Acts 2:19 And I will show wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.
Three large explosions announced the beginning of a continual eruption phase for Alaska’s Cleveland Volcano.
The volcano, while remote and unlikely to cause problems to residents, is located below a major air route between Alaska and Asia. The volcano is releasing a steady plume of ash and toxic gases at least 15,000 feet into the air.
“Once it gets to about twice that, we get really worried,” Rick Wessels of the U.S. Geological Survey told reporters. “It’s got us all paying attention. We’re not sure if it will escalate or do what Cleveland does, which is to settle down after small explosions.”
Monitoring the volcano is difficult for scientists because there is no seismic equipment on the mountain. All the data being used in predictions of the volcano’s activity comes from satellite imagery, signals from a volcano over 50 miles away and witness reports.
Despite the plume not being high enough to impact high-altitude aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration did divert planes north of the volcano as a precaution.
A team of scientists has been put in place by the USGS to monitor the volcano around the clock until it can be determined if this is the start of a more serious eruption that could threaten aircraft.
Cleveland Volcano has the distinction of being the only active Alaskan volcano to cause a death. In World War II, a soldier stationed on the island died during an eruption.
I was still in reservations for an airline when Mt St Helen’s blew. I remember talking to our Seattle office at the time. All flights were grounded about a week. The agents in Seattle said it was dark as night 24 hrs a day.