Report on Cleveland (United States) — 2 November-8 November 2011
Smithsonian / US Geological Survey Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 November-8 November 2011
Managing Editor: Sally Kuhn Sennert
Please cite this report as:
Global Volcanism Program, 2011. Report on Cleveland (United States). In: Sennert, S K (ed.), Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2 November-8 November 2011. Smithsonian Institution and US Geological Survey.
52.825°N, 169.944°W; summit elev. 1730 m
All times are local (unless otherwise noted)
AVO reported that a thermal anomaly over the lava dome surface in Cleveland's summit crater was visible on 2 November, although cloudy views mostly prevented observations. On 3 November AVO lowered the Volcano Alert Level to Advisory and the Aviation Color Code to Yellow because satellite observations indicated no significant change in the size of the lava dome, and no explosive activity or ash emissions had been reported. Cloud cover continued to prevent observations during 4-6 November. Satellite imagery showed slightly elevated temperatures near the volcano's summit during 6-7 November. No current seismic information was available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network.
Geologic Background. The beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus, Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.