USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2026-01-14T18:07:02+00:00

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Pavlof (VNUM #312030)

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

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

Issued: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 11:03 AM AKST
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2026/A29
Location: N 55 deg 25 min W 161 deg 53 min
Elevation: 8261 ft (2518 m)
Area: Alaska Peninsula

Volcanic Activity Summary:

The rate of long-period earthquakes has increased at Pavlof Volcano since approximately 12:45 am AKST (09:45 UTC) on January 14. No eruptive activity or emissions from the summit have been observed including in clear webcam images from this morning. The earthquake activity represents an increase from background levels, therefore the Alaska Volcano Observatory is raising the Aviation Color Code and Alert Level to YELLOW/ADVISORY. This type of earthquake activity in the past has preceded eruptions, but also has ended without an eruption occurring. We will continue to closely monitor the volcano for signs of increased activity, as eruptions at Pavlof Volcano often occur suddenly with little or no warning.

The last eruption at Pavlof Volcano occurred in 2021 and 2022, and consisted of small lava flows and low-level explosions primarily from a vent on the upper southeast flank. Larger ash-producing eruptions last occurred at Pavlof in 2013, 2014, and 2016 from a crater on the upper north flank.

Pavlof Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks. To view monitoring data and other information about Pavlof: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/pavlof

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

Hazard Analysis:
[Ash cloud] None observed

Remarks:

Pavlof Volcano is a snow- and ice-covered stratovolcano located on the southwestern end of the Alaska Peninsula about 953 km (592 mi) southwest of Anchorage. The volcano is about 7 km (4.4 mi) in diameter and has active vents on the north and east sides close to the summit. With over 40 historic eruptions, it is one of the most consistently active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc. Eruptive activity is generally characterized by sporadic Strombolian lava fountaining continuing for a several-month period. Ash plumes as high as 49,000 ft ASL have been generated by past eruptions of Pavlof, and during the March 2016 eruption, ash plumes as high as 40,000 feet above sea level were generated and the ash was tracked in satellite data as distant as eastern Canada. The nearest community, Cold Bay, is located 60 km (37 miles) to the southwest of Pavlof.

Contacts:

Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

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

Contact AVO: https://avo.alaska.edu/contact

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:	(20260114/2003Z)
(3) Volcano:	Pavlof (VNUM #312030)
(4) Current Color Code:	YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:	GREEN
(6) Source:	Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:	2026/A29
(8) Volcano Location:	N 55 deg 25 min W 161 deg 53 min
(9) Area:	Alaska Peninsula
(10) Summit Elevation:	8261 ft (2518 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:	The rate of long-period earthquakes has increased at Pavlof Volcano since approximately 12:45 am AKST (09:45 UTC) on January 14. No eruptive activity or emissions from the summit have been observed including in clear webcam images from this morning. The earthquake activity represents an increase from background levels, therefore the Alaska Volcano Observatory is raising the Aviation Color Code and Alert Level to YELLOW/ADVISORY. This type of earthquake activity in the past has preceded eruptions, but also has ended without an eruption occurring. We will continue to closely monitor the volcano for signs of increased activity, as eruptions at Pavlof Volcano often occur suddenly with little or no warning. The last eruption at Pavlof Volcano occurred in 2021 and 2022, and consisted of small lava flows and low-level explosions primarily from a vent on the upper southeast flank. Larger ash-producing eruptions last occurred at Pavlof in 2013, 2014, and 2016 from a crater on the upper north flank. Pavlof Volcano is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and regional infrasound and lightning networks. To view monitoring data and other information about Pavlof: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/pavlof
(12) Volcanic cloud height:	None
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:	None
(14) Remarks:	Pavlof Volcano is a snow- and ice-covered stratovolcano located on the southwestern end of the Alaska Peninsula about 953 km (592 mi) southwest of Anchorage. The volcano is about 7 km (4.4 mi) in diameter and has active vents on the north and east sides close to the summit. With over 40 historic eruptions, it is one of the most consistently active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc. Eruptive activity is generally characterized by sporadic Strombolian lava fountaining continuing for a several-month period. Ash plumes as high as 49,000 ft ASL have been generated by past eruptions of Pavlof, and during the March 2016 eruption, ash plumes as high as 40,000 feet above sea level were generated and the ash was tracked in satellite data as distant as eastern Canada. The nearest community, Cold Bay, is located 60 km (37 miles) to the southwest of Pavlof.
(15) Contacts:	Matt Haney, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS mhaney@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497 David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
(16) Next Notice: