Scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) issued an advisory on the Redoubt Volcano this week, warning that the current activity seems to be precursory to an eruption, which could take place within days. The volcano is being monitored 24 hours a day. Scientists expect an increase in seismicity to accompany the eruption.

 

On January 25, AVO raised the Aviation Color Code to Orange and the Alert Level to Watch following increased seismic activity beneath the volcano. The Observatory reported that the Web video cameras were obstructed by clouds, however, a weak plume from the volcano may have been observed.

 

The Observatory has been closely monitoring the Redoubt Volcano since late last year, and has estimated that the eruption could be similar or smaller than the one in 1989.

 

The Redoubt Volcano has been showing signs of unrest since last September, when AVO reported a strong hydrogen sulfide odor downwind of the volcano.   In addition to that, it also noticed a melt hole in the upper Drift glacier, as well as elevated levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

 

Furthermore, the observations also indicated seismic activity 19 miles below the sea level, which according to specialists at the Observatory could indicate a magma recharge within the volcano’s plumbing system.

 

The past two explosions of the Redoubt Volcano (in the past century alone, a total of three explosions occurred) were very large ones, with volcanic ash clouds reaching 40,000 ft in the air. The last eruption, which took place in 1989, covered a 7,700 square miles area in volcanic ash.