Amak
Stratovolcano in United States
Key Facts
Elevation
547 m (1,795 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
55.418°, -163.147°
Region
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
Loading map...
Overview
Amak, the easternmost of the Aleutian Islands, is a small island stratovolcano that lies north of the main Aleutian volcanic front, about 50 km NW of Frosty volcano on the western tip of the Alaska Peninsula. The summit of the small, roughly 1 km3 volcano is only 488 m above sea level. Blocky lava flows with prominent levees were emplaced during historical eruptions from 1700-1710 and in 1796 (Marsh, in Wood and Kienle 1990).
The flows radiate from a well-defined central crater and cover much of the central part of the island. Earlier volcanism perhaps 4000-5000 years ago consisted of the emission of thin, platy andesitic lava flows. A flat alluvial plain on the S flank contains a flat-bottomed crater that may be a maar.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | Unknown | Low | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI Unknown | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 230 years ago | Historical | Historically active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in North America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 311390
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Amak, the easternmost of the Aleutian Islands, lies north of the tip of the Alaskan Peninsula. Like Bogoslof, it lies north of the main Aleutian volcanic front. Lava flows with prominent levees were emplaced in historical eruptions during 1700-1710 and in 1796.
Photo by Dave Roseneau, 2001 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.