ALASKA VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEEKLY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, July 9, 2021, 1:30 PM AKDT (Friday, July 9, 2021, 21:30 UTC)
GARELOI VOLCANO(VNUM #311070)
51°47'21" N 178°47'46" W, Summit Elevation 5161 ft (1573 m)
Current Volcano Alert Level: ADVISORY
Current Aviation Color Code: YELLOW
Elevated seismicity was observed at Gareloi volcano over the past week. Seismic amplitude levels dipped to near background mid-week but have climbed back to levels observed last week over the past 24 hours. No eruptive activity was observed in satellite views of the volcano last week and no activity has been detected by local infrasound sensors.
Gareloi volcano persistently emits magmatic gases from a fumarole field on the south crater and commonly exhibits low-level seismic activity. These observations suggest the presence of shallow magma and potential interaction with a hydrothermal system. The current increase in seismicity likely reflects a change to the magmatic-hydrothermal system, but it is not clear that the likelihood of a volcanic eruption has increased. AVO will continue to monitor activity to determine if the recent changes are related to influx of new magma or other changes to the magma system.
Gareloi is monitored by a local seismic and infrasound network, satellite data, and regional infrasound and lightning-detection networks.Mount Gareloi, which makes up all of Gareloi Island, is a stratovolcano located in the Delarof Islands group of the Aleutian Islands, about 2,000 km (1,242 mi) west-southwest of Anchorage and about 150 km (93 mi) west of Adak, the westernmost community in Alaska. This small volcano is 10 × 8 km (6.2 × 5.0 mi) in diameter at its base with two summits, separated by a narrow saddle. The northern, slightly higher peak contains crater about 300 m (1,000 ft) across. The southern summit has a crater open to the south and a persistent degassing vent (fumarole) on its western rim. Gareloi has been one of the most active in the Aleutians since the 1740s, with 16 reports of eruptive activity at Gareloi since 1760. In 1929, its largest historical eruption produced sixteen small south- to southeast-trending craters that extend from the southern summit to the coast, as well as lava flows and pyroclastic deposits on the southeastern flank of the volcano. Eruptions of Gareloi commonly produce ash clouds and lava flows, and the primary hazard is airborne clouds of ash that could affect aircraft. Since seismic instruments were installed in 2003, they have detected small but consistent seismic signals from beneath Mount Gareloi’s edifice.
This notice contains additional volcanoes not displayed: Pavlof (ADVISORY/YELLOW), Semisopochnoi (ADVISORY/YELLOW), Cleveland (ADVISORY/YELLOW), Great Sitkin (ADVISORY/YELLOW), Veniaminof (NORMAL/GREEN).
OTHER ALASKA VOLCANOESInformation on all Alaska volcanoes is available at : http://www.avo.alaska.edu.
For definitions of Aviation Color Codes and Volcano Alert Levels, see: http://www.avo.alaska.edu/color_codes.php
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CONTACT INFORMATION:Michelle Coombs, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS
[email protected] (907) 786-7497
David Fee, Coordinating Scientist, UAF
[email protected] (907) 322-4085
The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys.