Eruption of Mt. Redoubt Volcano, Alaska ALERT: ADVISORY; YEL

[lurkey]

Redoubt Volcano Information Statement (Color Code ORANGE : Alert Level WATCH)
Alaska Volcano Observatory ^ | 2009-01-25 | AVO

Posted on Sun Jan 25 12:45:35 2009 by dan_s

Over the past 48 hours, seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano has increased markedly. This has taken the form of periodic tremor bursts that are most visible on the two seismic stations closest to the summit. Beginning at 00:58 AKT (9:58 UTC) this morning, tremor became sustained and its amplitude increased markedly. AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Alert Level to WATCH this morning at 2:09 AKT (11:09 UTC).

This activity could be precursory to an eruption, perhaps within hours to days. A further increase in seismicity is expected to accompany an eruption. There is no indication that the volcano is currently erupting.

At this time, clouds obscure the volcano in satellite views, but NEXRAD weather radar data show no signs eruptive activity. AVO has received no recent observer reports. Staff are currently monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day.

AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY on November 5, 2008, in response to increased emissions of SO2, H2S, and CO2; melting of snow and ice near the volcano’s summit; and a subtle increase in seismicity. These observations reflected a change in the volcano’s hydrothermal system, possibly associated with an influx of new magma beneath the volcano. It is also possible that the change was related to the development of a new pathway of heated fluids rising from magma intruded during the 1989-90 eruption.

[Ed Mahmoud]

Redoubt Volcano Information Statement (Color Code ORANGE : Alert Level WATCH)
Alaska Volcano Observatory ^ | 2009-01-25 | AVO

Posted on Sun Jan 25 12:45:35 2009 by dan_s

Over the past 48 hours, seismic activity at Redoubt Volcano has increased markedly. This has taken the form of periodic tremor bursts that are most visible on the two seismic stations closest to the summit. Beginning at 00:58 AKT (9:58 UTC) this morning, tremor became sustained and its amplitude increased markedly. AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Alert Level to WATCH this morning at 2:09 AKT (11:09 UTC).

This activity could be precursory to an eruption, perhaps within hours to days. A further increase in seismicity is expected to accompany an eruption. There is no indication that the volcano is currently erupting.

At this time, clouds obscure the volcano in satellite views, but NEXRAD weather radar data show no signs eruptive activity. AVO has received no recent observer reports. Staff are currently monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day.

AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to YELLOW and the Volcano Alert Level to ADVISORY on November 5, 2008, in response to increased emissions of SO2, H2S, and CO2; melting of snow and ice near the volcano’s summit; and a subtle increase in seismicity. These observations reflected a change in the volcano’s hydrothermal system, possibly associated with an influx of new magma beneath the volcano. It is also possible that the change was related to the development of a new pathway of heated fluids rising from magma intruded during the 1989-90 eruption.

I see Anchorage and Wasilla on that map.


I spent a couple of hours once in the airport in Anchorage in March 1985. Alaska is like Pennsylvania and North Carolina, been in airports but otherwise have not been to the state.


Volcano near AK's biggest city, potentially a not good thing.

[lurkey]

“The 1989-90 eruption of Redoubt seriously affected the populace, commerce, and oil production throughout the Cook Inlet region and air traffic as far away as Texas. Total estimated economic costs are $160 million (Tuck and others, 1992), making the eruption the of Redoubt the second most costly in U.S. history.”

[Dionne]

Click on the link provided by lurker, then click the RSO (near ReDoubt summit) Webicorder.....the seismic activity is constant.

You can bet Anchorage International airport is watching this closely.

[angelwing]

My gf in Alaska emailed me about this:

Everyone was in a '_issy mood today..... super depressed.
and this may be why...
Redoubt volcano.... the one closest to me......... has been put on increased watch.

They also had a 6.1 that she felt also, but it was deep, needless to say she's a little worried

[lurkey]

Alaska volcano has geologists on alert
24 minutes ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Mount Redoubt, a volcano 100 miles southwest of Anchorage, is rumbling and simmering, prompting geologists to warn that an eruption may be imminent.

Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory have been monitoring activity round-the-clock since the weekend.

On Thursday, the observatory said: "Seismicity remains above background and largely unchanged with several volcanic earthquakes occurring every hour."

The last time the 10,197-foot peak blew was during a five-month stretch starting in December 1989. It disrupted international air traffic and placed a layer of volcanic dust throughout the Anchorage area.

Volcanoes in Alaska, including Redoubt, typically erupt explosively, shooting ash almost eight miles high. Volcanic ash features small, jagged pieces of rock and glass.

This differs from volcanoes in Hawaii, which usually have slow rolling lava ooze out.

The difference is gas trying to escape gets blocked, possibly by a lava dome or a viscous magma that increases the power from beneath, said observatory geologist Jennifer Adleman.

"Its pressure keeps building and building," she said.

Depending on wind, the ash plume could be pushed straight at Anchorage, the state's largest city. This has prompted state and city officials to post bulletins on how to deal with the ash. Tips include staying inside, wearing a mask or wet bandanna if going outside and wearing goggles over contact lenses.

[Dionne]

In Girdwood, Alaska.....my former home.....there are 7 glaciers in the mountains surrounding the valley......in the summer time you can still see the volcanic ash embedded in the glaciers since the '89 eruption.

[lurkey]

From the last eruption

[Dionne]

Apparently the AVO (Alaska Volcano Observatory) website is overloaded or there is some tech prob? Staff is now giving briefings at http://twitter.com/alaska_avo

[lurkey]

Apparently the AVO (Alaska Volcano Observatory) website is overloaded or there is some tech prob? Staff is now giving briefings at http://twitter.com/alaska_avo

they have a twitter page

*adds alaska_avo*

[JonathanBelles]

Redoubt still has more seismic activity than normal. And steam still is rising from its top.

