Scientists continue to work around-the-clock
monitoring Redoubt Volcano — located 106 miles southwest of Anchorage,
Alaska—where they predict the volcano will erupt within days to weeks.
Over the weekend and through midday Monday, seismicity remained elevated,
and an overflight on Saturday showed continued melting of the glacier that
drains the summit crater.
“The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a prime example of how science can
help save lives and protect property,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken
Salazar. “It also represents a model federal-state-university partnership
through which our scientists and monitoring systems help the public prepare for
natural disasters. This is an important reminder of the importance of investing
in science and of the value of the scientific work the Department of Interior
does, day in and day out. ”
A significant increase in seismic activity last week prompted scientists
to raise the aviation color code to Orange and the Alert level to Watch,
warning airlines and communities to prepare for a possible eruption. They
are striving to forecast the start of the eruption as accurately as possible in
order to minimize social and economic disruption, according to Tom Murray,
scientist-in-charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of Interior’s
U.S. Geological Survey, the University
of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical
Institute and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
The partners are analyzing data from a combination of tools including
seismometers placed around the volcano, Web cameras, satellite images,
ground-based radar, and overflights to measure volcanic gases and provide
direct observation of the volcano.
“The public is relying on our science to give them as accurate an
analysis as possible, both in the form of forecasts that enable people to
prepare for an eruption and then quick, accurate notifications when eruptions
begin so they can react when it happens,” Murray
said. “We are hoping to get more instruments out on the volcano to improve our
capabilities.”
USGS has identified Redoubt Volcano as one of the nation’s
highest-threat volcanoes. It threatens not only the Cook Inlet area of Alaska but also national
and international air traffic.
USGS reports that it is working to place monitoring equipment on all
volcanoes that pose the greatest threats to public safety. In 2005, a
nation-wide assessment by the USGS of volcano-monitoring capabilities targeted
dozens of other U.S.
volcanoes where monitoring infrastructure should be improved so that scientists
have the tools they need to make the best possible hazard analysis for the
public.
Redoubt last erupted explosively nearly 20 years ago, sending ash 40,000 feet
into the air. One ash cloud nearly brought down a 747 jetliner carrying
244 people, and mudflows threatened a Cook Inlet
oil terminal.
To view current volcanic information about Alaska,
including activity statements, images, background materials and related hazards, go to http://www.avo.alaska.edu .
Related PLW story:
http://www.peoplelandandwater.gov/scienceandstewardship/usgs_mount-redoubt-volcano.cfm