🌋VolcanoAtlas

Akutan

The Aleutians' Restless Caldera Volcano

Elevation

1,303 m

Last Eruption

1992

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

United States

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity34 years agoRecentRecently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

USGS Volcano Hazards Program
Comprehensive monitoring network
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Watch
Dormant but monitored. Capable of renewed activity.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database
USGS Volcano Hazards
U.S. Geological Survey

Related Volcanoes

All United States Volcanoes
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Stratovolcano Volcanoes
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Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Regional volcanoes

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Interesting Facts

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Akutan erupted nearly every year from 1973 to 1992, producing one of the longest sustained sequences of annual eruptions in the Aleutian arc.

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The summit caldera, approximately 2 km wide and up to 365 m deep, was formed during a VEI 5 eruption around 340 CE.

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A lava flow in 1852 from a NW flank cinder cone extended the island's shoreline, creating the feature known as Lava Point.

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In 1978, a lava flow escaped through a breach in the caldera rim and traveled nearly to the coast — the only modern eruption to send lava outside the caldera.

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Akutan Island hosts one of the largest seafood processing plants in North America, placing hundreds of seasonal workers within the volcano's hazard zone.

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The caldera contains at least three lakes and active fumarolic fields at the base of its prominent cinder cone.

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Hot Springs Bay, northeast of the caldera, features geothermal springs that have been used by the Unangan (Aleut) people for thousands of years.

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Akutan lies along one of the busiest North Pacific aviation corridors, making even small ash eruptions a concern for international air traffic.

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The total edifice, from seafloor to summit, rises roughly 4,500 m — more than three times the visible height above sea level.

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Despite having 47 recorded eruptions, no fatalities have ever been attributed to Akutan's volcanic activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Akutan volcano still active?
Yes, Akutan is classified as an active volcano by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). Although its last confirmed eruption occurred in 1992, the volcano maintains persistent fumarolic activity within its summit caldera and at Hot Springs Bay. With 47 recorded eruptions — including near-annual activity from 1973 to 1992 — Akutan is one of the most frequently active volcanoes in the Aleutian arc. AVO monitors the volcano continuously and considers future eruptions likely.
When did Akutan last erupt?
Akutan's most recent confirmed eruption occurred in 1992. The eruption was a VEI 2 Strombolian event from the cinder cone within the summit caldera, consistent with the volcano's typical activity pattern. Prior to 1992, Akutan had erupted nearly every year for two decades, and the current quiet period of more than 30 years represents the longest repose in its modern record.
How tall is Akutan volcano?
Akutan's summit stands at 1,303 m (4,275 ft) above sea level. However, the total height of the volcanic edifice from the seafloor is approximately 4,500 m, as the volcano rises from deep ocean floor typical of the Aleutian arc region. Compared to its famous neighbor Shishaldin at 2,857 m, Akutan is a considerably shorter but much more frequently eruptive volcano.
Do people live near Akutan volcano?
Yes, the village of Akutan — one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the Aleutian Islands — is located approximately 13 km east of the summit with a permanent population of about 75. The island also hosts a major Trident Seafoods processing plant that employs hundreds of seasonal workers during the summer fishing season, significantly increasing the population at risk during peak periods.
What type of volcano is Akutan?
Akutan is a stratovolcano (composite volcano) composed primarily of basaltic to picritic lavas. Its most distinctive feature is a 2 km wide summit caldera formed during a VEI 5 eruption approximately 1,600 years ago. A large cinder cone within the caldera has been the source of most historical eruptions. This caldera-within-a-stratovolcano configuration is relatively common in the Aleutian arc.
Is Akutan volcano dangerous to aircraft?
Yes, Akutan lies near major North Pacific aviation routes connecting North America and Asia. Even VEI 2 eruptions can produce ash plumes that reach altitudes hazardous to aircraft. The Alaska Volcano Observatory coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to issue warnings when eruptions produce ash clouds. During the 1973–1992 period of frequent activity, aviation alerts were issued regularly.