Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors Augustine eruptions

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
01/13/06

Augustine Volcano in Cook Inlet began erupting again on Friday morning, with scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory recording three explosive events before noon: one at 3:55 a.m., one at 8:47 a.m. and one at 11:22 a.m.

As of midday, pilot reports and satellite imagery confirmed ash clouds reaching more than 5 1/2 miles high and moving east. The National Weather Service shortly before noon issued an ash fall advisory for the southwest Kenai Peninsula, noting that the ash cloud from the 11:22 a.m. eruption was expected to reach Homer and western Kachemak Bay around 3 - 4 p.m. on Friday.

According to the observatory, seismic data suggests that Friday’s eruptions included pyroclastic flows and volcanic mudflows, called lahars, on the flanks of the island volcano. The observatory noted that explosive activity is expected to continue over the next several days or weeks.

The number of earthquakes at Augustine have been on the rise since early May 2005, according to the observatory. In December, instruments were recording about 15 earthquakes each day, as well as some small steam explosions during the first part of the month. Additional measurements of the volcano early this year showed an increase in volcanic gas output and temperature at the summit.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the observatory noted a marked increase in seismic activity and at 4:44 a.m. and 5:13 a.m the following day recorded two eruptions.

Scientists at Alaska Volcano Observatory continue to monitor activity at Augustine. The observatory is a cooperative program of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.

High resolution images are available for download.

The Geographic Information Network of Alaska will update its Web site with new images, showing ash cloud movement, as they are captured by satellite. Visit www.gina.alaska.edu/page.xml?group=data&page=alaska_images often to see the latest imagery. Caption and credit information will be available.

CONTACT: Alaska Volcano Observatory Acting Chief Scientist Steve McNutt at (907) 474-7131, or dial the Alaska Volcano Observatory main line at (907) 474-5681. Additional resources are available at the Alaska Volcano Observatory Web site, www.avo.alaska.edu