Morzhovoi
Spurr
Great Sitkin
Akutan
Aniakchak
Atka volcanic complex
Augustine
Cleveland
Dutton
Edgecumbe
Fisher
Gareloi
Great Sitkin
Griggs
Iliamna
Isanotski
Kanaga
Katmai
Little Sitkin
Mageik
Makushin
Martin
Novarupta
Pavlof
Redoubt
Semisopochnoi
Shishaldin
Snowy
Spurr
Takawangha
Tanaga
Trident
Ugashik-Peulik
Ukinrek Maars
Veniaminof
Westdahl
Wrangell
Legend
✕
Red (Warning) | |
Orange (Watch) | |
Yellow (Advisory) | |
Green (Normal) | |
Uninstrumented | |
Community | |
Webcam | |
Instrument | |
Earthquake Magnitude | |
0
| |
Earthquake Age | |
Last 2 Hours | |
Last 2 Days | |
Last 1 Week |
Facts
- Seismically Monitored: No
- Color Code: UNASSIGNED
- Alert Level: UNASSIGNED
- Elevation: 893m (2929ft)
- Latitude: 54.9991
- Longitude: -162.822
- Smithsonian VNum:
-
Nearby Towns:
- Cold Bay 14 mi (22 km) NE
- King Cove 21 mi (33 km) NE
- False Pass 25 mi (41 km) SW
- Belkofski 32 mi (51 km) NE
- Pauloff Harbor 38 mi (61 km) SE
Distance from Anchorage: 636 mi (1024 km)
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Subfeatures:
- North Walrus Peak
- South Walrus Peak
Description
From Wood and Kienle (1990) [1] : The "Morzhovoi Volcanics constitute a late Pliocene to early Pleistocene basaltic and andesitic stratovolcano. Volcanism culminated in the formation of a large collapsed crater. Though presently ice-free, extensive Pleistocene glaciation has eroded most original stratovolcano features, including the actual crater rim, leaving long U-shaped valleys." From Myers (1994) [2] : "The oldest volcano [of the Cold Bay Volcanic Complex] Morzhovoi Volcano, is of late Tertiary to Quaternary age, lies on the southern edge of the Alaska Peninsula, and consists of basalts, andesites, and associated pyroclastic rocks (the Morzhovoi Volcanic Series). Because it has undergone extensive erosion, only remnants of the volcano remain. Isolated peaks, e.g. North and South Walrus Peaks, that are fragments of the original caldera rim range in height from 797 to 893 m."Name Origin
"Morzhovoi volcanics" is an informal name, named after the nearby Morzhovoi Bay. Captain Tebenkov named the bay "Za[liv] Morzhovoi" in 1852, meaning "Walrus Bay" (Orth, 1971).
References Cited
[1] Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada, 1990
Wood, C. A., and Kienle, Juergen, (eds.), 1990, Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada: New York, Cambridge University Press, 354 p.[2] The tale of three Aleutian volcanic centers: The influence of time and space on magmatic processes in subduction zones, 1994
Myers, J. D., 1994, The tale of three Aleutian volcanic centers: The influence of time and space on magmatic processes in subduction zones: SUBCON, Interdisciplinary Conference on the Subduction Process, Catalina Island, California, 1994, p. 283-285.Reported Activity
Modern Eruptions
0 Event Date(s)
Past Activity Legend:
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Eruption |
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Questionable eruption |
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Non-eruptive activity |
Map Images
Map References
Revised geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, 1997
Wilson, F. H., Weber, F. R., Dochat, T. M., Miller, T. P., and Detterman, R. L., 1997, Revised geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-0866, 34 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.
Preliminary geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, 1992
Wilson, F. H., Miller, T. P., and Detterman, R. L., 1992, Preliminary geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 92-0545, 10 p., 1 plate, scale 1:250,000.
Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska, 1986
Luedke, R. G., and Smith, R. L., 1986, Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 1091-F, unpaged, 3 sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.
Reconnaissance geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska, 1978
McLean, H., Engelhardt, C. L., and Howell, D. G., 1978, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-0323, unpaged, 1 plate.
Geologic reconnaissance of Frosty Peak volcano and vicinity, Alaska, 1961
Waldron, H. H., 1961, Geologic reconnaissance of Frosty Peak volcano and vicinity, Alaska: in Investigations of Alaskan volcanoes, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1028-T, p. 677-708, 1 plate, scale 1:250,000.



References
Geologic database of information on volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA), 2022
Cameron, C.E., Crass, S.W., and AVO Staff, eds, 2022, Geologic database of information on volcanoes in Alaska (GeoDIVA): Alaska Division of Geologic and Geophysical Surveys Digital Data Series 20, https://doi.org/10.14509/geodiva, https://doi.org/10.14509/30901.
Alaska Volcano Observatory image database, 2016
Cameron, C.E., and Snedigar, S.F., 2016, Alaska Volcano Observatory image database: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Digital Data Series 13, https://www.avo.alaska.edu/images/. https://doi.org/10.14509/29689.
Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska, 2014
Cameron, C.E., and Nye, C.J., 2014, Preliminary database of Quaternary vents in Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys Miscellaneous Publication 153, 11 p., doi:10.14509/27357 .
Subduction controls of Hf and Nd isotopes in lavas of the Aleutian island arc, 2010
Yogodzinski, G.M., Vervoort, J.D., Brown, S.T., and Gerseny, M., 2010. Subduction controls of Hf and Nd isotopes in lavas of the Aleutian island arc: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 300, p. 226-238, doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2010.09.035 .

