Mount Shishaldin

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Shishaldin and Isanotski Volcanoes

Shishaldin Volcano (pronounced shi-'shal-d&n) is a moderately active volcano on Unimak Island in the Aleutian Islands chain of Alaska. The volcano is a rather symmetric cone, reminiscent of Mount Fuji, with several smaller, low-profile cones scattered on the Northwest slope. Rising to 2857 m (9,373 ft) above sea level it is the third largest island based volcano in North America and one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian Range.

Map showing volcanoes of Alaska Peninsula.

Activity

This volcano has had many recorded eruptions during the 19th and 20th centuries, and a couple reports of volcanic activity in the area during the 18th century may have referred to Shishaldin as well. Thus the volcano's entire recorded history is spotted with reports of activity.

Mt. Shishaldin's most recent eruptions were in 1995-96 and 1999. Since the 1999 eruption, it has maintained seismic activity, typically having very low-magnitude volcanic earthquakes (most are below magnitude 1) every 1-2 minutes. During this period of non-eruptive seismic activity, it has been puffing steam, with puffs also occurring about every 1-2 minutes. There were reports in 2004 of low quantities of ash being emitted with the steam.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors the volcano for more hazardous activity with seismometers and satellite images. Visual observations are rare, because of the remote location of the volcano.

Climbing

The first recorded ascent of Shishaldin was in 1932, by G. Peterson and two companions. Given the straightforward nature of the climbing (Alaska Grade 1, snow up to 40 degree slope), it is possible that an earlier ascent occurred, either by native Aleuts, Russians, or other visitors. Shishaldin is a popular ski descent (6,000 feet/1830 m vertical) for local climbers (of whom there are few). Due to its remoteness Shishaldin is not often climbed by outsiders.

Sources

Siebert, L. and T. Simkin (2002-). Volcanoes of the World: an Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and their Eruptions. Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3. URL: http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/
Peterson, T., J. Caplan-Auerbach, and S. McNutt. Sustained Long-period Seismicity at Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Volume 151, Issue 4, 15 March 2006, pages 365-381. Available online[link].
[Volcanoes of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands-Selected Photographs]
[Alaska Volcano Observatory]
Michael Wood and Colby Coombs, Alaska: a climbing guide, The Mountaineers, 2001.

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