AVO reported that unrest continued at Shishaldin during 12-19 December. Seismicity remained low and was characterized by small low-frequency earthquakes recorded daily and tremor recorded during 15-19 December. Barely elevated surface temperatures identified in satellite images during 13-14 December were likely associated with cooling deposits on the upper flanks. Minor steaming at the summit was visible in webcam images on 15 December. Infrasound signals indicating weak explosions were detected during 17-18 December but did not produce ash emissions; only minor steaming at the summit was visible in clear webcam images. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch (the third level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange (the third color on a four-color scale).

Geological Summary. The symmetrical glacier-covered Shishaldin in the Aleutian Islands is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes in the eastern half of Unimak Island. The Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points the way when I am lost." Constructed atop an older glacially dissected edifice, it is largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older edifice are exposed on the W and NE sides at 1,500-1,800 m elevation. There are over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank, which is covered by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity, primarily consisting of Strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit crater, but sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the 18th century. A steam plume often rises from the summit crater.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)