Alaska Volcano Observatory Current Status Report Friday, August 8, 2008 12:21 PM AKDT (20:21 UTC) KASATOCHI VOLCANO 52°10'9" N 175°30'41" W, Summit Elevation 1030 ft (314 m) Current Aviation Color Code: RED Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING Three major explosive eruptions occured at Kasatochi between approximately 2230 UTC (14:30 AKDT) on 07 August and 0500 UTC on 08 August(2100 AKDT on 07 August). Ash from these explosions reached at least 45,000 ft above sea level. Ash emissions became continuous following the last explosive event and have produced a continuous ash cloud extending for more than 500 miles in a counterclockwise spiral. Ash from this continuous phase is likely at an altitude in excess of 35,000 ft above sea level. The possibility of larger explosive events continues. AVO is monitoring this situation closely and has its operations room staffed 24 hours per day. More information about activity at Kasatochi Volcano can be found on the AVO web site at www.avo.alaska.edu or by calling 907-786-7497. CLEVELAND VOLCANO 52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m) Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH Volcanic unrest at Cleveland Volcano has declined. The volcano was obscured by clouds and drifting ash from the eruption of Kasatochi. OKMOK VOLCANO 53°23'49" N 168°9'58" W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m) Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH The eruption of Okmok Volcano continues. Seismic activity over the past 24 hours remains elevated and continuous volcanic tremor is still occurring. Low-level steam and possible ash plumes detected in satellite data over that past 4 hours. A dusting of ash may occur over parts of Umnak Island. Steam and possible ash cloud observed in satellite data, extending towards the northwest at an estimated height of less than 15,000 ft. OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOES Seismic activity is monitored in real time at 30 volcanoes in Alaska. Satellite images of all Alaskan volcanoes are analyzed daily for evidence of ash plumes and elevated surface temperatures. Some volcanoes may currently display anomalous behavior but are not considered to be at a dangerous level of unrest. Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt, Wrangell, Gareloi, Great Sitkin, Makushin, Fisher, Shishaldin, Isanotski, Pavlof, Veniaminof, Ugashik-Peulik, Griggs, Snowy, Fourpeaked, Aniakchak, Tanaga, Kanaga, Akutan, Westdahl, Dutton, Ukinrek Maars, Martin, Mageik, Trident, Katmai, Novarupta, Spurr, and Korovin volcanoes are in color code GREEN and volcano alert level Normal. All are at or near normal levels of background seismicity. AVO did not detect ash plumes or significant elevated surface temperatures in the vicinity of any volcano. Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php for complete definitions of Aviation color codes and Volcano alert levels. VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478 CONTACT INFORMATION: Chris Waythomas, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS chris@xxxxxxxx, (907)786-7497 Jon Dehn, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dehn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (907) 474-6499 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. ============================================================== To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxxx To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxxx Please do not send attachments. ==============================================================
