🌋VolcanoAtlas

Kanaga

Stratovolcano in United States

Last Eruption: 2023

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

Loading map...

Eruption Timeline

2023 CENotable

Most recent confirmed eruption

2013 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

2001 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1991 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1981 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1971 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1968 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1963 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1933 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1923 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1916 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1891 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1861 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1851 CEVEI 1

Historical eruption (estimated)

1846 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

1834 CEVEI 3

Historical eruption (estimated)

1804 CEVEI 2

Historical eruption (estimated)

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

Population at RiskModerate
Infrastructure RiskHigh
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 Eruptions18ModerateModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI 2MinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity3 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

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: 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).

Basic Information

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