News Release
| March 27, 2009 | Tom Murray | 907-786-7497 | |
| Clarice Nassif Ransom | 703-648-4356 | cransom@xxxxxxxx |
Mount Redoubt Volcano in Alaska Erupts Explosively More Than 10 Times This Week
Mount Redoubt Volcano, 106 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, erupted explosively more than 10 times this week, sending ash skyrocketing as high as 65,000 feet into the air.
The eruption of Redoubt poses a
threat to national and international aviation as volcanic ash is sent into
the busy North Pacific flight paths between North America and Asia. Ash
fall has also been reported in towns and cities around Cook Inlet, including
a trace in Anchorage. Volcanic activity is expected to continue for days
to months.
Scientists from the Alaska Volcano
Observatory (AVO) issued daily public warnings of an impending eruption
beginning January 23 after recording increased seismic activity at the
volcano. They continue to monitor events round-the-clock, working with
colleagues at the National Weather Service and Federal Aviation Administration
to minimize social and economic disruption caused by the eruption.
Mount Redoubt Volcano has been
assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as one of the nation’s highest-threat
volcanoes. USGS
is working to place monitoring equipment on all volcanoes that pose the
greatest threats to public safety. In 2005, USGS issued a nationwide assessment
of volcano-monitoring capabilities of dozens of other U.S. volcanoes where
monitoring infrastructure should be improved so that scientists have the
tools they need to make the best possible hazard analysis for the public.
Redoubt last erupted explosively
nearly 20 years ago, sending ash plumes 40,000 feet into the air and causing
engine failure in a 747 jet, which eventually landed safely.
The latest information about Mount
Redoubt can be found at: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php
Download a satellite image of Mount Redoubt from Landsat 5 at: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/image.php?id=17249.
You can learn about the USGS Volcano Hazards Program at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov.
The AVO is a partnership of the
USGS, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska
Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. Information about all of
the current volcanic eruptions in Alaska including activity statements,
images, background materials and related hazards can be found at the AVO
home page: http://www.avo.alaska.edu.
The USGS provides science for a changing world. For more information, visit www.usgs.gov. Subscribe to USGS News Releases via our electronic mailing list or RSS feed.
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