Makushin Volcano
Updated: Sep 2, 2025 07:27 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Aleutian Islands, 53.89°N / -166.92°W 
Summit height: 1800 m / 5,905 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 12 Oct 2023 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)
Makushin volcano is an ice-covered 1800-m-high stratovolcano on northern Unalaska Island west of the town of Dutch Harbor. The volcano contains a 2.5-km-wide caldera. Its broad, domical shape contrasts with the usual steep-sided profile of most other volcanoes in the Aleutians.
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Makushin volcano eruptions: 1995
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 10:41 pm (Universal Time) | 0.5 5.6 km | 1.1 km (0.7 mi) to the SE | 16 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Sunday, August 24, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Aug 24, 01:29 am (Universal Time) | 0.2 12 km | 22 km (14 mi) to the S | Bering Sea, 8.5 mi west of Unalaska Island, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Saturday, August 23, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Aug 23, 03:08 pm (GMT -8) | 0.5 5.2 km | 4.9 km (3 mi) to the S | 16 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Thursday, August 21, 2025 GMT (4 quakes) | |||||
| Aug 21, 06:53 pm (Universal Time) | 0.1 6.4 km | 7 km (4.3 mi) to the SE | 13 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Aug 21, 05:06 pm (Universal Time) | 0.4 6.8 km | 7.2 km (4.5 mi) to the SE | 13 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Aug 21, 04:43 pm (Universal Time) | 0.0 4.6 km | 6.2 km (3.9 mi) to the SE | 13 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Aug 21, 06:56 am (Universal Time) | 0.9 7.5 km | 8 km (5 mi) to the SE | 13 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
| Wednesday, August 20, 2025 GMT (1 quake) | |||||
| Aug 20, 05:25 am (Universal Time) | 0.3 36 km | 7.1 km (4.4 mi) to the SW | 19 mi west of Unalaska, Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska, United States | Info | |
Background
Much of the volcano was formed during the Pleistocene, but the caldera (which formed about 8000 years ago), Sugarloaf cone on the ENE flank, and a cluster of about a dozen explosion pits and cinder cones at Point Kadin on the WNW flank, are of Holocene age. A broad band of NE-SW-trending satellitic vents cuts across the volcano. The composite Pakushin cone, with multiple summit craters, lies 8 km to the SW of Makushin. Frequent explosive eruptions have occurred during the past 4000 years, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and surges. Geothermal areas are found in the summit caldera of Makushin and on the SE and eastern flanks of the volcano. They represent the largest and most investigated high-temperature geothermal resources in Alaska. Small-to-moderate explosive eruptions have been recorded at Makushin since 1786.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Makushin volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Makushin has had at least 19 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 13 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 9 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Makushin volcano.
Additionally, there are 9 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Makushin volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Makushin volcano since around 1700. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Makushin can be found on the news page of Makushin volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
Discredited Eruption | ||||||
| SE side of summit Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 1 | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||||
Historical obs./docs. | 2 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | ? | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | |||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | ||||
Historical obs./docs. | 3 | |||||
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
Makushin Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Makushin volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Makushin occurred in 1995.
+How often does Makushin volcano erupt?
Since 1768, Makushin volcano has had at least 13 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 19.8 years.
+How active is Makushin volcano at present?
Makushin volcano is infrequently active: Since 1900, it has had 9 eruptions, and been active during 9 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Makushin has been in eruption one in 14 years on average. The last eruption was in 1995 and ended 31 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Makushin volcano?
The largest eruption known from the younger geological history of Makushin volcano occurred around 6100 BC. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Makushin 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 Makushin volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Makushin volcano (scale of few kilometers)
