Redoubt Volcano eruption; Cook Inlet, Alaska

Source report excerpt: “Update 25MAR09: Due to declined seismic activity over the last 36 hours, the Alaska Volcano Observatory is lowering the aviation color code to Orange and the volcanic alert level to Watch. The last known ash emission was at 0512LT MAR25 09. The plume from this event did not extend above approximately 15,000 feet. In the event of a distinct rise in seismic activity or confirmation of a significant ash producing eruption, the AVO will accordingly raise the color code and alert level back to Red/Warning. The Redoubt volcano remains closely monitored by the Coast Guard and the appropriate precautions will remain in effect until the volcano is confirmed to no longer be a threat.”

Source report excerpt: “Update 29MAR09: The most recent eruption of Mt. Redoubt was 1923 LT MAR29 09. There has been no evidence of additional significant explosions since, but the seismic activity remains well above background levels and the AVO status of Redoubt remains Red. An oil tanker is tentatively scheduled to begin the removal of product from the terminal starting at 01APR09. However, this proposed transfer of product can not occur until the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) approves the facility's testing and startup plans for the pipeline. A facility planning meeting is scheduled for tomorrow as well as a visit to the Terminal by the Army Corps of Engineers and members of […]”

Source report excerpt: “Update 30MAR09: 1. Over the past twelve hours, ash emissions at Redoubt Volcano have become more frequent, but lower in altitude than during the highly explosive events of the past week. Ash fall from these events is currently not likely to reach population centers in the Cook Inlet. An oil tanker is tentatively scheduled to begin the removal of product from the terminal starting at 04APR09. This proposed transfer of product can not occur until the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) approves the facility's testing and startup plans for the pipeline. An over flight and on scene assessment was conducted today. Damage assessments and joint meetings continue with a […]”

Source report excerpt: “Update 31MAR09: Continuous low level emissions of steam, volcanic gases, and ash continue at Redoubt Volcano. Seismicity consists of volcanic tremor and occasional discrete earthquakes. Ash fall from these events is currently not likely to reach population centers in the Cook Inlet due to low altitude. A Unified Command has been established to handle contingencies for any potential pollution from Drift River terminal, although to date the facility's containment is not compromised by flood water or debris. the Incident Management Team (IMT) met at the Command Post and received the incident briefing and objectives from the command staff. The incident response objectives are: • Ensure Safety […]”

Source report excerpt: “RESPONSE ACTION: The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported that no significant eruptions have occurred since March 28, 2009. AVO reported that occasional low level steam and ash plumes have been generated since yesterday. Four workgroups were assigned to develop tactical plans to accomplish their incident action assignments. The following updates and actions were reported: DROT Debris Removal & Terminal Repair Task Force: • Equipment to be used for the cleanup of the terminal was brought down from the Trading Bay Storage Facility on Tuesday, March 31. • Facility cleanup has been periodically delayed by volcanic activity preventing work crews from safely visiting the terminal. As […]”

Source report excerpt: “The following updates and actions were reported: • DROT Debris Removal & Terminal Repair Task Force: Four CIPL workers remain at the DROT site. They are intermittently continuing with mud and debris removal operations depending on ash conditions at the site. Seven CIPL and three safety workers are at the Trading Bay facility on standby for a flight to the DROT facility, weather dependent. CIPL will continue efforts to repair and return the facility back to a safe operational status in preparation for implementing the restart operations. • Facility Restart/ Oil Movement Workgroup: The Facility Restart/Oil Movement Workgroup updated the draft Facility Restart Plan and incorporated comments […]”

Source report excerpt: “The following updates and actions were reported: DROT Debris Removal & Terminal Repair Task Force: • Currently, twelve CIPL workers are at the DROT (Drift River Oil Terminal) site for on-site cleanup activities and conducting leak tests on the transfer pipeline to the Christy Lee platform. Today the CIPL cleanup crews are continuing with mud/debris removal using heavy equipment and will focus on snow/ice removal from dikes and facility drainage ditches tomorrow. CIPL anticipates having a total of 14 crew workers on-site by tonight. Facility Restart/ Oil Movement Workgroup: • The CIPL crew is conducting the leak tests of the oil pipeline between the DROT tanks and the tanker platform. CISPRI […]”

Source report excerpt: “A major explosive eruption began at about 5:58 AM ADT and continued at high intensity for about an hour, and declining intensity for about another hour. The eruption produced a plume which reached about 50,000 feet elevation; significant ashfall in communities of the southern Kenai Peninsula; and a lahar in the Drift River Valley. This eruption followed five days of dome extrusion accompanied by low- level ash-rich plumes. Following an early morning eruption at Mt. Redoubt, responders at Drift River Terminal took shelter in safe havens. Eleven employees of Cook Inlet Pipe Line Company (CIPL) on site at the terminal were in a nearby safe haven at the time of the eruption. Two CIPL staff at […]”

