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Kiska

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 52.103°N
  • 177.602°E

  • 1220 m
    4003 ft

  • 311020
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number

Most Recent Bulletin Report: May 1990 (BGVN 15:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Steam and ash plume

A steam cloud emerging from an upper flank vent . . . was seen from neighboring Amchitka Island on 1 June at about 1000. Ash began mixing with the steam after ~30 minutes, and steam and ash emission remained visible until weather conditions obscured the volcano 3 hours later. At about 1500, a Reeve Aleutian Airways pilot reported a steam plume rising to ~3.5 km altitude, associated with a dispersed gray haze at about the same altitude. Authorities issued a NOTAM. When a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) vessel traveled past the N and W sides of Kiska Island on 3 June, no ash was visible on flank snow cover, although some light snow might have fallen since the eruption. Steaming from the W vent appeared typical. A plume from Kiska was clearly evident on radar aboard the Soviet vessel RV Vulkanolog, as it passed ~200 km N of Kiska on 4 June at 0800. However, no ashfall was noted at the ship.

Information Contacts: AVO; Nikolai Seliverstov (chief of expedition, RVVulkanolog), IV; Eugene Yogodzinski (RVVulkanolog), Cornell Univ; Anchorage Times, AK.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Kiska.

Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

09/1969 (CSLP 116-69) Eruption generates ash and steam plumes; small lava flow

04/1987 (SEAN 12:04) Plume on satellite image

05/1990 (BGVN 15:05) Steam and ash plume




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


September 1969 (CSLP 116-69)

Eruption generates ash and steam plumes; small lava flow

Card 0751 (12 September 1969) Ash and steam plumes and lava seen; source uncertain

"Last night the people on Amchitka visually sighted a volcano erupting about 50 miles NW of the island. It was on one of the smaller islands which they could not identify. They observed volcanic ash to approximately 1,200 feet and steam to about 12,000 feet. They visually sighted flames and lava last night at approximately 1000 GMT on 12 September. The eruption was observed at periods of about two minutes during the most active period of the volcanic activity." Positive identification of the erupting volcano has not yet been made.

Card 0752 (17 September 1969) Overflights identify Kiska as source of activity

The following was received via cable from D.B. Stone on 15 September. "Kiska volcano seen to be active. Much steam, strong sulfur smell, air temperature as recorded by aircraft 10°C higher over N tip of island than over adjacent sea. Unable to see other islands due to poor weather. Kiska likely source of events seen from Amchitka."

The following report is from a telephone conversation with L. Kerry on 16 September, 7:00 p.m. EDT. "The first report we had was the 12th of September from the people working on Amchitka Island, who called in and reported that there was steam and that it seemed to be throwing something up into the air. This wasn't happening on the afternoon of the 13th when our military plane flew over. These first reports were just visual reports from Amchitka and because of overcast skies, they could only see it occasionally in snatches. There were no explosions heard, or none were reported to us, and they didn't say if there was any eruption cloud. The plane definitely pinpointed the volcano on 'Little Kiska' island. They measured a definite rise in temperature from as close as they could get in the plane of 15°C; there was steam and there seemed to be evidence of a small lava flow. The latest report we have from witnesses on Amchitka seems to indicate that it is beginning to stop; and a pilot reported the volcano is down to just steam a day ago."

Information Contacts:
Card 0751 (12 September 1969) John B. Townshend, College Observatory, Coast and Geodetic Survey, College AK, USA.
Card 0752 (17 September 1969) D.B. Stone, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, College, AK; Leonard Kerry, Adak Observatory, FPO Seattle, WA.


April 1987 (SEAN 12:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Plume on satellite image

From a 15 April NOAA 9 satellite image (at 1704), Steven Shivers (USGS) noted a narrow plume drifting ~60 km E from the volcano. No reports of an eruption have been received from airplane pilots or ground observers.

Information Contacts: J. Reeder, ADGGS; T. Miller, USGS, Anchorage; W. Gould, NOAA/NESDIS.


May 1990 (BGVN 15:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Steam and ash plume

A steam cloud emerging from an upper flank vent . . . was seen from neighboring Amchitka Island on 1 June at about 1000. Ash began mixing with the steam after ~30 minutes, and steam and ash emission remained visible until weather conditions obscured the volcano 3 hours later. At about 1500, a Reeve Aleutian Airways pilot reported a steam plume rising to ~3.5 km altitude, associated with a dispersed gray haze at about the same altitude. Authorities issued a NOTAM. When a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) vessel traveled past the N and W sides of Kiska Island on 3 June, no ash was visible on flank snow cover, although some light snow might have fallen since the eruption. Steaming from the W vent appeared typical. A plume from Kiska was clearly evident on radar aboard the Soviet vessel RV Vulkanolog, as it passed ~200 km N of Kiska on 4 June at 0800. However, no ashfall was noted at the ship.

Information Contacts: AVO; Nikolai Seliverstov (chief of expedition, RVVulkanolog), IV; Eugene Yogodzinski (RVVulkanolog), Cornell Univ; Anchorage Times, AK.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

1990 Jun 1 - 1990 Jun 1 (?) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Upper NW? flank
1990 Jun 1 - 1990 Jun 1 (?) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Upper NW? flank

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1990 Jun 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1987 Apr 15 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1987 Apr 15 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Eruption cloud

1969 Sep 11 - 1969 Sep 16 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1969 Sep 11 - 1969 Sep 16 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1969 Sep 11    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1964 Mar 18 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 0

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1964 Mar 18 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow
1964 Mar 18    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1962 Jan 24 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode North flank (Sirius Point)
1962 Jan 24 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1 at North flank (Sirius Point)

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion moderate
   - - - -    - - - - Lava flow moderate
   - - - -    - - - - Cinder Cone
1962 Jan 24    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1927 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1927 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
1927    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1907 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1907 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
1907    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is data available for 3 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.


