Introduction
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors over 40 historically active volcanoes along
the Aleutian Arc. Twenty are seismically monitored and for the rest, the AVO
monitoring program relies mainly on pilot reports, observations of local residents and ship
crews, and daily analysis of satellite images. In 1997, AVO responded to eruptive activity or
suspect volcanic activity at 11 volcanic centers: Wrangell, Sanford, Shrub
mud volcano, Iliamna, the Katmai group (Martin, Mageik, Snowy, and Kukak volcanoes),
Chiginagak, Pavlof, Shishaldin, Okmok, Cleveland, and Amukta. Of these, AVO has real-time,
continuously recording seismic networks at Iliamna, the Katmai group, and Pavlof. The
phrase “suspect volcanic activity” (SVA), used to characterize several responses, is an eruption
report or report of unusual activity that is subsequently determined to be normal or enhanced
fumarolic activity, weather-related phenomena, or a non-volcanic event.
In addition to responding to eruptive activity at Alaska volcanoes, AVO also disseminated
information for the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) about the 1997
activity of 5 Russian volcanoes--Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Karymsky, and Alaid
(SVA).
This report summarizes volcanic activity and SVA in Alaska during 1997 and the AVO
response, as well as information on the reported activity at the Russian volcanoes. Only those
reports or inquiries that resulted in a “significant” investment of staff time and energy (here
defined as several hours or more for reaction, tracking, and follow-up) are included. AVO
typically receives dozens of reports throughout the year of steaming, unusual cloud sightings, or
eruption rumors. Most of these are resolved quickly and are not tabulated here as part of the
1997 response record.