At approximately 1400 on 20 February, Pavlof was seen to eject ash clouds at about 3-minute intervals. The ash clouds moved S and dissipated into a layer near the 3,000 m level. After sunset, lava emissions became visible, but were not as energetic as those observed on 31 December.

At 2230 22 February, a USAF pilot flying at 12.5 km reported that lava was visible trailing as a rivulet down the entire NW flank. The volcano continuously emitted lava during the 45-minute pilot observation. On 23 February at 1530 a pilot reported that the activity was basically the same as on the 22nd. On 24 February at 1115 another pilot reported that the lava activity appeared to have ceased, but that strong winds were driving ash, smoke and steam down the S side of the volcano.

Geological Summary. The most active volcano of the Aleutian arc, Pavlof is a Holocene stratovolcano that was constructed along a line of vents extending NE from the Emmons Lake caldera. Pavlof and Pavlof Sister to the NE form a dramatic pair of symmetrical, glacier-covered stratovolcanoes that overlook Pavlof and Volcano bays. Little Pavlof is a smaller cone on the SW flank of Pavlof volcano, near the rim of Emmons Lake caldera. Unlike Pavlof Sister, eruptions have frequently been reported from Pavlof, typically Strombolian to Vulcanian explosive eruptions from the summit vents and occasional lava flows. The active vents lie near the summit on the north and east sides. The largest recorded eruption took place in 1911, at the end of a 5-year-long eruptive episode, when a fissure opened on the N flank, ejecting large blocks and issuing lava flows.

Information Contacts: P. Sventek, USAF, Cold Bay.