Volcano Update from Archive



AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Cleveland (CAVW #1101-24-)

Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Previous Volcano Alert Level: NONE

Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Previous Aviation Color Code: NONE

Issued: Wednesday, December 24, 2008, 1:22 PM AKST (20081224/2222Z)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2008/A34
Location: N 52 deg 49 min W 169 deg 56 min
Elevation: 5676 ft (1730 m)
Area: Aleutians Alaska

Volcanic Activity Summary: AVO is raising the aviation color code to Yellow and the alert level to Advisory. Satellite images acquired last night show a persistent thermal anomaly near the summit of Cleveland volcano. Such observations in the past have many times, but not always, preceded eruptive activity that has sent ash to altitudes of more than 20,000 ft above sea level and in 2001 as high as 39,000 ft. Eruptions in July 2008 produced ash plumes exceeding 25,000 ft. Cleveland volcano is not seismically monitored; satellite images and pilot reports are the primary source of information.

Remarks: Cleveland volcano forms the western half of Chuginadak Island, a remote and uninhabited island in the east central Aleutians. It is located about about 75 km (45 mi.) west of the community of Nikolski, and 1500 km (940 mi.) southwest of Anchorage. In February 2001 three explosive events occured at the volcano that produced ash clouds as high as 12 km (39,000 ft) above sea level. That eruption also produced a rubbly lava flow and hot avalanche that reached the sea. Minor explosive activity (cloud heights occasionally in excess of 20,000 ft. above sea level) has occurred periodically since 2001.

Contacts: Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Mike West, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
west@gi.alaska.edu (907) 474-6977

Next Notice: A new VAN will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VAN is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.
(1) VOLCANO OBSERVATORY NOTICE FOR AVIATION (VONA)
(2) Issued:(20081224/2222Z)
(3) Volcano:Cleveland (CAVW# 1101-24-)
(4) Current Color Code:YELLOW
(5) Previous Color Code:
(6) Source:Alaska Volcano Observatory
(7) Notice Number:2008/A34
(8) Volcano Location:N 52 deg 49 min W 169 deg 56 min
(9) Area:Aleutians Alaska
(10) Summit Elevation:5676 ft (1730 m)
(11) Volcanic Activity Summary:AVO is raising the aviation color code to Yellow and the alert level to Advisory. Satellite images acquired last night show a persistent thermal anomaly near the summit of Cleveland volcano. Such observations in the past have many times, but not always, preceded eruptive activity that has sent ash to altitudes of more than 20,000 ft above sea level and in 2001 as high as 39,000 ft. Eruptions in July 2008 produced ash plumes exceeding 25,000 ft. Cleveland volcano is not seismically monitored; satellite images and pilot reports are the primary source of information.

(12) Volcanic cloud height:Unknown
(13) Other volcanic cloud information:Unknown
(14) Remarks:Cleveland volcano forms the western half of Chuginadak Island, a remote and uninhabited island in the east central Aleutians. It is located about about 75 km (45 mi.) west of the community of Nikolski, and 1500 km (940 mi.) southwest of Anchorage. In February 2001 three explosive events occured at the volcano that produced ash clouds as high as 12 km (39,000 ft) above sea level. That eruption also produced a rubbly lava flow and hot avalanche that reached the sea. Minor explosive activity (cloud heights occasionally in excess of 20,000 ft. above sea level) has occurred periodically since 2001.
(15) Contacts:Tom Murray, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
tlmurray@usgs.gov (907) 786-7497

Mike West, Acting Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
west@gi.alaska.edu (907) 474-6977
(16) Next Notice:A new VONA will be issued if conditions change significantly or alert levels are modified. While a VONA is in effect, regularly scheduled updates are posted at http://www.avo.alaska.edu