The Pavlof Volcano in Alaska is the most active volcano in the United States. And it may be waking from its brief slumber. Seismic activity has been detected and satellite images reveal that hot gas emissions are coming from the volcano. Smoke and gas emissions can be seen from the summit. This leads the state authorities to raise the alert from normal to advisory status.
The level of seismic activity at Pavlof Volcano remains slightly elevated but lower than that recorded yesterday. Nothing significant was observed in satellite views of the volcano over the past day. Web camera views of the volcano have been largely obscured by clouds with one view showing a possible small steam emission. An AVO field crew working near the volcano yesterday reported observing minor gas emissions from the summit vent. (The Alaska Volcano Observatory)
The last time the volcano erupted was March 27, 2016 and lasted four days. There was a 25-minute warning before it erupted. Volcanoes are unpredictable so any activity is taken very seriously.
“Pavlof is one of those volcanoes that can erupt without very much in the way of precursory activities. It’s very easy for the magma to arise in the volcano and make it out. So even subtle signs of unrest we think it is prudent to increase our alert level.” stated geophysicist David Schneider.
A field group was dispatched but by July 3rd, activity was diminished. Pavlof Volcano has had 40 eruptions so far. Any activity the volcano produces is studied by scientists.
The eruption last year was the first time in over 20 years significant ash fall was recorded. The eruption last May sent an ash plume 22,000 feet above sea level. The eruption in March sent an ash plume 37,000 feet above sea level and caused flights to be grounded.
The Cleveland Volcano, also located in Alaska, is another volcano that might erupt soon. It recently has evidence of magma just beneath its exterior. The volcano erupted last in 2011. The ask plumes rose to 39,000 feet above sea level. Volcanos are scary and unpredictable things. Scientists continue to study active ones to try to learn from these monsters.
Soon enough, we might be like Anne Hache and Tommy Lee Jones in Volcano, and be able to outsmart these volcanos.
