Alaska’s most active volcano is at it again. This morning, scientists observed a steam plume at Pavlof volcano and increased seismic activity. And they’ve raised the volcano alert level from “normal” to “advisory”.
Since Pavlof erupted in March, the volcano has repeatedly displayed seismic activity causing the Alaska Volcano Observatory and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to raise its alert level. And Geophysicist Dave Schneider says that’s normal.
“Pavlof is one of those volcanoes that can erupt without very much in the way of precursory activities,” Schneider said. “It’s very easy for the magma to arise in the volcano and make it out. So even subtle signs of unrest we think it is prudent to increase our alert level”
The activity at Pavlof does not necessarily mean there will be an eruption. But it is what the start of an eruption can look like. For now, the scientists will wait for tremors that grow stronger or last longer. They’ll monitor the volcano’s temperature by satellite and look for small explosions using infra-sound sensors.
Zoe Sobel is a reporter with Alaska's Energy Desk based in Unalaska. As a high schooler in Portland, Maine, Zoë Sobel got her first taste of public radio at NPR’s easternmost station. From there, she moved to Boston where she studied at Wellesley College and worked at WBUR, covering sports for Only A Game and the trial of convicted Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
