AVO has received no further reports of eruptive activity at Shishaldin Volcano on Unimak Island in the eastern Aleutians since December 23, when pilots reported an ash plume reaching 35,000 feet above sea level. In the early morning hours of December 24, a Cold Bay resident, 56 mi (90 km) northeast of Shishaldin noted a possible very light ash fall. A satellite image from the approximate time of eruption showed a weak plume that dissipated by midday on December 24. Although there is no monitoring equipment on Shishaldin, AVO will continue to track the status of the volcano through pilot observations and analysis of satellite images.

Shishaldin is a symmetric stratovolcano with a summit crater that produces a steady, vigorous cloud of steam and, occasionally, small amounts of ash. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian volcanic arc, erupting at least 27 times since 1775. Prior to the December 23 event, the most recent eruptive period was in 1986-1987 and consisted of minor steam and ash emission over several months. The nearest village is False Pass, 20 mi (32 km) east-northeast of the volcano.

Please contact avo if you have any questions or comments:

John C. Eichelberger                            Terry E.C. Keith
Geophysical Institute                           U.S. Geological Survey
University of Alaska                            4200 University Drive
Fairbanks, AK  99775                            Anchorage, AK  99508-4667
OFF= (907) 474-5530                             OFF= (907) 786-7443
FAX= (907) 474-5618                             FAX= (907) 786-7425
EMAIL= EICH@GI.ALASKA.EDU               EMAIL= TKEITH@TARDADDY.WR.USGS.GOV