ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – On Friday, an erupting volcano located in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands propelled a massive ash cloud into the atmosphere, leading the National Weather Service to issue an advisory to pilots regarding inflight conditions.
The Shishaldin Volcano, monitored by the Alaska Volcano Observatory, began erupting on July 11, with confirmed reports of lava within the summit crater during the same day.
At 1:09 a.m. on Friday, a significant explosion occurred, generating an ash cloud that reached a height of approximately 40,000 feet (12,192 meters) before drifting southward over the Pacific Ocean. Subsequently, a smaller explosion took place at 7:10 a.m., resulting in an ash cloud reaching an altitude of around 15,000 feet (4,572 meters).
In response to the drifting ash cloud, the National Weather Service promptly issued an inflight weather advisory to ensure the safety of pilots navigating the area.
Volcanic ash consists of sharp and angular particles, which can pose a significant threat to jet engines, potentially causing them to malfunction or shut down.
The Shishaldin Volcano is situated 679 miles (1,093 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage, near the center of Unimak Island, the largest island in the Aleutians. The eastern side of the island is home to the village of False Pass, with a population of around 40 people.
With a symmetrical cone shape, the volcano has a base diameter of 10 miles (16 kilometers) and reaches an impressive height of 9,373 feet (2,857 meters), making it the highest peak in the Aleutian volcanic arc.
Shishaldin is recognized as one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutians, although most of its eruptions tend to be relatively small in scale. However, in 1999, a notable event resulted in an ash column reaching a staggering height of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters).
To monitor volcanic activity, a combination of seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, web cameras, and distant infrasound and lightning networks are employed. These comprehensive monitoring systems aid in providing crucial information about the volcano’s behavior and any potential risks associated with its eruptions.