Pavlof bibliography: all known references that deal with Pavlof.

"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

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.
full-text PDF : 3 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.
full-text PDF : 3 MB

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.

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

The Emmons Lake volcanic center is a large stratovolcano complex on the Alaska Peninsula near Cold Bay, Alaska. The volcanic center includes several ice- and snow-clad volcanoes within a nested caldera structure that hosts Emmons Lake and truncates a shield-like ancestral Mount Emmons edifice. From northeast to southwest, the main stratovolcanoes of the center are: Pavlof Sister, Pavlof, Little Pavlof, Double Crater, Mount Hague, and Mount Emmons. Several small cinder cones and vents are located on the floor of the caldera and on the south flank of Pavlof Volcano. Pavlof Volcano, in the northeastern part of the center, is the most historically active volcano in Alaska (Miller and others, 1998) and eruptions of Pavlof pose the greatest hazards to the region.

Waythomas, C.F., Miller, T.P., and Mangan, M.T., 2006, Preliminary Volcano Hazard Assessment for the Emmons Lake Volcanic Center, Alaska: Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. Geological Survey, Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5248, 33 p., 1 sheet, available online at http://www.avo.alaska.edu/pdfs/SIR2006-5248.pdf .
map sheet : 2.4 MB
full-text PDF : 4.08 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
full-text PDF : 260 KB

"Between October 12, 1989 and December 31, 2002, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) located 162 deep long-period (DLP) events beneath 11 volcanic centers in the Aleutian arc. These events generally occur at mid- to lower-crustal depths (10-45 km) and are characterized by emergent phases, extended codas, and a strong spectral peak between 1.0 and 3.0 Hz. Observed wave velocities and particle motions indicate that the dominant phases are P- and S-waves. DLP epicenters often extend over broad areas (5-20 km) surrounding the active volcanoes. The average reduced displacement of Aleutian DLPs is 26.5 cm2 and the largest event has a reduced displacement of 589 cm2 (or ML 2.5). Aleutian DLP events occur both as solitary events and as sequences of events with several occurring over a period of 1-30 min."

Power, J.A, Stihler, S.D., White, R.A., and Moran, S.C., 2004, Observations of deep long-period (DLP) seismic events beneath Aleutian Arc volcanoes: 1989-2002: Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 138, p. 243-266.

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors 41 historically active volcanoes along the Aleutian Arc. Twenty are seismically monitored and for the rest, the AVO monitoring program relies mainly on daily analysis of satellite images, pilot reports, and observations of local residents and ship's crews. In 1999, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspect volcanic activity at 7 volcanic centers: Wrangell, Shrub mud volcano, Iliamna, Veniaminof, Pavlof, Shishaldin, and Vsevidof volcanoes. Of these, in 1999, AVO had real-time, continuously recording seismic networks at Iliamna, and Shishaldin. The phrase "suspect volcanic activity" (SVA), used to characterize several responses, is an eruption report or report of unusual activity that is subsequently determined to be normal or enhanced fumarolic activity, weather-related phenomena, or a non-volcanic event."

McGimsey, R. G., Neal, C. A., and Girina, Olga, 2004: 1999 Volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 2004-1033, 49 p.
website with link to PDF
full text PDF : 2.5 MB

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors the more than 40 historically active volcanoes of the Aleutian Arc. Of these, 22 are monitored with short-period seismic instrument networks as of the end of 2001. The AVO core monitoring program also includes daily analysis of satellite imagery, observation overflights, compilation of pilot reports and reports from local residents and mariners. In 2001, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 8 volcanic centers; Snowy and Kukak of the Kamai Group, Pavlof, Frosty, Shishaldin, Makushin, Okmok, Cleveland, and Great Sitkin volcanoes."

McGimsey, R.G., Neal, C.A., and Girina, Olga, 2004: 2001 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 2004-1453, 53 p.
website with link to PDF
full-text PDF on AVO's server : 2.67 MB

In the fall of 1996 the Alaska Volcano Observatory recorded an unprecedented level of seismic and volcanic activity. The following were observed: (1) a swarm at Iliamna Volcano (August 1996 to mid-1997); (2) an eruption at Pavlof Volcano (September 1996 to December 1996); (3) a swarm at Martin/Mageik volcanoes (October 1996); (4) a swarm at Strandline Lake, which continued for several years (1996–1999); and (5) deformation of Mt. Peulik (inflation begins after October 1996 and ends in fall 1998), based on interpretation of interferometric synthetic aperture radar data.

