Alaska volcano on the verge of eruption after massive earthquake

Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) informed that the Shishaldin Volcano was spewing massive clouds of ash into the air since 11 July while US Coast Guard confirmed it was also dripping lava.

An enormous 7.2-magnitude earthquake prompted new fears that a natural disaster was imminent.

As the aviation level was raised to red over fears of hazardous ash clouds, AVO believe the eruption could happen 'immediately'.

Meanwhile, Mexico's most dangerous volcano is 'coming to life' and could force evacuation of millions.

Also, scientists are now raising alarm over impending risk of a massive earthquake in California.

Warning issued over imminent volcano eruption

Local seismologists in Alaska fear that a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake has increased the risk of the Shishaldin volcano eruption. The latter was showing signs of awakening since 11 July.

US overflight Coast Guard confirmed that lava erupted from the summit crater the same day AVO detected plumes of ash coming up in the air from the site.

Data from 15 July also showed frequent explosion signals and clouds of ash as high as 20,000 feet or 6,000 metres above sea level.

According to AVO, due to the spread of the ash cloud, the aviation colour code in the area was raised to red while the volcano alert level was updated to ‘warning’.

Speaking seismologists’ language, it means ‘volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain, or eruption is underway but poses limited hazards.’

Alaska’s Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian volcanic arc.

It is located 679 miles or 1,093 kilometres southwest of Anchorage near the centre of Unimak - the largest island in the Aleutians and, rising to 9,373 feet or 2,857 metres, is their highest peak.

While most eruptions in the area are small, one of the explosions back in 1999 spewed a plume of ash as high as 45,000 feet or 13,716 metres.

Read more:

⋙ Mount Etna: Europe's most active volcano erupts, covering Sicilian city with ash

⋙ Underwater volcano could put this popular holiday destination at risk

Here is why volcanic ash is dangerous

The imminent risk of the Shishaldin eruption triggered fears its ash could pose a threat to air transport.

Volcanic ash is angular and sharp, and the powdered rock can cause a jet engine to shut down.

It has been used as an industrial abrasive.

Fears intensified after a significant explosion at 1.09am on Friday produced a cloud that reached up to 40,000 feet or 12,192 metres and drifted south over the Pacific Ocean.

A second smaller explosion at 7:10am on the same day reached about 15,000 feet or 4,572 metres.

While the National Weather Service issued an inflight weather advisory due to the drifting ash cloud, the situation is being monitored with seismic and infrasound sensors, satellite data, a web camera and distant infrasound and lightning networks.

Read more:

⋙ Travel warning issued over red passports: Here are the 70 countries you could be banned from entering

⋙ This 'monster' volcano in Iceland has experts worried of possible eruption 'within days'

Sources used:

- Express: Massive volcano could erupt IMMEDIATELY after enormous 7.2-magnitude earthquake