Volcanic Ashfall Information

volcano image

Welcome

Alice Edwards, Director
(907) 465-5105

DEC urges the public to be prepared in the event of an ashfall. The Volcano Preparedness website (from the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management) provides very useful information including volcanic ash health risks, maintenance of vehicles, and ash clean-up.

All residents of areas where there is ash fall are at risk of breathing volcanic dust or getting ash in their eyes. Short-term breathing of volcanic ash is not known to pose a significant health hazard for healthy individuals. However, exposure to ash can make breathing difficult for infants, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments. People with existing respiratory conditions, such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma, are more at risk for developing acute respiratory symptoms from breathing volcanic ash. Getting ash in the eyes can cause immediate irritation.

Simple precautions to limit exposure by using a paper dust mask or cloth scarf when outside offer very effective protection for most people.

From the Alaska Volcano Observatory

(10FEB12, 1:06 pm) Cleveland Volcano:
Satellite observations over the past week suggest that slow growth of the lava dome may be occurring in the summit crater. The size of the lava dome is estimated to be 50 meters across. There have been no indications of explosive ash-producing activity from distant seismic, pressure or lightning sensors.

The new dome occupies only a small portion of the approximately 200 meter (650 foot) diameter summit crater. There have been no observations of ash emissions or explosive activity during this current lava eruption. The lava dome that formed throughout the fall-winter of 2011 was largely removed by the explosive activity on 25 and 29 December, 2011.

It remains possible for intermittent, sudden explosions of blocks and ash to occur at any time, and ash clouds exceeding 20,000 feet above sea level may develop. Such explosions and their associated ash clouds may go undetected in satellite imagery for hours. If a large, explosive, ash-producing event occurs, seismic, infrasound, or volcanic lightning may be detected by local and regional monitoring networks. There is no real-time seismic monitoring network on Mount Cleveland.