McNutt, S.R., and Marzocchi, W., 2005, Simultaneous earthquake swarms and eruption in Alaska, fall 1996: Statistical significance and inference of a large aseismic slip event: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 94, n. 5, p. 1831-1841.

"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

"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

"Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), and Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS) are used routinely to detect and monitor elevated ground temperatures and eruption clouds at volcanoes in the North Pacific Region. Volcanoes in this region include those in Alaska, Kamchatka Peninsula and the northern Kuril Islands. These data provide observations multiple times per day of over 100 active volcanoes in this region."

Dean, K. G., Dehn, Jon, Engle, Kevin, Izbekov, Pavel, and Papp, Ken, 2002, Operational satellite monitoring of volcanoes at the Alaska Volcano Observatory: in Harris, A. J. H., Wooster, Martin, and Rothery, D. A., (eds.), Monitoring Volcanic Hotspots Using Thermal Remote Sensing, Advances in Environmental Monitoring and Modelling, v. 1, n. 3, p. 70-97.

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.

The 1996 eruption of Pavlof volcano provided a unique opportunity for the combined use of satellite and seismic monitoring techniques. Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data provided observations of both thermal anomalies and eruption plumes. A thermal anomaly appeared in AVHRR data 3 days prior to the eruption and continued to grow until shortly before the height of eruptive activity.

Roach, A. L., Benoit, J. P., Dean, K. G., and McNutt, S. R., 2001, The combined use of satellite and seismic monitoring during the 1996 eruption of Pavlof volcano, Alaska: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 62, n. 6, p. 385-399.

"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

Tremor and explosion signals recorded on September 29 during the Fall 1996 Pavlof eruption are interpreted using video images, field observations, and seismic data.

Garces, M. A., McNutt, S. R., Hansen, R. A., and Eichelberger, J. C., 2000, Application of wave-theoretical seismoacoustic models to the interpretation of explosion and eruption tremor signals radiated by Pavlof volcano, Alaska: Journal of Geophysical Research, B, Solid Earth and Planets, v. 105, n. B2, p. 3039-3058.

"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
Part 2 PDF : 916 KB
Part 3 PDF : 469 KB

Thirteen of sixteen magmatic eruptions of Pavlof Volcano in nine of the years from 1973 to 1998 have occurred between September 9 and December 29. Volumes of erupted material range from 0.3 to 16x106 m3 (dense rock equivalent). A significant correlation exists between the eruptions and yearly nontidal variations in sea level and may result from ocean loading. Calculated volume changes beneath the volcano due to ocean loading are from 0.02 to 0.6 times eruption volumes, and it is postulated that the volcano acts as a long-period (several months) volume strainmeter, with lava being preferentially erupted when strain beneath the volcano is compressive.

McNutt, S. R., 1999, Eruptions of Pavlof Volcano, Alaska, and their possible modulation by ocean load and tectonic stresses: re-evaluation of the hypothesis based on new data from 1984-1998: Pure and Applied Geophysics, v. 155, n. 2, p. 701-712.

"The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors over 40 historically active volcanoes along the Aleutian Arc. Twenty are seismically monitored and for the rest, the AVO monitoring program relies mainly on pilot reports, observations of local residents and ship crews, and daily analysis of satellite images. In 1997, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspect volcanic activity at 11 volcanic centers: Wrangell, Sanford, Shrub mud volcano, Iliamna, the Katmai group (Martin, Mageik, Snowy, and Kukak volcanoes), Chiginagak, Pavlof, Shishaldin, Okmok, Cleveland, and Amukta. Of these, AVO has real-time, continuously recording seismic networks at Iliamna, the Katmai group, and Pavlof. The phrase "suspect volcanic activity" (SVA), used to characterize several responses, is an eruption report or report of unusual activity that is subsequently determined to be normal or enhanced fumarolic activity, weather-related phenomena, or a non-volcanic event."

