G22AC00137

The Alaska Volcano Hazard Assessment and Monitoring Cooperative Agreement between the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) supports volcano monitoring, data collection, and research efforts of DGGS as a partner agency of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO).

Work performed under this agreement is coordinated closely with the other two AVO partners: the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute (UAF/GI).

Activities to be performed include:

(1) Maintenance and population of the geologic database of information on volcanoes of Alaska.
(2) Geologic mapping, volcano hazard studies, and Alaska volcano geospatial data management. Volcano targets vary based on volcanic activity level, but current studies are focused on Okmok, Shishaldin, Makushin, Great Sitkin, Pavlof, and Semisopochnoi volcanoes.
(3) Engagement with the public through content creation and delivery of information through the Alaska Volcano Observatory website, social media platforms, weekly radio programs, and data accessibility through online query portals at www.avo.alaska.edu.
(4) Creation of database fields and web-based forms and interfaces to store and access seismic and satellite observation data of volcanic activity.
(5) Maintenance of interagency communication platforms that allow rapid analysis and discussion of volcanic unrest amongst Alaska Volcano Observatory interagency and interdisciplinary scientists and technical staff.
(6) Management of aviation, marine, and fuel logistics for Alaska Volcano Observatory fieldwork.

Deliverables include:

(1) Through the Alaska Volcano Observatory website: free, online public access to volcano monitoring seismic data streams, current volcanic activity reports, live web camera views of volcanoes, and Alaska volcano information such as geochemical datasets, geologic investigation reports, images, and eruptive history narratives.
(2) Publication of weekly volcanic activity reports and peer-reviewed free-access geologic maps of Shishaldin and Okmok volcanoes.
(3) Weekly radio program broadcast throughout Alaska, highlighting volcanic activity in Alaska.
(4) A database of seismic and satellite observations.
(5) A robust web-accessible internal communications platform for interagency scientists to respond to volcanic unrest.

Intended beneficiaries of the activities and deliverables supported by this cooperative agreement grant are the people of the State of Alaska who may be directly impacted by volcanic activity, such as ash fall events. Additionally, the general public and aviation community rely on Alaska Volcano Observatory scientific expertise and volcanic activity alerts to warn of dangerous drifting ash clouds that affect both local air traffic and international North Pacific air routes. Other beneficiaries are academic research scientists who rely on freely accessible data provided by this grant to help advance the science of volcanology and volcano risk assessment.

Alaska Department Of Natural Resources

15.818 - Volcano Hazards Program Research and Monitoring

USGS Office of Acquisitions and Grants [DOI - USGS]

Alaska United States

State-Wide

G-G-NH-21-007

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 03/31/25 to 02/28/26 and the total obligations have increased 254% from $1,588,600 to $5,615,918.