Alaska Volcano ObservatoryCurrent Status ReportSaturday, July 19, 2008 01:59 PM
OKMOK VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-29-)
53°23'49" N 168°9'58" W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: RED
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING
Since 18:15 UTC (10:15 ADT), the amplitude of seismicity at Okmok Volcano has risen markedly, reaching a level commonly associated with vigorous ash emission. AVO believes that ash from Okmok could be exceeding 25,000 feet above sea level. For this reason, AVO raised the aviation color code to RED and volcano alert code to WARNING.
Ash fall is expected to continue downwind of the volcano including over marine areas in the North Pacific. Areas in the immediate vicinity of the volcano on Umnak Island should be avoided, particularly the Crater Creek drainage northeast of the caldera. Ash clouds are drifting southeast of the volcano and poses a risk to aircraft in the vicinity. Ballistics may impact the areas around the caldera rim.Seismic amplitude has risen markedly.
Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
John Power, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov, (907)786-7497
Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907)978-5458
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.
