Augustine bibliography: all known references that deal with Augustine.

Tappen, C.M., Webster, J.D., Mandeville, C.W., and Roderick, David, 2009, Petrology and geochemistry of ca. 2100-1000 a.B.P. magmas of Augustine volcano, Alaska, based on analysis of prehistoric pumiceous tephra: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 183, n. 1/2, p. 42-62, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2009.03.007 .

"Volcanic eruption plumes and subsequent drifting ash clouds from North Pacific volcanoes have caused delays in flight operations nationwide and substantial damage to aircraft and equipment. Volcanic ash also has caused difficulties in Alaskan communities, ranging from property damage to health hazards. This operating plan provides an overview of multiple agency integrated operations in response to the threat of volcanic ash affecting Alaska, and an agency-by-agency description of roles and responsibilities in such events. A cohesive, well coordinated response will result in the flow of timely and consistent information to those at risk."

Madden, John, Murray, T.L., Carle, W.J., Cirillo, M.A., Furgione, L.K., Trimpert, M.T., and Hartig, Larry (signatories), 2008, Alaska interagency operating plan for volcanic ash episodes, 52 p.
full-text PDF : 907 KB

Airborne surveillance of gas emissions from Augustine for SO2, CO2 and H2S showed no evidence of anomalous degassing from 1990 through May 2005. By December 20, 2005, Augustine was degassing 660 td
1 ofSO2, and ten times that by January 4, 2006.

McGee, K.A., Doukas, M.P., McGimsey, R.G., Neal, C.A., and Wessels, R.L., 2008, Atmospheric contribution of gas emissions from Augustine volcano, Alaska during the 2006 eruption: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 35, L03306, doi: 10.1029/2007GL032301, 5 p.
full-text PDF : 165 KB

Since 1988, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has been monitoring volcanic activity across the state, conducting scientific research on volcanic processes, producing volcano-hazard assessments, and informing both the public and emergency managers of volcanic unrest. Below are some examples of the activity at Alaska's volcanoes that have held the attention of AVO staff.

Schaefer, J.R., and Nye, Chris, 2008, The Alaska Volcano Observatory - 20 years of volcano research, monitoring, and eruption response: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Alaska GeoSurvey News, NL 2008-001, v. 11, n. 1, p. 1-9, available at http://wwwdggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=16061 .
ADGGS website with link to PDF
full-text PDF on AVO's server : 5.68 MB

The Alaska Volcano Observatory was founded in 1988 after the eruptions at Cook Inlet's Augustine Volcano in 1986 caused significant disruptions to passenger jet travel to Anchorage and south-central Alaska. In 1986 few tools were available for scientists in Alaska to warn safety officials and the public of the size and location of Augustine's ash clouds that threatened to damage passenger aircraft. Residents of Homer and other coastal cities in south-central Alaska faced significant uncertainty about what would happen next at the volcano and what kind of risks their communities faced from Augustine Volcano.

University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, 2008, 20th anniversary of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: University of Alaska Geophysical Institute pamphlet, 2 p.
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A 5.6-m-long lake sediment core from Bear Lake, Alaska, located 22km southeast of Redoubt Volcano, contains 67 tephra layers deposited over the last 8750 cal yr, comprising 15% of the total thickness of recovered sediment.

Schiff, C.J., Kaufman, D.S., Wallace, K.L., Werner, A., Ku, T.L., and Brown, T.A., 2008, Modeled tephra ages from lake sediments, base of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska: Quaternary Geochronology, v. 3, p. 56-67.

The frequency and pattern of eruptions at Augustine volcano makes it an ideal natural laboratory. The 2006 eruption produced deposits that were petrologically and compositionally similar to the 1976 and 1986 eruptions. Olivine phenocrysts have up to a 500-µm thick rim of intergrown orthopyroxene and magnetite.

Tilman, M.R., 2008, An investigation of symplectite-rimmed olivine and magmatic processes during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks M.S. thesis, 166 p.

Beget, James, Gardner, Cynthia, and Davis, Kathleen, 2008, Volcanic tsunamis and prehistoric cultural transitions in Cook Inlet, Alaska: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research v, 176, p. 377-386, doi:10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2008.01.034 .

Payne, Richard, Blackford, Jeffrey, and van der Plicht, Johannes, 2008, Using cryptotephras to extend regional tephrochronologies: an example from southeast Alaska and implications for hazard assessment: Quaternary Research, v. 69, n. 1, p. 42-55.

It has long been known that volcanic eruptions can produce vigorous lightning. Early investigations of volcanic lightning were made during the Surtsey and Heimay eruptions in Iceland in 1963 and 1973 (1, 2). Despite increasing interest (3,5), volcanic lightning continues to be poorly understood, because there are few direct scientific observations of the phenomena. We report observations of lightning during the recent eruptions of Mt. Augustine in Alaska that provide a more detailed picture of volcanic lightning than heretofore available.

Thomas, J.R., Krehbiel, P.R., Rison, W., Edens, H.E., Aulich, G.D., Winn, W.P., McNutt, S.R., Tytgat, G., and Clark, E., 2007, Electrical activity during the 2006 Mount St. Augustine volcanic eruptions: Science, v. 315, p. 1097.

Volcano monitoring is conducted in two general modes: a forecasting mode before and between eruptions and an alerting mode when eruptive activity is detected. For the aviation sector, reliable eruption detection and rapid alerting are paramount to mitigate risks to en-route aircraft from encounters with airborne volcanic ash. While similar methods for monitoring seismicity, deformation, gas flux, and thermal changes are used for both forecasting and alerting, there are some differences between the two modes. Additional techniques used in the alerting mode include video surveillance, near-field infrasonic pressure sensors, lightning detectors, airborne infrared cameras, visual observations, satellite-based multi-spectral sensors, and weather radar.

Guffanti, Marianne, and Ewert, John, 2007, Overview of volcano monitoring for eruption forecasting and alerting: Fourth International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, World Meterological Organization (WMO) in close collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organziation (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Rotorua, New Zealand, 26-20 March, 2007, 5 p., available at http://www.caa.govt.nz/Volcanic_Ash_Workshop/Papers/VAWS4WP0302.pdf .
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The eruption of Augustine volcano during the period 11-28 January, 2006 presented a variety of challenges and opportunities for forecasters, scientists, and emergency managers throughout Southcentral Alaska. This event was the first time that a significant volcanic eruption was observed within the nominal range of a WSR-88D. The radar data, in conjunction with pilot reports, proved to be crucial in analyzing the height and movement of volcanic ash clouds during and immediately following each eruptive event. This data greatly aided National Weather Service meteorologists in the issuance of timely and accurate warning and advisory products to aviation, public, and marine interests.

Wood, Jefferson, Scott, Carven, and Schneider, David, 2007, WSR-88D radar observations of volcanic ash: Fourth International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, World Meterological Organization (WMO) in close collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organziation (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Rotorua, New Zealand, 26-20 March, 2007, 9 p., available at http://www.caa.govt.nz/Volcanic_Ash_Workshop/Papers/VAWS4WP0403.pdf .
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Daily comparisons between modeled, hypothetical, volcanic ash plumes calculated with meteorological forecasts and analyses were made. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model simulated the ash transport and dispersion. Ash forecasts and analyses from seven volcanoes were studied (Augustine, Hekla, Popocatepetl, Rainier, Sheveluch, Soufriere Hills, and Tungurahua). For each forecast-analysis pair, a statistic representing the degree of overlap, the threat score (TS), was calculated. A forecast was classified as acceptable if the TS was greater than 0.25. Each forecast was also categorized by two parameters: the forecast area quadrant with respect to the volcano and a factor related to the complexity of the meteorology.

