🌋VolcanoAtlas

Shishaldin

The Tallest Volcano in the Aleutian Islands

Elevation

2,857 m

Last Eruption

2023

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

United States

Location

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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
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity3 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

USGS Volcano Hazards Program
Comprehensive monitoring network
Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database
USGS Volcano Hazards
U.S. Geological Survey

Related Volcanoes

All United States Volcanoes
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Stratovolcano Volcanoes
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Unimak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska
Regional volcanoes

Other Volcanoes in United States

Interesting Facts

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At 2,857 m (9,373 ft), Shishaldin is the highest volcano in the Aleutian Islands and the tallest peak on any Aleutian island.

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The Aleut name Sisquk means 'mountain which points the way when I am lost,' reflecting its role as a navigational landmark for indigenous seafarers.

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Shishaldin has produced 51 recorded eruptions — more than any other volcano in the Aleutian arc.

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The volcano's near-perfect symmetrical cone has earned it the nickname 'Fuji of the Aleutians.'

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A persistent steam plume rises from Shishaldin's summit crater and is often visible from hundreds of kilometers away in clear weather.

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The northwest flank hosts more than two dozen pyroclastic cones, forming one of the most complex flank vent fields in the Aleutians.

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Shishaldin's eruptions pose an international aviation hazard, as the volcano lies beneath transpacific flight routes carrying tens of thousands of passengers daily.

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During the 2019 eruption, ash plumes exceeded 9,000 m (30,000 ft) altitude, prompting the highest aviation warning code (Red).

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The volcano's open-vent character means it often glows at night — incandescence is frequently detected by satellite thermal sensors.

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Shishaldin has erupted six times at VEI 3 since the early 19th century, but no eruption larger than VEI 3 has been recorded in its entire history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shishaldin volcano still active?
Yes, Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the United States. Its most recent eruption occurred in 2023, rated VEI 3, and it has produced 51 recorded eruptions in total. The volcano maintains a near-continuous steam plume from its summit crater and frequently shows thermal anomalies detectable by satellite. The Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors it continuously and considers future eruptions virtually certain, likely within the next few years given its historical eruption frequency of approximately once every 2–5 years.
How tall is Shishaldin?
Shishaldin stands at 2,857 m (9,373 ft) above sea level, making it the tallest volcano and highest point in the entire Aleutian Island chain. It is the third-tallest volcano in the United States after peaks in the Wrangell Mountains of mainland Alaska. For comparison, its neighbor Akutan reaches only 1,303 m, and Pavlof across Isanotski Strait stands at 2,493 m.
Why is Shishaldin called the 'Fuji of the Aleutians'?
Shishaldin earns this nickname because of its remarkably symmetrical, conical profile — very similar to Japan's iconic Mount Fuji. Both are stratovolcanoes with glacier-clad upper slopes and near-circular basal outlines. However, the comparison is mostly visual: Fuji (3,776 m) is taller, last erupted in 1707, and sits near 38 million people, while Shishaldin erupts far more frequently but in extreme isolation with virtually no nearby population.
Is Shishaldin dangerous to aircraft?
Yes, Shishaldin is considered one of the most significant volcanic aviation hazards in the Northern Hemisphere. It sits directly beneath major transpacific flight routes connecting North America with Asia. During eruptions, ash plumes can reach 9,000–12,000 m (30,000–40,000 ft), directly intersecting commercial flight altitudes. The Alaska Volcano Observatory coordinates closely with aviation authorities to issue timely warnings, and Shishaldin has triggered the highest-level Red aviation alert multiple times in recent years.
When did Shishaldin last erupt?
Shishaldin's most recent eruption occurred in 2023, rated VEI 3. The eruption produced significant ash plumes, pyroclastic activity, and lahars triggered by the interaction of hot volcanic material with glacial ice. AVO raised the aviation color code to Red on multiple occasions during the event. Prior to 2023, the volcano erupted in 2019 (also VEI 3), continuing a pattern of major eruptions roughly every few years.
Does anyone live near Shishaldin?
Shishaldin is extremely remote. The nearest permanent settlement is False Pass, a small community of approximately 35 people located about 32 km southeast on Unimak Island. The island itself is sparsely inhabited and accessible only by boat or small aircraft. The primary human risk from Shishaldin's eruptions is not to ground populations but to the tens of thousands of airline passengers who fly over or near the volcano on transpacific routes daily.
What type of eruptions does Shishaldin produce?
Shishaldin predominantly produces Strombolian-style eruptions: intermittent explosive bursts ejecting incandescent lava fragments and ash from its summit crater. Its basaltic magma is relatively fluid, allowing gas to escape more readily than at silica-rich volcanoes, which limits eruption explosivity. The largest recorded events have reached VEI 3. Eruptions sometimes include lava flows on the upper flanks and lahars generated when hot material melts glacial ice — a particular hazard given the extensive ice cap covering the upper slopes.