Based on observations of satellite imagery and pilot reports, AVO reported that ash plumes from Okmok rose to altitudes of 4.6-10.7 km (15,000-35,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW, W, N, NNE, and SE. On 30 July, seismicity alternated between continuous and pulsating volcanic tremor. The Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Watch and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. On 31 July, reports from a fishing boat 11.3 km N indicated no visibility due to ashfall.

Strong volcanic tremor on 2 August prompted AVO to raise the Volcano Alert Level to Warning and the Aviation Color Code to Red. Cloudy conditions prevented satellite observations. Later that day, AVO geologists in the area reported that ash-and-steam plumes rose to minimum altitude of 6.1 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. The seismicity decreased and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Watch and the Aviation Color Code was lowered to Orange. Observers in Ft. Glenn on Umnak Island reported smelling sulfur and seeing a larger ash plume than earlier that day. The plume drifted ESE. On 3 August, helicopter and ground-based observers indicated a lower-altitude ash plume along with a higher steam plume. Satellite imagery revealed that ash plumes at altitudes of 9.1-10.7 km (30,000-35,000 ft) a.s.l. drifted SSW. On 4 August, ashfall reported in Nikolski had accumulated to a depth of 3 mm. During 4-5 August satellite imagery and pilot observations indicated that ash plumes rose to altitudes of 3-7.6 km (10,000-25,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted SW and W.

Geological Summary. The broad, basaltic Okmok shield volcano, which forms the NE end of Umnak Island, has a dramatically different profile than most other Aleutian volcanoes. The summit of the low, 35-km-wide volcano is cut by two overlapping 10-km-wide calderas formed during eruptions about 12,000 and 2050 years ago that produced dacitic pyroclastic flows that reached the coast. More than 60 tephra layers from Okmok have been found overlying the 12,000-year-old caldera-forming tephra layer. Numerous satellitic cones and lava domes dot the flanks of the volcano down to the coast, including 1253-m Mount Tulik on the SE flank, which is almost 200 m higher than the caldera rim. Some of the post-caldera cones show evidence of wave-cut lake terraces; the more recent cones, some of which have been active historically, were formed after the caldera lake, once 150 m deep, disappeared. Hot springs and fumaroles are found within the caldera. Historical eruptions have occurred since 1805 from cinder cones within the caldera.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)