Preparing for Volcanic Eruptions at Okmok Volcano, Alaska

Making ready for Volcanic Eruptions at Okmok Volcano, Alaska

Okmok volcano off the coast of Alaska has been repeatedly inflating since its final eruption in 2008, telling us that new magma might be accumulating below it and that the subsequent eruption just isn’t far sooner or later. We due to this fact selected it as a major goal for our undertaking, Anticipating Volcanic Eruptions in Actual-Time (AVERT). AVERT is a collaboration between Columbia College and the Alaska Volcano Observatory to review volcanoes in Alaska utilizing all kinds of monitoring devices and trendy applied sciences — together with high-accuracy GPS place monitoring, magnetometers, infrared and visual webcams, and quick satellite tv for pc communication. This new community is designed to offer real-time information immediately from the volcano that will probably be instantly open to scientists and the general public to make use of.

A map exhibiting the topography of Okmok volcano, exhibiting its central caldera and the cones inside it. 4-letter acronyms beginning with OK mark the areas of monitoring stations. This yr’s purpose is so as to add GPS, magnetometer and satellite tv for pc information transmission to OKAK and OKWE, GPS and magnetometer to OKBR and OKCF, and lots of fixes and updates at a number of different stations.

After delays on account of COVID and poor climate, we lastly made it to Okmok in mid-September. The journey right here was in no way quick or straightforward — a few of us arrived right here after spending three weeks on a analysis vessel on the neighboring volcano, referred to as Cleveland on the Island of 4 Mountains, which can be part of the AVERT undertaking. Others traveled from New York to Anchorage, then took a small aircraft to Dutch Harbor, then boarded a small boat for a 9-hour-long journey from Unalaska Island throughout to Unmak Island, the place Okmok is situated. We additionally introduced with us lots of gear, together with tens of batteries, photo voltaic panels, sensors, and, in fact, heaps and plenty of meals.

Loading our meals and gear on the Miss Alyssa at Dutch Harbor. Picture: Einat Lev

Our meals and gear contained in the Miss Alyssa. Picture: Einat Lev

After unloading all of the gear and meals on the dock, we transferred it to the place that’s going to be our house for the subsequent two weeks: the Bering Pacific Ranch on Umnak Island. Situated on a former WWII-era navy base, the ranch used to have 1000’s of cattle heads, lots of which nonetheless roam the land freely. We tried our greatest to not hassle the bulls.

A typical view on the Bering Pacific Ranch. Rusted equipment from bygone eras, cattle roaming freely, and Ship Rock, a outstanding rock function within the sound between Unalaska and Umnak. Unalaska is seen within the background. Picture: Einat Lev

Wanting west from the Bering Pacific Ranch in the direction of Tulik, an older volcanic cone on the southern flank of Okmok. The snow-covered southern rim of the Okmok caldera is seen within the background. Working within the Aleutians in September means colder temperatures but in addition much less fog. Picture: Einat Lev

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Our solely technique of transportation between the ranch and the monitoring stations is a helicopter, which makes for a enjoyable journey! However it additionally means we’re very delicate to the climate situations and might’t exit whether it is too windy or cloudy the place we are attempting to get to. Transporting by helicopter additionally permits us to gather many aerial pictures, which we use to create detailed 3D fashions of the volcanic cones and flows. These will reveal details about the charges at which the panorama is evolving over time.

Our helicopter and a full rainbow. Repeatedly altering climate situations alternating between rain and solar make for a lot of lovely rainbows. The cabin is identical one as within the earlier photograph. Picture: Einat Lev

Our helicopter towards the conical silhouette of Tulik throughout sundown. Picture: Einat Lev

Our group unloading from the helicopter one night on the ranch. Picture: Einat Lev

The surroundings at our stations and en route between them is spectacular. For instance, the way in which to the websites throughout the caldera normally takes us via a slender opening within the rim nicknamed “The Gates.” A river with large waterfalls flows via The Gates, making the doorway breathtaking each time — and never solely due to the bumpiness because of the always-windy situations. Stations throughout the caldera have views of the a number of volcanic cones and flows, whereas stations outdoors have views of the ocean and the caldera rim.

Huge waterfalls on the river that drains the Okmok caldera via The Gates. Picture: Einat Lev

The Gates, wanting in the direction of the Okmok caldera. Picture: Einat Lev

Subject tech Cora Siebert from Alaska Volcano Observatory putting in a radio antenna at web site OKNO, with the north rim of the caldera behind her.

On a transparent day, Station OKBR, situated contained in the caldera on the south aspect, has a view of 4 completely different volcanic cones. Picture: Einat Lev

Cows should not the one animals we meet on the island. The island has many caribou dwelling on it, a number of foxes frequent the ranch home hoping for scraps, bald eagles fly above, and there may be even a small herd of untamed horses.

Wild horses within the pasture by the shore, with snow-capped Tulik and the Okmok caldera rim within the background. Picture: Einat Lev

The following weblog publish will probably be in regards to the superb meals on the ranch, which actually deserves its personal write-up!

Einat Lev is an affiliate analysis professor at Columbia Local weather College’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. 

The AVERT undertaking is led by Einat Lev and Terry Plank, and is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Basis.