Report on Pavlof (United States) — 10 August-16 August 2022
Smithsonian Institution / US Geological Survey
Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 August-16 August 2022
Managing Editor: Sally Sennert.
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2022. Report on Pavlof (United States) (Sennert, S, ed.). Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 10 August-16 August 2022. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
Pavlof
United States
55.417°N, 161.894°W; summit elev. 2493 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
AVO reported that a minor eruption at a vent on Pavlof’s upper E flank was ongoing during 9-16 August, though cloud cover often prevented visual confirmation. Seismic tremor persisted and multiple small daily explosions were detected in local and regional seismic and infrasound data. The explosions may have produced minor ash emissions that rose no higher than 3 km (10,000 ft) a.s.l. and dissipated quickly, though on a few of the clear views none were seen. Elevated surface temperatures were identified in satellite images on most of the days. The Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch and the Aviation Color Code remained at Orange.
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)