Stunder, B.J.B., and Heffter, J.L., 2007, Airborne volcanic ash forecast area reliability [abs.]: Fourth International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, World Meterological Organization (WMO) in close collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organziation (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Rotorua, New Zealand, 26-20 March, 2007, 1 p., available at http://www.caa.govt.nz/Volcanic_Ash_Workshop/Papers/VAWS4WP0604.pdf .
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There are over 100 active volcanoes in the North Pacific (NOPAC) region, most of which are located in uninhabited areas. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) operationally monitors these volcanoes and is a joint program of the United States Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. Dispersion models play a pivotal role in forecasting the movement of volcanic ash clouds by complementing remote sensing data and visual observations from the ground and aircraft. Puff is a three dimensional dispersion model primarily designed for forecasting volcanic ash dispersion and is used by AVO and other agencies.

Webley, P.W., Dean, Kenneson, Bailey, J.E., and Peterson, Rorik, 2007, Volcanic ash modeling for North Pacific volcanoes automated operational monitoring and virtual globes: Fourth International Workshop on Volcanic Ash, World Meterological Organization (WMO) in close collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organziation (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, Rotorua, New Zealand, 26-20 March, 2007, 8 p., available at http://www.caa.govt.nz/Volcanic_Ash_Workshop/Papers/VAWS4WP0605.pdf .
full-text PDF : 1.78 MB

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (INSAR) is capable of measuring ground-surface deformationw ith centimeter-to-subcentimeter precision and spatial resolutions of tens-of-meters over a relatively large region.

Lu, Zhong, 2007, InSAR imaging of volcanic deformation over cloud-prone areas - Aleutian Islands: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, v. 73, n. 3, p. 245-257.

Tephra-fall deposits from Cook Inlet volcanoes were detected in sediment cores from Tustumena and Paradox Lakes, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, using magnetic susceptibility and petrography. The ages of tephra layers were estimated using 21 14C ages on macrofossils. Tephras layers are typically fine, gray ash, 1-5 mm thick, and composed of varying proportions of glass shards, pumice, and glass-coated phenocrysts. Of the two lakes, Paradox Lake contained a higher frequency of tephra (0.8 tephra/100 yr; 109 over the 13,200-yr record). The unusually large number of tephra in this lake relative to others previously studied in the area is attributed to the lake's physiography, sedimentology, and limnology. The frequency of ash fall was not constant through the Holocene.

de Fontaine, C.S., Kaufman, D.S., Anderson, R.S., Werner, Al, Waythomas, C.F., and Brown, T.A., 2007, Late Quaternary distal tephra-fall deposits in lacustrine sediments, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: Quaternary Research, v. 68, p. 64-78, doi:10.1016/j.yqres.2007.03.006.

A methodology to systematically rank volcanic threat was developed as the basis for prioritizing volcanoes for long-term hazards evaluations, monitoring, and mitigation activities.

Ewert, John, 2007, System for ranking relative threats of U.S. volcanoes: Natural Hazards Review, v. 8, n. 4, p. 112-124.

This report presents gas emission rates from data collected during numerous airborne plume-measurement flights at Alaskan volcanoes since 1995. These flights began in about 1990 as means to establish baseline values of volcanic gas emissions during periods of quiescence and to identify anomalous levels of degassing that might signal the beginning of unrest. The primary goal was to make systematic measurements at the major volcanic centers around the Cook Inlet on at least an annual basis, and more frequently during periods of unrest and eruption.

Doukas, M.P., and McGee, K.A., 2007, A compilation of gas emission-rate data from volcanoes of Cook Inlet (Spurr, Crater Peak, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine) and Alaska Peninsula (Douglas, Fourpeaked, Griggs, Mageik, Martin, Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, and Veniaminof), Alaska, from 1995-2006: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1400, 13 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1400/ .
USGS website with link to PDF
full-text PDF on AVO server : 281 KB

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 16 volcanoes in Alaska during 2005, including the high profile precursory activity associated with the 2005–06 eruption of Augustine Volcano.

McGimsey, R.G., Neal, C.A., Dixon, J.P., and Ushakov, Sergey, 2007, 2005 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5269, 94 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5269/ .
USGS website with link to PDF

Compositional heterogeneity (56-64 wt% SiO2 whole-rock) in samples of tephra and lava from the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, raises questions about the physical nature of magma storage and interaction beneath this young and frequently active volcano. To determine conditions of magma storage and evolutionary histories of compositionally distinct magmas, we investigate physical and chemical characteristics of andesitic and dacitic magmas feeding the 1986 eruption. We calculate equilibrium temperatures and oxygen fugacities from Fe-Ti oxide compositions and find a continuous range in temperature from 877 to 947&#9702;C and high oxygen fugacities(NNO=1-2)for all magmas. Melt inclusions in pyroxene phenocrysts analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis are dacitic to rhyolitic and have water contents ranging from <1 to &#8764;7 wt%.Matrix glass compositions are rhyolitic and remarkably similar (&#8764;75.9-76.6 wt% SiO2) in all samples. All samples have &#8764;25% phenocrysts, but lower-silica samples have much higher microlite contents than higher-silica samples. Continuous ranges in temperature and whole-rock composition, as well as linear trends in Harker diagrams and disequilibrium mineral textures, indicate that the 1986 magmas are the product of mixing between dacitic magma and a hotter, more mafic magma. The dacitic endmember is probably residual magma from the previous (1976) eruption of Augustine, and we interpret the mafic endmember to have been intruded from depth. Mixing appears to have continued as magmas ascended towards the vent. We suggest that the physical structure of the magma storage system beneath Augustine contributed to the sustained compositional heterogeneity of this eruption, which is best explained by magma storage and interaction in a vertically extensive system of interconnected dikes rather than a single coherent magma chamber and/or conduit. The typically short repose period (&#8764;10 years) between Augustine's recent eruptive pulses may also inhibit homogenization, as short repose periods and chemically heterogeneous magmas are observed at several volcanoes in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska.

Roman,D.C., Cashman, K.V., Gardner, C.A., Wallace, P.J., and Donovan, J.J., 2006, Storage and interaction of compositionally heterogeneous magmas from the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Bulletin of Volcanology, Nov 2005, v. 68, n. 3, p. 240-254, doi: 10.1007/s00445-005-0003-z.

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) imagery documents the consistent subsidence, during the interval 1992-1999, of a pyroclastic flow deposit (PFD) emplaced during the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska. We construct finite element models (FEMs) that simulate thermoelastic contraction of the PFD to account for the observed subsidence. Threedimensional problem domains of the FEMs include a thermoelastic PFD embedded in an elastic substrate. The thickness of the PFD is initially determined from the difference between post- and pre-eruption digital elevation models (DEMs). The initial excess temperature of the PFD at the time of deposition, 640 8C, is estimated from FEM predictions and an InSAR image via standard least-squares inverse methods.

Masterlark, Timothy, Lu, Zhong, and Rykhus, Russell, 2006, Thickness distribution of a cooling pyroclastic flow deposit on Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Optimization using InSAR, FEMs, and an adaptive mesh algorithm: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 150, p. 186-201, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2005.07.004.

Augustine Volcano is the most active volcano in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska. It erupted at least five times during the 20th century, and began erupting again in December 2005. The activity in early 2006 has included multiple episodes of explosive ash and pyroclastic flow eruptions, as well as lava dome eruptions at the summit of the volcano. The steep summit edifice of Augustine Volcano repeatedly collapsed in giant debris avalanches into the sea around Augustine Island during the last 2000 years, most recently in 1883 (Beget and Kienle, 1992; Siebert et al., 1995). Volcanic debris avalanches into the sea are an important cause of tsunamis (Beget, 2000).

Beget, J.E., and Kowalik, Zygmunt, 2006, Confirmation and calibration of computer modeling of tsunamis produced by Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Science of Tsunami Hazards, v. 24, n. 4, p. 257-267, available for download at http://www.sthjournal.org/244/beget.pdf.
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Many of the world's active volcanoes are situated on or near coastlines. During eruptions, diverse geophysical mass flows, including pyroclastic flows, debris avalanches, and lahars, can deliver large volumes of unconsolidated debris to the ocean in a short period of time and thereby generate tsunamis. Deposits of both hot and cold volcanic mass flows produced by eruptions of Aleutian arc volcanoes are exposed at many locations along the coastlines of the Bering Sea, North Pacific Ocean, and Cook Inlet, indicating that the flows entered the sea and in some cases may have initiated tsunamis.

