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Report on Pavlof (United States) — 18 May-24 May 2016


Pavlof

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 18 May-24 May 2016
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2016. Report on Pavlof (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 18 May-24 May 2016. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (18 May-24 May 2016)

Pavlof

United States

55.417°N, 161.894°W; summit elev. 2493 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


On 20 May AVO reported that the period of volcanic activity at Pavlof that began on 13 May had ended; eruptive activity had not been evident in satellite or seismic data since the low-level ash emissions observed on 17 May. AVO lowered the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and Volcano Alert Level to Advisory, and noted that pauses in eruptive activity of days to weeks were common during eruptive episodes at Pavlof.

Geological Summary. The most active volcano of the Aleutian arc, Pavlof is a Holocene stratovolcano that was constructed along a line of vents extending NE from the Emmons Lake caldera. Pavlof and Pavlof Sister to the NE form a dramatic pair of symmetrical, glacier-covered stratovolcanoes that overlook Pavlof and Volcano bays. Little Pavlof is a smaller cone on the SW flank of Pavlof volcano, near the rim of Emmons Lake caldera. Unlike Pavlof Sister, eruptions have frequently been reported from Pavlof, typically Strombolian to Vulcanian explosive eruptions from the summit vents and occasional lava flows. The active vents lie near the summit on the north and east sides. The largest recorded eruption took place in 1911, at the end of a 5-year-long eruptive episode, when a fissure opened on the N flank, ejecting large blocks and issuing lava flows.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)