Mt. Redoubt unleashes steam and gas shortly after its last eruption in 1998-90 (Image courtesy of AVO / U.S. Geological Survey / C.A. Gardner)
USGS: Eruption risk from Alaska volcano rising
By Pete Spotts | 01.29.09
Alaska’s known for dramatic scenery. That scenery is there because of very active geology.
Case in point: Mt. Redoubt, a 10,197-foot active volcano 103 miles west of Anchorage. Scientists at the US Geological Survey’s Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) are keeping close tabs on the mountain. They say an eruption may be imminent.
(You can monitor the mountain too, weather permitting. Government scientists have set up webcams at two locations, here and here.)
Last fall, it showed signs that it may be waking up after a decade’s slumber. Since Jan. 23, that activity has been rising — largely marked by an increase in tremors recorded by seismic sensors near the summit.
According scientists to the AVO, the first tip that the mountain might be clearing its throat again came via peoples’ noses. Toward the end of last September, residents downwind of the volcano reported the pungent rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulfide. The AVO ordered up some overflights of the mountain. Sure enough, scientists detected higher-than-usual levels of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide.
So far, the AVO has put the area on an eruption “watch,” vs. a more clear-the-decks “warning.” And it’s posted an orange aviation alert for the mountain. Anchorage is a crossroads for international flights to and from Asia. Memories remain strong of the 1989-90 eruption sequence’s effect on KLM Flight 867.
It was approaching Anchorage on a flight from Amsterdam when it flew through the mountain’s ash cloud. All four engines quit. The pilot was able to restart them, but he could not get full power – and the cockpit crew ability barely see where they were going. Small particles in the ash cloud in effect sand-blasted the cockpit windows. Through it all, the crew landed the Boeing 747 safely at Anchorage Airport.
Mt. Redoubt falls into a category dubbed stratovolcanos. Think Mt. Doom in Lord of the Rings. Others of this ilk include Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Vesuvius, or Mt. Fuji in Japan. They tend to form along subduction zones, where one vast plate of Earth’s crust plunges beneath another. In this case, the Pacific plate is driving under the North American plate.
When stratovolcanos erupt in a major way, they tend to do so explosively. The magma working its way up through the mountain has a far higher amount of gas in it than in the oozy eruptions of volcanoes such as Hawaii’s Mt. Kilauea.
Vulcanologists at the AVO say the most likely eruption, if one occurs, would mirror the eruption in 1989-1990. Ash plumes rose as high as 40,000 feet. The ash fell out of the sky as far away as Fairbanks and Canada’s Yukon Territory. But mud flows from a mixture of melting snow, ash, and soil stayed relatively close to the mountain. And unlike Mt. St. Helens, the eruption didn’t blast away an entire side of the mountain.
According to the Associated Press, Anchorage emergency managers are reminding people about how to cope with ashfall. The USGS also provides ash-hazard information here.
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4. Martha | 01.30.09
We just moved to Elmendorf and the Air Force base instructed us to go buy food for several days and cover up our cars.However, the base doesnt have plans to shut down tomorrow or anything….
5. Wayne Shaw | 01.30.09
Is anybody making predictions of the eruption? Mine is the afternoon of Feb.25th 2009…just incase anyone cares…..
6. Lance | 01.30.09
Oh No! More Co2!!! Where is Al Gore? Maybe he could leverage Washington to Volconic activity.
7. Jill | 01.30.09
I was there for Mt St Helens. Have extra air filters for your car and face masks ready. Cover your car and don’t think about getting close to see it better! The thing I didn’t think about beforehand was that all the bugs (bees) and animals that could escape the mountain did. They went a little crazy for awhile.
8. Shiloh | 01.30.09
I spent 11 days up at Mt. St. Helens during the eruptions of 2004…took some awesome pictures. I would SO love to repeat the experience with Redoubt!!
9. Kitty Wood | 01.30.09
Yeah, I see the face, but assume the picture was taken through glass window and that it’s the reflection of someone standing close by.
11. Cullen Athey | 01.30.09
Yeah, I see George Washington, you can tell from the bad dentures. Must have moved Mt. Rushmore, eh?
12. Marsha | 01.30.09
there does appear to be a “face” in the above photo - it sort of looks like a cartoon of George Washington! Was this deliberate or is it truly shadows? Any ideas?
14. Jim | 01.31.09
Joel, I bet the photo was taken through a window, and it’s just a reflection of someone next to the photographer.
16. Mark Lee | 01.31.09
I live in Valdez, about 120 air miles from Anchorage. When Redoubt erupted in 89-90, we got ash all the way over here, and it made quite the mess.
17. Cy | 01.31.09
Joel you’re not wacky, unless I am too. I see it too, perhaps it’s a reflection in the glass of the person taking the picture through the window.
18. Jan Guy | 02.01.09
When it blows with subsequent earthquakes - a major chance for a major earthquake for the West coast? a tsusami???
19. Jan | 02.01.09
when this volcano blows - chance for major earthquake for West Coast? a tsusami ??
22. Lynne | 02.04.09
I would love to see this volcano erupt. What an experience that would be. Wish I was there.
23. rhiley | 02.05.09
i predict april 17th. i so get credit if i am right! i saw the face, too but doesn’t it look like there is half of a face or something on the right? never mind.
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1. joel | 01.29.09
Okay, I know I’m a little wacky to begin with, but does anyone else see the face in that photo? Was that intentional? Sure doesn’t look like it…. Kinda strange.