Kanaga Volcano
Updated: May 28, 2025 23:50 GMT -
stratovolcano
Andreanof Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska , 51.92°N / -177.17°W 
Summit height: 1307 m / 4,288 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 28 Feb 2024 (alert level downgraded to Green)
Kanaga Volcano Viewed from the west with Mt Moffet, Adak and Great Sitkin in the background (image taken May 8, 2010 by Cyrus Read, AVO/USGS)
Kanaga volcano is an active symmetrical stratovolcano rising 1300 m on the northern part of Kanaga Island in the western Aleutians, Alaska. It is one of the most southerly volcanoes of the central Aleutian chain.
The volcano has a small 200 m wide and 60 m deep circular summit crater with fumaroles inside the crater and around its rims. Historical eruptions have been recorded since 1763, but not in much detail due to the remoteness of the volcano. A new eruption might have started on 18 February 2012.
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Kanaga volcano eruptions: 2012 (?), 1993-95, 1942, 1933, 1906, 1904, 1829 (?), 1791 (?), 1790 (?), 1783-87 (?), 1768, 1763
Latest nearby earthquakes
Background
Symmetrical Kanaga stratovolcano is situated within the Kanaton caldera at the northern tip of Kanaga Island. It is composed of interbedded basaltic and andesitic lava flows, scoria layers, and pyroclastic rocks.The rim of Kanaton caldera forms a 760-m-high arcuate ridge south and east of Kanaga; a lake occupies part of the SE caldera floor. The volume of subaerial dacitic tuff is smaller than would typically be associated with caldera collapse, and deposits of a massive submarine debris avalanche associated with edifice collapse extend nearly 30 km to the NNW. Several fresh lava flows from historical or late prehistorical time descend the flanks of Kanaga, in some cases to the sea.
Kanaga is also noted petrologically for ultramafic inclusions within an outcrop of alkaline basalt SW of the volcano. Fumarolic activity occurs in a circular, 200-m-wide, 60-m-deep summit crater and produces vapor plumes sometimes seen on clear days from Adak, 50 km to the east.
(Smithsonian / GVP volcano information)
Significant volcanic eruptions: Kanaga volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Kanaga has had at least 18 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 8 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 7 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Kanaga volcano.
Additionally, there are 7 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Kanaga volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Kanaga volcano since around 2000 BC. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Kanaga can be found on the news page of Kanaga volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
| E-W fissure at summit crater Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 1? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2? | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
| Summit, upper SW flank Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||||
| Upper south flank ? Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
?? | 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
Eruptions of Kanaga volcano
1994-95 eruption
Prior to 2012, the last eruption of Kanaga was in 1994-1995 when observed eruptive plumes were relatively dilute, rising to altitudes of less than 3 km (9,840 ft) and dropping ash onto the flanks of the volcano. Larger ash emissions reaching up to 7.5 km occurred on 21 February 1995. ...more info
Prior to 2012, the last eruption of Kanaga was in 1994-1995 when observed eruptive plumes were relatively dilute, rising to altitudes of less than 3 km (9,840 ft) and dropping ash onto the flanks of the volcano. Larger ash emissions reaching up to 7.5 km occurred on 21 February 1995. ...more info
1906 eruption
Kanaga was seen in eruption 1906 a hunter reported. The eruption was accompanied by earthquakes and lava flows were reported on the east and west side of the steep volcano's cone.
Kanaga was seen in eruption 1906 a hunter reported. The eruption was accompanied by earthquakes and lava flows were reported on the east and west side of the steep volcano's cone.
1904 eruption
Not much is known about the eruption of Kanaga volcano in 1904. Historic documents suggest a lava flow on the upper southern flank.
Not much is known about the eruption of Kanaga volcano in 1904. Historic documents suggest a lava flow on the upper southern flank.
Kanaga Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Kanaga volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Kanaga occurred in 2023.
+How often does Kanaga volcano erupt?
Since 1783, Kanaga volcano has had at least 8 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 30.3 years.
Many eruptions of Kanaga have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 12 out of 242 years until now. In other words, Kanaga has been active at least one in 20.2 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Kanaga is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Kanaga volcano at present?
Kanaga volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 7 eruptions, and been active during 7 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Kanaga has been in eruption one in 18 years on average. The last eruption was in 2023 and ended 17 months ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Kanaga volcano?
The largest eruption of Kanaga volcano in historic times occurred in 2012. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Kanaga 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 Kanaga volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Kanaga volcano (scale of few kilometers)
