USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-AVO-2026-03-11T19:06:09+00:00

Lava continues to erupt slowly within the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano. Seismic activity was low with a few small earthquakes detected over the past day. Weakly elevated surface temperatures from the warm lava dome were observed in partly cloudy overnight satellite imagery. 

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, webcams, and regional infrasound and lightning networks.

Unrest continues at Shishaldin Volcano. Seismic and infrasound activity remains elevated, with numerous small earthquakes and infrasound detections observed over the past day. A steam plume was seen in clear webcam imagery. 

An ash resuspension event is ongoing with strong northerly winds in the vicinity currently picking up loose volcanic ash and dust off the ground surface and carrying it to the south. This ash and dust is visible in satellite and webcam imagery. The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET (https://www.weather.gov/aawu/sigmets) for this low-level event with a maximum cloud height of 6,000 ft (1.8 km) above sea level. This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions at Shishaldin and other volcanic areas of Alaska. Resuspended volcanic ash should be considered hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health.

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 lightning data, and satellite images to detect eruptions.