Between ashy eruptions and degassing at the North Cerberus volcano on Semisopochnoi Island, this is seen from the west in 2021. (Allan Lerner/U.S. Geologic Survey

A bill to rename a volcano on an Aleutian Island in honor of Don Young is due to be signed into law by President Joe Biden.

2018 Republican U.S. House of Representatives candidate Don Young

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski stated that she was aware of Young’s soft side as well as his volatile reputation. She claimed she and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan deliberately chose a volcano.

She said, “As we searched for something that might fit, we looked beyond mountains to see mountains that still blow their tops to this very day.”

It is located west Adak and comprises three volcanic cones. The mountain’s former name, Mount Cerberus was also named after a fierce creature. Cerberus, a three-headed dog guarding the underworld’s entrance in Greek mythology was known as a hellhound.

Semisopochnoi Island with Mount Cerberus’ three cones in the foreground, and Fenner lake in the background, November 2012. Roger Clifford. Photograph. Anvil Peak can be seen at the upper left. Roger Clifford.

The bill also names the mountain and a federal building at Fairbanks as well as a Palmer after Young job center.

Mary Peltola (Congresswoman) is ending Young’s term. She said that Young would like to know his name is on a job centre, which will help future generations.

She said that Don always spoke fondly about his time in Alaska working as a construction worker, driving a D8 Caterpillar bulldozer and that he always looked out to help people who use their hands,” she stated on the House floor last Wednesday.

Both chambers passed the bill without opposition. The Board on Geographic Names will have 30 days to change the name of the mountain after Biden signs it. Google Maps is not waiting. Google Maps has already designated the peak to be Mt. Young.

On May 31, 2021, steaming from North Cerberus, Semisopochnoi Island. (M.W. Loewen, Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geologic Survey