McGimsey, R. G., and Wallace, K. L., 1999, 1997 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 99-0448, 42 p.
website with PDF link
full-text PDF : 17 MB

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

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

"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, R. G., 1997, Volcanoes of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands selected photographs: U.S. Geological Survey Digital Data Series DDS 0040, 1 CD-ROM.
website with links to HTML album, PDF, and individual images in a variety of formats
directory of high-resolution images (PCD format)
web browser photo album
PDF : 27 MB
directory of PDF slideshow files
directory of small screen images (JPG)
directory of large screen images (JPG)
captions file : 44 KB

"During 1996, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity, anomalous seismicity, or suspected volcanic activity at 10 of the approximately 40 active volcanic centers in the state of Alaska. These events included a dramatic volcano-seismic crisis at Akutan and a vigorous strombolian eruption at Pavlof. As part of a formal role in KVERT (the Kamchatkan Volcano Eruption Response Team; Miller and Kurianov, 1993), AVO staff also disseminated information about eruptions and other volcanic unrest at six volcanic centers on the Kamchatka Peninsula and in the Kurile Islands."

Neal, Christina, and McGimsey, R. G., 1997, 1996 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report OF 97-0433, 34 p.
website with PDF and ASCII links
full-text PDF : 795 KB
ASCII full-text

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
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This paper is an attempt to measure our understanding of volcano/atmosphere interactions by comparing a box model of potential volcanogenic aerosol production and removal in the stratosphere with the stratospheric aerosol optical depth over the period of 1979 to 1994. Model results and observed data are in good agreement both in magnitude and removal rates for the two largest eruptions, El Chicho´n and Pinatubo. However, the peak of stratospheric optical depth occurs about nine months after the eruptions, four times longer than the model prediction, which is driven by actual SO2 measurements. For smaller eruptions, the observed stratospheric perturbation is typically much less pronounced than modeled, and the observed aerosol removal rates much slower than expected. These results indicate several limitations in our knowledge of the volcano-atmosphere reactions in the months following an eruption. Further, it is evident that much of the emitted sulfur from smaller eruptions fails to produce any stratospheric impact. This suggests a threshold whereby eruption columns that do not rise much higher than the tropopause (which decreases in height from equatorial to polar latitudes) are subject to highly efficient self-removal processes. For low latitude volcanoes during our period of study, eruption rates on the order of 50,000 m3/s (dense rock equivalent) were needed to produce a significant global perturbation in stratospheric optical depth, i.e., greater than 0.001. However, at high (.40°) latitudes, this level of stratospheric impact was produced by eruption rates an order of magnitude smaller.

Bluth, G.J.S., Rose, W.I., Sprod, I.E., and Krueger, A.J., 1997, Stratospheric loading of sulfur from explosive volcanic eruptions: The Journal of Geology, v. 106, p. 671-683.

"The Alaska Peninsula is a 775-km-long southwestward extension of mainland Alaska (fig. 1). The peninsula is about 225 km wide at the northeast end and narrows to less than 10 km near the southwest end. The southeast side is bordered by rugged mountains that rise sharply out of the Pacific Ocean. Many large bays and fiords cut the southeast shoreline. The northwest side, bordering Bristol Bay, is level and rarely more than 100 m above sea level; the coastline is nearly smooth and is broken by only a few large bays. At least 37 principal volcanic centers dot the length of the peninsula, and at least 30 have erupted during the Holocene (Miller and Richter, 1994). The present Aleutian volcanic arc overlies an early Mesozoic magmatic arc and a middle Tertiary volcanic arc."

Detterman, R. L., Case, J. E., Miller, J. W., Wilson, F. H., and Yount, M. E., 1996, Stratigraphic framework of the Alaska Peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1969-A, 74 p.
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"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.
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We present results of study of the best-documented eruptions of Pavlof volcano in historic time. The 1986 eruptions were mostly Strombolian in character; a strong initial phase may have been Vulcanian. The 1986 activity erupted at least 8 x 106 m 3 of feldspar- phyric basaltic andesite lava (SiO2 = 53-54%), and a comparable volume of wind-borne tephra. During the course of the eruption, 5300 explosion earthquakes occurred, the largest of which was equivalent to an ML=2.5 earthquake.

