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Report on Pavlof (United States) — 10 November-16 November 2021


Pavlof

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 November-16 November 2021
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2021. Report on Pavlof (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 November-16 November 2021. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (10 November-16 November 2021)

Pavlof

United States

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

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


AVO reported that the eruption at Pavlof continued during 10-16 November and was focused at a vent on the upper NE flank. Seismicity remained elevated. Pilots observed steam plumes rising to 4.3 km (14,000 ft) a.s.l.; steam plumes were also visible the next day. On 11 November a narrow 2-km-long lahar deposit on the SE flank was identified in satellite images. The lahar was likely generated by the interaction of lava and snow on the upper flank. Strongly elevated surface temperatures visible in satellite images during 10-15 November were indicative of lava effusion and possibly fountaining. Several explosions were recorded during 12-14 November. The Volcano Alert Level and Aviation Color Code remained at Watch and Orange, respectively.

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)