Global Volcanism Program | Ugashik-Peulik

Most Recent Weekly Report: 12 May-18 May 2021 Cite this Report

On 12 May AVO changed the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level for Ugashik-Peulik to Green and Normal, respectively, reflecting that communication with seismic stations had been re-established, allowing for the location of earthquakes and detection of unrest.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

Weekly Reports - Index

2021: April | May

12 May-18 May 2021 Cite this Report

On 12 May AVO changed the Aviation Color Code and Volcano Alert Level for Ugashik-Peulik to Green and Normal, respectively, reflecting that communication with seismic stations had been re-established, allowing for the location of earthquakes and detection of unrest.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

14 April-20 April 2021 Cite this Report

AVO reported a loss of operation and communication with seismic stations that monitor Ugashik-Peulik, likely caused by snow cover. Both the Aviation Color Code and the Volcano Alert Level were changed to Unassigned on 19 April, reflecting the inability to locate earthquakes to detect unrest. Monitoring will continue with the remaining seismic stations, regional infrasound networks, lightning detection, and satellite images.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Ugashik-Peulik.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

312130

1814 CE

1,474 m / 4,836 ft

57.751°N
156.368°W

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Composite

Volcano Types
Stratovolcano
Caldera
Lava dome(s)

Rock Types

Major
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt
Dacite
Rhyolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

0
0
0
102

Geological Summary

The Ugashik-Peulik volcanic complex lies south of Becharof Lake and east of Upper Ugashik Lake. Late-Pleistocene caldera formation was followed by the emplacement of at least five Holocene lava domes within the 4.5-km-wide caldera. Most of the caldera walls consist of basement sandstones of Jurassic age. Following caldera formation the small, 3 km³ Peulik stratovolcano grew 2.5 km to the N. Lava flows from Peulik cover the caldera rim to the south and extend to Becharof Lake, 6 km N. A small lava dome on the E flank of Peulik was the source of a small block-and-ash flow. The summit of Peulik contains a 1.5-km-wide crater breached to the west that is partially filled by a lava dome. Debris-avalanche deposits cover a 75 km² area to the NW. A single documented historical eruption took place from Peulik in 1814.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Coats R R, 1950. Volcanic activity in the Aleutian Arc. U S Geol Surv Bull, 974-B: 35-47.

Detterman R L, Wilson F H, Yount M E, Miller T P, 1987. Quaternary geologic map of the Ugashik, Bristol Bay, and western part of Karluk quadrangles, Alaska. U S Geol Surv Map, I-1801.

Fierstein J, 2007. Explosive eruptive record in the Katmai region, Alaska Peninsula: an overview. Bull Volcanol, 69: 469-509.

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior.

Kienle J, Swanson S E, 1983. Volcanism in the eastern Aleutian Arc: late Quaternary and Holocene centers, tectonic setting and petrology. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 17: 393-432.

Miller T P, 1984. Two-stage volcanism at the Ugashik-Peulik volcanic center, Alaska Peninsula. Geol Soc Amer Abs Prog, 16: 322.

Miller T P, 2004. Geology of the Ugashik-Mount Peulik volcanic center, Alaska. U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt, 2004-1009: 1-19.

Miller T P, McGimsey R G, Richter D H, Riehle J R, Nye C J, Yount M E, Dumoulin J A, 1998. Catalogue of the historically active volcanoes of Alaska. U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt, 98-582: 1-104.

Motyka R J, Liss S A, Nye C J, Moorman M A, 1993. Geothermal resources of the Aleutian arc. Alaska Div Geol Geophys Surv, Prof Rpt, no 114, 17 p and 4 map sheets.

Smith R L, Shaw H R, Luedke R G, Russell S L, 1978. Comprehensive tables giving physical data and thermal energy estimates for young igneous systems of the United States. U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt, 78-925: 1-25.

Smith W R, Baker A A, 1922. The Cold Bay-Chignik district, Alaska. U S Geol Surv Bull, 755-D: 156-157 & 191-192.

Wood C A, Kienle J (eds), 1990. Volcanoes of North America. Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ Press, 354 p.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 4 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

[ 1852 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Peulik

1852 - Unknown

Evidence from Unknown

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Peulik

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Volcanic "smoke"

1814 Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Peulik

1814 - Unknown

Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Peulik

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	1814	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

1050 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Peulik

1050 ± 100 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Peulik

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash

5850 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Peulik

5850 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Peulik

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash

6550 BCE (?) Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Peulik

6550 BCE (?) - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Peulik

	Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
	- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
	- - - -	- - - -	Ash

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.

Synonyms

Puyulek | Bocharova (?) | Smoky Mountain

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Peulik

Stratovolcano

1474 m

57° 45' 3.00" N

156° 22' 5.00" W

Craters

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Ugashik

Pleistocene caldera

914 m

57° 43' 43.00" N

156° 22' 10.00" W

Photo Gallery

The Ukinrek Maars were formed during an eruption in 1977 at a Bering Sea lowland area without previous volcanic activity. Powerful phreatomagmatic explosions formed the 170-m-wide West Maar and 300-m-wide East Maar. The maars were named from the Yupik Eskimo words for "two holes in the ground." Late in the 10-day-long eruption a lava dome formed in East Maar, seen here from the NW rim with Peulik volcano in the background. The dome is now submerged beneath a 60-m-deep lake.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1978.

Mount Peulik was constructed immediately north of Ugashik caldera. It is seen here from NW near Ukinrek Maars. The hummocky terrain in the foreground is a debris avalanche deposit produced by the collapse of ancestral Peulik.

Photo by Christina Neal, 1993 (Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey).

The 4.5-km-wide Ugashik caldera formed during the late Pleistocene. Five Holocene lava domes are in the caldera, seen here from the east with Upper Ugashik Lake in the background.

Photo by Betsy Yount (Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 5 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 117233-100	Dacite	Peulik Volcano	--
NMNH 117233-101	Dacite	Peulik Volcano	--
NMNH 117233-102	Basalt	Peulik Volcano	--
NMNH 117233-103	Basalt	Peulik Volcano	--
NMNH 117233-99	Dacite	Peulik Volcano	--

External Sites

Alaska Volcano Observatory (Link to Ugashik-Peulik)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is a joint program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS). AVO was formed in 1988, and uses federal, state, and university resources to monitor and study Alaska's hazardous volcanoes, to predict and record eruptive activity, and to mitigate volcanic hazards to life and property.

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Ugashik-Peulik. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Ugashik-Peulik. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Ugashik-Peulik

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).