Digital News Report- Mount Redoubt in Alaska began erupting at approximately 11:38pm PST on Sunday after weeks being on an elevated alert status. The eruption cloud has been estimated at about 20,000 feet above see level and the aviation alert level has been raised to Red. Alaska Airlines has turned back four flights bound for Anchorage.
Redoubt is located about 100 miles from Anchorage, which is Alaska’s most populated city. The National Weather Service issued an ash fall advisory for Talkeetna, Willow and Cantwell, that is effective until 4:00am Monday. The ash cloud could reach Anchorage by 2:00am.
The Alaskan Volcano Observatory has warned that the eruption cloud could reach up to 50,000 feet. The last major eruption of Mount Redoubt began in 1989 and sent lahars flowing into the Cook Inlet, which is 22 miles away. The damage became the second costliest volcanic eruption in the United States.
Image Creator: McGimsey, Game;
Image courtesy of AVO/USGS.