The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recently reported that there is seismic activity coming from the Pavlof Volcano found in Alaska. This, along with gas emissions, is leading many experts to believe that the volcano is waking up and could erupt before the end of 2016.
According to Science World Report, the Pavlof volcano, one of the most active in Alaska, is located at the southern end of the state. According to David Schneider, a geophysicist, "Pavlof is one of those volcanoes that can erupt without very much in the way of precursory activities."
Shneider also went on explain that this means very little is needed for the magma within the volcano to rise and make it out of the opening. He even shared that the most subtle signs of unrest are enough to alert them.
In fact, a field group was recently dispatched to the area, who confirmed that smoke and gas emissions were seen from the summit. On July 3, the team was able to observe that the seismic activity for the day had lessened from the last 24 hours.
Despite this dip, scientists are closely monitoring Pavlof. Nature World News even notes that the AVO has raised the Aviation Color Code to Yellow and the Alert Level to Advisory. Those within the area of the volcano are certainly used to this activity, as Pavlof has erupted twice already this year. The first was in March and another followed in May.
In the March eruption, ashes flew as high as 37,000 feet above sea level. These ashes were carried over an additional 400 miles east into Alaska by winds. Even more so, the May eruption recorded a significant amount of ash-fall - the most in 20 years.
The AVO has also stated that Mount Pavlof has had 40 historic eruptions. Some of these eruptions have let to ashes reaching as high as 49,000 feet above sea level. This height makes it very dangerous not just to those on the ground, but for also for any possible aircrafts that are making their way over the volcano.
