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Redoubt alert status level dropped; Eruption could be over, AVO says
The Alaska Volcano Observatory this morning dropped the caution level for Mount Redoubt to alert level advisory and aviation color code yellow.
"Seismic, satellite, gas and deformation observations over the past few weeks indicate that growth of the lava dome at Redoubt has significantly slowed, if not stopped, and therefore it is possible that the current eruptive activity has ended," AVO said in a notice issued at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday.
It's unknown if the eruption has stopped completely or if activity has paused temporarily and could resume, scientists cautioned. A large lava dome that has been building since the March 15 eruption began could be unstable and fail with little or no warning. The most recent explosion was April 4, which dusted Homer with ash.
Although Redoubt remains steaming, the dome has cooled over the past month. Web cam photos show snow dusting the lava dome. Scientists estimate the dome to be 3,330 feet long, 1,500 feet wide and 660 feet tall. The lava dome extends like a tongue about 0.6 miles down the north flank of Redoubt from the summit.
AVO scientists continue to monitor Redoubt, but will begin shifting from 24-hour staffing. For updates, visit www.peninsulaclarion.com and look for the Alaska Volcano Observatory link.
Michael Armstrong can be reached at michael.armstrong@homernews.com.
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