ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY STATUS REPORT
U.S. Geological Survey
Saturday, May 16, 2009, 1:28 PM AKDT (Saturday, May 16, 2009, 21:28 UTC)

REDOUBT VOLCANO (VNUM #313030)
60°29'7" N 152°44'38" W, Summit Elevation 10197 ft (3108 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

The 2009 eruption of Redoubt continues. Small rock avalanches, discrete earthquakes and minor volcanic tremor have been evident in seismic data over the past 24 hours. A number of regional earthquakes are also being recorded on the Redoubt seismic network, but these events are unrelated to activity at the volcano. The lava dome has been visible in web camera images today and a robust steam plume rising from the southern part of the dome base is present. Rock avalanches have been occurring intermittently and are producing diffuse low level ash plumes that are too small to be detected in radar or satellite data.

If the lava dome collapses, or is removed by a sudden explosive event, significant ash emissions, possibly >30,000 feet above sea level, and trace to minor ash fall on communities in south-central Alaska could occur. Pyroclastic flows associated with dome collapse or removal also may develop, and they could initiate lahars and floods in the Drift River valley.

An AVO field crew is out today sampling ash deposits north of the volcano, and a second crew is making observations and collecting thermal data from the lava dome.

AVO is monitoring Redoubt volcano closely and the observatory is staffed 24/7. AVO will provide frequent updates of the volcano's status and the earliest possible warning of significant explosive activity and other hazardous phenomena.

VENIAMINOF VOLCANO (VNUM #312070)
56°11'52" N 159°23'35" W, Summit Elevation 8225 ft (2507 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW

Seismicity at Veniaminof has been low but above background levels over the past 24 hours. Seismic activity is characterized by short periods of low amplitude volcanic tremor and some discrete earthquakes. No unusual activity has been observed in satellite data today, and AVO has received no reports of unusual activity from from pilots or observers in the area.





VOLCANO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET: http://www.avo.alaska.edu

RECORDING ON THE STATUS OF ALASKA'S VOLCANOES (907) 786-7478

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAF
steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907) 474-7131

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.

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