Alaska’s Iliamna Volcano Shows Seismic Activity, But Eruption Unlikely

Alaska’s Iliamna Volcano, a towering peak overlooking Cook Inlet, has recently experienced a spike in seismic activity, sparking interest and concern. While the increase in small earthquakes initially raised alarms, scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) believe the activity is highly likely due to avalanches and not an impending eruption. The seismic activity was captured in a NASA satellite image taken on June 10 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on NASA and USGS’s Landsat 8 satellite, days before the increase in seismicity around 4:30 am local time on June 15.

iliamna’s Recent Seismic Activity Explained

The AVO reported that the earthquake rate was initially nearly continuous, with several earthquakes per minute, but has since slowed to about one earthquake per minute. Despite this flurry of tremors, experts emphasize that the activity is probably not linked to volcanic unrest.

Did You Know? Iliamna Volcano towers over 10,000 feet (3,000 meters) above Cook Inlet and is part of the Aleutian Range.

“this activity is likely not caused by volcanic unrest,” the AVO explained, “but is instead caused by avalanches thundering down the volcano slopes.” This explanation aligns with previous observations of seismic patterns on Iliamna, particularly during the early summer months.

Historical Context: Iliamna’s Eruptive Past

Iliamna last erupted in 1867. While steam plumes are often visible on its eastern flanks, there has been no historical volcanic activity since then. The volcano still generates seismic activity roughly once every two years,but these “murmurs” are typically attributed to avalanches large enough to register on nearby seismic and infrasound instruments,according to NASA.

Pro Tip: Check the Alaska Volcano Observatory website for the latest updates on volcanic activity in the region.

Avalanches as the Culprit

As of June 16, the AVO stated they didn’t have enough data to confirm the size or location of any specific slide that may have taken place. However, the recent quake pattern resembles what has been observed during previous avalanches on Iliamna, especially in early summer. The melting of snow and ice during this time of year can lead to increased avalanche activity [Cite: National Weather Service Avalanche Center].

uncertainty Remains

“The outcome of the current activity remains uncertain,” the AVO said. While an eruption is considered unlikely, continuous monitoring is essential to fully understand the situation.