Eruption Type: Explosive
MaxVEI:2

Start: November 7, 1962 ± 7 Days    Observed


Description: From Reeder (1988): "Some evening during the first part of November 1962, Nick Borenin of Akutan village observed from his boat that was just outside of Akutan Harbor lavaLava is the word for magma (molten rock) when it erupts onto the Earth's surface. Geologists also use the word to describe the solidified deposits of lava flows and fragments hurled into the air by explosive eruptions (for example, lava bombs or blocks). Lava is from the Italian word for stream, which is derived from the verb lavare--to wash. "fire" that was being emitted from the summit calderaA large crater formed by collapse or subsidence of the ground surface following a great eruption. During a typical caldera-forming eruption, the magma chamber is partially emptied and large amounts of ash and pyroclastic debris are extruded. of Akutan volcanoA vent in the surface of the Earth through which magma and associated gases and ash erupt; also, the form or structure (usually conical) that is produced by the ejected material.. Larry Mensoff of Akutan village said that at the time one could hear a rumbling sound from the volcano at the village, which is 12 km east of Akutan volcano. In the next morning, the village awoke to find snow and window ledges covered with a very noticeable layer of ashFine fragments (less than 2 millimeters across) of lava or rock formed in an explosive volcanic eruption.. The ash was thick enough that the village board walks had to be swept off. The ash also got into the village water system for several days.
"Vince Tutiakoff of Unalaska village also reported that up to 0.0025 m of fine to coarse sand-size tephraAny type of rock fragment that is forcibly ejected from the volcano during an eruption. had also fallen early the same morning at Unalaska village, which is located 47 km SW of Akutan volcano. The event was so rare for Unalaska village that there was no school that day.
"The exact day in the early part of November 1962 of this eruption event is unknown, but numerous residents of both Unalaska and Akutan villages clearly remembered the event when they first told me about it in 1985."

Dataset metadata