Eruption Continues at Pavlof, Less Ash in Plume

The eruption of Pavlof in Alaska, seen on May 18, 2013. Image: Theo Chesley, via AVO/USGS. The eruption that started last week at Pavlof, at the far western end of the Alaska Peninsula, is still going strong. AVO says that the lava flows and fountains are continuing, with steam-and-ash plumes reported to be reaching in 5-6 km (low 20,000s feet). However, they did note that the plume doesn't seem to be very ash rich as much of the volcanic material is staying closer to the summit of the volcano -- but that didn't stop some ash dusting towns as far away as Sand Point, 88 km (55 miles) to the east. Some images of the eruption (see above) clearly show the white plume that is likely mostly derived from melting snow and the dark grey plume made of volcanic ash and tephra. The activity is still producing small pyroclastic flows ...