For a volcano, a name is often one of the most important attributes assigned to a potentially
deadly geologic feature.
The mere mention of the names Krakatoa, Mount St. Helens, or Mount Pinatubo often instill
a sense of awe and dread due to the very large and destructive eruptions these volcanoes
have produced.
Thus, it might come as a surprise to some that several active volcanoes around the planet
have yet to be named.
And no, I have not referring to just submarine volcanoes.
One such unnamed volcano on land is located within the United States within a remote section
of Alaska.
Specifically, it is 111 miles west of the city of Kodiak.
Although it is a relatively small volcano, we are rather certain that is has erupted
in the last 10,000 years, thus meeting the criteria of an active volcano.
This video will discuss this little known unnamed volcano, and mention what its future
hazards are.
The unnamed volcano is a lava dome complex which consists of a single lava dome, one
lava flow, and a small potential maar explosion crater.
You might ask, but wait, how do we know that this volcano is active?
The answer is that we don't.
Since this small volcanic complex hasn't been dated via various radiometric dating methods,
we have relied on the amount of glacial erosion present on its edifice to approximate its
age.
Since the lava dome is not smoothed by glacial erosion on the top, we know that it is younger
than the end of the last ice age.
However, some glacial erosion is present on lower sections so it is likely about 9,500
years old.
This dark colored lava dome appears to be constructed out of a combination of basaltic
andesite and andesite, which suggests an explosive eruption style.
Unlike lava flows seen at the Hawaiian islands, these eruptions do not produce long and runny
flows of lava.
The reason for this is that andesite has a much higher viscosity then basaltic lava,
which causes it to build in a central location over the eruptive vent instead of flowing
downhill.
On occasion, this causes the eruptive vent to get clogged, causing gasses and pressure
to build.
Eventually, a small explosion occurs, which creates a short distance pyroclastic flow
and ejects bombs of lava and rock in a several mile radius.
This style of eruptive activity is called a vulcanian eruption.
With this being said, lava domes are also prone to partial collapses.
When a collapse occurs, a pyroclastic flow is released, which can travel a few miles
into the surrounding landscape.
If any pyroclastic flows did occur, they likely traveled south down a series of valleys and
streams.
By the time the main eruption had ended, a 485 foot tall and 2800 foot wide lava dome
had been constructed.
In total, it had erupted approximately 30 million cubic meters of lava, which is enough
to fill 12,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.
Although I am not truly certain, there is likely a 220 foot wide maar explosion crater
on the northern edge of the present lava flow.
It formed due to the interaction of rising magma with groundwater, which caused the groundwater
to flash to steam and generate a small explosion.
Thus, it created a hole in the overlying lava.
Although this volcano has not erupted since, it will likely erupt again.
As a whole, this poorly known volcanic complex reminds me of the Ukinrek Maars, which were
also a poorly known and similar appearance volcano until they unexpectedly erupted in
1977.
Luckily, if this unnamed volcano was to erupt again, the only real danger it would present
is to air traffic as the area remains unpopulated.
Explosive eruptions eject fine ash particles high into the atmosphere, which can severely
damage airplane engines upon contact.
As a result of these hazards, the US Geological Survey designated this unnamed volcano within
Alaska as a low threat volcano.
As a final thought, what do you think this volcano should be named?
Remember, fictional characters, fictional places, historical figures, and the names
of nearby geologic features are often used as the basis for naming volcanoes.
I hope that you enjoyed this video!
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