Kanaga
Stratovolcano in United States
Key Facts
Elevation
1,307 m (4,288 ft)
Type
Stratovolcano
Location
51.923°, -177.168°
Region
Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc
Total Eruptions
18
Max VEI
VEI 2
Rock Type
Andesite / Basaltic Andesite
Tectonic Setting
Subduction zone
Location
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Eruption Timeline
Most recent confirmed eruption
Historical eruption (estimated)
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Overview
Symmetrical Kanaga stratovolcano is situated within the Kanaton caldera at the northern tip of Kanaga Island. The caldera rim forms a 760-m-high arcuate ridge south and east of Kanaga; a lake occupies part of the SE caldera floor. The volume of subaerial dacitic tuff is smaller than would typically be associated with caldera collapse, and deposits of a massive submarine debris avalanche associated with edifice collapse extend nearly 30 km to the NNW.
Several fresh lava flows from historical or late prehistorical time descend the flanks of Kanaga, in some cases to the sea. Historical eruptions, most of which are poorly documented, have been recorded since 1763. Kanaga is also noted petrologically for ultramafic inclusions within an outcrop of alkaline basalt SW of the volcano.
Fumarolic activity occurs in a circular, 200-m-wide, 60-m-deep summit crater and produces vapor plumes sometimes seen on clear days from Adak, 50 km to the east.
Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment
Primary Hazards
- Pyroclastic flows
- Lava flows
- Volcanic bombs and ballistics
- Lahars and mudflows
Risk Level
Geological Composition & Structure
Rock Types
Tectonic Setting
Age & Formation
Eruption Statistics & Analysis
| Metric | Value | Global Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Recorded Eruptions | 18 | Moderate | Moderately active volcano |
| Maximum VEI | VEI 2 | Minor | Local impact potential |
| Recent Activity | 3 years ago | Very Recent | Currently active |
Monitoring & Alert Status
Monitoring Networks
Current Status
Nearby Volcanoes in North America Volcanic Regions
Quick Info
- •Smithsonian ID: 311110
- •Evidence: Eruption Observed
- •Epoch: Holocene
About the Photo
Kanaga is situated within the Kanaton caldera at the northern tip of Kanaga Island. The caldera rim forms a 760-m-high arcuate ridge, which can be seen S and E (left) of Kanaga. The two flows that reach the coast on either side of the sea cliffs in the lower center were produced during an eruptive period from mid-1993 through 1995.
Photo by Chris Nye, 2000 (Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Alaska Volcano Observatory).
Authority Sources
Related Volcanoes
Basic Information
This page shows basic data from the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. For more detailed information, visit the official Smithsonian page.