Alaska's alert for Shishaldin Volcano upgraded after 'strongly elevated surface temperatures'
Intermittent tremors and low-frequency earthquakes have become more regular over the past day, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Aerial video of the Shishaldin Volcano on Unimak Island
Alaska Volcano Observatory video taken in August 2020 shows the Shisaldin Volcano on Unimak Island.
UNIMAK ISLAND, Alaska – The Alaska Volcano Observatory upgraded the aviation alert level for the Shishaldin volcano to yellow Tuesday after "strongly elevated surface temperatures" were detected at the summit.
Shishaldin is near the center of Unimak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands.
A yellow aviation color code means the volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest. An advisory alert level was also issued.
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2022 File photo: Shishaldin Volcano viewed from the north. Lava flows from the 2019 eruption are visible in the center of the image. (Image: David Free/ Alaska Volcano Observatory / University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute)
NASA's VIIRS satellite mid-infrared data captured an image Tuesday showing elevated surface temperatures within the summit crater of Shishaldin Volcano.
Elevated surface temperatures within the summit crater at Shishaldin Volcano. This is visible as the lighter colored pixel within the darker gray crater in the approximate center of the image. This image is from VIIRS satellite mid-infrared data, captured on July 11, 2023. (Image: AVO/USGS)
(USGS)
"Intermittent tremor and low-frequency earthquakes over the past week have gradually become more regular and consistent in the past day," according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes that are part of the Aleutian Island arc, with 26 confirmed eruptions since 1824.
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Shishaldin was elevated to yellow in July 2019, during that period the volcano went on to erupt producing lava flows, pyroclastic flows and mudflows.
The volcano was downgraded to green status in June 2020.
The observatory said that while these behaviors are a departure from normal background activity at Shishaldin it does not mean an eruption will happen.
The AVO said it continues to monitor the unrest at Shishaldin using geophysical networks, satellite data, infrasound and lightning data to detect activity.