Deformation during 2006 - 2008 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 2006 Stop Date: 2008 Direction: Subsidence Method: InSAR
Magnitude: 3.000 cm Spatial Extent: 2.00 km Latitude: 52.000 Longitude: 178.000

Remarks: Alternating uplift and subsidence is presumably caused by pore fluid pressure changes within a confined hydrothermal reservoir.

Figure (see Caption)

Observed C-band interferogram showing time-varying deformation near the summit of Kiska Volcano. A full cycle of colors (i.e., one interferometric fringe) represents 2.83 cm of surface displacement along the LOS. A color progression from red to yellow to blue represents an increase in LOS distance as a result of surface subsidence; the opposite progression represents LOS shortening (surface uplift). Areas lacking interferometric coherence are uncolored. Interferometric phase images are shown superimposed on the shaded-relief image.

From: Lu and Dzurisin 2014.


Reference List: Lu and Dzurisin 2014.

Full References:

Lu Z, Dzurisin D, 2014. InSAR imaging of Aleutian volcanoes: monitoring a volcanic arc from space. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00348-6

Deformation during 2005 - 2006 [Uplift; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 2005 Stop Date: 2006 Direction: Uplift Method: InSAR
Magnitude: 4.000 cm Spatial Extent: 1.00 km Latitude: 52.000 Longitude: 178.000

Remarks: Alternating uplift and subsidence is presumably caused by pore fluid pressure changes within a confined hydrothermal reservoir.

Figure (see Caption)

Observed C-band interferogram showing time-varying deformation near the summit of Kiska Volcano. A full cycle of colors (i.e., one interferometric fringe) represents 2.83 cm of surface displacement along the LOS. A color progression from red to yellow to blue represents an increase in LOS distance as a result of surface subsidence; the opposite progression represents LOS shortening (surface uplift). Areas lacking interferometric coherence are uncolored. Interferometric phase images are shown superimposed on the shaded-relief image.

From: Lu and Dzurisin 2014.


Reference List: Lu and Dzurisin 2014.

Full References:

Lu Z, Dzurisin D, 2014. InSAR imaging of Aleutian volcanoes: monitoring a volcanic arc from space. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00348-6

Deformation during 1999 - 2001 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1999 Stop Date: 2001 Direction: Subsidence Method: InSAR
Magnitude: 9.000 cm Spatial Extent: 3.00 km Latitude: 52.000 Longitude: 178.000

Remarks: Alternating uplift and subsidence is presumably caused by pore fluid pressure changes within a confined hydrothermal reservoir.

Figure (see Caption)

Observed and modeled interferograms that show time-varying subsidence near the summit of Kiska volcano from 1995 to 2001. The areal extent of the interferograms is shown in Figure 1. The interferograms cover the following time periods: (a) observed and (e) modeled interferograms spanning Oct. 1, 1995 to Sept. 25, 2000 (ha = 539 m); (b) observed and (f) modeled interferograms spanning Oct. 10, 1998 to Oct. 14, 2000 (ha = 441 m); (c) observed and (g) modeled interferograms spanning Aug. 2, 1999 to Aug. 21, 2000 (ha = 486 m); (d) observed and (h) modeled interferograms spanning Jun. 28, 1999 to Sept. 25, 2000 (ha = 1879 m); (i) observed interferogram spanning Oct. 4, 2000 to Jul. 21, 2001 (ha = 172 m); (j) observed interferogram spanning Oct. 4, 2000 to Aug. 25, 2001 (ha = 122 m); and (k) observed interferogram spanning Aug. 21, 2000 to Sept. 25, 2000 (ha = 58 m), which was used to verify overall accuracy of the DEM. The orange circle represents a vigorous steam vent reported by Jones et al. [2001]. Blue circles represent surface projections of locations for source models that best fit individual interferograms (Table 1). The red circle is the fixed source location based on the average of locations of individually best-fit models. The modeled interferograms are calculated based on the fixed source location. A full cycle of colors (i.e., one interferometric fringe) represents 2.83 cm of surface displacement along the LOS. Areas without interferometric coherence are uncolored. Interferometric phase images are shown superimposed on the shaded-relief image.

From: Lu et al. 2002b.


Reference List: Lu and Dzurisin 2014; Lu et al. 2002b.

Full References:

Lu Z, Dzurisin D, 2014. InSAR imaging of Aleutian volcanoes: monitoring a volcanic arc from space. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-00348-6

Lu, Z., T. Masterlark, J. Power, D. Dzurisin, and C. Wicks,, 2002. Subsidence at Kiska volcano, Western Aleutians, Detected by Satellite Radar Interferometry. Geophysical Research Letters, 29, no. 18, 1855. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL014948

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Kiska.

GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 27 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 118206-1 Andesite -- 11 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-10 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-11 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-12 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-13 Block -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-14 Block -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-15 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-16 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-17 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-18 Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-19 Basaltic Andesite -- 9 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-2 Andesite -- 11 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-20 Bomb -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-21 Spatter -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-22 Spatter -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-23 Andesite spatter -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-24 Spatter -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-25 Basaltic Andesite -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-26 Basaltic Andesite -- 10 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-3 Basaltic Andesite -- 7 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-4 Basaltic andesite breccia -- 7 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-5 Andesite -- 11 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-6 Andesite pyroclastic flow -- 11 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-7 Lapilli tephra -- 8 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-8 Lapilli tephra -- 8 Sep 2015
NMNH 118206-9 Volcanic Breccia -- 8 Sep 2015
NMNH 76100 Unidentified -- --
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