🌋VolcanoAtlas

Fisher

Stratovolcano in United States

Last Eruption: 1830

Key Facts

Elevation

1,112 m (3,648 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

54.650°, -164.430°

Region

Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The Fisher caldera, on western Unimak Island NE of Westdahl volcano, is 11 x 18 km elongated in a NE direction It formed around 9,400 years ago, accompanied by emission of large-volume pyroclastic flows that reached the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Two cones are located below the N rim, NE of its high point at Eickelberg Peak, which rises more than 900 m above three lakes on the caldera floor, one of which drains through a notch in the southern caldera rim. A large composite cone, Mount Finch, is found at the center of the caldera, which also contains a small breached cinder cone.

Eruptions have occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries. Low-temperature fumaroles are located on the W flank of Mount Finch, and Turquoise Lake, at the base of the cone, emits hydrogen sulfide gas.

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskModerate
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Silica Content
Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Holocene
Evidence
Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity196 years agoHistoricalHistorically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Normal
No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in North America Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity
The North America Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

  • Smithsonian ID: 311350
  • Evidence: Eruption Observed
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

This 1974 view shows part of the interior of Fisher caldera on Unimak Island in the eastern Aleutian Islands. Fisher is an 11 x 18 km caldera that formed about 9,100 years ago during the eruption of pyroclastic flows that overtopped topographic barriers more than 500 m high. The caldera contains several lakes, maars, and other vents.

Photo by Tom Miller, 1974 (Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey).

Basic Information

This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.