AVO reported that on 21 January webcam images taken in partly cloudy conditions at Shishaldin possibly showed a dusting of fresh ash on the snowy upper flanks. During 21-22 January seismicity continued to be slightly elevated over background levels. Strongly elevated temperatures at the summit detected in overnight satellite images were consistent with possible lava in the crater. Clear webcam views during 23-25 January showed a small steam plume, indicating that the current activity was mostly contained in the deep summit crater. The Aviation Color Code remained at Orange and the Volcano Alert Level remained at Watch.

Geological Summary. The symmetrical glacier-covered Shishaldin in the Aleutian Islands is the westernmost of three large stratovolcanoes in the eastern half of Unimak Island. The Aleuts named the volcano Sisquk, meaning "mountain which points the way when I am lost." Constructed atop an older glacially dissected edifice, it is largely basaltic in composition. Remnants of an older edifice are exposed on the W and NE sides at 1,500-1,800 m elevation. There are over two dozen pyroclastic cones on its NW flank, which is covered by massive aa lava flows. Frequent explosive activity, primarily consisting of Strombolian ash eruptions from the small summit crater, but sometimes producing lava flows, has been recorded since the 18th century. A steam plume often rises from the summit crater.

Source: US Geological Survey Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)