Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-19-2009

Keywords

Alaska, Okmok, phreatomagmatic

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1029/2009EO200001

Abstract

In the late morning of 12 July 2008, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) received an unexpected call from the U.S. Coast Guard, reporting an explosive volcanic eruption in the central Aleutians in the vicinity of Okmok volcano, a relatively young (∼2000-year-old) caldera. The Coast Guard had received an emergency call requesting assistance from a family living at a cattle ranch on the flanks of the volcano, who reported loud “thunder,” lightning, and noontime darkness due to ashfall. AVO staff immediately confirmed the report by observing a strong eruption signal recorded on the Okmok seismic network and the presence of a large dark ash cloud above Okmok in satellite imagery. Within 5 minutes of the call, AVO declared the volcano at aviation code red, signifying that a highly explosive, ash-rich eruption was under way.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

No

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union, v. 90, issue 20, p.173-174

©2009. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

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