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Report on Veniaminof (United States) — 26 January-1 February 2005


Veniaminof

Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report,
26 January-1 February 2005
Managing Editor: Gari Mayberry

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2005. Report on Veniaminof (United States). In: Mayberry, G (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 26 January-1 February 2005. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (26 January-1 February 2005)

Veniaminof

United States

56.17°N, 159.38°W; summit elev. 2507 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


During 21-28 January, seismic data, web camera views, and satellite images all indicated that low-level ash emissions at Veniaminof continued. Seismicity was similar to levels observed during the previous week, consisting of low-amplitude volcanic tremor with occasional larger bursts. During periods of clear weather, satellite imagery showed anomalous heat at the summit cone, consistent with hot blocks and ash being ejected from the active vent. The web camera showed intermittent ash plumes reaching as high as 3 km a.s.l. Occasional stronger bursts of seismic tremor around 28 January may have indicated plumes to higher levels, but not above 4 km a.s.l. Veniaminof remained at Concern Color Code Orange.

Geological Summary. Veniaminof, on the Alaska Peninsula, is truncated by a steep-walled, 8 x 11 km, glacier-filled caldera that formed around 3,700 years ago. The caldera rim is up to 520 m high on the north, is deeply notched on the west by Cone Glacier, and is covered by an ice sheet on the south. Post-caldera vents are located along a NW-SE zone bisecting the caldera that extends 55 km from near the Bering Sea coast, across the caldera, and down the Pacific flank. Historical eruptions probably all originated from the westernmost and most prominent of two intra-caldera cones, which rises about 300 m above the surrounding icefield. The other cone is larger, and has a summit crater or caldera that may reach 2.5 km in diameter, but is more subdued and barely rises above the glacier surface.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)