Redoubt Volcano, Alaska - Eruption Pictures

Redoubt Volcano is an active stratovolcano in the Aleutian Range of Alaska. It is one of the active volcanoes of the Cook Inlet region. The most recent major eruption occurred over a several month period during 1989 to 1990. This photo shows steam and volcanic gas rising above the summit crater in August 1990. Photograph by C. Neal, U.S. Geological Survey, August 13, 1990.

Prior to the onset of the 1989-1990 eruption heat from the active magma chamber below melted ice and snow in the summit crater. This view shows a vigorous steam plume produced by that heat. Photograph by H. Twitchell, National Park Service, December 14, 1989.

An aerial view of Redoubt Volcano looking north on December 18, 1989 showing a low-level eruption of steam and ash. Photograph by W. White, U.S. Geological Survey.

Hot debris avalanching down the steep north flank of Redoubt Volcano during the 1989 to 1990 eruptions. This hot debris mixed with water, ice and snow to form lahars. The lahars swept down the Drift River Valley, carrying a steaming slurry of ash, soil and other debris as far as 35 km (22 mi) from the volcano. Photograph by T. Miller, U.S. Geological Survey, February 15, 1990.

Lahars carried large blocks of glacial ice many kilometers downstream. Photograph by T. Miller, U.S. Geological Survey, January 5, 1990.

One of the principal facilities at risk during the 1989 to 1990 eruptions of Redoubt Volcano was the Drift River Oil Terminal located at the mouth of the Drift River, 35 km (22 mi) northeast of the volcano. This aerial view, looking southwest, shows the 1.9 billion barrel capacity oil storage tanks. Redoubt Volcano is on the skyline at left. Photograph by R. McGimsey, U.S. Geological Survey, April 13, 1990.

The lahar overtopped a containment berm and entered the oil terminal property. However the storage tanks were not damaged. Photograph by T. Miller, U.S. Geological Survey, February 15, 1990.

A utility building inundated by mud from Redoubt's lahars. This structure is located near the mouth of the Drift River about 35 km (22 mi) from the volcano. Photograph by C. Gardner, U.S. Geological Survey, June 1, 1990.

This is an aerial view of the Drift River valley following the 1989 to 1990 eruptions of Redoubt Volcano. The entire valley is filled from wall to wall with debris from massive lahars. Two bedrock islands are surrounded by lahar deposits. Photograph by C. Gardner, U.S. Geological Survey, June 28, 1990.

Geologist examining 1990 pyroclastic-flow and pyroclastic-surge deposits on the surface of the piedmont lobe of Drift glacier at Redoubt Volcano. Photograph by C. Gardner, U.S. Geological Survey, July 20, 1991.

Gray ash from Redoubt's February 21, 1990, eruption was carried great distances by the wind. This photo shows snow in Indian, Alaska, covered by a blanket of ash. This community is about 200 km (124 mi) northeast of Redoubt Volcano. Photograph by R. McGimsey, U.S. Geological Survey, February 21, 1990.

The Redoubt eruption cloud as seen from the Kenai Peninsula. The mushroom-shaped plume rose from avalanches of hot debris (pyroclastic flows) that cascaded down the north flank of the volcano. A smaller, white steam plume rises from the summit crater. Photograph by R. Clucas, April 21, 1990.