On 3 February AVO reported that recent satellite data indicated that a new lava dome had been extruded, and partially filled Cleveland's summit crater. The new dome is about 70 m in diameter, similar in size to previous lava domes that have developed on the crater floor. Since explosive activity has sometimes followed lava-dome extrusion, AVO increased the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Volcano Alert Level to Watch. Weakly elevated surface temperatures were identified in several satellite images during 6-7 February, consistent with the presence of a lava dome that began forming in late January.

Geological Summary. The beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus, Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 it produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)