Waythomas, C.F., Watts, P., and Walder, J.S., 2006, Numerical simulation of tsunami generation by cold volcanic mass flows at Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, v. 6, p. 671-685, available online at http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/6/671/2006/ .
website link
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We present and interpret acoustic waveforms associated with a sequence of large explosion events that occurred during the initial stages of the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska. During January 11-28, 2006, 13 large explosion events created ash-rich plumes that reached up to 14 km a.s.l., and generated atmospheric pressure waves that were recorded on scale by a microphone located at a distance of 3.2 km from the active vent. The variety of recorded waveforms included sharp N-shaped waves with durations of a few seconds, impulsive signals followed by complex codas, and extended signals with emergent character and durations up to minutes. Peak amplitudes varied between 14 and 105 Pa; inferred acoustic energies ranged between 2x10^8 and 4x10^9 J.

Petersen, Tanja, De Angelis, Silvio, Tytgat, Guy, and McNutt, S.R., 2006, Local infrasound observations of large ash explosions at Augustine Volcano, Alaska, during January 11-28, 2006: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 33, 5 p., doi:10.1029/2006GL026491.

Augustine volcano, in south central Alaska, ended a 20-year period of repose on 11 January 2006 with 13 explosive eruptions in 20 days. Explosive activity shifted to a quieter effusion of lava in early February, forming a new summit lava dome and two short, blocky lava flows by late March (Figure 1). The eruption was heralded by eight months of increasing seismicity, deformation, gas emission, and small phreatic eruptions, the latter consisting of explosions of steam and debris caused by heating and expansion of groundwater due to an underlying heat source.

Power, J.A., Nye, C.J., Coombs, M.L., Wessels, R.L., Cervelli, P.F., Dehn, J., Wallace, K.L., Freymueller, J.T., and Doukas, M.P., 2006, The reawakening of Alaska's Augustine Volcano: Eos, v. 87, n. 37, p. 373, 377.

On January 11, 2006 Augustine Volcano erupted after nearly 20 years of quiescence. Global Positioning System (GPS) instrumentation at Augustine, consisting of six continuously recording, telemetered receivers, measured clear precursory deformation consistent with a source of inflation or pressurization beneath the volcano's summit at a depth of around sea level. Deformation began in early summer 2005, and was preceded by a subtle, but distinct, increase in seismicity, which began in May 2005. After remaining more or less constant, deformation rates accelerated on at least three stations beginning in late November 2005.

Cervelli, P.F., Fournier, Tom, Freymueller, J., and Power, J.A., 2006, Ground deformation associated with the precursory unrest and early phases of the January 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 33, 5 p., doi: 10.1029/2006GL027219.

The National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS) is a proposed national-scale effort by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program and its affiliated partners in the Consortium of U.S. Volcano Observatories (CUSVO) (http://www.cusvo.org) to ensure that volcanoes are monitored at a level commensurate with the threats they pose. Roughly half of the Nation's 169 young volcanoes are dangerous because of the manner in which they erupt and the communities and infrastructure within their destructive reach. Most U.S. volcanoes are located on sparsely populated Federal lands, but it is the threat to communities and infrastructure downstream and downwind, including to military and commercial aviation, that drives the need to properly monitor volcanic activity and provide forecasts and notifications of expected hazards.

Ewert, John, Guffanti, Marianne, Cervelli, Peter, and Quick, James, 2006, The National Volcano Early Warning System (NVEWS): U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS 2006-3142, 2 p., available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3142 .
PDF on USGS server : 1 MB

"NVEWS - a National Volcano Early Warning System - is being formulated by the Consortium of U.S. Volcano Observatories (CUSVO) to establish a proactive, fully integrated, national-scale monitoring effort that ensures the most threatening volcanoes in the United States are properly monitored in advance of the onset of unrest and at levels commensurate with the threats posed. Volcanic threat is the combination of hazards (the destructive natural phenomena produced by a volcano) and exposure (people and property at risk from the hazards)."

Ewert, J.W., Guffanti, Marianne, and Murray, T.L., 2005, An assessment of volcanic threat and monitoring capabilities in the United States: framework for a National Volcano Early Warning System NVEWS: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 2005-1164, 62 p.
full-text PDF : 2.90 MB

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc. Of these, 24 were considered monitored in real time with short-period seismic instrument networks as of the end of 2003 (figs. 1, 2) (Dixon and others, 2004). The AVO core monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, observation over flights, and compilation of pilot reports and reports from local residents and mariners. In 2003, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 10 volcanic centers (fig. 1; tables 1, 2): Wrangell, Redoubt, Iliamna, Augustine, Mageik, Veniaminof, Pavlof, Emmons Lake (Hague), Shishaldin, and Akutan volcanoes. In addition to responding to eruptive activity at Alaska volcanoes, AVO assisted in the disseminaation of information for the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) about the 2003 activity of 6 Russian volcanoes: Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Karymsky, Alaid, and Chikurachki volcanoes (fig. 22; tables 3, 4). Due to prevailing wind directions, erupting Kamchatkan, Kurile Island, and Alaskan volcanoes pose a serious potential threat to aircraft in the North Pacific (fig. 3).

McGimsey, Robert G., Neal, Christina A., and Girina, Olga, 2005, 2003 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1310, 62 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1310/.
website with link to PDF
full-text PDF : 3.54 MB

Airborne ash probability distribution (AAPD) maps have been generated to show the distribution of airborne volcanic ash in the North Pacific (NOPAC) region by simulating volcanic eruption clouds from 22 of the 100 most historically active volcanoes in the region. The PUFF ash-dispersion model was run daily using archived wind field data between 1994-1995 and 1997-2001 for low and high aircraft flight levels. Subsequent statistics are generated representing the distribution of simulated airborne ash at 6- and 24-h intervals, defining the regions most likely to contain airborne ash and the direction and distance a volcanic ash cloud may propagate from a given volcano. The AAPD maps show the extent of ash from a given volcano can encompass all of Alaska, most of the North Pacific Ocean, portions of northwestern North America, regions as far south as 358N, regions over the western Arctic Ocean, and portions of eastern Russia.

Papp, K.P., Dean, K.G., and Dehn, J., 2005, Predicting regions susceptible to high concentrations of airborne volcanic ash in the North Pacific region: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 148, no. 3-4, p. 295-314, doi: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2005.04.020.

The primary objectives of the seismic program are the real-time seismic monitoring of active, potentially hazardous, Alaskan volcanoes and the investigation of seismic processes associated with active volcanism. This catalog presents the calculated earthquake hypocenter and phase arrival data, and changes in the seismic monitoring program for the period January 1 through December 31, 2004.

Dixon, J.P., Stihler, S.D., Power, J.A., Tytgat, Guy, Estes, Steve, Prejean, Stephanie, Sanchez, J.J., Sanches, Rebecca, McNutt, S.R., and Paskievitch, John, 2005, Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1 through December 31, 2004: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1312, 74 p., available online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1312/.
website with links to PDF and data files

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, has maintained seismic monitoring networks at historically active volcanoes in Alaska since 1988 (Power and others, 1993; Jolly and others, 1996; Jolly and others, 2001; Dixon and others, 2002; Dixon and others, 2003). The primary objectives of this program are the near real time seismic monitoring of active, potentially hazardous, Alaskan volcanoes and the investigation of seismic processes associated with active volcanism. This catalog presents the calculated earthquake hypocenter and phase arrival data, and changes in the seismic monitoring program for the period January 1 through December 31, 2003."

