On 26 September AVO reported that seismicity at Shishaldin had decreased during the previous few weeks to levels slightly above background. Satellite images indicated decreased surface temperatures at the summit over the same period and showed collapse and slumping of the floor of the summit crater, suggesting a withdrawal of magma. Tiltmeter data suggested that the collapse may have occurred on 19 September. The Aviation Color Code was lowered to Yellow and the Volcano Alert Level was lowered to Advisory.

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)