at Shishaldin Volcano, the eighth to occur during this eruptive period, happened earlier in the week on August 25-26. Throughout the day on August 25 seismic tremor increased in intensity and was accompanied by infrasound detections of small explosions and by highly elevated surface temperatures that were observed in satellite data. A Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) was issued at 11:36 AKDT (1936 UTC) maintaining the Aviation Color Code at ORANGE but informing of the likelihood of significant ash emissions in the next several hours.  

Shortly thereafter pilot reports of ash emissions to approximately 30,000 ft above sea level were received and the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level were increased to RED/WARNING at 12:04 AKDT (2004 UTC). Ash emissions were visible in satellite data, although partly obscured by meteorological clouds. Seismicity continued to increase through ~16:30 AKDT (0030 UTC on August 19), before dropping precipitously. Ash emissions continued after the drop in seismicity and were observed in satellite data through 00:00 AKDT (0800 UTC) on August 26. With seismicity at pre-event levels and no further observation of ash emissions in satellite data the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level were reduced to ORANGE/WATCH at 0030 AKDT (0830 UTC) on August 26, where it has remained throughout the rest of the week. 

Low-level activity has continued over the remainder of the week. Seismicity remains above background and elevated surface temperatures were observed in the summit crater throughout the week. An AVO field crew working on Unimak Island observed a mass flow down the upper flanks of the volcano beginning around 5:20 pm AKDT on August 27. The flow produced a short-lived ash cloud that rose to about 15,000 ft (4.5 km) above sea level and quickly dissipated. These mass flows are likely caused by the collapse of lava spatter that is accumulating on the summit crater rim. This type of activity remains a proximal hazard as the deposits collapse occasionally without warning and generate hot flows on the upper flanks and small clouds of volcanic ash.  

Shishaldin has had eight periods of explosive eruptive activity resulting in significant ash emissions since July 12. It is unknown how long this eruptive period will last. Previous eruptions of Shishaldin Volcano have lasted weeks to months with repeated cycles of activity similar to those seen since July 12. Before the current activity, the 2019–2020 eruption of Shishaldin was the first to result in lava flows outside the crater area since 1976. Minor eruptions in 2004 and 2014 erupted lava confined to the summit crater. Previous eruptions of Shishaldin have produced ash clouds like those seen during the current eruption, most recently in January 2020. Routine evaluations of satellite, seismic, and infrasound data provide warning of unrest associated with the production of ash clouds. In addition, ashfall forecast models are kept up to date on the public activity page (https://avo.alaska.edu/activity/Shishaldin.php).   

Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network monitor Shishaldin Volcano. In addition to the local monitoring network, AVO uses nearby geophysical networks, regional infrasound and lightning data, and satellite observations to detect eruptions.   

Slow eruption of lava is continuing at Great Sitkin Volcano. Satellite images were mostly obscured by clouds over the past week but a satellite radar image from earlier in the week showed continued slow growth of the lava flow towards the east in the summit crater. Earthquake activity remained slightly elevated this week. Typical steaming from the vent region of the lava flow was observed in satellite images on one day. 

The current lava flow at Great Sitkin Volcano began erupting in July 2021. No explosive events have occurred since a single event in May 2021.   

The volcano is monitored by local seismic, geodetic, and infrasound sensors, web cameras, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data.

Earthquake activity beneath Trident Volcano continued over the past week, with volcanic earthquakes noted most days. Views of the volcano in satellite and webcam data were mostly cloudy and showed nothing indicative of volcanic unrest.     

The current period of seismic unrest began on August 24, 2022. Earthquake depths at the beginning of the swarm were mainly deep, around 16 miles (25 km) below sea level and became progressively shallower to around 3 miles (5 km) over the following four days. Since late August 2022, most earthquakes have occurred within the shallow crust, with depths less than 4 miles (6 km) below sea level; however, an increasing number of earthquakes have been occurring deeper (greater than 9 miles or 15 km depth). 

Starting in May 2023 an increase in low-frequency earthquakes and tremor has been observed—in addition to the regular earthquakes—near Trident Volcano. Such low-frequency events are often associated with the movement of magma or volcano-related fluids within the ground. 

Ground uplift at Trident Volcano has also been detected in satellite radar data. Snow cover prohibits winter observations, which limits our ability to provide precise timing, but data from June 3, 2023, indicates that about 2 in (5 cm) of ground uplift has occurred since October 6, 2022. Uplift is most significant on the volcano’s south flank.   

Increases in seismic activity have been detected previously at Trident Volcano and other similar volcanoes and did not result in eruptions. We expect additional shallow seismicity and other signs of unrest, such as gas emissions, elevated surface temperatures, and ground movement, to precede any future eruption if one were to occur.        

Trident Volcano is monitored by local seismic sensors, web cameras, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data.