Mt. Redoubt volcano in Alaska is steaming; eruption watch continues

Alaska's Mt. Redoubt has not erupted, but scientists and residents remain on alert and an eruption still appears imminent.

Latest update from the Alaska Volcano Observatory: Seismicity remains relatively unchanged since Friday afternoon, but a flight crew has observed steady melting around the summit area.

The website states: "Holes in the ice continue to grow, exposing more steaming rock. Volcanic gases continue to be detected. Clear web camera views currently show a steam plume rising from the area of the 1989-90 lava dome."

What can Alaskans expect if Redoubt blows for the first time since 1989-90?

It depends on their proximity to the 10,197-foot peak (see map, below) and direction and velocity of wind.

However, it could be ugly and uncomfortable. When Redoubt erupted sporadically during a five-month period 20 years ago, it sent a column of ash at least 8 miles high, perhaps into the stratosphere.

It nearly caused the crash of a commercial jet by destroying its engine blades and led to the establishment of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center, which informs pilots of new eruptions and possible related dangers.

As for health and environmental hazards, they could be significant. Johan C. "Joop" Varekamp, a Wesleyan University professor who studied fallout after the 1989-90 eruption, said breathing volcanic ash may cause discomfort and lung damage.

Environmental damage would come from ash fall and ash flows carrying toxins into rivers and lakes.

"The third issue then was the formation of lahars, hot ash mudflows, which again follow valleys and river routes and can be quite destructive as well," Varekamp said. "We may expect similar events to happen if this eruption is coming through in the next few days."

Let's hope, for the sake of people and the environment, Redoubt is merely venting.

--Pete Thomas

Photo: Mount Redoubt on Aug. 13, 1990. Credit: C. Neal/U.S. Geological Survey

Comments

[John A. Bailo]

In other words, go back to bed...there's nothing for you to see.

[Gregora]

Just a random question, but is it even likely for Redoubt to have a catastrophic vertical eruption this time around?

[J. Gayle Herlehy]

My grandson, Aiden (Celtic root for Fire) is about to be born. They live in Kenai, 50 miles away, and we are all VERY worried.

[April]

My sister lives outside of Soldotna. She isn't too worried, but I AM. I saw the aftereffects of Mount St Helens a few years ago. I've also visited my sister and
seen Mount Redoubt. If you have a baby on the way, I would suggest leaving the area as far as you are able to go and stay there until after the birth and for a while until the ash settles. You don't want to worry about an infant trying to breathe in all that ash. I suggest going to friends if you have some that live further away, but I think it better to go to friends or relatives down here in the lower 48. Your wife may need to quit work, and you might need to be separated, but what is your baby's life worth? I know what I'd do...I'd get your wife out of there now.

[Kao Yer Vang]

I live in Anchorage, Alaska what can I do?

[Noel Andersen]

is there a today photo of the mountain

[Joyle]

People, don't panic. A Mt. Redoubt eruption will not be THAT catastrophic. You don't have to worry for your life or for the life of your children if you are on the Kenai Peninsula, and you especially need not worry if you are as far away as Anchorage. If you want to know what to do, just ask anyone you know who has lived here on the Peninsula for 20 years, "What was it like last time?" There is no need to get worked up. In the event of a enormous vertical eruption of ash, you will have at least an hour to safely drive home, or pick up your kids from school, or whatever. And if there is a lot of ash fallout like before, it will not kill you, even if you go outside. Wear a dustmask if you can. If you don't have a dust mask, just use a damp cloth and hold it over your nose and mouth. Once again, if you value your life, and the lives of the people around you, Don't Panic.

[Lucas Hanson]

Ok people, we all need to understand that eruptions are a natural occurance and they happen all over the world almost on a daily basis. I personally am from AK and have witnessed several in my 25 years. There is usually no cause for alarm, from what volcanologists say this wont be a Mt. St. Helens type of deal where the whole country is effected......also as far as the enviroment goes, it will actually help in the long run!

[Blogger]

If you believe in God you would get out! The bible says that the sun would be turned to darkness in the last days!

[evra Von]

i wonder if it will blow when im in school, is ok if i could use this for my school newspaper

[grizzlyAdam]

I believe in God. I also believe in science and natural occurrences. To the crazy person who believes this is a sign of the end days you should check your scripture again. First of all you are mixing two different prophecies. If you really want to get into it the sun is believed to be blacked out by an eclipse not a volcano, and the other is wormwood a comet which comes later and rains down fire and ash. Once again not a volcano. So for you Bible thumpers who claim to know that the world is coming to an end, take into consideration that volcanoes erupt all over the world all the time. So either get your facts straight or stop scaring people for no reason. Mt. Redoubt is doing a good enough job of that on its own.

[lisa]

my grandchildren are from alaska, and visiting me in the lower 48; we are thinking we should just keep them until this thing "blows over'. I'm not really worried about any threat from the volcano, but I am worried about a combination of falling ash and bad weather combiing to make things worse. I know the plans are to stay in doors and off the road, still I think why worry at all and keep them here until all settles down.

[Traveler]

I have been watching this since it first hit the news. A relative from the lower 48 told me about it since I live in Anchorage (fascinated since I just moved here) and that should be a good indicator of how much we should be afraid. I actually started laughing out loud when I noticed that Walmart put up special end displays with duct tape and dust masks.
As for a prediction, since I started checking the University of Alaska seismology website in January, I have noticed that the depth of the numerous quakes have gotten much shallower (<15 miles) in the last few days. I expect that it will go off on Sunday, just as my plane is in taxi for takeoff to the lower 48 for work.