No latest activity reported for Akutan.

Below is a summary of eruption dates and Volcanic Explosivity Indices (VEI).

The following references are the sources used for data regarding this volcano. References are linked directly to our volcano data file. Discussion of another volcano or eruption (sometimes far from the one that is the subject of the manuscript) may produce a citation that is not at all apparent from the title. Additional discussion of data sources can be found under Volcano Data Criteria.

Byers F M, Barth T F W, 1953. Volcanic activity on Akun and Akutan Islands, Alaska. {Proc 7th Pacific Sci Cong}, 2: 382-397

Coats R R, 1950. Volcanic activity in the Aleutian Arc. {U S Geol Surv Bull}, 974-B: 35-47

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. {IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior}.

Miller T P, McGimsey R G, Richter D H, Riehle J R, Nye C J, Yount M E, Dumoulin J A, 1998. Catalogue of the historically active volcanoes of Alaska. {U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt}, 98-582: 1-104

Motyka R J, Liss S A, Nye C J, Moorman M A, 1993. Geothermal resources of the Aleutian arc. {Alaska Div Geol Geophys Surv, Prof Rpt}, no 114, 17 p and 4 map sheets

Myers J D, 1994. {The Geology, Geochemistry and Petrology of the recent Magmatic Phase of the Central and Western Aleutian Arc}. {Unpublished manuscript}, unpaginated

Richter D H, Waythomas C F, McGimsey R G, Stelling P L, 1998. Geologic map of Akutan Island, Alaska. {U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt}, 98-135, 1:48,000 scale map and 22 p text

Romick J D, Perfit M R, Swanson S E, Shuster R D, 1990. Magmatism in the eastern Aleutian arc: temporal characteristics of igneous activity on Akutan Island. {Contr Mineral Petr}, 104: 700-721

Smith R L, Shaw H R, Luedke R G, Russell S L, 1978. Comprehensive tables giving physical data and thermal energy estimates for young igneous systems of the United States. {U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt}, 78-925: 1-25

Waythomas C F, 1999. Stratigraphic framework of Holocene volcaniclastic deposits, Akutan volcano, east-central Aleutians Islands, Alaska. {Bull Volc}, 61: 141-161

Waythomas C F, Power J A, Richter D H, McGimsey R G, 1998. Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Akutan volcano, east-central Aleutian Islands, Alaska. {U S Geol Surv Open-File Rpt}, 98-360: 1-36

Wood C A, Kienle J (eds), 1990. {Volcanoes of North America}. Cambridge, England: Cambridge Univ Press, 354 p

One of the most active volcanoes of the Aleutian arc, Akutan contains 2-km-wide caldera with an active intracaldera cone. An older, largely buried caldera was formed during the late Pleistocene or early Holocene. Two volcanic centers are located on the NW flank. Lava Peak is of Pleistocene age, and a cinder cone lower on the flank produced a lava flow in 1852 that extended the shoreline of the island and forms Lava Point. The 60-365 m deep younger caldera was formed during a major explosive eruption about 1600 years ago and contains at least three lakes. The currently active large cinder cone in the NE part of the caldera has been the source of frequent explosive eruptions with occasional lava effusion that blankets the caldera floor. A lava flow in 1978 traveled through a narrow breach in the north caldera rim almost to the coast. Fumaroles occur at the base of the caldera cinder cone, and hot springs are located NE of the caldera at the head of Hot Springs Bay valley and along the shores of Hot Springs Bay.