Source report excerpt: “RESPONSE ACTION: There have been no additional large explosive eruptions since the morning of April 4. Current activity (5:00 pm ADT) consists of eruptions of low-level plumes of steam and ash and seismicity consistent with resumed dome growth. Activity may escalate with little or no warning, or may stay relatively constant for a period of days. A smaller, intermittent plume has been sighted coming from the northwest base of the volcano; this is to be expected as hot debris from yesterday's explosion interacts with snow, ice, and water. AVO has a gas monitoring flight in progress at the volcano today. The volcano remains at aviation color code RED and alert level WARNING. Due to the current […]”

Source report excerpt: “The eruption of Redoubt continues with varying intensity of ash and steam production from the summit crater. Additional significant explosive events with accompanying ash clouds, ash fall, and mudflows are possible and can occur with little or no warning. Current data indicates that a lava dome is again forming in the summit crater. The character of current seismicity suggests that a sudden explosive eruption is not imminent. Present levels of activity include a minor amount of ash that poses a hazard of limited aerial extent. Consequently, AVO has lowered the Aviation Color Code to ORANGE and the Alert Level to WATCH. AVO will maintain 24/7 operations in order to quickly detect renewed […]”

Source report excerpt: “The eruption of Redoubt continues with varying intensity of ash and lava production from the summit crater. Visual, satellite, and seismic observations indicate that a lava dome is again forming in the summit crater. A small steam and ash plume has been visible in satellite and radar data today. It is currently extending for about 10 to 15 miles to the southeast of the volcano at an approximate height of 15,000 to 20,000 ft above sea level. Additional significant explosive events with accompanying ash clouds, ash fall, and mudflows are possible and can occur with little or no warning. AVO will maintain 24/7 operations in order to quickly detect renewed significant explosive activity and […]”

Source report excerpt: “Redoubt Volcano Latest Observations 2009-04-17 03:08:01 The 2009 eruption of Redoubt continues. A vigorous low level steam plume, possibly containing minor ash was observed throughout the day. Low-level seismicity is still being detected thermal satellite data show a lava dome growing in the summit area. The new webcam at the hut showed incandescence this evening at the lava dome. The volcano remains at aviation color code ORANGE and alert level WATCH. The potential for renewed explosive activity is high and may resume with little warning, likely generating an ash plume and a lahar. John Whitney, NOAA SSC, Anchorage”

Source report excerpt: “RESPONSE ACTION: The 2009 eruption of Mt. Redoubt continues. Seismicity remains elevated and satellite images continue to see a thermal signal from the lava dome. Clouds currently obscure the web cameras. Based on yesterday's clear views, a plume of water vapor, volcanic gas, and possibly very minor ash is likely rising above the volcano. AVO will have two field crews working in the vicinity of the volcano today. The volcano remains at aviation color code ORANGE and alert level WATCH. Renewed explosive activity could resume with little warning, likely generating an ash plume and a lahar. On April 7, the Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council hosted an evening public meeting with the […]”

Source report excerpt: “VOLCANO ACTIVITY: The 2009 eruption of Mt. Redoubt volcano continues. Seismic activity remains elevated. Satellite views show a thermal anomaly consistent with the presence of a lava dome. Web camera has been obscured by clouds. Additional explosive events producing ash clouds, ash fall, and mudflows are possible and can occur with little or no warning. AVO is maintaining 24/7 operations in order to quickly detect renewed significant explosive activity and other hazardous phenomena. RESPONSE ACTION: On April 21, 2009 the Unified Command approved plans to remove additional crude oil from operational tanks 1 and 2 at the Drift River Oil Terminal (DROT). Crude oil and ballast seawater will be […]”

Source report excerpt: “VOLCANO ACTIVITY: The 2009 eruption of Mt. Redoubt volcano continues. Seismic activity remains elevated. Webcam views show a passive steam plume rising to about summit elevation. Additional explosive events are possible with little or no warning. The volcano remains at ORANGE/WATCH and AVO is staffed 24/7. RESPONSE ACTION: At 9:30 AM on April 28, 2009, the tanker Mississippi Voyager arrived at the Christy Lee Platform and removed approximately 99,000 barrels (4,158,000 gallons) of crude oil and sea water from tanks 1 and 2 at the Drift River Oil Terminal (DROT). This transfer reduces the crude oil volume at the Drift River Terminal by approximately 93 percent from the original volume of […]”