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 (5SEP08): Kasatochi volcano: Because of declined seismicity and lack of activity in satellite data, AVO lowered the aviation color code from ORANGE to YELLOW and the Alert Level from Watch to Advisory on September 4.

Seismicity at Kasatochi volcano remained low this week. For most of the week, no activity was observed in mostly cloudy satellite views. Today, a weak thermal anomaly was observed at the volcano. On September 3 and 4, passing mariners observed vigorous steam and gas plumes rising above the crater and extending up to twenty miles downwind. New volcanic debris along the coastline of Kasatochi Island may be unstable and the island should be approached with caution.

Kasatochi Volcano does not have a seismic network, thus AVO depends on networks on neighboring islands to monitor earthquake activity there. For this reason, low-level seismicity may not be detected. Renewed volcanic activity is possible at any time with little or no warning.

From the Alaska Volcano Observatory (5SEP08): Okmok volcano: Seismicity at Okmok volcano remained low this week. Satellite views were obscured by clouds all week and we have no new visual observations. Significant ash plumes have not been observed since August 19.

Although the level of seismicity has declined, it is possible for vigorous ash emissions to resume at any time.

From the Alaska Volcano Observatory (5SEP08): Cleveland volcano: Satellite and web camera views were most cloudy this week. A weak thermal anomaly was detected on September 4.

AVO monitors Cleveland Volcano with satellite imagery as weather allows. The lack of a real-time seismic network at Cleveland means that AVO is unable to track local earthquake activity related to volcanic unrest. Short-lived explosions of ash that could exceed 20,000 ft above sea level can occur without warning and may go undetected on satellite imagery.