Dixon, J. P., Stihler, S. D., Power, J. A., Tytgat, Guy, Moran, S. C., Sanchez, J. J., McNutt, S. R., Estes, Steve, and Paskievitch, John, 2004, Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1 through December 31, 2003: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 2004-1234, 69 p.
website with links to PDF and data tar file
full-text PDF : 12.3 MB

"Recent explosive eruptions at some of Alaska's 41 historically active volcanoes have significantly affected air traffic over the North Pacific, as well as Alaska's oil, power, and fishing industries and local communities. Since its founding in the late 1980s, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has installed new monitoring networks and used satellite data to track activity at Alaska's volcanoes, providing timely warnings and monitoring of frequent eruptions to the aviation industry and the general public. To minimize impacts from future eruptions, scientists at AVO continue to assess volcano hazards and to expand monitoring networks."

Brantley, S. R., McGimsey, R. G., and Neal, C. A., 2004, The Alaska Volcano Observatory - Expanded monitoring of volcanoes yields results: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS 2004-3084, 2 p.
full-text HTML
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"The 3 November 2002 MW 7.9 Denali fault earthquake provided an excellent opportunity to investigate triggered earthquakes at Alaskan volcanoes. The Alaska Volcano Observatory operates short-period seismic networks on 24 historically active volcanoes in Alaska, 247-2159 km distant from the mainshock epicenter. We searched for evidence of triggered seismicity by examining the unfiltered waveforms for all stations in each volcano network for 1 hr after the MW 7.9 arrival time at each network and for significant increases in located earthquakes in the hours after the mainshock."

Moran, S. C., Power, J. A., Stihler, S. D., Sanchez, J. J., and Caplan-Auerbach, Jacqueline, 2004, Earthquake triggering at Alaskan volcanoes following the 3 November 2002 Denali Fault Earthquake: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 94, n. 6B, p. S300-S309.

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, has maintained seismic monitoring networks at historically active volcanoes in Alaska since 1988 (Power and others, 1993; Jolly and others, 1996; Jolly and others, 2001; Dixon and others, 2002). The primary objectives of this program are the seismic monitoring of active, potentially hazardous, Alaskan volcanoes and the investigation of seismic processes associated with active volcanism. This catalog presents the basic seismic data and changes in the seismic monitoring program for the period January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002. Appendix G contains a list of publications pertaining to seismicity of Alaskan volcanoes based on these and previously recorded data."

Dixon, J. P., Stihler, S. D., Power, J. A., Tytgat, Guy, Moran, S. C., Sanchez, John, Estes, Steve, McNutt, S. R., and Paskievitch, John, 2003, Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1 through December 31, 2002: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 03-0267, 58 p.
website with links to PDFs, data tar file
full-text PDF : 7.3 MB

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc. Of these, 20 are monitored with short-period seismic instrument networks as of the end of 1998. The AVO core monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, overflights, compilation of pilot reports and observations from local residents and ship crews. In 1998, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 7 volcanic centers; Shrub mud volcano, Augustine, Becharof Lake near Ukinrek Maars, Chiginagak, Shishaldin, Akutan, and Korovin."

McGimsey, R. G., Neal, C. A., and Girina, Olga, 2003, 1998 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 03-0423, 35 p.
web site with link to PDF
full-text PDF : 1.40 MB

"An important control on magma rheology is the extent to which the magma crystallizes during ascent as a result of the effective undercooling created by volatile exsolution. To assess this undercooling, we need to know the final (anhydrous) one-atmosphere phase relations of silicic magmas. For this reason, we have performed one-atmosphere controlled-fO2 crystallization experiments on dacitic to rhyolitic melt compositions (67-78 wt% SiO2) and determined equilibrium phase assemblages, melt fractions, and some phase compositions over a range of temperatures."

Brugger, C. R., Johnston, A. D., and Cashman, K. V., 2003, Phase relations in silicic systems at one-atmosphere pressure: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 146, n. 3, p. 356-369.

"Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) imaging is a recently developed geodetic technique capable of measuring ground-surface deformation with centimeter to subcentimeter vertical precision and spatial resolution of tens-of-meters over a relatively large region (~104 km2). This paper summarizes our recent InSAR studies of several Alaska volcanoes including New Trident, Okmok, Akutan, Kiska, Augustine, Westdahl, Peulik, Shishaldin, and Seguam. The spatial distribution of surface deformation data, derived from InSAR images, enables the construction of detailed mechanical models to enhance the study of magmatic and tectonic processes."

Lu, Zhong, Wicks, C. J., Dzurisin, Daniel, Power, John, Thatcher, Wayne, and Masterlark, Tim, 2003, Interferometric synthetic aperture radar studies of Alaska volcanoes: Earth Observation Magazine, v. 12, n. 3, p. 8-10.

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, has maintained seismic monitoring networks at potentially active volcanoes in Alaska since 1988 (Power and others, 1993; Jolly and others, 1996; Jolly and others, 2001). The primary objectives of this program are the seismic surveillance of active, potentially hazardous, Alaskan volcanoes and the investigation of seismic processes associated with active volcanism. This catalog reflects the status and evolution of the seismic monitoring program, and presents the basic seismic data for the time period January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2001."

Dixon, J. P., Stihler, S. D., Power, J. A., Tytgat, Guy, Estes, Steve, Moran, S. C., Paskievitch, John, and McNutt, S. R., 2002, Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 02-0342, 56 p.
webpage with links to PDFs, data tar file, ASCII text
full-text PDF : 5 MB

Schaefer, Janet, and Nye, C. J., 2002, Historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication MP 0123, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:3,000,000.
MrSID map sheet : 3.3 MB
page-size PDF : 700 KB
poster-size PDF : 4.87 MB

Volcanoes are the source of a great variety of seismic signals that behave differently from events on earthquake faults. Nearly every recorded volcanic eruption has been preceded by an increase in earthquake activity beneath or near the volcano, and accompanied and followed by varying levels of seismicity.

McNutt, S.R., 2002, Volcano seismology and monitoring for eruptions: in International Handbook of Earthquake and Engineering Seismology, v. 81A, p. 383-406.

"Between August 3 and 8, 2000, the Alaska Volcano Observatory completed a Global Positioning System (GPS) survey at Augustine Volcano, Alaska. Augustine is a frequently active calcalkaline volcano located in the lower portion of Cook Inlet (fig. 1), with reported eruptions in 1812, 1882, 1909?, 1935, 1964, 1976, and 1986 (Miller et al., 1998). Geodetic measurements using electronic and optical surveying techniques (EDM and theodolite) were begun at Augustine Volcano in 1986. In 1988 and 1989, an islandwide trilateration network comprising 19 benchmarks was completed and measured in its entirety (Power and Iwatsubo, 1998). Partial GPS surveys of the Augustine Island geodetic network were completed in 1992 and 1995; however, neither of these surveys included all marks on the island. Additional GPS measurements of benchmarks A5 and A15 (fig. 2) were made during the summers of 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1996."

Pauk, B. A., 2001, Global Positioning System (GPS) survey of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, August 3-8, 2000: data processing, geodetic coordinates and comparison with prior geodetic surveys: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 01-0099, 20 p.
website with links to PDFs, GPS data
full-text PDF : 312 KB
field notes for 2000 GPS survey (PDF) : 1.2 MB
GPS data as a compressed UNIX tar file : 140.6 MB

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska - Fairbanks, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, has maintained a seismic monitoring program at potentially active volcanoes in Alaska since 1988 (Power and others, 1993; Jolly and others, 1996). The primary objectives of this program are the seismic surveillance of active, potentially hazardous, Alaskan volcanoes and the investigation of seismic processes associated with active volcanism."