McNutt, S. R., Miller, T. P., and Taber, J. J., 1991, Geological and seismological evidence of increased explosivity during the 1986 eruptions of Pavlof Volcano, Alaska: Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 53, n. 2, p. 86-98.

This chapter examines 13 years of seismicity data (1973-1986) at Pavlof Volcano for eruption precursors. Changes in the rate of occurrence of earthquakes give the most consistent information.

McNutt, S. R., 1989, Some seismic precursors to eruptions at Pavlof Volcano, Alaska, October 1973-April 1986: in Latter, J. H., (ed.), Volcanic hazards: assessment and monitoring, IAVCEI Proceedings in Volcanology 0001, p. 463-485.

"The Stepovak Bay volcanoes consist of a chain of five relatively closely spaced Quaternary eruptive centers located along the Aleutian arc on the western Alaska Peninsula (figs. 1,2). Kupreanof volcano, a stratovolcano nearly 1,900 m high, is the largest and best known of the group (Coats, 1950) and the only volcano of the group that has been formally named (fig. 2). The three southernmost volcanoes were located during reconnaissance geologic mapping in 1982 (Yount and others, 1985). Later work, through 1986, more completely defined these three volcanoes, and an additional center was discovered between these and Kupreanof volcano. For easy reference, the newly discovered centers are informally referred to by number (1-4), starting from the southwest (figs. 1, 2 and table 1)."

Wilson, F. H., 1989, Geologic setting, petrology, and age of Pliocene to Holocene volcanoes of the Stepovak Bay area, western Alaska Peninsula: in Dover, J. H. and Galloway, J. P., (eds.), Geological studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1988, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1903, p. 84-95.
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Pavlof Volcano (55 ° 25' N, 161 ° 54' W ) exhibits two eruption styles: magmatic eruptions of one -to -two - days duration, and phreatic-phreatomagmatic activity lasting several days to two months. Thirty-four eruptions have occurred in historic times; of these the largest are Volcano Explosivity Index= 3. Nine magmatic and 13 phreatomagmatic eruptions occurred between 1973-1983. All the magmatic eruptions occurred in the fall, between Sept. 9-Nov. 20. Four magmatic eruptions occurred during November 11-15, but in four different years.

McNutt, S. R., 1987, Eruption characteristics and cycles at Pavlof Volcano, Alaska, and their relation to regional earthquake activity (USA): Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, v. 31, n. 3, p. 239-267.

All nine magmatic eruptions at Pavlof Volcano in six of the years from 1973 to 1984 have occurred between September 9 and November 20.

McNutt, S. R., and Beavan, R. J., 1987, Eruptions of Pavlof Volcano and their possible modulation by ocean load and tectonic stresses: Journal of Geophysical Research, B, Solid Earth and Planets, v. 92, n. 11, p. 11,509-11,523.

"This report presents and summarizes seismic and volcanic data collected by Lamont-Doherty in the eastern Aleutian arc and adjacent Bering sea between 1973 and 1982. The data were collected with support by the NOAA-OCSEA Program during the period 1975-1982."

Jacob, K. H., and Hauksson, Egill, 1983, A seismotectonic analysis of the seismic and volcanic hazards in the Pribilof Islands - Eastern Aleutian Islands Region of the Bering Sea: Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University Annual Report NOAA 03--5-022-70, New York, 224 p.

"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.

Kennedy, G. C., and Waldron, H. H., 1955, Geology of Pavlof Volcano and vicinity, Alaska: in Investigations of Alaskan volcanoes, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin B 1028-A, 19 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:100,000.
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Hantke, Gustav, 1955, Uebersicht ueber die vulkanische Taetigkeit 1948-1950: Bulletin Volcanlogique, v. 14, p. 151-184.

"There has been but slight activity at most Aleutian volcanoes during the fall of 1953. Observations are being made by members of the Armed Forces and by Austin Jones, Seismologist of the Geophysics Branch, U.S. Geological Survey."

Powers, H. A., 1953, Current activity of Aleutian volcanoes: The Volcano Letter, v. 522, p. 6.
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"Austin E. Jones, seismologist in charge of the Geological Survey's observatory on Adak Island, has supplised the following notes on the activity of Aleutian volcanoes during 1952. Gareloi, which was weakly active during 1950, was quieter during 1951. At Kanaga volcano, light wisps of steam were noted on quiet, probably humid days."

