Alaska's Mount Pavlof has started erupting and local volcanologists say that the latest eruption is still intensifying. While a Code Red alert level warning has been issued for the volcano, volcanologists observing Mount Pavlof say that the eruption is still considered to be "low level."
Mount Pavlof is an active volcano located in the Aleutian Range in the state of Alaska. To date, Pavlof is considered as one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Since the 1980s, numerous eruptions have been observed and reported. Prior to the latest eruption, the volcano last exhibited heightened volcanic activity last August 8, 2013. The latest eruption started a few days ago last May 31 and experts say that the volcanic activity in the vicinity of Mount Pavlof is still steadily increasing.
"The low-level eruption of Pavlof has escalated," says the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) in its most recent report." Seismic tremor increased starting about 2300 UTC today and pilots have recently reported ash clouds to 22,000 ft. ASL."
Scientists are keeping a very close eye on the volcano and the AVO has upgraded the volcano's status to "Watch." Experts are now recording real time data about surface temperatures, plume height and seismic activity.
"Recent satellite images show a plume extending over 80 km east of the volcano," adds the AVO.
Scientists have sent in reports that the current eruption is quite similar to the 2013 eruption of the volcano. Current predictions include the possibility of small lava flows to the side of Mount Pavlof. Experts also say that strombolian eruptions may be observed. Strombolian eruptions are smaller eruptions that were named after the famous Stromboli volcano in Italy. This type of low level eruption is characterized by an incandescent peak and possible ejection of volcanic matter such as lava bombs.
Local residents are hoping that the current eruption will settle down after a few months without any major eruptions. The 2013 eruption of Mount Pavlof gradually quieted down after a few months and scientists reported decreasing volcanic activity until the volcano's status was downgraded to "Green/Normal."
While Mount Pavlof is not close to any of Alaska's major cities, there are a number of small towns and villages in the Alaska Peninsula that may be affected if a major eruption occurs. Cold Bay, Chignik and Perryville and King Cove are some of the more well known towns in the area.
