Week 5: Volcanoes

 There are about 169 volcanoes in the United States that scientists consider active (source). Most of these are located in Alaska, where eruptions occur virtually every year. Others are located throughout the West and in Hawaii (Ring of Fire anyone?). 

There are several ways we minimize the danger of volcanic activity (apart from the obvious of ‘getting out of the way’…(:

·         Forecasting (earthquakes as early warnings -although a Japanese volcano erupted without any previous seismicity (livescience article), land swelling before eruption, gas emissions, etc.)

·         Volcanic Alert Codes (USGS): the levels of alert and the aviation code levels commonly change at the same time (chart on right). A non-erupting volcano will have a green icon, and a red one indicates an imminent eruption (see USGS Alert Codes).

Today the US USGS hazards map (images below) shows 4 volcanoes as to be above normal background (elevated unrest):

Kilauea and Great Sitkin, Alert Level= WATCH. Aviation Color Code = Orange.

Shishaldin and Ahyi Seamount, Alert Level= ADVISORY. Aviation Color Code = Yellow

Note: If you want to know more about volcanoes and how we monitor them, there is a MOOC from the University of Iceland you might want to enroll into. A short video explanation here.