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Katmai

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 58.279°N
  • 154.9533°W

  • 2047 m
    6716 ft

  • 312170
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 4 October-10 October 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that during 3-4 and 9 October strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes dispersed unconsolidated ash up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. to the W and SE. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta-Katmai eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Weekly Reports - Index


2023: April | August | October
2022: April | May | June | October
2021: August | September | November
2020: October


4 October-10 October 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that during 3-4 and 9 October strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes dispersed unconsolidated ash up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. to the W and SE. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta-Katmai eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


2 August-8 August 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that beginning at about 1430 on 4 August, strong SE winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes dispersed unconsolidated ash up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. to the NW. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta-Katmai eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


19 April-25 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that during the morning of 23 April, strong NW winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes dispersed unconsolidated ash up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. to the SE across Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta-Katmai eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


5 April-11 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 8 April strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE across Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 2.4 km 8,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


5 October-11 October 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 9 October strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE across Shelikof Strait to Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal (the lowest level on a four-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


29 June-5 July 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 30 June strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash NW at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


18 May-24 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 20 May strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash WNW at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


11 May-17 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 13 May strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


6 April-12 April 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 8 April strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


24 November-30 November 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 25 November strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE over Shelikof Strait and Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


17 November-23 November 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that during 17-18 November strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE over Shelikof Strait and Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 2.1 km (7,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


29 September-5 October 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that beginning at 0400 on 2 October strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


22 September-28 September 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that beginning at 1730 on 23 September strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


15 September-21 September 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 21 September strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes blew unconsolidated ash SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 2.4 km (8,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


25 August-31 August 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

AVO reported that on 28 August strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes picked up unconsolidated ash and drifted SE towards Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.8 km (6,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


28 October-3 November 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

On 31 October AVO reported that an ash cloud, resuspended by strong winds in the vicinity of Katmai and the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, drifted SE over the S part of Kodiak Island at an altitude up to 1.5 km (5,000 ft) a.s.l. The ash was originally deposited during the Novarupta eruption in 1912. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Normal and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)


The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Katmai.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 1 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1931 May 8 - 1931 Jul ] Discredited Eruption

Reports of "smoke" may be vapor condensation clouds (Coats, 1950). No credible reports of post-1912 eruptions are noted by Hildreth (1983), and Kienle and Swanson (1983) also list no post-1912 eruptions.

[ 1929 Dec ] Discredited Eruption

Coats (1950) reported unspecified activity in December 1929. However, no credible reports of post-1912 eruptions are noted by Hildreth (1983), and Kienle and Swanson (1983) also list no post-1912 eruptions.

[ 1921 Nov 27 ] Discredited Eruption

Minor eruptions were attributed to Katmai (Ward and Matumoto, 1967). However, no credible reports of post-1912 eruptions are noted by Hildreth (1983), and Kienle and Swanson (1983) also list no post-1912 eruptions.

[ 1920 Mar 9 ] Discredited Eruption

Minor eruptions were attributed to Katmai (Ward and Matumoto, 1967). However, no credible reports of post-1912 eruptions are noted by Hildreth (1983), and Kienle and Swanson (1983) also list no post-1912 eruptions.

[ 1914 Jul ] Discredited Eruption

Coats (1950) reported unspecified activity in 1914. However, no credible reports of post-1912 eruptions are noted by Hildreth (1983), and Kienle and Swanson (1983) also list no post-1912 eruptions.

1912 Jun 6 - 1912 Jul 21 (in or after) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1912 Jun 6 - 1912 Jul 21 (in or after) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Caldera Explosion
1912 Jun 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Katmai.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Katmai.

Photo Gallery

Alaska's lake-filled Katmai caldera, seen here from the SE, collapsed during a catastrophic eruption in 1912 of Novarupta volcano, hidden behind the far caldera wall 10 km to the west. Little tephra was erupted from Katmai itself, but Novarupta produced the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes ash flow, whose deposits form the broad flat valley in the right distance. Prior to 1912, Mount Katmai was a 2290-m-high complex of 4 small stratovolcanoes, similar to Trident volcano to the SW.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1978.
This 1978 aerial view from the NE looks down the SW-trending chain of closely spaced volcanoes in Katmai National Park. Katmai volcano, in the foreground, is truncated by a 4.5-km-wide caldera created by collapse of the volcano in 1912 at the time of the major eruption at Novarupta volcano, 10 km to the west and below the far rim of Katmai caldera. Beyond Katmai, in line with the 250-m-deep caldera lake, are the dark-colored peaks of the Trident complex and the broad, glacier-covered slopes of Mageik volcano.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1978.
Mount Katmai, seen here from the south, is truncated by a caldera that formed in 1912 during a catastrophic eruption at Novarupta volcano, 10 km to the west. Little eruptive activity occurred at Katmai itself during the collapse. Prior to 1912, Mount Katmai was a 2290-m-high complex of 4 small overlapping stratovolcanoes. The 3 x 4.5 km wide caldera is filled by a lake that was 250-m deep by 1976 and is still rising. The small glaciers on the bench on the north caldera wall began forming shortly after the 1912 eruption.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1978.
Katmai caldera, formed during the catastrophic eruption of the nearby Novarupta vent in June 1912, is seen here in an aerial view from the NE. The steep-walled, 1.5-km-wide caldera formed on a cluster of overlapping cones and is partially filled by a lake. Beyond the caldera are the multiple peaks of Trident volcano; Mageik volcano is the snow-and-ice-covered cone in the background.

Photo by Chris Nye, 1991 (Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, Alaska Volcano Observatory).
The 3 x 4.5 km Katmai caldera, seen here from its western rim, formed in 1912 by the hydraulic draining of magma away from Katmai to Novarupta 10 km W. Little if any eruptive activity took place at Katmai itself, which prior to collapse was a complex of four small overlapping stratovolcanoes. The 250-m-deep caldera lake covers a small lava dome and tuff ring that erupted on the caldera floor.

Photo by Game McGimsey, 1990 (Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 76 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 116509-1 Glass -- 18 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-10 Andesite -- 3 Sep 1923
NMNH 116509-11 Glass -- 10 Oct 1923
NMNH 116509-12 Basalt -- --
NMNH 116509-13 Glass -- 1 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-14 Basalt -- 27 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-15 Dike Rock -- 8 Jun 1923
NMNH 116509-16 Obsidian -- 10 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-17 Rhyolite -- 5 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-18 Tuff -- --
NMNH 116509-19 Basalt -- 10 Oct 1923
NMNH 116509-2 Syenite -- 6 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-20 Obsidian -- 10 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-21 Granite -- 6 Sep 1923
NMNH 116509-22 Lava -- 14 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-23 Quartz Porphyry -- 4 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-24 Glass -- 2 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-25 Dacite -- 10 Oct 1923
NMNH 116509-26 Rhyolite -- 1 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-3 Pumice -- 19 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-4 Glass -- 11 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-5 Quartz Porphyry -- 20 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-6 Andesite -- 10 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-7 Trachyte -- 26 Jul 1923
NMNH 116509-8 Tuff -- 2 Aug 1923
NMNH 116509-9 Pumice -- 13 Aug 1923
NMNH 116550-1 Pumice -- 25 Aug 1923
NMNH 116550-10 Granite -- --
NMNH 116550-2 Pumice -- 25 Aug 1923
NMNH 116550-3 Pumice -- 25 Aug 1923
NMNH 116550-4 Tuffaceous Sand -- 8 Jul 1923
NMNH 116550-5 Tuffaceous Sand -- 30 Apr 1935
NMNH 116550-6 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116550-7 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116550-8 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116550-9 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116660-4 Dacitic Pumice -- --
NMNH 117259-1 Fumarole Deposit -- 30 Jun 1919
NMNH 117259-10 Fumarole Deposit -- 4 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-11 Fumarole Deposit -- 4 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-12 Fumarole Deposit -- 6 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-13 Fumarole Deposit -- 4 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-14 Fumarole Deposit -- 5 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-15 Fumarole Deposit -- 5 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-16 Fumarole Deposit -- --
NMNH 117259-17 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-18 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-19 Fumarole Deposit -- 11 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-2 Fumarole Deposit -- 15 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-25 Fumarole Deposit -- --
NMNH 117259-26 Fumarole Deposit -- 9 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-27 Fumarole Deposit -- 9 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-28 Fumarole Deposit -- 9 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-29 Fumarole Deposit -- 9 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-3 Fumarole Deposit -- 12 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-30 Fumarole Deposit -- 10 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-31 Fumarole Deposit -- 8 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-32 Fumarole Deposit -- 11 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-33 Fumarole Deposit -- 11 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-34 Fumarole Deposit -- 12 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-35 Fumarole Deposit -- 12 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-36 Fumarole Deposit -- 13 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-37 Fumarole Deposit -- 15 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-38 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-39 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-4 Fumarole Deposit -- 12 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-40 Fumarole Deposit -- --
NMNH 117259-41 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-42 Fumarole Deposit -- 14 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-43 Fumarole Deposit -- 8 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-44 Fumarole Deposit -- --
NMNH 117259-5 Fumarole Deposit -- 12 Aug 1919
NMNH 117259-6 Fumarole Deposit -- 26 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-7 Fumarole Deposit -- 2 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-8 Fumarole Deposit -- 4 Jul 1919
NMNH 117259-9 Fumarole Deposit -- 4 Jul 1919
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