Alaska’s Bogoslof Volcano erupts, prompts second-highest aviation alert due to ash

By Ashley Williams, AccuWeather staff writer

May 29,2017, 12:38:29PM,EDT

 

 The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has lowered the Aviation Color Code to “orange” after a volcano erupted on one of the Aleutian Islands on May 28.

The AVO previously raised the code to the highest possible level of “red” following the Bogoslof Volcano’s eruption at 2:16 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT) Sunday.
Clouds from Bogoslof's 50-minute eruption reached at least 35,000 feet and possibly as high as 45,000 feet, the AVO reported.

This May 10, 1994, aerial photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows the Bogoslof Island looking south. (Photo/AP Images)

Bogoslof’s eruption prompted concerns for aircraft safety, as volcanic ash ejected into the atmosphere can severely impair a plane’s engines.
According to the AVO, no further ash emissions have occurred since the explosion.
The previous Volcano Alert Level was also downgraded from a warning to a watch, the AVO stated.
"The latest conditions appear to be mostly cloudy in the low 40s with a wind from the east at 10 to 20 mph," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
The area is expected to experience some rain on Tuesday with highs reaching the low 40s, said Anderson.
RELATED:
37 years later: Scientists reflect on the catastrophic 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption
Mesmerizing lava flows from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano
Guatemala's 'Volcano of Fire' spews ash high into the air
Scientists will continue to monitor the unpredictable volcano for ash-producing eruptions, which could happen at any time without warning signs.

In this Feb. 19, 2017 aerial photo, released Alaska Volcano Observatory/Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys shows the Bogoslof volcano eruption plume as seen from Unalaska Island in Alaska. (Janet Schaefer/Alaska Volcano Observatory, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys via AP)

The AVO also reported that seismicity, which is the frequency of earthquake activity, remains low.
Bogoslof’s most recent eruption occurred on May 16, sending plumes of ash up to 34,000 feet into the air.
According to the AVO, the stratovolcano isn’t monitored by a real-time seismic network, which limits the ability to detect activity that could lead to an explosive eruption.