Geobulletin alpha

Source info:

Author:	Matt
Date:	2014-06-03 19:13:00
Blog:	Volcano Science And News Blog
URL:	http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/VolcanoScienceAndNewsBlog/~3/wdf1JfW4ACg/alaska-volcano-pavlof-waring-raised-to.html

Summary:

Wow! In the several years I have been covering volcanic eruptions, I have never once seen AVO raise a volcano to RED Alert, but this occurred yesterday as Pavlof Volcano, which has experienced unrest beginning May 31st was raised to the highest alert level. Massive explosions are now taking place. According to AVO on May 31st:Image from June 2, 2014 from AVO, Eruption of Pavlof Volcano. Image copyright Christopher Diaz at northernXposed Photography."Elevated surface temperatures were detected at the summit of Pavlof volcano in satellite imagery this morning suggesting that the volcano is experiencing a low-level eruption with lava at the surface. A low level steam plume is visible in satellite imagery and in the FAA web camera located in Cold Bay. A pilot reported a gas and ash plume drifting north at 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. Based on these observations AVO is raising the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Volcano Alert Level to WATCH for Pavlof volcano."And suddenly, yesterday, the alert was raised to RED:"The low-level eruption of Pavlof has escalated. Seismic tremor increased starting about 2300 UTC today and pilots have recently reported ash clouds to 22,000 ft. ASL. Recent satellite images show a plume extending over 80 km east of the volcano."The alert level of Red will mean that flights will have to divert, as the ash plume is quite large. No populations are at risk for this eruption, as it is in a very remote part of Alaska, however there is a small airstrip east of the volcano at the foot of another volcano, Dutton (which is currently inactive), and an associated port town named King Cove, with an estimated population of around 792 (according to the 2000 census, which is probably a wee bit out of date). It is possible this area will experience fine ashfall, which does carry risks of its own.Another town that could potentially experience ashfall would be Cold Bay, which is around 15km NE of Cold Bay Volcano (which is either dormant or extinct), and approximately 60km ESE of Pavlof.Unfortunately for eruption fans, there is no web cam pointed at the eruption. This could potentially change if the eruption continues and AVO sends out a team, but given weather, budget constraints, and the danger of Alaskan travel, this might be unlikely.This eruption marks the largest in years, and will likely be of great scientific interest. It will be a pain for air travel, however, and there is no telling how long the eruption may last. The last eruption of Pavlof was in may 2013. Pavlof is one of Alaskas most active stratovolcanoes, with numerous historical eruptions. Some eruptions have been highly explosive, like this ones, and others have consisted of effusive fissure eruptions.Eruption of Pavlof (Photo from Smithsonian GVP) in 1996. A red alert is defined by AVO: "RED: Eruption is imminent with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere likely OR eruption is underway or suspected with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere [ash-plume height specified, if possible]." Eruptions of this magnitude can have far-reaching effects as ash and gas circles the globe, as seen during the 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which grounded air travel over most of Europe, and stranded many travelers, not to mention, making a headache for Iceland residents caught in the ash clouds.This brings the total number of Alaskan volcanoes experiencing heightened activity to four; Shishaldin, Veniaminof, Cleveland, and Pavlof.If any significant changes occur, I will update this post. 

Content analysis:

Geographic context:

Location	Country	Latitude	Longitude
Alaska	US	63.0365	-149.106
Cleveland	US	41.5047	-81.6907
Cold Bay	US	55.2117	-162.74
Comoros	KM	-11.6516	43.36
Europe		52.9762	7.85784
Iceland	IS	64.9639	-19.0212
King Cove	US	55.0884	-162.302

Keywords:

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