(Matt Loewen/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the Tanaga Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on May 23, 2021.

This photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Fine ash drifting to cities can cause respiratory problems for people and animals, interfere with electrical equipment and damage air filters and gasoline engines. Where and how far any ash would go would depend on numerous factors. It calls for the Alaska Volcano Observatory to take the lead in confirming an eruption and notify other agencies, which would then alert pilots, mariners and local communities. The powdered rock can cause a jet engine to shut down.Īn interagency volcanic ash response plan, developed in 2011, details how state, federal and local agencies should respond to a volcanic eruption in the region that can cast ash throughout the area. Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and has been used as an industrial abrasive. However, an ash cloud could pose threats to aircraft, potentially disrupting air travel between North America and Asia, and health problems for communities farther away. The nearest community, Adak, is about 65 miles to the east, on a separate island. Since the island is uninhabited, the thick, viscous lava that could flow in an eruption would not cause harm. “It’s a very energetic sequence.”Ī third volcano on the island, Sajaka, about 2 miles to the west of Tanaga, is not showing any sign of activity. “We’ve seen actually earthquake activity building beneath both epicenters and in between them, which is causing us quite a bit of concern about what’s going on,” Power said. Then midweek, earthquake activity began to intensify at Takawangha, a volcano about 5 miles to the east of Tanaga. Seismic activity ramped up earlier this week at Tanaga Volcano, the middle of three volcanoes on Tanaga Island, located about 1,250 miles southwest of Anchorage. Geological Survey stationed at the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage.

“We’re still getting earthquakes up above magnitude 3 going on quite regularly,” said John Power, a research geophysicist with the U.S. What’s the latest?Įven though the frequency of tremors slightly diminished Friday, earthquake activity at the volcanoes was still occurring about every minute or two. “If an eruption were to occur, it is uncertain at this stage if it would come from Takawangha or Tanaga,” officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said in a statement that raised the alert level for the two volcanoes. Not one but two volcanoes on the same island in Alaska’s Aleutian chain were rocked by earthquakes on Friday, prompting concerns about a possible eruption.Įlevated earthquake activity was reported at both Tanaga and Takawangha volcanoes on uninhabited Tanaga Island, hundreds of miles from Anchorage. Geological Survey shows the east flank of Takawangha Volcano near Adak, Alaska, on June 10, 2021.

Usgs alaska quake alert