The eruption of a volcano in a chain of islands off the coast of Alaska has intensified, with a plume of ash rising 20,000 feet above sea level, expers have warned.
The ash cloud over Mount Shishaldin, on nUnimak Island in the Aleutians, was observed starting at 7am local time (6pm GMT) drifting south-south-east, a statement by Alaska Volcano Observatory said.
It added: “Cloud height is undertermined at this time and could be more than 20,000 ft above sea level (6 km).
“In response, the aviation Color Code is being raised to RED and the Volcano Alert Level is being raised to WARNING. The National Weather Service has issued a SIGMET for this activity.
The statement continued: “Eruptive activity began increasing overnight starting around 1am local time [12noon GMT] with increased lava eruption from or within the summit crater but no significant ash emissions.
“Activity was detected on regional infrasound arrays, increasing seismic tremor, and elevated surface temperatures in satellite data. Overnight webcam images confirmed glowing from the summit with only minor ash emission.”
Eruptions from Shishaldin have produced minor and on occasion significant ash clouds in the past, AVO said.
It added: “These can occur with little warning. Shishaldin is monitored by local seismic and infrasound sensors, web cameras, and a telemetered geodetic network.
AVO continued: “The local monitoring network is partially impaired, therefore AVO is also using nearby geophysical networks, satellite data and regional infrasound and lighting data to detect activity.
“AVO will continue to closely monitor unrest at Shishaldin Volcano.”
After Shishaldin began erupting on Saturday, the National Tsunami Warning Center announced: “Tsunami warning in effect for South Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance, Alaska (40 miles SW of Homer) to Unman Pass, Alaska (80 miles NE of Unalaska).
“For other US and Canadian Pacific coasts in North America, the level of tsunami danger is being evaluated.”
The warning was cancelled shortly afterwards and the all-clear sounded.
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