Fourpeaked Volcano Activity Notifications - ALASKA

[radfringe]

Fourpeaked Volcano Activity Notifications - ALASKA

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Fourpeaked.php

On September 17, an explosion of ash, gas, and steam from Fourpeaked Mountain 320 km (200 mi) SW of Anchorage on the Alaska Peninsula marked the onset of unrest at this long-dormant, ice-clad volcano. AVO elevated the level of concern color code to YELLOW on September 20. Since then, AVO has gathered aerial and ground-based information and also initiated installation of geophysical instrumentation to better track activity at Fourpeaked. Based on our observations and limited geologic understanding of the volcano, it is possible that significant eruptive activity could occur in the coming days to weeks.

Over the weekend and continuing today, AVO flew a variety of missions to Fourpeaked volcano. The main findings are as follows: (1) Observers saw a linear series of vents running north from the summit for about 1 km (0.6 mi). Most of these vents were vigorously emitting steam and other volcanic gasses. In the immediate vicinity of the vents, the glacier had been disrupted and showed signs of subsidence. (2) Gas measurements reveal that emission rates of sulfur dioxide, hydrogren sulfide, and carbon dioxide were all high. The sulfur dioxide emission rate was roughly equivalent to that measured at Augustine before its January 2006 eruptions. A distinct sulfur smell was evident up to 50 km (30 mi) from Fourpeaked's summit. (3) Marked scouring of a glacier flowing west from the summit indicates flooding, probably from the September 17th event. (4) Thermal measurements of 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) where recorded at the vents, though the abundant steam was likely obscuring hotter areas.

--snip--
Fourpeaked volcano is not known to have erupted in the last 10,000 years, though geological investigations have been limited and ice covers much of the area. Because of this, the range of sizes and styles of past eruptions is not well-constrained.

--snip--
Given below are some possible future scenarios for the current unrest at Fourpeaked, listed in order, with the most likely scenario listed first:

(1) A small to moderate eruption will occur, which may produce ash plumes exceeding 10 km (33,000 ft) above sea level. Lava flows may also occur.
(2) No eruption occurs. Unrest gradually subsides to background levels.
(3) A large eruption will occur, which would produce ash plumes exceeding 10 km (33,000 ft) above sea level, and possible widespread ash fall.

[malaise]

1. 10,000 years? Damn!

This should be the final sign to get rid of El Diablo :D.

[ClintonTyree]

2. I geological terms, 10,000 years is a blink of an eye.

Yellowstone, the super volcano, has an eruption recurrence of about 400,000 years. It's been about 450,000 years since it's last eruption. We're overdo. :hide:

[malaise]

3. Maybe we should send all the torturers

to Yellowstone and wait it out:shrug: