Cleveland Volcano
Updated: Nov 25, 2025 15:57 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 52.83°N / -169.94°W 
Summit height: 1730 m (5,676 ft)
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 10 Jul 2024 (Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report)
The beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano forms the western half of the uninhabited Chuginadak Island in the central Aleutians, connected to the eastern half of the island by a narrow isthmus. It is one of the regions most active volcanoes, but at present has no seismic network. Monitoring of its activity is largely based on satellite observation.
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Cleveland volcano eruptions: 1893, 1897, 1929(?), 1932, 1938, 1944, 1951(?), 1953(?), 1975(?), 1984, 1985(?), 1986, 1987, 1989(?), 1994, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 24, 01:06 pm (GMT -10) | 1.6 5.4 km | 5 km (3.1 mi) to the E | 69 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Saturday, November 22, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 21, 04:19 pm (GMT -10) | 1.1 1 km | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) to the SE | 69 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Thursday, November 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 20, 07:02 am (Universal Time) | 1.4 9 km | 18 km (11 mi) to the E | 55 km W of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Wednesday, November 19, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 19, 12:14 pm (Universal Time) | 1.0 4.2 km | 4.4 km (2.7 mi) to the SE | 71 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Nov 19, 06:43 am (Universal Time) | 1.1 5.9 km | 3.3 km (2 mi) to the SE | 72 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Tuesday, November 18, 2025 GMT (2 quakes) | |||||
| Nov 18, 02:35 pm (Universal Time) | 1.4 5.6 km | 4.9 km (3.1 mi) to the SE | 70 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Nov 18, 12:52 am (Universal Time) | 2.1 3 km | 4.7 km (2.9 mi) to the SE | 70 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Saturday, November 15, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 15, 12:24 am (GMT -10) | 2.1 1.7 km | 30 km (18 mi) to the E | 44 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
| Tuesday, November 11, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Nov 11, 11:01 am (Adak) | 1.3 3.1 km | 4.8 km (3 mi) to the SE | 70 km WSW of Nikolski, Alaska | Info | |
Background
The 1730-m-high Mount Cleveland has the native name of Chuginadak, referring to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks of the volcano.It is possible that some 18th to 19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 Cleveland produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions from Mount Cleveland have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks. In February, 2001, Cleveland had 3 explosive events that produced ash clouds as high as 12 km (39,000 ft) above sea level. That eruption also produced a rubbly lava flow and hot avalanche that reached the sea.
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Sources: AVO/USGS, Smithsonian Institution
Significant volcanic eruptions: Cleveland volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Cleveland has had at least 22 confirmed eruptions, all documented by historical records or observations. Additionally, there are 8 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Cleveland volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Cleveland volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Cleveland can be found on the news page of Cleveland volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption Historical obs./docs. | 2? | |||
| Summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1 | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| 1944 Jun 10 (eruption | Historical obs./docs. | 3 | 1 | Info | |
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Cleveland Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Cleveland volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Cleveland occurred in 2020.
+How often does Cleveland volcano erupt?
Since 1893, Cleveland volcano has had at least 22 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 6 years.
Many eruptions of Cleveland have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 27 out of 132 years until now. In other words, Cleveland has been active at least one in 4.9 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Cleveland is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Cleveland volcano at present?
Cleveland volcano is relatively active: Since 1900, it has had 25 eruptions, and been active during 25 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Cleveland has been in eruption one in 5 years on average. The last eruption was in 2020 and ended 5 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Cleveland volcano?
The largest eruption of Cleveland volcano in historic times occurred in 2020. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Cleveland Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Cleveland volcano (scale of few kilometers)
