Volcanic Ashfall Information
Welcome
Alice Edwards, Director
(907) 465-5105
DEC urges the public to be prepared in the event of an ashfall. The Volcano Preparedness website (from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) provides very useful information including volcanic ash health risks, maintenance of vehicles, and ash clean-up.
All residents of areas where there is ash fall are at risk of breathing volcanic dust or getting ash in their eyes. Short-term breathing of volcanic ash is not known to pose a significant health hazard for healthy individuals. However, exposure to ash can make breathing difficult for infants, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. People with existing respiratory conditions, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, are more at risk for developing acute respiratory symptoms from breathing volcanic ash. Getting ash in the eyes can cause immediate irritation.
Simple precautions to limit exposure by using a paper dust mask or cloth scarf when outside offer very effective protection for most people.
From the Alaska Volcano Observatory
(15MAY12, 12:10 pm) Cleveland Volcano: Clouds obscured the summit of Cleveland Volcano and nothing unusual was observed in satellite data over the past 24 hours. No ash emissions detected or reported.
While Cleveland Volcano is active, sudden ash-producing explosions are possible at any time. Associated ash clouds could extend to more than 20,000 feet above sea level. If a large ash-producing eruption occurs, seismic, infrasound, or volcanic lightning networks should detect the event and alert AVO staff. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network on Mount Cleveland so AVO is unable to track activity in real time.
(15MAY12, 12:10 pm) Iliamna Volcano: Seismic activity at Iliamna Volcano remains slightly above background. Nothing unusual was observed in web camera and satellite images over the past 24 hours. AVO has received no reports of unusual activity.
The current activity at Iliamna does not indicate an imminent or certain eruption. A similar seismic swarm at Iliamna in 1996-1997 was not followed by eruptive activity. Prior to an eruption, AVO would expect to see a further increase in earthquake activity.
Quick Links
- Air Quality Advisories
- National Weather Service ash fall advisories
- Dept. of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Volcano Facts
- Health Effects Associated with Volcanic Eruptions - AK DHSS
- Anchorage Air Quality - Volcano Information
- Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)
- AVO Summary of Volcanoes with Elevated Level-of-Concern Color Codes
- AVO Weekly Update
- AVO Current Status Report (updated daily)
- Volcanoes with elevated Level-of-Concern, during or after 2005:
- Mt. Augustine (2005)
- Cleveland Volcano (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
- Fourpeaked Volcano (2006)
- Iliamna Volcano (2012)
- Kanaga Volcano (2012)
- Kasatochi Volcano (2008)
- Korovin Volcano (2005, 2006)
- Okmok Volcano (2008)
- Pavlof Volcano (2007)
- Redoubt Volcano (2009)
- Shishaldin Volcano (2008)
- Mt. Veniaminof (2005, 2006, 2008)
- AVO Volcano Webcams and Webicorders
- What to do if a Volcano Erupts: How to be prepared for an ashfall
- AVO - Expanded Monitoring of Volcanoes Yields Results
- Can Another Great Volcanic Eruption Happen in Alaska?
- EPA Air Quality Index Code
Of Interest
- Volcanoes Can Impact Air Quality
- Volcanic Ash...What it can do and How to prevent damage
- Volcanic Ash Factsheet
- Volcanic Ash Fall - A Hard Rain of Abrasive Particles
- Volcanic Ash - Danger to Aircraft in the North Pacific
- Living with Volcanoes - Cascades Volcano Observatory
- Volcano Emergency Prepardness and Response - CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Volcanic Hazard - Tephra
- 1989-90 Mt. Redoubt eruption and lahar detection
Click on the AVO map below to see a full-sized map of Alaskan volcanoes.
Click here for AVO's interactive map.
