Little Sitkin volcano forms a small island of the same name in the western Aleutians Islands and belongs to the Aleutian Island National Wildlife Refuge. The active stratovolcano rises 1188 m (3898 ft) in the center-northeastern part of the island. The island is located 330 km (200 mi) northwest of the community of Adak, 377 km (234 mi) southeast of Attu, and 2173 km (1350 mi) southwest of Anchorage, Alaska.
Little Sitkin Island's diamond shape is dominated by 2 nested 4 km wide calderas that formed during the growth of the volcano. Little is know about its geologic and volcanic history.
Little Sitkin had most likely 2 historical eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries that produced ash and lava flows. There are 3 long-lived fumarolic and hot springs areas on the west flank of the volcano that contain a cluster of boiling, acidic pools.
Seismic activity remains elevated. Nothing unusual was observed in mostly cloudy satellite images over the past 24 hours. AVO has received no reports of unusual activity at the volcano. (AVO)
Seismic activity remains elevated. The level of seismic activity varies from day to day, though this week it has been at levels lower than seen earlier in the current period of unrest, which started in late August. Nothing unusual was observed in mostly cloudy satellite images over the past week. AVO has received no reports of unusual activity at the volcano. (AVO)
What could be another seismic swarm and perhaps weak tremor is visible on the current seismogram of the volcano. "Seismic activity remains above background and nothing unusual was observed in mostly cloudy satellite images over the past 24 hours", the Alaska Volcano Observatory reports.
Another weak seismic swarm and perhaps a tremor episode are visible on today's seismic recording. AVO reports seismicity slightly above background levels.
A phase of elevated seismic activity seems to have occurred today although AVO does not issue any reports and we cannot be sure about the nature of the increased signal (wind, tremor?).
Current seismic signal from Little Sitkin (AVO) showing yesterday's seismic swarm
Another earthquake swarm with perhaps hundreds of small to medium quakes has taken place yesterday. AVO (Alaska Volcano Observatory, USGS) writes simply that "elevated seismicity continues" and seems not to think that an eruption could be underway.
A strong seismic swarm seems to be occurring at Little Sitkin volcano in Alaska, following a period of increased tremor earlier today. At the moment, there are no reports of an eruption.
Elevated seismic activity continues at Little Sitkin. The rate of earthquakes is much reduced from the peak of activity on August 29-30. No eruptive activity has occurred. Clouds and fog have obscured the volcano preventing direct observation by ship, aircraft, or satellite. ...more
AVO is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as conditions change. [less]
Little Sitkin volcano in the remote western Aleutian islands was placed on yellow alert by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) as an earthquake swarm was detected yesterday. ...more
At approximately 19:15 AKDT on August 29 (04:15 GMT on 30 Aug), a swarm of high-frequency earthquakes started and continued through the night and has increased on 30 Aug morning. No eruptive activity is currently indicated. Clouds obscure satellite images of the area. AVO is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as conditions change. [less]
