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Status of Iliamna, Little Sitkin Volcanoes Updated

 

January 10, 2013
Thursday AM


(SitNews) - The Alaska Volcano Observatory on Wednesday issued a Volcanic Activity Notice for Iliamna and Little Sitkin. Volcano Alert Levels were updated to Normal and their Aviation Color Codes were updated to Green at both volcanoes. The code Green means no eruption is anticipated. Volcano is in quiet, "dormant" state.

Iliamna Volcano, located in Alaska's Cook Inlet, is experiencing occasional small earthquakes, but at a greatly reduced rate and at a magnitude relative to the peak of unrest in March 2012. Steam and sulfur gas emissions continue to be observed from sites near the summit, but this is not unusual for the volcano.

Volcanic unrest at Little Sitkin Volcano, located in the Aleutians, has decreased over the last few months. Scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory believe the volcano has reached typical background levels, which prompted the update.

Both volcanoes will continue to be monitored by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. If any changes occur at the sites that appear out-of-the-ordinary, a new Volcanic Activity Notice will be released.

Currently, Cleveland Volcano is the only volcano in state with an Alert Level at Advisory. The current aviation code is Yellow meaning an eruption is possible in the next few weeks and may occur with little or no additional warning.

Mt. Cleveland is a steep-sided volcano built of lava flows and fragmental deposits from explosive eruptions. Mt. Cleveland comprises the entire western half of Chuginadak Island, 40 km west of Umnak. Distinctively conical and symmetrical in form, Cleveland is about 8.5 km in diameter and is joined to the rugged, though lower, eastern half of the island by a low, narrow strip of land.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is a joint program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS).

 

 

Sources of News: 

Alaska Volcano Observatory
www.avo.alaska.edu/

 

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