Alaska's Mt. Redoubt erupts at last

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The top vent in Mount Redoubt's summit crater on March 21, one day before erupting.

Cyrus Read; image courtesy of AVO/USGS

Mount Redoubt on March 20, two days before erupting.

 

Game McGimsey; image courtesy of AVO/USGS

After months of threatening and rumbling, Mount Redoubt finally erupted late Sunday night.

Redoubt began to exhibit increasing unrest last fall, with seismic activity becoming markedly increased in January, and expectations of an imminent eruption were growing. On March 15, researchers detected four hours of continuous volcanic tremor and observed of a brief plume of gas and ash, according to the U.S. Geological Survey's Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The volcano fully came awake March 22, beginning its eruption at about 10:30 p.m., and sending an eruption cloud about 6,000 meters into the sky. Since last night, there have been about six large eruptions at Redoubt. NOAA's National Weather Service also issued ashfall advisories for some areas. Scientists are continuing to monitor the volcano's activity closely.

UPDATE: For the latest on the Mt. Redoubt eruption, go here.

Janet Schaefer; image courtesy of AVO/Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

Carolyn Gramling

Originally Posted: 23 Mar 2009

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