Quaternary geology, Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, 2001
Wilson, F. H., and Weber, F. R., 2001, Quaternary geology, Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula: in Gough, L. P. and Wilson, F. H., (eds.), Geological studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper PP 1633, p. 51-72.



Sector-zoned augite megacrysts in Aleutian high alumina basalts: implications for the conditions of basalt crystallization and the generation of calc-alkaline series magmas, 1999
Brophy, J. G., Whittington, C. S., and Park, Y. R., 1999, Sector-zoned augite megacrysts in Aleutian high alumina basalts: implications for the conditions of basalt crystallization and the generation of calc-alkaline series magmas: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 135, n. 2, p. 277-290, 1 sheet, scale unknown.

Quaternary stratigraphy and geomorphology of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula: a basis for paleoenvironmental reconstruction (glacial deposits), 1997
Dochat, T. M., 1997, Quaternary stratigraphy and geomorphology of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula: a basis for paleoenvironmental reconstruction (glacial deposits): The University of Wisconsin unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, Madison, Wisconsin, 330 p.

Revised geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, 1997
Wilson, F. H., Weber, F. R., Dochat, T. M., Miller, T. P., and Detterman, R. L., 1997, Revised geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 97-0866, 34 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.
Sector-zoned augite in Aleutian high alumina basalt (HAB) lavas: implications for HAB crystallization and subsequent calc-alkaline fractionation conditions, 1997
Brophy, J. G., and Park, Y. R., 1997, Sector-zoned augite in Aleutian high alumina basalt (HAB) lavas: implications for HAB crystallization and subsequent calc-alkaline fractionation conditions: Eos, v. 78, n. 46, p. 795.
Late Quaternary geomorphology and stratigraphy of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula, 1996
Dochat, T. M., and Jordan, J. W., 1996, Late Quaternary geomorphology and stratigraphy of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula [abs.]: in American Quaternary Association Conference, Program and Abstracts, v. 14, 1996, p. 161.
Late Quaternary glaciation of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula, 1996
Dochat, T. M., and Mickelson, D. M., 1996, Late Quaternary glaciation of the Cold Bay region of the Alaska Peninsula [abs.]: Geological Society of America - Abstracts with Programs, v. 28, n. 7, p. 435.
Stratigraphic framework of the Alaska Peninsula, 1996
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 1969-A, 74 p.


Overview of Quaternary glacial, volcanic, and tectonic interactions on the Alaska Peninsula, 1994
Wilson, F. H., 1994, Overview of Quaternary glacial, volcanic, and tectonic interactions on the Alaska Peninsula [abs.]: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 26, n. 7, p. 137.
Quaternary volcanism in the Alaska Peninsula and Wrangell Mountains, Alaska, 1994
Miller, T. P., and Richter, D. H., 1994, Quaternary volcanism in the Alaska Peninsula and Wrangell Mountains, Alaska: in Plafker, George, Jones, D. L., and Berg, H. C., (eds.), The Geology of Alaska, Geological Society of America The Geology of North America series v. G-1, p. 759-779.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
The geology, geochemistry and petrology of the recent magmatic phase of the central and western Aleutian Arc, 1994
Myers, J. D., 1994, The geology, geochemistry and petrology of the recent magmatic phase of the central and western Aleutian Arc: unpublished manuscript unpaged.

Preliminary geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula, 1992
Wilson, F. H., Miller, T. P., and Detterman, R. L., 1992, Preliminary geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 92-0545, 10 p., 1 plate, scale 1:250,000.
Compositional gaps, critical crystallinity, and fractional crystallization in orogenic (calc-alkaline) magmatic systems, 1991
Brophy, J. G., 1991, Compositional gaps, critical crystallinity, and fractional crystallization in orogenic (calc-alkaline) magmatic systems: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 109, p. 173-182.

Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada, 1990
Wood, C. A., and Kienle, Juergen, (eds.), 1990, Volcanoes of North America: United States and Canada: New York, Cambridge University Press, 354 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC shelf
The Cold Bay Volcanic Center, Aleutian volcanic arc, II: implications for fractionation and mixing mechanisms in calc-alkaline andesite genesis, 1987
Brophy, J. G., 1987, The Cold Bay Volcanic Center, Aleutian volcanic arc, II: implications for fractionation and mixing mechanisms in calc-alkaline andesite genesis: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 97, n. 3, p. 378-388.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
The Cold Bay volcanic center, Aleutian volcanic arc: 1, Implications for the origin of Hi-alumina arc basalt, 1986
Brophy, J. G., 1986, The Cold Bay volcanic center, Aleutian volcanic arc: 1, Implications for the origin of Hi-alumina arc basalt: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 93, n. 3, p. 368-380.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska, 1986
Luedke, R. G., and Smith, R. L., 1986, Map showing distribution, composition, and age of Late Cenozoic volcanic centers in Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map I 1091-F, unpaged, 3 sheets, scale 1:1,000,000.
Nd and Sr isotopes in the Aleutians: multicomponent parenthood of island-arc magmas, 1986
von Drach, V., Marsh, B. D., and Wasserburg, G. J., 1986, Nd and Sr isotopes in the Aleutians: multicomponent parenthood of island-arc magmas: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, v. 92, n. 1, p. 13-34.

Late Quaternary glaciation of the Pavlof Bay and Port Moller areas, Alaska Peninsula, 1985
Weber, F. R., 1985, Late Quaternary glaciation of the Pavlof Bay and Port Moller areas, Alaska Peninsula: in Bartsch-Winkler, Susan, (ed.), The United States Geological Survey in Alaska: accomplishments during 1984, U.S. Geological Survey Circular C 0967, p. 42-44.
The chemistry and physics of Aleutian Arc volcanism the Cold Bay Volcanic Center, southwestern Alaska, 1984
Brophy, J. G., 1984, The chemistry and physics of Aleutian Arc volcanism the Cold Bay Volcanic Center, southwestern Alaska: The Johns Hopkins University Ph.D. dissertation, 422 p.
Hard Copy held by AVO at FBKS - CEC file cabinet
The origin of hi-Al arc basalts at the Cold Bay volcanic center, SW Alaska, 1984
Brophy, J. G., and Marsh, B. D., 1984, The origin of hi-Al arc basalts at the Cold Bay volcanic center, SW Alaska [abs.]: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 16, n. 6, p. 455.
Isotopic and incompatible element constraints on the genesis of island arc volcanics from Cold Bay and Amak Island, Aleutians, and implications for mantle structure, 1983
Morris, J. D., and Hart, S. R., 1983, Isotopic and incompatible element constraints on the genesis of island arc volcanics from Cold Bay and Amak Island, Aleutians, and implications for mantle structure: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 47, n. 11, p. 2015-2030.

Petrology and geochemistry of the Cold Bay volcanic center, Alaska Peninsula, southwestern Alaska, 1983
Brophy, J. G., and Marsh, B. D., 1983, Petrology and geochemistry of the Cold Bay volcanic center, Alaska Peninsula, southwestern Alaska [abs.]: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 15, n. 6, p. 534.
Tectonic controls on tholeiitic and calc-alkaline magmatism in the Aleutian arc, 1982
Kay, S. M., Kay, R. W., and Citron, G. P., 1982, Tectonic controls on tholeiitic and calc-alkaline magmatism in the Aleutian arc: Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 87, n. B5, p. 4051-4072.

Geology of Amak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 1979
Marsh, B. D., and Leitz, R. E., 1979, Geology of Amak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska: Journal of Geology, v. 87, n. 6, p. 715-723.

Reconnaissance geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska, 1978
McLean, H., Engelhardt, C. L., and Howell, D. G., 1978, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 78-0323, unpaged, 1 plate.
Pb and Sr isotopes in volcanic rocks from the Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands, Alaska, 1978
Kay, R. W., Sun, S. S., and Lee-Hu, C. N., 1978, Pb and Sr isotopes in volcanic rocks from the Aleutian Islands and Pribilof Islands, Alaska: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 42, p. 263-274.

Geochemical constraints on the origin of Aleutian magmas, 1977
Kay, R. W., 1977, Geochemical constraints on the origin of Aleutian magmas: in Talwani, Manik and Pitman, W. C. III., (eds.), Island arcs, deep sea trenches and back-arc basins, American Geophysical Union Maurice Ewing Series 0001, p. 229-242.

Some Aleutian andesites: their nature and source, 1976
Marsh, B. D., 1976, Some Aleutian andesites: their nature and source: Journal of Geology, v. 84, n. 1, p. 27-45.

The late Quaternary history of Cold Bay, Alaska and its implications to the configuration of the Bering Land Bridge, 1973
Funk, J. M., 1973, The late Quaternary history of Cold Bay, Alaska and its implications to the configuration of the Bering Land Bridge [abs.]: Abstracts with Programs - Geological Society of America, v. 5, n. 2, p. 162.
Geologic reconnaissance of Frosty Peak volcano and vicinity, Alaska, 1961
Waldron, H. H., 1961, Geologic reconnaissance of Frosty Peak volcano and vicinity, Alaska: in Investigations of Alaskan volcanoes, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1028-T, p. 677-708, 1 plate, scale 1:250,000.



Before an eruption
Ashfall & Preparedness Information
- Ashfall impacts & preparedness (US Geological Survey)
- Volcanic health hazards & impacts (International Volcanic Health Hazards Network)
- Ash Alert! Pamphlet (AK Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management)
- Volcanic Ashfall (AK Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Air Quality)