Mount Pavlof

Pavlof Volcano is a stratovolcano of the Aleutian Range on the Alaska Peninsula. It has been one of the most active in the United States since 1980, with eruptions recorded in 1980, 1981, 1983, 1986–1988, 1996–1997, 2007, 2013, twice in 2014 and most recently in March 2016.[2][3][4][5] Basaltic andesite with SiO2 around 53% is the most common lava type.[6] The volcano is monitored by the Alaska Volcano Observatory- a joint program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS). With a threat score of 95,[7] the threat from future eruptions is considered to be high; much of this threat comes from the possibility of disruption of nearby air routes by large releases of ash.[7] The mountain currently has basic real-time monitoring, but the USGS would like to improve instrumentation at the site.[7] The mountain shares a name with the nearby Pavlof Sister, which last erupted in 1786.

Mount Pavlof
Steam and volcanic gas rising from the summit crater of Pavlof Volcano in 2004
Highest point
Elevation8,251 ft (2,515 m) [1]
Prominence8,225 ft (2,507 m) [1]
Listing
  • North America prominent 35th
Coordinates55°25′10″N 161°53′42″W [1]
Geography
Mount Pavlof
Alaska
LocationAlaska Peninsula, Alaska, U.S.
Parent rangeAleutian Range
Topo mapUSGS Port Moller B-6
Geology
Age of rock252
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Volcanic arc/beltAleutian Arc
Last eruptionOctober 29 2019 (ongoing)
Climbing
First ascentJune 27, 1928 by T. A. Jagger, J. Gardiner, O. P. McKinley, P. A. Yatchmenoff, R. H. Stewart
Easiest routeNorthwest Face: snow/glacier climb
Pavlof 2013 eruption from space

Volcanic activity

After its eruption in 1996, the volcano entered a period of dormancy, the longest it had been dormant since records of its eruptions have been kept. This period ended on August 15, 2007, with the start of a new eruption involving seismic disturbances and a "vigorous eruption of lava."[8] Scientists said that the volcano "could be working toward a massive eruption that could affect air travel but was not expected to threaten any of the towns in the area."[8] The eruption ended on September 13.[5] The volcano erupted again on May 13, 2013,[2] but activity had greatly diminished by July 3, 2013, and on August 8, 2013, the Current Volcano Alert Level was reduced to NORMAL and the Current Aviation Color Code reduced to GREEN.[2]

A low-level eruption began on May 31, 2014. On June 2 seismic activity intensified and officials raised the alert level from "Watch" to "Warning" and the aviation color code from "Orange" to "Red" after pilots in the area reported an ash plume that reached as high as 22,000 feet above sea level.[9][10]

A new eruption began on March 27, 2016, sending an ash cloud to 37,000 feet above sea level, extending 400 miles NE. The volcano gave 25 minutes warning before the onset of the eruption. The alert level was raised to "Warning" and the aviation color code was raised to "Red", which indicates incoming eruption with high levels of ash.[11] The nearby village of Nelson Lagoon was coated with tephra during the powerful eruption.[12] The volcano stopped emitting ash clouds on March 31, 2016.[13]

Climbing history

The first recorded ascent of Pavlof Volcano was on June 27, 1928, by T. A. Jagger, J. Gardiner, O. P. McKinley, P. A. Yatchmenoff and R. H. Stewart, although "speculation surrounds this ascent, which was recounted in National Geographic."[14] The straightforward nature of the climb suggests that an earlier unrecorded ascent may have occurred. The second ascent was in June 1950 by T. P. Bank.[14]

The main challenge of climbing this peak is its remoteness and the consequent difficulty of access. The peak is a 30 mi (48 km) journey from the north side of Cold Bay. The climb itself is a straightforward snow climb, and the ski descent is recommended.[14]

Map showing volcanoes of Alaska Peninsula.

See also

Notes
  1. "Alaskan & Hawaii P1500s - the Ultras" Peaklist.org. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  2. "Start: May 13, 2013 Observed". Alaska Volcano Observatory. Retrieved 2013-05-17.
  3. "Pavlof Activity - Color Code GREEN Alert Level NORMAL". Alaska Volcano Observatory. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  4. Klemetti, Eric (June 2, 2014). "New Eruption at Alaska's Pavlof Intensifies". wired. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  5. Pavlof Volcano.
  6. "Pavlof - Historic eruptions". avo.alaska.edu.
  7. John W. Ewert, Marianne Guffanti, and Thomas L. Murray. An Assessment of Volcanic Threat and Monitoring Capabilities in the United States: Framework for a National Volcano Early Warning System. United States Geological Survey, April 2005.
  8. Halpin, James (August 16, 2007). "Alaska volcano is poised to erupt". Associated Press. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  9. Ross, Philip (June 3, 2014). "Pavlof Volcano Eruption 'Escalates,' Alaska Officials Raise Alert Level". International Business Times. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  10. "Pavlof - Activity". Alaska Volcano Observatory. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
  11. Blakemore, Erin. "Alaska's Most Active Volcano Is at It Again". Smithsonian. Retrieved 2016-04-04.
  12. Hollander, Zaz (March 28, 2016). "Volcanic eruption covers Alaska village in ash, launches lava into sky". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  13. "Alaska Volcano Mellows After Wreaking Havoc". hereandnow. 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  14. Michael Wood and Colby Coombs, Alaska: a climbing guide, The Mountaineers, 2001, p. 46.

References
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