Shishaldin Volcano

Updated: Oct 29, 2025 10:48 GMT - refresh

Stratovolcano

Aleutian Islands, Alaska, 54.76°N / -163.97°W

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Summit height: 2857 m / 9,373 ft

Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5)

Last update: 12 Oct 2025 (Volcanic Ash Advisory)

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Shishaldin webcams / live data | News/Updates | Earthquakes | Images

Typical eruption style: explosive
Shishaldin volcano eruptions: 2023 (Jul 12-ongoing), 2019 (Jul 23 - 2020 May 4), 2014-15, 2008 (?), 2004, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1993, 1986-87, 1981 (?), 1979, 1978, 1976, 1975, 1967, 1963, 1955, 1953, 1951, 1948, 1946-47, 1932, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1925, 1922, 1912 (?), 1901, 1899 (?), 1898, 1897 (?), 1883, 1880-81, 1865 (?), 1842, 1838, 1830, 1927-29, 1826, 1825, 1824, 1790 (?), 1775-78

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and Time	Mag / Depth	Distance / Location
Oct 28, 12:07 pm (Universal Time)	0.9 1.4 km	1 km (0.6 mi) to the S	37 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 28, 10:27 am (Universal Time)	1.0 4.9 km	1.8 km (1.1 mi) to the S	37 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 28, 10:05 am (Universal Time)	0.7 9.5 km	3.1 km (1.9 mi) to the W	40 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 28, 06:23 am (Universal Time)	1.1 5 km	2 km (1.2 mi) to the S	38 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 28, 04:28 am (Universal Time)	0.6 7.9 km	2.3 km (1.4 mi) to the SW	39 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 27, 04:25 pm (GMT -8)	1.2 7 km	1 km (0.6 mi) to the W	38 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Monday, October 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Oct 27, 05:12 pm (Universal Time)	0.3 1.4 km	1.7 km (1.1 mi) to the W	39 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Sunday, October 26, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Oct 26, 11:28 pm (Universal Time)	1.1 10.4 km	2.2 km (1.4 mi) to the NE	35 km WSW of False Pass, Alaska	Info
Oct 25, 04:36 pm (GMT -8)	1.0 0.8 km	18 km (10.9 mi) to the S	48 km SW of False Pass, Alaska	Info

View recent quakes

Background

The beautifully symmetrical volcano of Shishaldin is the highest and one of the most active volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands. The 2857-m-high, glacier-covered volcano is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes along an E-W line in the eastern half of Unimak Island. The Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points the way when I am lost." A steady steam plume rises from its small summit crater. Constructed atop an older glacially dissected volcano, Shishaldin is Holocene in age and largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older ancestral volcano are exposed on the west and NE sides at 1500-1800 m elevation. Shishaldin contains over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank, which is blanketed by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity, primarily consisting of strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit crater, but sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the 18th century.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Shishaldin Volcano Photos

The chain of volcanoes on Unimak, from left to right: Roundtop Mountain, Isanotski, Pogromni and Shishaldin. (Photo: marcofulle)

Except for the topmost part Shishaldin's uppermost flanks are covered by glaciers. Their fast flow leads to intensive crevassing. (Photo: marcofulle)

The perfect cone of Shishaldin volcano rises high above a deck of stratocumuls clouds. Pogromni volcano far right. (Photo: marcofulle)

Whereas Shishaldin is a superb example of a young, symmetric stratovolcano, the much older Isanotski is irregular and deeply eroded. (Photo: marcofulle)

More photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Shishaldin volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Shishaldin has had at least 40 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 37 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 11 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Shishaldin volcano.

The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Shishaldin volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Shishaldin can be found on the news page of Shishaldin volcano.

Date	Note	VEI
2023 Jul 11 ±1 d. -	Historical obs./docs.	3
2019 Jul 23 - 2020 May 4	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	3
2014 Jan 30 - 2015 Jul 3	Summit crater Historical obs./docs.	1
?? 2008 Feb 12	Uncertain Eruption	1?
2004 Feb 17 - Jul 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 2000 Aug 11	Uncertain Eruption	1?
?? 1999 Sep 25 ±5 d. - 2000 Feb 4 ?	Uncertain Eruption	1?
1999 Mar 13 - May 27	Historical obs./docs.	3
1998 Nov 4	Historical obs./docs.	1
1997 Jun 2	Historical obs./docs.	1
1995 Dec 23 - 1996 May 16 or before	Historical obs./docs.	3
1993 Sep 4 - Oct 29	Historical obs./docs.	2
1986 Mar 19 - 1987 Feb 15 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1981 Sep 25	Uncertain Eruption	?
1979 Feb 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1978 Feb 8 - Feb 9 ?	Historical obs./docs.	2
1976 Jan 16 ±15 d. - Sep 28	Historical obs./docs.	2
1975 Sep 13 - Oct 26 ±5 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1967 Jan 28	Historical obs./docs.	2
1963 Dec 28	Historical obs./docs.	2
1955 Jul 16 ±15 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1953 Oct 4 ±3 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1951 Apr 16 ±15 d. - Oct 5 ±4 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
1948	Historical obs./docs.	2
1946 Aug - 1947 Jan	Historical obs./docs.	2
1932 Feb 1 - May 21	Historical obs./docs.	2
1929 May 28 - Jun 23 or later	Summit and north flank Historical obs./docs.	2
1928 Aug	Historical obs./docs.	2
1927	Historical obs./docs.	?
1925	Historical obs./docs.	?
1922 Oct 15 ±45 d.	Historical obs./docs.	2
?? 1912	Uncertain Eruption	?
1901	Historical obs./docs.	?

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

Shishaldin Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Shishaldin volcano?

The last confirmed eruption of Shishaldin occurred in 2023.

+How often does Shishaldin volcano erupt?

Since 1824, Shishaldin volcano has had at least 37 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 5.4 years.
Many eruptions of Shishaldin have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 45 out of 201 years until now. In other words, Shishaldin has been active at least one in 4.5 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Shishaldin is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.

+How active is Shishaldin volcano at present?

Shishaldin volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 33 eruptions, and been active during 33 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Shishaldin has been in eruption one in 3.8 years on average. The last eruption was in 2023 and ended 2 years ago.

+When was the largest eruption of Shishaldin volcano?

The largest eruption of Shishaldin volcano in historic times occurred in 2023. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Latest satellite images

See also: Sentinel hub | Landsat 8 | NASA FIRMS

Latest satellite images

Shishaldin 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).