AVO reported that cloud cover prevented satellite observations of Cleveland during 31 December, and 1, 3, and 5 January. The brief explosive emission of ash was detected on 2 January. A resultant ash plume rose to an altitude of 6 km (20,000 ft) a.s.l. and drifted about 240 km ESE. A thermal anomaly over the summit was detected on 4 January. No current seismic information was available because Cleveland does not have a real-time seismic network. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at Advisory and the Aviation Color Code remained at Yellow.

Geological Summary. The beautifully symmetrical Mount Cleveland stratovolcano is situated at the western end of the uninhabited Chuginadak Island. It lies SE across Carlisle Pass strait from Carlisle volcano and NE across Chuginadak Pass strait from Herbert volcano. Joined to the rest of Chuginadak Island by a low isthmus, Cleveland is the highest of the Islands of the Four Mountains group and is one of the most active of the Aleutian Islands. The native name, Chuginadak, refers to the Aleut goddess of fire, who was thought to reside on the volcano. Numerous large lava flows descend the steep-sided flanks. It is possible that some 18th-to-19th century eruptions attributed to Carlisle should be ascribed to Cleveland (Miller et al., 1998). In 1944 it produced the only known fatality from an Aleutian eruption. Recent eruptions have been characterized by short-lived explosive ash emissions, at times accompanied by lava fountaining and lava flows down the flanks.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)