Alaska Volcano Observatory

News

AVO operations during lapse of federal government appropriations
Posted: October 01, 2013

ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY INFORMATION STATEMENT
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 11:37 AM AKDT (Tuesday, October 1, 2013 19:37 UTC)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) will remain operational during the lapse of federal government appropriations. The AVO is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. The staffing levels of the USGS have been greatly reduced, but the functions of the University and State partners are unaffected by the lapse in appropriations. The minimal required level of routine checks of data will be continue, but the additional examination and analysis of data typically performed by the AVO staff will be reduced during the lapse in appropriations. Forecasts and regular updates of volcanic activity will continue to be issued. Instrument network maintenance will cease, meaning that our monitoring capability will degrade over time. The Alaska Volcano Observatory website (www.avo.alaska.edu) is operated by a partner agency and will remain functional.

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ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY DAILY UPDATESaturday, October 5, 2013 11:26 AM AKDT (Saturday, October 5, 2013 19:26 UTC)

CLEVELAND VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-24-)
52°49'20" N 169°56'42" W, Summit Elevation 5676 ft (1730 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

The character of unrest at Cleveland volcano has changed over the past twelve hours. Infrasound (pressure) sensors located on Okmok volcano about 140 km (85 miles) northeast have begun showing continuous pressure waves (likely from gas jetting)and occasional discrete small explosions coming from Cleveland. Satellite data show scattered low clouds in the area, but no evidence of ash emissions or elevated surface temperatures that would accompany the eruption of lava. AVO will continue to watch Cleveland closely with distant infrasound sensors and satellite data. Additional information updates will be issued if conditions warrant.

VENIAMINOF VOLCANO (CAVW #1102-07-)
56°11'52" N 159°23'35" W, Summit Elevation 8225 ft (2507 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Low-levels of seismicity continued at Veniaminof over the past day. Satellite images from clear periods over the past day show slightly elevated surface temperatures consistent with cooling of the previously erupted lava.

VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu
RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478

CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Power, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Jeff Freymueller, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
jeff.freymueller@gi.alaska.edu (907) 378-7556

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.