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Worldwide and U.S. Volcano Updates
Feature Stories

USGS responds to Volcano Activity and New Unrest in Alaska, Washington, and Hawaii

Scientists are responding to several volcanoes in the United States that are erupting or showing signs of restless activity in order to provide up-to-date hazard assessments and warnings of potential eruptions to the public. See current updates for the latest.

Close aerial view of the uplifted area of the lava dome in crater of Mount St. Helens, Washington Mount St. Helens. Close view of the southern half of the lava dome in the crater of Mount St. Helens. USGS photograph taken on 11 October 2004 by Jon Major (click here for very large image). Earthquakes and intermittent steam and ash emissions continue at the volcano, and scientists observed lava at the surface of the lava dome on October 11 with temperatures as high as 600o C (center part of photo above).

Scientists of the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and University of Washington Geophysics Program are monitoring the activity closely and releasing regular updates and photos of the activty.

New ice cauldron near the summit of Mount Spurr volcano, AlaskaIn Alaska, a swarm of earthquakes 2 to 3 km beneath the summit cone of Mount Spurr volcano, located 130 km west of Anchorage, was first noticed in early July by scientists of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). Aerial reconnaissance in mid-July and early August revealed recent small flows of mud and rock and a new "ice cauldron" in the summit ice cap. The ice cauldron is a collapse feature possibly caused by an increase in heat coming from deep beneath the summit. Scientists have also measured volcanic gases escaping from the summit cone. See current information about Spurr. The most recent eruption of Spurr occurred in 1992 (see summary of the 1992 eruption precursors and the eruption warnings and public statements issued by AVO.

AVO scientists are also monitoring closely the continuing eruption and restless activity at Veniaminoff and Shishaldin volcanoes.

Geologist and skylight above lava tube, Kilauea VolcanoThe ongoing eruption of Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii, continues to capture the attention of scientists from the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory as lava flows spread from the active vent, Pu`u `O`o (see eruption update). In late July, a swarm of deep (>40 km) earthquakes beneath nearby Mauna Loa volcano was detected by HVO scientists. Beginning in April or early May 2002, a GPS network on the volcano showed definite lengthening of the lines across the summit caldera, indicating the volcano was inflating after nearly 10 years of slight deflation. Scientists infer that the volcano's magma reservoir is swelling with new magma. This past summer, HVO scientists have worked to install new GPS instruments and upgrade seismic stations on the volcano. See Mauna Loa current activity from HVO.


What's New on USGS Volcano Web Sites?

Volcanic Ash—What it can do and how to prevent damage
Volcanic ash fragmentVolcanic ash typically covers a much larger area and disrupts the lives of far more people than the other more lethal types of volcano hazards, but information about ash and what to do with it is not readily available. By creating an online resource about the known effects of volcanic ash and summarizing how people have dealt with the tiny abrasive rock particles during and after recent eruptions, the USGS and partners hope people can learn to prepare and protect themselves from future volcanic ash fall. Go to the volcano ash Web material.

Predict an Eruption: Case Study from Kilauea and Mount St. Helens volcanoes
Graphic, Predicting Volcanic EruptionsTry your hand at predicting an eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano using data collected by scientists of the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. This presentation uses data from several eruptive episodes of Mount St. Helens in the 1980's to show the way in which a series of eruptions were accurately predicted by USGS scientists as far as 3 weeks in advance. Go to Predict an Eruption.

Volcano Watch graphic Current issue of Volcano Watch, a weekly essay written by USGS scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.


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Last modification: 12 October 2004 (SRB)