Jolly, A. D., Stihler, S. D., Power, J. A., Lahr, J. C., Paskievitch, John, Tytgat, Guy, Estes, Steve, Lockheart, A. D., Moran, S. C., McNutt, S. R., and Hammond, W. R., 2001, Catalog of earthquake hypocenters at Alaskan volcanoes: January 1, 1994 through December 31, 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 01-0189, 22 p.
website with links to PDFs, tar file
full-text PDF : 552 KB
appendix B PDF : 2 MB
phase arrival information (compressed tar file) : 14.5 MB

Debris avalanches entering the sea at Augustine Volcano, Alaska have been proposed as a mechanism for generating tsunamis. Historical accounts of the 1883 eruption of the volcano describe 6- to 9-meter-high waves that struck the coastline at English Bay (Nanwalek), Alaska about 80 kilometers east of Augustine Island. These accounts are often cited as proof that volcanigenic tsunamis from Augustine Volcano are significant hazards to the coastal zone of lower Cook Inlet. This claim is disputed because deposits of unequivocal tsunami origin are not evident at more than 50 sites along the lower Cook Inlet coastline where they might be preserved.

Waythomas, C. F., 2000, Reevaluation of tsunami formation by debris avalanche at Augustine Volcano, Alaska: in Keating, B. H., Waythomas, C. F., and Dawson, A. G., (eds.), Landslides and tsunamis, Pure and Applied Geophysics, v. 157, n. 6, p. 1145-1188.

"More than 40 active volcanoes occur in Alaska. This report summarizes historical data on those volcanoes, using information drawn from the more thorough and comprehensive U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Open-File Report 98-582, Catalog of the Historically Active Volcanoes of Alaska."

Wallace, K. L., McGimsey, R. G., and Miller, T. P., 2000, Historically active volcanoes in Alaska, a quick reference: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet FS 0118-00, 2 p.
full-text PDF : 162 KB

Seismology is an important and effective tool for monitoring volcanoes and forecasting eruptions. In the past 2 decades there have been over 25 successful forecasts.

Sigurdsson, Haraldur, (ed.), 2000, Encyclopedia of volcanoes: San Diego, CA, Academic Press, 1417 p.

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 2000, January-February 2000: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 12, n. 1, 28 p.
Part 1 PDF : 239 KB
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"Few natural forces are as spectacular and threatening, or have played such a dominant role in shaping the face of the Earth, as erupting volcanoes. Volcanism has built some of the world's greatest mountain ranges, covered vast regions with lava (molten rock at the Earth's surface), and triggered explosive eruptions whose size and power are nearly impossible for us to imagine today. Fortunately, such calamitous eruptions occur infrequently. Of the 50 or so volcanoes that erupt every year, however, a few severely disrupt human activities. Between 1980 and 1990, volcanic activity killed at least 26,000 people and forced nearly 450,000 to flee from their homes."

Brantley, S. R., 1999, Volcanoes of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey General Interest Publication 44 p.
website with links to HTML full-text
HTML full-text

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1999, January-April 1999: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 11, n. 1 and 2, 30 p.
Part 1 PDF : 385 KB
Part 2 PDF : 870 KB
Part 3 PDF : 1 MB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1999, May-August 1999: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 11, n. 3 and 4, 39 p.
Part 1 PDF : 399 KB
Part 2 PDF : 831 KB
Part 3 PDF : 736 KB
Part 4 PDF : 41 KB
Part 5 PDF : 91 KB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1999, September-December 1999: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 11, n. 5 and 6, 51 p.
Part 1 PDF : 425 KB
Part 2 PDF : 1.7 MB
Part 3 PDF : 549 KB

Nye, C. J., Queen, Katherine, and McCarthy, A. M., 1998, Volcanoes of Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Information Circular IC 0038, unpaged, 1 sheet, scale 1:4,000,000, available at http://www.dggs.dnr.state.ak.us/pubs/pubs?reqtype=citation&ID=7043 .
website with links to sheets in MrSID format

Alaska hosts within its borders over 80 major volcanic centers that have erupted during Holocene time (<10,000 years). At least 29 of these volcanic centers (table 1) had historical eruptions and 12 additional volcanic centers may have had historical eruptions. Historical in Alaska generally means the period since 1760 when explorers, travelers, and inhabitants kept written records. These 41 volcanic centers have been the source for >265 eruptions reported from Alaska volcanoes.

Miller, T. P., McGimsey, R. G., Richter, D. H., Riehle, J. R., Nye, C. J., Yount, M. E., and Dumoulin, J. A., 1998, Catalog of the historically active volcanoes of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 98-0582, 104 p.
website with PDF links
title page PDF : 52
intro and TOC PDF : 268 KB
eastern part - Wrangell to Ukinrek Maars PDF : 972 KB
central part - Chiginagak to Cleveland PDF : 2,463 KB
western part - Carlisle to Kiska PDF : 956 KB
references PDF : 43 KB

"Augustine Volcano is a 1250-meter-high stratovolcano in southwestern Cook Inlet about 280 kilometers southwest of Anchorage and within about 300 kilometers of more than half of the population of Alaska. Explosive eruptions have occurred six times since the early 1800s (1812, 1883, 1935, 1964-65, 1976, and 1986). The 1976 and 1986 eruptions began with an initial series of vent-clearing explosions and high vertical plumes of volcanic ash followed by pyroclastic flows, surges, and lahars on the volcano flanks. Unlike some prehistoric eruptions, a summit edifice collapse and debris avalanche did not occur in 1812, 1935, 1964-65, 1976, or 1986. However, early in the 1883 eruption, a portion of the volcano summit broke loose forming a debris avalanche that flowed to the sea. The avalanche initiated a small tsunami reported on the Kenai Peninsula at English Bay, 90 kilometers east of the volcano. Plumes of volcanic ash are a major hazard to jet aircraft using Anchorage International and other local airports. Ashfall from future eruptions could disrupt oil and gas operations and shipping activities in Cook Inlet. Eruptions similar to the historical and prehistoric eruptions are likely in Augustine's future."

Waythomas, C. F., and Waitt, R. B., 1998, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Augustine Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 98-0106, 39 p., 1 plate, scale unknown.
full-text PDF : 2.08 MB
map sheet plate : 3.14 MB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1998, January-April 1998: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 10, n. 1 and 2, 35 p.
Part 1 PDF : 147 KB
Part 2 : 382 KB
Part 3 PDF : 375 KB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1998, May-August 1998: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 10, n. 3 and 4, 43 p.
Part 1PDF : 847 KB
Part 2 PDF : 630 KB
Part 3 PDF : 2.2 MB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1998, September-December 1998: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 10, n. 5 and 6, 51 p.
Part 1 PDF : 330 KB
Part 2 PDF : 919 KB
Part 3 PDF : 780 KB
Part 4 PDF : 276 KB
Part 5 PDF : 1.5 MB

"Few natural forces are as spectacular and threatening, or have played such a dominant role in shaping the face of the Earth, as erupting volcanoes. Volcanism has built some of the world's greatest mountain ranges, covered vast regions with lava (molten rock at the Earth's surface), and triggered explosive eruptions whose size and power are nearly impossible for us to imagine today. Fortunately, such calamitous eruptions occur infrequently. Of the 50 or so volcanoes that erupt every year, however, a few severely disrupt human activities. Between 1980 and 1990, volcanic activity killed at least 26,000 people and forced nearly 450,000 to flee from their homes."

Brantley, S. R., 1997, Volcanoes of the United States: The Earth Scientist, v. 14, n. 4, p. 3-13.
website with links to HTML chapters

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1997, January-April 1997: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 9, n. 1 and 2, 51 p.
Part 1 PDF : 252 KB
Part 2 PDF : 2.8 MB
Part 3 PDF : 649 KB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1997, May-June 1997: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 9, n. 3, 23 p.
full-text PDF : 2.2 MB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1997, July-August 1997: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 9, n. 4, 31 p.
Part 1 PDF : 446 KB
Part 2 PDF : 435 KB
Part 3 PDF : 2 MB

Alaska Volcano Observatory, 1997, September-December 1997: Alaska Volcano Observatory Bimonthly Report, v. 9, n. 5 and 6, 17 p.
Part 1 PDF : 399 KB
Part 2 PDF : 531 KB

Augustine Volcano, a Quaternary volcanic centre of the eastern Aleutian Arc, produces predominantly andesites and dacites of low- to medium-K calc-alkaline composition. Mineralogical and major element characteristics of representative lavas suggest that magmatic evolution has been influenced by both crystal fractionation and magma-mixing processes. However, incompatible trace element variations (e.g. K/Rb) indicate that these evolved lavas have been contaminated by the mafic arc crust of the underlying Talkeetna accreted terrane.

Johnson, K. E., Strong, D. F., Harmon, R. S., Richardson, J. M., and Moorbath, S., 1996, Isotope and trace element geochemistry of Augustine volcano, Alaska: implications for magmatic evolution: Journal of Petrology, v. 37, n. 1, p. 95-115.

Waitt, R. B., and Beget, J. E., 1996, Provisional geologic map of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 96-0516, 44 p., 1 plate, scale 1:25,000.
website with links to HTML text, PDF
PDF, missing figures : 340 KB
map in GIF format : 21 KB
full-text PDF : 2.6 MB
map sheet : 295 MB!

"Alaska is home to more than 40 active volcanoes, many of which have erupted violently and repeatedly in the last 200 years. This compact disc (CD-ROM) contains 97 digital images created from 35-mm slides scanned by a Kodak PIW film scanner. These pictures are but a small fraction of thousands taken by Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists, other researchers,and private citizens. Photographs were selected for inclusion in this collection to portray Alaska's volcanoes, to document recent eruptive activity, and to illustrate the range of volcanic phenomena observed in Alaska."

Neal, Christina, and McGimsey, Robert, 1996, Volcanoes of the Wrangell Mountains and Cook Inlet Region, Alaska-selected photographs: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS 0039, 1 CD-ROM.
website with links to HTML album, PDF, and individual images in a variety of formats
web browser photo album
print-resolution PDF : 21.2 MB
screen-resolution PDF : 1.8 MB
directory to slideshow pdf file
directory of small screen images (jpg)
directory of large screen images (jpg)
directory to full-resolution images (PCD format)

The eruptive history of Augustine volcano has been characterized by cycles of growth and destruction of the volcano. Repeated failure of 5-10% of the edifice has produced mobile debris avalanches that reached the sea on all sides. High lava extrusion rates rapidly restore the volcano to its pre-failure configuration.

Siebert, Lee, Beget, J. E., and Glicken, Harry, 1995, The 1883 and late-prehistoric eruptions of Augustine volcano, Alaska: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 66, n. 1, p. 367-395.

"Recent eruptions of volcanoes in the Cook Inlet region of south-central Alaska provide insight into the environmental and economic consequences of hydrologic processes associated with volcanic activity."

Dorava, J. M., and Waythomas, C. F., 1995, Hydrologic hazards at recently active volcanoes in the Cook Inlet Region, Alaska: in Herrman, R., (ed.), Annual summer symposium -- 1995, Water resources and environmental hazards: emphasis on hydrologic and cultural insight in the Pacific Rim, Honolulu, HI, American Water Resources Association, p. 91-98.

"This Report of Investigations catalogs geologic field and laboratory data accumulated during Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) studies of middle to late Quatemary sediments in the Cook Inlet region and presents initial interpretations of these data."

Reger, R. D., Pinney, D. S., Burke, R. M., and Wiltse, M. A., 1995, Catalog and initial analyses of geologic data related to middle and late Quaternary deposits, Cook Inlet region, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigations RI 95-06, 188 p., 6 sheets, scale 1:250,000.
website with links to PDF and MrSID files

Volcanic ash layers preserved in glacial-lacustrine sediments at Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula of southcentral Alaska constitute a record of eruptions at Redoubt Volcano and other Alaskan volcanoes which affected the upper Cook Inlet area during the last 500 years. High-resolution magnetic susceptibility profiling delineates similar sequences of tephra layers in several 1-m-long lake sediment cores. Electron microprobe analyses of glass shards from the tephras indicate correlation of some ash layers with known reference tephras from the source volcanoes, while other ash layers record previously unknown prehistoric eruptions. Skilak Lake cores contain ash from the historic 1912 Katmai eruption, the 1902 Redoubt eruption, and the 1883 Mount St. Augustine eruption as well as prehistoric ash layers erupted from Crater Peak at Mr. Spurr ca. 250-350 years ago, from Redoubt Volcano at ca. 300-400 years ago and again at ca. 350-450 years ago, and a 500-year-old ash from Mount St. Augustine.

Beget, J. E., Stihler, S. D., and Stone, D. B., 1994, A 500-year-long record of tephra falls from Redoubt volcano and other volcanoes in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska: in Miller, T. P. and Chouet, B. A., (eds.), The 1989-1990 eruptions of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 62, n. 1-4, p. 55-67.

"This paper gives a brief description of aircraft-ash incidents over Cook Inlet between 1953 and 1986, before the near-fatal encounter of a Boeing 747-400 jet with a Redoubt ash plume on 15 December 1989."

Kienle, Juergen, 1994, Volcanic ash-aircraft incidents in Alaska prior to the Redoubt eruption on 15 December 1989: in Casadevall, T. J., (ed.), Volcanic ash and aviation safety: proceedings of the first international symposium on volcanic ash and aviation safety, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 2047, p. 119-123.
full-text PDF : 182 KB

The 1986 eruption of Augustine had an explosive phase, lava flow phase, and dome-building phase. Explosive phase samples are highly vesicular, have glassy groundmasses, low phenocryst/groundmass rations, homogenous iron-titanium oxides, and are chemically similar to 1976 dome samples.

Harris, G. W., 1994, The petrology and petrography of lava from the 1986 eruption of Augustine volcano: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, Fairbanks, AK, 131 p.

"Quaternary Aleutian volcanism extends for over 2,500 km, from Buldir Island on the west to Mount Hayes on the east (fig. 1). This belt of volcanic activity lies immediately north of the Aleutian trench, a convergent boundary between the North American and Pacific lithospheric plates."

Motyka, R. J., Liss, S. A., Nye, C. J., and Moorman, M. A., 1993, Geothermal resources of the Aleutian Arc: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Professional Report PR 0114, 17 p., 4 sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.
website with links to PDF and MrSID files

Volcanic ash consists of finely fragmented particles of rock, minerals, and aerosol droplets generally less than 2 millimeters in diameter (less than 0.063 mm diameter for fine ash) produced by explosive volcanic eruptions. Volcanic ash injected into the atmosphere to altitudes exceeding 30km (100,000 ft) may impact areas for hundreds to thousands of kilometers downwind from the volcano.

Casadevall, T. J., 1993, Volcanic ash and airports: discussion and recommendations from the workshop on impacts of volcanic ash on airport facilities: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 93-0518, 52 p.
full-text PDF : 8.07 MB

"This study was undertaken to develop a Quaternary history of the Katmai area using deposits preserved near Windy Creek. Detailed mapping and tephrochronology were used to accomplish this goal. Ukak drift (ca. 11,000 yr B.P.) forms moraines in the lower Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes. Katolinat drift (ca. 9,000 yr B.P.) records a less extensive glaciation."

Pinney, D. S., 1993, Late Quaternary glacial and volcanic stratigraphy near Windy Creek, Katmai National Park, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, 185 p.
full-text PDF : 9.5 MB

Volcanic debris avalanches have been seen at many volcanoes since the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, but typically only one or two avalanche deposits are identified at each eruptive centre, suggesting that catastrophic slope failures are rare or even unique events in the lifetime of a volcano.

Beget, J. E., and Kienle, J., 1992, Cyclic formation of debris avalanches at Mount St Augustine volcano: Nature, v. 356, n. 6371, p. 701-704.

Beget, J. E., 1992, Tephrochronology of Mt. St. Augustine Volcano, southern Cook Inlet, Alaska [abs.]: Eos, v. 73, n. 43, p. 613.

Pyroclastic block and ash flow units from the 1986 eruptions of Mt. St. Augustine exhibit fine-grained basal ash and lapilli layers beneath poorly sorted, massive layers of blocks, lapilli, and ash. Morphological features of the block and ash flow units include levees, channels, and lobate termini. These observations are consistent with Bignham rheology characterized by viscous flow and plastic strength. Block and ash flow yield strength, calculated from field data, was found to decrease significantly with increasing distance from the source.

