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U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Scientific Investigations Report 2007–5269

2005 Volcanic Activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a cooperative program of the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys . The Alaska Volcano Observtory is funded by the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program and the State of Alaska.

By R.G. McGimsey, C.A. Neal, J.P. Dixon, U.S. Geological Survey, and Sergey Ushakov, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

Abstract

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 16 volcanoes in Alaska during 2005, including the high profile precursory activity associated with the 2005–06 eruption of Augustine Volcano. AVO continues to participate in distributing information about eruptive activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and in the Kurile Islands of the Russian Far East, in conjunction with the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and the Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT), respectively. In 2005, AVO helped broadcast alerts about activity at 8 Russian volcanoes. The most serious hazard posed from volcanic eruptions in Alaska, Kamchatka, or the Kurile Islands is the placement of ash into the atmosphere at altitudes traversed by jet aircraft along the North Pacific and Russian Trans East air routes. AVO, KVERT, and SVERT work collaboratively with the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to provide timely warnings of volcanic eruptions and the production and movement of ash clouds.

Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Volcanic Activity in Alaska
Volcanic Activity in Russia
Acknowledgments
Sources of Photographs in This Report and Other Images of Alaskan and Russian Volcanoes
Summary
References Cited
Glossary of Selected Terms and Acronyms

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Send questions or comments about this report to the author, R.G. McGimsey, (907) 786-7432.

For more information about USGS activities in Alaska, visit the USGS Alaska Science Center home page.