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USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2023-12-21T12:43:22-09:00
ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Thursday, December 21, 2023, 2:00 PM AKST (Thursday, December 21, 2023, 23:00 UTC)
SHISHALDIN (VNUM #311360)
54°45'19" N 163°58'16" W, Summit Elevation 9373 ft (2857 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Low-level unrest continues at Shishaldin Volcano. Seismic activity remains slightly elevated, with small, low-frequency earthquakes and tremor observed over the past day. No activity was observed in cloudy satellite images, and steaming was observed in one clear webcam image.
Thirteen significant explosive events have occurred at Shishaldin from July 12 through October 3, 2023. These events have been preceded by increases in seismicity in the hours to days before they occur. It is unknown how long this period of ongoing activity will last. However, previous eruptions of Shishaldin Volcano have lasted weeks to months with repeated cycles of eruptive activity like those seen since July.
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 lighting data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.
GREAT SITKIN (VNUM #311120)
52°4'35" N 176°6'39" W, Summit Elevation 5709 ft (1740 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Slow eruption of lava in the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano continues. Seismic activity was low over the past day. No activity was observed in cloudy satellite and web camera views of the volcano.
The current lava flow began erupting in July 2021. No explosive events have occurred since a single event in May 2021.
Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data are used to monitor the volcano.
TRIDENT (VNUM #312160)
58°14'3" N 155°6'9" W, Summit Elevation 3599 ft (1097 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Small, shallow earthquakes continued under Trident and neighboring volcanoes over the past day. In addition, deeper (greater than 20 km or 12 miles) volcanic earthquakes and seismic tremor were also observed. No volcanic activity was observed in clear satellite or webcam imagery.
The current period of seismic unrest began in August 2022. 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.
KANAGA (VNUM #311110)
51°55'27" N 177°9'44" W, Summit Elevation 4288 ft (1307 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Low-level unrest continues at Kanaga Volcano. Seismic activity remains slightly elevated with small earthquakes occurring over the past day. No activity was observed in cloudy satellite images, and possible minor steaming was observed in webcam images yesterday evening.
The recent unrest indicates a possibility for sudden explosions of ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Kanaga Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, regional infrasound and lightning networks, and satellite data.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
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.