Information for everything Redoubt: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php
Webcam: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/avo/webcam/redoubt.jpg
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/avo/webcam/redoubt-2.jpg

There have been some great shots today from that webcam. Sunrise this morning was amazing.

Skies have cleared since yesterday, so the volcano is completely visible.



Obviously not paying attention with my other topic XD....Anyway here is the current beautiful shot.

[MGC]

My sister is watching Redoubt closely. She got a dusting of ash in 1989. Hope the wind is blowing the other way if Redoubt pops....MGC

[JonathanBelles]

Where does she live?

[JonathanBelles]

Redoubt showing small signs of activity once again. "Seismicity over the last hour has included the reappearance of periods of weak tremor at the summit stations. These signals are much weaker than the episodes from Friday afternoon. " <---AVO

[JonathanBelles]

Also, NWS Anchorage has a page for Redoubt now.... http://pafc.arh.noaa.gov/volcano.php

[JonathanBelles]

Sunrise. Kind of looks like Alaska is on fire.

[JonathanBelles]

Taken yesterday.

Steam is still coming off the top right now.

[MGC]

My sister lives in Knik, across the inlet from Anchorage.......MGC

[lurkey]

Scientist see holes in glacier at Alaska volcano
Feb 1, 1:43 AM (ET)

By DAN JOLING

(AP) This image provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the Redoubt...
Full Image


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Geologists monitoring Mount Redoubt for signs of a possible eruption noticed that a hole in the glacier clinging to the north side of the volcano had doubled in size overnight - and now spans the length of two football fields.

Scientists with the Alaska Volcano Observatory on Friday flew close to Drift Glacier and spotted vigorous steam emitted from a hole on the mountain. By Saturday, they had confirmed the area was a fumarole, an opening in the earth that emits gases and steam, that was increasing in size at an alarming rate.

They also saw water streaming down the glacier, indicating heat from magma is reaching higher elevations of the mountain.

"The glacier is sort of falling apart in the upper part," research geologist Kristi Wallace said.

The signs of heat add to concerns that an eruption is near, which could send an ash cloud about 100 miles northeast toward Anchorage, the state's largest city, or onto communities on the Kenai Peninsula, which is even closer to the mountain on the west side of Cook Inlet. It would be the first eruption since 1990.

Particulate released during an eruption has jagged edges and can injure skin, eyes and breathing passages, especially in young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems.

It can also foul engines. An eruption in December 1989 sent out an ash cloud 150 miles that flamed out the jet engines of a KLM flight carrying 231 passengers on its way to Anchorage. The jet dropped more than two miles before pilots were able to restart the engines and land safely.

A week ago, the observatory detected a sharp increase in earthquake activity below the volcano and upgraded its alert level to orange, the stage just before full eruption. The warning that an eruption was imminent caused a rush on dust masks and car air filters in Anchorage.

Alaska's volcanoes typically start with an explosion that can shoot ash 50,000 feet high and into the jet stream, but there are warning signs because magma causes small earthquakes as it moves.

Geologist Jennifer Adleman said the observatory has been recording quakes up to magnitude 2.1 but not at the frequency that preceded the last two eruptions in 1989 and 1990.

"We're looking for an increase of seismicity to match the precursor activity," Wallace said. "We haven't seen that yet."

---

On the Net:

Alaska Volcano Observatory: http://www.avo.alaska.edu

Ash hazards: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hazards

[lurkey]

Volcano alert: Air Force moves Alaska planes to Washington

Published: Feb 1, 2009 at 4:13 PM PST

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2009 at 4:15 PM PST
By KOMO Staff TACOMA, Wash. - U.S. Air Force aircraft and personnel are being relocated from Alaska to McChord Air Force Base near Tacoma as a precautionary measure due to heightened activity at Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcano.

The relocation, while temporary, is expected to last two to four weeks at a minimum, said Master Sgt. Dean J. Miller, a spokesman for the McChord base.

The aircraft and personnel are coming to McChord from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, which is located about 100 miles from the Redoubt volcano.

The mountain began rumbling back to life several days ago, and activity has been increasing ever since. Gas and steam billowed from the mountain's flank over the weekend.

Alaska volcanoes typically start with an explosion that can shoot ash 50,000 feet high and into the jet stream. The ash can damage or foul aircraft engines in the vicinity.

The Redoubt volcano last erupted in 1989, when it sent out an ash cloud that flamed out the jet engines of a KLM flight carrying 231 passengers on its way to Anchorage. The jet dropped more than two miles before pilots were able to restart the engines and land safely.

The volcano observatory a week ago detected a sharp increase in earthquake activity below the volcano and upgraded its alert level to orange, one stage below red for a full eruption.

The Air Force sent three cargo aircraft from Elmendorf to McChord on Saturday and three more are expected Sunday night. Other aircraft may arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours.

McChord's own C-17 strategic airlift mission makes the base ideally suited to host the relocated aircraft and allows the Elmendorf airmen to continue to meet mission and training requirements, said Col. Jeffrey Stephenson, McChord's 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"Our ability to quickly receive additional air power on short notice and continue to support the nation's worldwide strategic airlift requirements is a capability long-associated with McChord," Stephenson said.

"We've supported evacuations in the past, and we will gladly support our fellow airmen from Elmendorf as long as they need us."

If and when an eruption begins, it is expected to cause disruptions for civilian aircraft as well, officials said.