Atka Volcanic Center

Alaska - Aleutian Islands


SUMMARY:

Type: cluster of stratovolcanoes and a caldera
Activity: active
Last Eruption: June 1998
Rock Type: basalt with some andesite and dacite
Eruptive Volume: 200 cu km
Location Map from Xerox PARC
Latitude: 52.38 N
Longitude: 174.15 W


Geologic Background:

The largest volcanic center in the central Aleutians, Atka consists of a central shield and caldera ringed by 7 or 8 satellitic volcanoes. The most prominent of these are the Holocene cones of Sarichef, Kliuchev, Korovin, and Konia, some of which have been active in historical time. Korovin, the most frequently active volcano of the Atka volcanic center, contains a 1533-m-high double summit and an unusual, open cylindrical vent of widely variable depth that periodically contains a crater lake or a high magma column.

Historic Activity:

  • Eruptions on Korovin occurred in 1829?, 1830?, 1844?, 1907, 1951, and 1974.

Recent Activity:

  • In May 1986 small steam and ash plumes were observed.
  • In March 1987 steam and ash plumes were again observed.
  • On December 4, 1993, following a magnitude 5.1 earthquake, rumblings were reported from the cluster of volcanoes that forms the north part of the island of Atka. Residents also reported increased steaming from a fumarolic area on the flank of Kliuchef volcano, and a distinct sulphur smell.
  • Reports of very strong sulfur smell and small plume-like cloud in early May 1995. 
  • Eruption of volcanic ash reported in June 1996.
  • Eruption of volcanic ash reported in June 1998

Data Sources:

  • Smithsonian's SEAN Bulletin (V. 11, No. 5 and V. 12, No. 3)
  • Global Volcanism Network (V. 18, No. 11 and V. 23, No. 6).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


Last Update: 12/24/00