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Kukak

Stratovolcano in United States

Key Facts

Elevation

2,043 m (6,703 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

58.453°, -154.355°

Region

Alaska Peninsula Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

The almost completely ice-covered Kukak volcano lies west of Hallo Bay near the end of a glacier-covered range extending NE from Mount Katmai. A vigorous fumarole field at the southern base of the hydrothermally altered northern summit and is the only one of the Denison-Steller-Kukak chain of volcanoes to display geothermal activity. Two reports eruptions noted by Hantke (1959) appear to be erroneous.

The report of a 1951 eruption is an apparent reference to a 22 July 1951 ashfall at Kukak Bay, which was attributed by Muller et al. (1954) to Martin volcano. A 1953 explosive "eruption" was single large puff of steam followed by steaming from caverns in Hook Glacier (Muller et al.

, 1954).

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
Unrest / Holocene

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent ActivityUnknownHistoricalHistorically 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: 312230
  • Evidence: Unrest / Holocene
  • Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

The almost completely ice-covered Kukak is near the NE end of a chain of volcanoes extending from Mount Katmai. Kukak, seen here from the NW with Shelikof Strait in the background, contains a vigorous fumarole field on its northern summit.

Photo by Christina Neal, 1990 (U.S. Geological Survey, 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.