Okmok status returned to Red…

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Okmok (CAVW #1101-29-)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Current Aviation Color Code: RED

Issued: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 11:13 AM AKDT (20080719/1913Z)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2008/A13
Location: N 53 deg 23 min W 168 deg 9 min
Elevation: 3520 ft (1073 m)
Area: Aleutians Alaska

Volcanic Activity Summary: Over the last 60 minutes, the amplitude of seismicity at Okmok Volcano has risen markedly, reaching a level commonly associated with vigorous ash emission. AVO believes that ash from Okmok could be exceeding 30,000 feet above sea level. For this reason, AVO is raising the aviation color code to RED and volcano alert code to WARNING.

Recent Observations:
[Monitoring report] Seismic amplitude has risen markedly in the last 60 minutes.

Remarks: Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information.

Contacts: John Power, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov, (907)786-7497

Quote of the Day 19 July 08

“A Goal without a plan is a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Okmok’s SO2 cloud reaches CONUS

One of the gases ejected from a volcano during in an eruption is sulfur dioxide. (SO2)

If sulfur dioxide is oxidized by certain compounds such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) then sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is produced. When H2SO4 mixes with airborne moisture it falls to earth as “acid rain” Okmok produced a large cloud of SO2 at the begining of it’s eruption on July 12th. That cloud and addition SO2 produced from subsequent explosions began reaching parts of the pacific northwest on July 17th. See the photos below that track the cloud’s movements from the 13th to the 17th. As of this posting there was no map for the 18th. The red indicates Sulfur Dioxide.

Okmok opens a new vent!

Eruption cloud on 12 July 08

Alaska Volcano Observatory

Weekly Update

Friday, July 18, 2008 11:45 AM AKDT (19:45 UTC)

OKMOK VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-29-)
53°23′49″ N 168°9′58″ W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE
Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

The 2008 eruption of Okmok Volcano, which began on July 12 at 11:43 AKDT (19:43 UTC), continues. The initial phase of the eruption was quite explosive and produced a wet, ash and gas-rich plume that reached 50,000 feet above sea level. Wet, coarse (sand-sized) ash fall was reported within minutes of the eruption’s start at Fort Glenn, about 10 km E/SE of Okmok Caldera. A light ashfall was also reported at Unalaska/Dutch Harbor by 13:00 AKDT. Based on pilot reports, airborne photographs, and radar intensity images, the eruptive vent appears to be new, having formed to the northwest of Cone D (located east of the center of the caldera).

Over the last week, the severity of eruption has slowly declined. Pilot reports, seismicity, and satellite data all indicate that the eruption is now episodic, with occasional, ash-producing explosions occurring every 15 to 30 minutes. The plumes from these explosions appear to be limited to about 20,000 feet above sea level.

The current Okmok eruption differs from eruptions of the recent past in two important respects: it has been considerably more explosive, and it has occurred in a different place. Prior to this eruption, and at least since the late 1800s, eruptive activity had been concentrated at Cone A, in the southwestern corner of the caldera, and had been limited to relatively low-level plumes, generally less than 30,000 feet above sea level. Because of these differences, it is not a simple matter to forecast the eventual course of the current eruption based on recent past experience. Over the next several weeks to months, intermittent explosions are likely to occur, and some of these may produce ash plumes to 30,000 feet above sea level. Lava fountaining and lava flows are also possible, although these will result in hazards confined mainly within the caldera. We also cannot rule out a return to more vigorous explosions, perhaps even exceeding the size of those on July 12.

Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information.

Quote of the day 18 July 08

Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives. – A. Sachs

Quote of the day 17 July 08

“Action is eloquence” – William Shakespeare

Okmok activity downgraded…

Current activity at Okmok Caldera has waned over the last 24 hrs. Here’s the latest update:

AVO/USGS Volcanic Activity Notice

Volcano: Okmok (CAVW #1101-29-)

Current Volcano Alert Level: WATCH

Current Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

Issued: Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 2:43 PM AKDT (20080716/2243Z)
Source: Alaska Volcano Observatory
Notice Number: 2008/A12
Location: N 53 deg 23 min W 168 deg 9 min
Elevation: 3520 ft (1073 m)
Area: Aleutians Alaska

Volcanic Activity Summary: The aviation color code for Okmok Volcano has been lowered from RED to ORANGE. The volcano alert level has been lowered from WARNING to WATCH. Okmok Volcano continues to erupt. Seismicity has changed from nearly continuous volcanic tremor to a more episodic character, and the overall seismic intensity has declined. The most recent satellite imagery indicates little or no ash, however weather clouds may be obscuring an ash signal.

Recent Observations:
[Monitoring report] Over the past 24 hours, seismic activity at Okmok Volcano has transitioned from episodic events associated with the production of volcanic ash to a lower amplitude signal. A pilot report suggests that ash is no longer rising above 15,000 ft. Satellite imagery obtained today indicates little or no ash above weather cloud height.

Hazard Analysis:
[General hazards] All areas in the immediate vicinity of the volcano on Umnak Island should be avoided, particularly the Crater Creek drainage northeast of the caldera. Ash fall may continue downwind of the volcano. Stronger explosive activity could resume at any time with little or no warning.

Remarks: Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information.

Contacts: John Power, Acting Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
jpower@usgs.gov, (907)786-7497

Steve McNutt, Coordinating Scientist, UAFGI
steve@giseis.alaska.edu (907)978-5458

Okmok Update

It looks like Okmok is starting to slow down a bit…

OKMOK VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-29-)
53°23′49″ N 168°9′58″ W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: RED
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Okmok Volcano continues to erupt. Over the last 24 hours, activity at Okmok has diminished. Seismicity has changed from nearly continuous volcanic tremor to a more episodic character, and over the last several hours, the overall seismic intensity has declined. The most recent satellite imagery indicates little or no ash, however weather clouds may be obscuring an ash signal.

Please see http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Okmok.php for more information.

Activity at Okmok

Since I am looking to be a volcanologist I thought you guys might want to see whats going on in the field right now. Currently Okmok caldera has been erupting for a few days. Here is the latest report and photos courtesy of AVO:

Alaska Volcano Observatory Current Status ReportTuesday, July 15, 2008 11:49 AM AKDT (19:49 UTC)

OKMOK VOLCANO (CAVW #1101-29-)
53°23′49″ N 168°9′58″ W, Summit Elevation 3520 ft (1073 m)
Current Aviation Color Code: RED
Current Volcano Alert Level: WARNING

Okmok Volcano continues to erupt. Seismicity, though below this weekend’s intensity, has remained steady over the last 24 hours. Satellite data continue to show a long (~250 km) plume moving east; the height of the plume is approximately 30,000 ft above sea level.

The volcano is currently at aviation color code RED and alert level WARNING. All areas immediately around the volcano are considered hazardous. Airborne ash and gas continues to drift with the wind and pose a hazard to aviation in the area. Additional ash fall will occur on Umnak Island and possibly adjacent islands as long as the eruption continues.

Eruption 13 July 08

Quote of the Day 16 July 08

Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke. – Lynda Barry