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Eruption Search Volcano SearchAsh emissions resumed over the past 24 hours at the active north crater of Mount Cerberus. Minor ash deposits on the flanks of Mount Cerberus were observed on fresh snow extending up to ~1 km (~1000 yards) from the vent in web camera images over the past day. No ash plumes have been observed in web camera or satellite imagery, but a persistent steam plume rising up to 5,000 ft above sea level from the active crater may now be carrying minor volcanic ash within it. The observation of ash deposits follows increased seismicity, including seismic tremor, in the past week. This activity is similar to eruptive activity observed over the past year at Semisopochnoi, but not since November 7. The Alaska Volcano Observatory is therefore raising the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and Volcano Alert Level to WATCH.
Small eruptions producing minor ash deposits within the vicinity of the active north crater of Mount Cerberus and ash clouds usually under 10,000 ft (3 km) above sea level have characterized the recent activity and more ash-producing events could occur again with little warning.
Semisopochnoi is monitored by a local seismic and infrasound network, local web cameras, regional lightning and infrasound sensors, and satellite data.
Remote Semisopochnoi volcano occupies the largest, young volcanic island in the western Aleutians. The uninhabited island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is located 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Amchitka Island and 200 km (130 mi) west of Adak, Alaska. Semisopochnoi volcano is dominated by an 8-km (5-mile) diameter caldera that contains a small lake and several post-caldera cones and craters. The age of the caldera is not known with certainty but is likely early Holocene. The north cone of Mount Cerberus, in the southwest part of the caldera, is the site of the current eruption, which began in 2018. The last known eruption prior to 2018 was in 1987 from Sugarloaf Peak on the south coast of the island.
Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS, mcoombs@usgs.gov, (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460
A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
| (1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA) | |
| (2) Issued: | (20221228/2046Z) |
| (3) Volcano: | Semisopochnoi (VNUM #311060) |
| (4) Current Color Code: | ORANGE |
| (5) Previous Color Code: | YELLOW |
| (6) Source: | Alaska Volcano Observatory |
| (7) Notice Number: | 2022/A1518 |
| (8) Volcano Location: | N 51 deg 55 min E 179 deg 35 min |
| (9) Area: | Aleutians |
| (10) Summit Elevation: | 2625 ft (800 m) |
| (11) Volcanic Activity Summary: |
Ash emissions resumed over the past 24 hours at the active north crater of Mount Cerberus. Minor ash deposits on the flanks of Mount Cerberus were observed on fresh snow extending up to ~1 km (~1000 yards) from the vent in web camera images over the past day. No ash plumes have been observed in web camera or satellite imagery, but a persistent steam plume rising up to 5,000 ft above sea level from the active crater may now be carrying minor volcanic ash within it. The observation of ash deposits follows increased seismicity, including seismic tremor, in the past week. This activity is similar to eruptive activity observed over the past year at Semisopochnoi, but not since November 7. The Alaska Volcano Observatory is therefore raising the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and Volcano Alert Level to WATCH. Small eruptions producing minor ash deposits within the vicinity of the active north crater of Mount Cerberus and ash clouds usually under 10,000 ft (3 km) above sea level have characterized the recent activity and more ash-producing events could occur again with little warning. Semisopochnoi is monitored by a local seismic and infrasound network, local web cameras, regional lightning and infrasound sensors, and satellite data. |
| (12) Volcanic cloud height: | <5,000 ft |
| (13) Other volcanic cloud information: | steam and minor ash |
| (14) Remarks: | Remote Semisopochnoi volcano occupies the largest, young volcanic island in the western Aleutians. The uninhabited island is part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. It is located 65 km (40 mi) northeast of Amchitka Island and 200 km (130 mi) west of Adak, Alaska. Semisopochnoi volcano is dominated by an 8-km (5-mile) diameter caldera that contains a small lake and several post-caldera cones and craters. The age of the caldera is not known with certainty but is likely early Holocene. The north cone of Mount Cerberus, in the southwest part of the caldera, is the site of the current eruption, which began in 2018. The last known eruption prior to 2018 was in 1987 from Sugarloaf Peak on the south coast of the island. |
| (15) Contacts: | Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS, mcoombs@usgs.gov, (907) 786-7497 David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI dfee1@alaska.edu (907) 378-5460 |
| (16) Next Notice: | A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu. |
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