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Report on Cleveland (United States) — 23 July-29 July 2008


Cleveland

Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 July-29 July 2008
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.

Please cite this report as:

Global Volcanism Program, 2008. Report on Cleveland (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 23 July-29 July 2008. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.

Weekly Report (23 July-29 July 2008)

Cleveland

United States

52.825°N, 169.944°W; summit elev. 1730 m

All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


AVO reported that satellite views of Cleveland were hindered on 23 July due to cloud cover. On 24 July, a low-level ash plume and a strong thermal anomaly were noted near the summit. The thermal anomaly suggested the presence of an active lava flow. The thermal anomaly continued to be detected during 26-28 July and possible ash plumes drifted SE, E, and NE at altitudes of 3-6.1 km (10,000-20,000 ft) a.s.l. during 27-29 July.

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)