Limke, A. J., 1991, Rheological properties, emplacement velocities, and grain size analysis of the 1986 pyroclastic flows at Mt. St. Augustine, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, 155 p.
full-text PDF : 2.02 MB

Neal, C., and Power, J. (compilers), 1991, Alaska Volcano Observatory summary report: January 1, 1991 - February 28, 1991: Alaska Volcano Observatory bimonthly report series, 13 p.
full-text PDF : 1.39 MB

Neal, C. (compiler), 1991, Alaska Volcano Observatory summary report: July 1, 1991 - August 31, 1991: Alaska Volcano Observatory bimonthly report series, 15 p.

Neal, C.A. (compiler), 1991, Alaska Volcano Observatory summary report: March 1, 1991 - April 30, 1991: Alaska Volcano Observatory bimonthly report series, 19 p.

Neal, C.A. (compiler), 1991, Alaska Volcano Observatory summary report: September 1, 1991 - October 31, 1991: Alaska Volcano Observatory bimonthly report series, 7 p.

Neal, C., and Power, J. (compilers), 1990, Alaska Volcano Observatory summer report: June 1, 1990 - September 30, 1990: Alaska Volcano Observatory bimonthly report series, 38 p.

"An ash cloud from a volcanic eruption darkens the sky above Anchor Point, Alaska. The cloud formed when Augustine Volcano erupted on an island 65 miles away. The eruption sent up steam, gases, and ash."

Unknown, 1988, Sky high: National Geographic World, n. 158, p. 24.

The 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano was monitored by 5 seismic stations on the volcano. The seismicity associated with the eruption is described by event counts, earthquake locations, earthquake magnitudes, signal durations and waveform characteristics. Increased seismic activity started 264 days before the eruption. Decreases in earthquake depths during this period suggest an upward magma migration over a distance of 0.6 km. Marked increases in the seismicity rate occurred respectively, 45 days, 3 days, and 7 hours before the eruptions' explosive onset.

Power, John, 1988, Seismicity associated with the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, 142 p.

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery can be used for monitoring volcanic activity both prior to and during eruptions by allowing detection of anomalous thermal flux.

Yount, M. E., Miller, T. P., and Fleming, M. D., 1988, Use of Landsat Thematic Mapper data in interpreting the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano [abs.]: in Annual Alaska Surveying and Mapping Conference, 23, Abstracts with Program, p. 2.

"Data from seismograph stations operated by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Palmer Observatory around Cook Inlet, Alaska, have proved useful in studying various aspects of the 1976 Augustine volcano eruptions that commenced on January 22. Shallow earthquakes, volcanic tremor, and erup tion-induced air-phase disturbances all accompanied the Augustine 1976 eruptive activity. These related seismic events, including their seismic time sequences, revealed information on (a) the source mechanisms of the eruptions, (b) the earthquake frequency-to-m agnitude relationships, (c) the relationships between shallow earthquakes and volcanic tremor, (d) the eruptioninduced ab-phase mechanism, and (e) the seismic geologic relationships."

Reeder, J. W., and Lahr, J. C., 1987, Seismological aspects of the 1976 eruptions of Augustine volcano, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1768, p. 1-32.
full-text PDF : 10.6 MB

Although all scientific work on hazardous natural phenomena such as weather, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions can advance the public safety, sometimes direct considerations of safety demand specific actions.

Davies, John, 1986, Public safety vs. Augustine's eruption: University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute Quarterly v. 4, n. 4, 1 p.

Augustine lavas (57-63% silica, minor basalt and dacite) are related by fractional crystallization of olivine, hornblende, augite, plagioclase, hypersthene, and iron-titanium oxide, and by minor magma mixing.

Daley, E. E., 1986, Petrology, geochemistry, and the evolution of magmas from Augustine Volcano, Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks unpublished M.S. thesis, Fairbanks, AK, 103 p.

Mount St. Augustine is a young symmetrical island volcano in Lower Cook Inlet, 285 kilometers southwest of Anchorage and 100 km west-southwest of Homer on the lower Kenai Peninsula. The channel separating the island from the west shore of Cook Inlet is 10 km wide at its narrowest point.

Kienle, Juergen, and Swanson, S. E., 1983, The hazards of Augustine: The Northern Engineer, v. 15, n. 3, p. 10-14.

Volcanism and tectonism in the eastern Aleutian arc are controlled by the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the North American plate. Worldwide earthquake data and data from local seismic networks in Cook Inlet, on the Alaska Peninsula and on Kodiak Island have defined the arcuate plate boundary and the Wadati-Benioff zone. A calc-alkaline volcanic arc of approximately 20 volcanic centers is well developed above the subduction zone.

Kienle, J., Swanson, S. E., and Pulpan, H., 1983, Magmatism and subduction in the eastern Aleutian Arc: in Shimozuru, D. and Yokoyama, I., (eds.), Arc volcanism: physics and tectonics, IAVCEI symposium, Proceedings, Tokyo and Hakone, Japan, Aug. 3l -Sept. 5, 1981, Tokyo, Terra Scientific Publishing Co., p. 191-224.

Calc-alkaline volcanism and oceanic plate subduction are intimately linked in the eastern Aleutian arc. The volcanic arc is segmented: larger caldera-forming volcanic centers tend to be located near segment boundaries. Intrasegment volcanoes form smaller stratocones. Ten of the 22 volcanoes that make up the 540 km long volcanic front in the eastern Aleutian arc have erupted in recorded history and another six show hydrothermal activity.

Kienle, Juergen, and Swanson, S. E., 1983, Volcanism in the eastern Aleutian Arc: late Quaternary and Holocene centers, tectonic setting and petrology: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 17, n. 1-4, p. 393-432.

Detterman, R. L., and Reed, B. L., 1980, Stratigraphy, structure, and economic geology of the Iliamna Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1368-B, 86 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.
full-text PDF : 1.3 MB
plate 1 PDF : 13 MB

Earlier estimates of the chlorine emission from volcanoes, based upon evaluations of the preeruption magmatic chlorin content, are too low for some explosive volcanoes by a factor of 20 to 40 or more. Degassing of ash erupted during 1976 by Augustine Volcano in Alaska released 525 x 10^6 kilograms of chlorine (+- 40 percent), of which 82 x 10^6 to 175 x 10^6 kilograms may have been ejected into the stratosphere as hydrogen chloride. This stratospheric contribution is 17 to 36 percent of the 1975 world industrial production of chlorine in fluorocarbons.

Johnston, D. A., 1980, Volcanic contribution of chlorine to the stratosphere - more significant to ozone than previously estimated?: Science, v. 209, n. 4455, p. 491-493.

After approximately 120 days of precursor seismicity and probable steam explosions, the 1976 eruption of Augustine Volcano, a calc-alkaline stratvolcano in Cook Inlet, Alaska, began January 22, 1976 with two small ash explosions. During the following three days, three major explosions produced pumiceous nuees ardentes, a pyroclastic surge, and widespread regional ash-fall.

Johnston, D. A., 1978, Volatiles, magma mixing, and the mechanism of eruption at Augustine volcano, Alaska: University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation, 187 p., 20 plates, scale unknown.

A recent report by Hobbs et al. describes airborne measurements of the effluents from St. Augustine volcano in Cook Inlet, Alaska. A series of eruptions began on 23 January 1976, and explosive activity continued intermittently until about 18 February.

Cadle, R. D., Mroz, E. J., Hobbs, P. V., Radke, L. F., and Stith, J. L., 1978, Particles in the eruption cloud from St. Augustine Volcano: Science, v. 199, n. 4327, p. 455-458.

A major eruption of Mt. St. Augustine (59.36°N, 153.43°W) occurred on 23 January 1976. The eruption produced two major ash clouds, the first emitted at 0700 A.S.T (1700 U.T.) and the second at 1630 A.S.T (0230 24 January U.T.).

