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Bogoslof volcano (Aleutian Islands): another powerful explosion, ash to flight level 350

Thu, 22 Dec 2016, 09:51 | BY: T
Ash plume from Bogoslof volcano this morning (Himawari 8, NOAA/CIMSS)
Ash plume from Bogoslof volcano this morning (Himawari 8, NOAA/CIMSS)
Another powerful explosion occurred at the volcano last night at 17:20 local time (01:20 UTC this morning). The second eruption was much stronger and richer in ash than the first one detected the night before.
It produced a relatively large ash plume that rose to 35,000 ft (12 km) altitude and drifted NE at 40 knots. The aviation color code was immediately raised to red; this plume was very dangerous for aircraft in the area who should now avoid the vicinity of the island.
Satellite data show the plume clearly (animation):
Bogoslof volcano ash plume animation
In addition, the Alaska Volcano Observatory could "see" the trace of the explosion on seismic recordings from instruments on nearby volcanoes, in particular Okmok and Makushin.

So far, no new explosions have been detected, but it is more than likely that the volcano is in for a series of more explosions although it is impossible to know how big they might be.

Previous news

Wed, 21 Dec 2016, 17:59

Bogoslof volcano (Aleutian Islands): short but violent explosive eruption reported

Ash plume from Bogoslof volcano on satellite imagery (image: NOAA/CIMSS)
An eruption occurred at the volcano early this morning (at 01 am UTC). A brief, but relatively strong explosion seems to have produced a short-lived ash plume which was spotted on satellite data and by pilots en route in the area. ... Read all
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Bogoslof volcano
Submarine volcano 150 m / 492 ft
United States, Aleutian Islands, 53.93°N / -168.03°W
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5) Bogoslof volcano eruptions:
2016-17, 1992, 1951 (?), 1931 (?), 1926-28, 1913, (?), 1909-10, 1908 (?), 1907, 1906, 1883, 1806, 1786
Typical eruption style
explosive