Researchers are looking into the history and the present of Alaska’s Augustine volcano to discover answers regarding its future. A continuing research collaboration with scientists from the Alaska Volcano Observatory and scientists at Western Washington University seeks to increase knowledge on the volcano and to comprehend the actual threat it poses for Alaskans living throughout that region. Cook Inlet region.
The research is led by Kristina Walowski, who is an assistant professor of geology of geology at Western Washington University. In 2020, she along with her colleagues were awarded a grant by the National Science Foundation to study Augustine in the southwest corner of Cook Inlet, 170 miles from Anchorage and accessible from the nearby Homer. They carried out the majority of their work during the summer of 2017 and are at the stage of gathering it.
“Augustine is one of the most-at-risk volcanoes located in Alaska,” said Matt Loewen who is a geologist researcher in the Alaska Volcano Observatory, who is also part of this research partnership.
This volcano has been of particular significance to scientists such as Walowski due to the proximity of Alaska’s largest city, as well as its past of explosive eruptions. Augustine is a special volcano due to the fact that it has had six eruptions over the last 200 years Walowski said. This most current eruption took place during the year 2006 and significantly impacted flights in the region.
However, the latest eruption isn’t the one that is the most intriguing for Walowski as well as her colleagues. They are looking at two specific eruptions which occurred 400 years ago and the other approximately 800 years back. These two eruptions are more intense than the recent ones and Walowski along with her group are trying to determine why this was the case, and what this could be a sign in the near future.
“Why did Augustine change its appearance? Do you think there is a possibility for it to return to its previous methods?” Walowski said.
Her team is analyzing rock materials from the volcano in order to determine whether Augustine could have a major eruption, like the previous big eruptions in the future. Examining the elements of rocks is important because scientists gain a better understanding of the temperature or pressure that caused the formation of that material, Walowski said. In turn, this information can provide clues to how the volcano performed in the past, and how it will behave in the future.
However, Walowski has been quick to point out that she doesn’t engage in making predictions. Instead, she gives an insight into the past of the volcano, and also what could occur in the near future. Based on this she stated she believes that Alaska Volcano Observatory could be better positioned to inform the public of what could happen with Augustine. One of the most significant dangers of the volcano are the potential tsunamis it may cause due to a massive displacement of land material when there is an eruption. It happened in 1883, and it could be repeated in the opinion of U.S. Geological Survey.
“We have a responsibility to comprehend volcanoes, and also give warnings and alerts in the event of volcanoes’ eruptions” He said. “Well the academic community tends to be more focused on conducting basic research, and I believe this is an excellent example where we’re linking those two. They’re mutually advantageous.”
Walowski hopes to publish the study in the coming year or two. She is enthusiastic about the potential to help create a larger understanding of the threat Augustine poses to Alaskans in order that more people are more prepared in the event in the event of an emergency.
“It’s crucial for people to be aware of the fact that scientists are studying volcanoes at multiple levels and each of those tiny pieces of the puzzle can be kind of glued together to ensure that communities and people are as safe as they can be,” she said.
This article first appeared in Alaska Beacon and is republished here with permission.
