Pavlof Volcano spews massive plume of cinders, local air traffic disrupted

The volcano’s current eruptive phase began in May, but this is the Pavlof Volcano’s most significant eruption yet.

Photo credit: NASA

Science Recorder | Ellen Miller | Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Pavlof Volcano erupted with new intensity Tuesday, disrupting local flights, and threatening to disrupt commercial flights, Reuters reports. The volcano’s current eruptive phase began in May, but this is the Pavlof Volcano’s most significant eruption yet. Amid rumblings, several eruptions have spewed ash into the air during the current eruptive phase, but for some reason the intensity has increased. Geologists have yet to determine that reason, but it could be a sign of what sort of volcanic activity to expect from the Pavlof Volcano during the rest of its eruptive period.

The eruption occurred overnight Monday and into Tuesday, spewing ash 28,000 feet into the air and disrupting local flights which had to fly around the ash cloud. Commercial flights fly at a higher altitude so they remain unaffected for the time being, though a strong wind could blow the ash cloud higher and into the flight path of commercial flights. Scientists are carefully observing the ash cloud to protect passengers. Anchorage-based PenAir had to cancel one flight and reroute others to avoid the ash cloud.

Ash reached towns 30 miles away from the volcano, and the National Weather Service issued an ash advisory, encouraging residents to be cautious because of the ash plume’s impact on breathing, particularly for those with existing respiratory conditions like asthma.

In addition to the Pavlof Volcano, Veniaminof Volcano, north of Pavlof Volcano, experienced a continuing eruption, though the ash cloud was mostly limited to the summit of the volcano, decreasing its impact on the area. Tremors at Veniaminof are being registered on the seismic stations in the area, Wired explains. Very little ash has been emitted from this eruption, but scientists are also having a difficult time observing the volcano because of the cloudy weather. In addition, only two of the seven seismic stations near the volcano are operating normally, drastically reducing the scientists’ ability to observe the volcano and report information on it. The stations are likely a victim of recent budget cuts; the team simply does not have the money to get them back in working order.

Despite the close proximity of the two volcanoes to each other, scientists say that the eruptions are unrelated. Luckily for Alaskan residents, the volcanoes have had little impact on daily life in the area; the main effect has been the rerouting of local flights. Residents have seen ash, but have not had to evacuate due to the recent eruptions.

From:
 http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/pavlof-volcano-spews-massive-plume-of-cinders-air-traffic-disrupted/#ixzz2XKW1qOLk