USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2026-01-20T20:36:34+00:00

ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 11:40 AM AKST (Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 20:40 UTC)

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

Lava continues to erupt slowly within the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano. A number of small local earthquakes were detected. Clouds obscured satellite and webcam images.

The current lava eruption began in July 2021 and since then has filled most of the summit crater and advanced into valleys below. There have been no explosions at Great Sitkin Volcano since an event in May 2021. The volcano is monitored using local seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data and webcams, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.

To view monitoring data and other information about Great Sitkin: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/great-sitkin

PAVLOF (VNUM #312030)
55°25'2" N 161°53'37" W, Summit Elevation 8261 ft (2518 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Over the last day no significant seismic activity was detected, and clear satellite and webcam images showed no activity at the surface.

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

SHISHALDIN (VNUM #311360)
54°45'19" N 163°58'16" W, Summit Elevation 9373 ft (2857 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Shishaldin Volcano continues to experience unrest with numerous small earthquakes detected over the past day. Steam emissions were reported this morning by a passing airplane. No other notable activity was detected in satellite images over the last day.

Local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a geodetic network are used to 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.

To view monitoring data and other information about Shishaldin: https://avo.alaska.edu/volcano/shishaldin

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

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.