Jones, A. E., 1952, Aleutian volcanoes: The Volcano Letter, v. 516, p. 8-9.
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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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"On June 6, 1945, when the war against Japan was approaching its climax, a telephone call came for me at my htel in Anchorage, Alaska, where I was outfitting for a geologic mission in the interior."

Robinson, G. D., 1948, Exploring Aleutian volcanoes: National Geographic Magazine, v. 94, n. 4, p. 509-528.

"The Aleutian volcanic belt begins on the east at the head of Cook Inlet, in southern Alaska, and extends westward through the Alaskan peninsula and the Aleutian Islands. This is a narrow belt nearly 1,600 miles long."

Coleman, S. N., 1946, Alaska and the Aleutian belt: chapter 16 of Volcanoes, New and Old, New York, The John Day Company, p. 155-165.

"Notes on activities in the Aleutian Islands and in the Volcanoes on the Alaskan Peninsula were published in Volcano Letters Nos. 246 and 357. The year 1931 appears to have brought to a focus the unrest which appeared in several volcanoes in 1929 and 1930 by producing a considerable explosive eruption from Aniakchak Crater on the Peninsual 45 miles NNE from Chignik."

Jaggar, T. A., 1932, Aleutian eruptions 1930-1932: The Volcano Letter, v. 375, p. 1-4.
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"The seismograph observer, Mrs. Wendhab, reports from Dutch Harbor that the trader Mr. Schroder, who owns the store at Chichagof Harbor in Attu, came back from one of his voyages at the end of August and reported that on May 30, 1931, about 12 midnight (following), a very severe earthquake was felt at Attu."

Finch, R. H., 1931, Notes from the Aleutian Islands: The Volcano Letter, v. 357, p. 2-3.
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"A brief radio message from Dr. T.A. Jaggar dated May 15 gave his address as King Cove, Alaska. Some additional news has now come from him in a letter of the same date written from his camp at Squaw Harbor. The expedition arrived at that same place on May 9, camp was established and the equipment tried out."

Wilson, R. M., 1928, The Pavlof volcano expedition: The Volcano Letter, v. 183, p. 1.
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"A letter from Dr. Jaggar dated July 11 gives us additional notes on the progress being made by the National Geographic Pavlof Volcano Expedition, of which he is the directory. The letter was written in camp at the north end of Pavlof Bay, just east of Pavlof Volcano. The party had just completed a trip into the interior of the Peninsla, where two comps were made on the northeast base of the volcano."

Wilson, R. M., 1928, The Pavlof volcano expedition: The Volcano Letter, v. 191, p. 1.
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"The region in Alaska which contains the largest number of volcanoes extends in a continuous curved belt from the Aleutian Range of mountains west of Cook Inlet, through the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Islands, to Attu, the westernmost possession of the United States, where there are warm springs."

Jaggar, T. A., 1927, The Aleutian Islands: The Volcano Letter, v. 116, p. 1.
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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.

"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.

"The list of shocokcs printed in 1887, and those compiled during succeeding years, contained many reported "eruptions" of mountains in the Puget Sound region. For a number of years I made it my business to apply by letter to intelligent observers in that neighborhood to determine whether MOunt Baker and the other mountains had ever certainly been known to be in eruption."

Plummer, F. G., 1898, Reported volcanic eruptions in Alaska, Puget Sound, etc., 1690-1896: in Holden, E. S., (ed.), A Catalogue of Earthquakes on the Pacific Coast 1769-1897, Smithsonian Institution Miscellaneous Collections 1087, City of Washington D.C., Smithsonian Institution, p. 24-27.

"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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Dall, W. H., 1870, Alaska and its resources: Boston, Lee and Shepard, 627 p.

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Perrey, Alexis, 1866, Documents sur les tremblements de terre et les phenomenes volcaniques des iles Aleutiennes, de la peninsule d'Aljaska et de la cote no. d'Amerique, Extrait des memoires de l'Academie des sciences, arts et belles-lettres de Dijon, 1865: Dijon, J.E. Rabutut, 131 p.

"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.