Meinel, A. B., Meinel, M. P., and Shaw, G. E., 1976, Trajectory of the Mt. St. Augustine 1976 eruption ash cloud: Science, v. 193, n. 4251, p. 420-422.

Augustine Volcano, 180 miles southwest of Anchorge in lower Cook Inlet began a new series of eruptions on January 22, 1976 (see photograph), after being relatively quiescent since 1964.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1976, Augustine volcano erupts: U.S. Geological Survey Earthquake Information Bulletin v. 8, n. 4, p. 23.
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Detterman, R. L., and Reed, B. L., 1973, Surficial deposits of the Iliamna quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1368-A, p. A1-A64, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.
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Mount St. Augustine, an island volcano at the mouth of Cook Inlet, Alaska, has erupted several times since it was first charted and named by Captain James Cook in 1778. It was described by Cook as ... "of a conical figure and of a very considerable height".

Forbes, R. B., and Kienle, J., 1971, Mount Saint Augustine -- restless volcano: Pacific Search, v. 6, p. 3-4.

"The color aerial photograph if St. Augustine Island, Alaska, is a classic for the photo interpretation of volcanism. This young volcanic cone is distinctive by virtue of its symmetry and the characteristic radial drainage pattern that is enhanced by drifted snow."

Sobieralski, V. R., 1968, Volcanic activity: in Smith, J. T. Jr. and Anson, Abraham, (eds.), Manual of color aerial photography, Falls Church, VA, American Society of Photogrammetry, p. 416-417.

"Augustine Volcano erupted October 11, 1963, ending n 28-year quiet period. The initial eruption from the summit dome was of a nuee ardente type laterally directed to the southeast, where it blew out a 3,200-foot section of crater wall. The mass of debris (120 X 10^6 cu yd) formed by the eruption covers about 3 square miles and is locally as much as 375 feet thick. Mudflows consisting of reactivated rubble (20 X 10^6 cu yd) cover an additional area of about 2 square miles."

Detterman, R. L., 1968, Recent volcanic activity on Augustine Island, Alaska: in Geological Survey research 1968, Chapter C, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper PP 0600-C, p. C126-C129.
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"The Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands form one of the conspicuously arcuate lines of volcanoes that border the Pacific Ocean. The name Aleutian Range is applied to this 1,600 mile long, narrow belt of peaks reaching from Mount Spurr opposite Anchorage to the island of Attu, close to the continent of Asia."

Powers, H. A., 1958, Alaska Peninsula-Aleutian Islands: in Williams, H., (ed.), Landscapes of Alaska, Los Angeles, CA, University of California Press, p. 61-75.

Coats, R. R., 1950, Volcanic activity in the Aleutian Arc: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 0974-B, p. 35-49, 1 sheet, scale unknown.
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"So little is actually known about the igneous rocks of the Aleutian Islands that it might seem as if there were little more to say on the subject of magmatic problems than that the whole field lies before the investigator."

Fenner, C. N., 1926, Magmatic problems of the Aleutians: National Research Council Bulletin 56, n. 11, p. 124-127.

The first author to take up the subject of Alaskan volcanos systematically was Constantine Grewingk in 1850. He gathered from all previous accessible sources such as data existed on record, and his work is the classical source of such information.

Dall, W. H., 1918, Reminiscences of Alaskan volcanoes: Scientific Monthly, v. 7, n. 1, p. 80-90.

Sapper, Karl, 1917, Katalog der geschichtlichen vulkanausbruche: Strassburg, Germany, Karl J. Trubner, 358 p.

"In Alaska, and especially on the Aleutian islands, active and recently extinct volcanoes are so numerous that an attempt to give a detailed record of the various reports concerning them that have been made would lead to confusion."

Russell, I. C., 1910, Volcanoes of North America: London, The Macmillan Company, 346 p.

"The majority of the active volcanoes of the present time are situated on the borders of the Pacific Ocean. They form a mighty chain, which extends from the Tierra del Fuego along the Andes to the Coast and Fairweather ranges of North America; thence crossing over, by means of the Aleutian Islands, to the peninsula of Kamschatka, and going through the Japan and Philippine Islands, it ends in Borneo and Java."

Cordeiro, F. J. B., 1910, The volcanoes of Alaska: Appalachia, v. 12, p. 130-135.

"On the night of the 10th inst. as Captain Z. Moore of the steamer Dora was making his return trip from Unalaska to Seward, he saw in the distance what seemed to be fireworks on a very extensive scale."

Unknown, 1908, Old volcano gets move on: Seward Weekly Gateway, v. 4, n. 31, p. 1.

"It is very certain that volcanic activity has existed at numerous points along the northwestern coast of America from the Golden Gate northward in comparatively recent times. Less certainty exists in this newly settled region as to historical outbursts."

Becker, G. F., 1898, Reconnaissance of the gold fields of southern Alaska with some notes on general geology: U.S. Geological Survey Annual Report 0018, p. 1-86, 6 sheets, scale unknown.
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On the western side of the entrance to Cook's Inlet (forty-five miles wide) lies Cape Douglas; and to the northward of the cape the shore recedes over twenty miles, forming the Bay of Kamishak. In the northern part of this bay lies the Island of Chernaboura ('black-brown'), otherwise called Augustin Island.

Davidson, George, 1884, Notes on the volcanic eruption of Mount Saint Augustine, Alaska, October 6, 1883: Science, v. 3, n. 54, p. 186-189.

"Recently the newspapers have contained references to the rise of a new volcanic island near Bogosloff Island in the Aleutian chain. Bogosloff itself is believed to be a recent development."

Dall, W. H., 1884, A new volcano island in Alaska: Science, v. 3, n. 51, p. 89-93.

In den beiden letzten Jahresberichten wurde auf die ungewohnliche Ruhe der vulkanischen Thatigkeit aufmerksam gemact, die in den swei Jahrzehnten, seitdem diese Berichte erscheinen, nie einen solchen Grad erreict hatte, wie im Jahre 1882.

Fuchs, C.W.C., 1884, Die vulkanischen ereignisse des Jahres 1883 [Report on the volcanic events of the year 1883]: Mineralogische und petrographische Mittheilungen, v. 6, p. 185- 231.

"Transcript of English Bay log records: October 6 [1883] Sat. Wind W.SW. Gale. Weather foggy. Barm 30:10: Therm 48°. Clouds from S.W. to N.E. Swell W. heavy. At this morning at 8:15 o'clock 4 tidal waves flowed with a westerly current, one following the other at the rate of 30 miles per hour into the shore, the sea rising 20 feet above the usual level. At the same time the air became black and foggy, and it began to thunder. With this at the same time it began to rain a finely powdered brimstone ashes, which lasted for about 10 minutes, and which covered all the parts of land and everything to a depth of over ¼ of an inch. Clearing up at 9 o'clock A.M. Cause of occurrence: Eruption of the active volcano at the Island of Chonoborough."

Alaska Commercial Company, 1883, Unpublished record books for English Bay Station: Fairbanks, University of Alaska library archives, Box 10 (May 15, 1883 - July 1884).
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"The borders of the Pacific Ocean are studded with volcanoes and the products of volcanic activity. The volcanoes are arranged in crudely arc-shaped groups, and most of the arcs are conves toward the ocean. In addition to the bordering arcs, the Pacific contains many individual volcanic islands and a few non-arcuate groups of volcanic islands, like the Hawaiian Islands. The curving chain of volcanoes from Kiska Island near the western end of the Aleutian Islands to Mt. Spurr on the mainland constitutes one of the Pacific volcanic arcs. This report is concerned with the past activity of the volcanoes of this arc, herein called the Aleutian arc."

Coats, R. R., Past volcanic activity in the Aleutian arc: U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Investigations Report 1, 18 p.
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Kienle, Juergen (comp.), Volcano observations: Notes about volcanoes and volcanic eruptions collected, made, and stored by Juergen Kienle, on file at University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute, unpublished, unpaged.