Shishaldin Volcano 2019-2020 and 2023 eruption chronology data

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Frequently anticipated questions:


What does this data set describe?

Title: Shishaldin Volcano 2019-2020 and 2023 eruption chronology data
Abstract:
Shishaldin Volcano 2019-2020 and 2023 eruption chronology data, Raw Data File 2026-15, presents chronology data documenting 2019-2020 and 2023 eruptive activity of Shishaldin Volcano, the tallest and most active volcano on Unimak Island and one of the most historically active centers in the Alaska-Aleutian Arc. Prior to these recent eruptions, Shishaldin also experienced a major eruption in 1999 (Nye and others, 2002), followed by a smaller, summit-confined event in 2014. Eruption chronologies document both volcanic processes and volcano observatory responses necessary for improved system models and response plans. The data provided in this report were compiled by Alaska Volcano Observatory staff and research affiliates as part of ongoing volcanic hazard monitoring efforts. This report is a preliminary data release to support the simultaneous development of several topical reports on the two recent eruptions of Shishaldin Volcano. These data and accompanying discussion are released as a DGGS Raw Data File, and all publication components are available from the DGGS website at: http://doi.org/10.14509/32077.
Supplemental_Information:
shishaldin_chronology:    Multi-disciplinary data compilation tables. Column definitions are listed in the accompanying data dictionary.	
summary_seismic_data:    Tables of real-time seismic amplitude measurements. Files are organized by station and year.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Loewen, M.W., Gomez-Patron, Andrea, Fee, David, Lopez, T.M., Mota, Rui, Saunders-Shultz, Pablo, Merritt, Karenna, Dietterich, H.R., Brewster, Israel, and Wallace, K.L., 2026, Shishaldin Volcano 2019-2020 and 2023 eruption chronology data: Raw Data File RDF 2026-15, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 7 p.
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -164.137468
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -163.826742
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 54.857909
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 54.678254
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 2019
    Ending_Date: 2026
    Currentness_Reference:
    ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a point data set.
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is WGS84.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257223563.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    rdf2026-16-shishaldin_2023_chronology.xlsx
    Multi-disciplinary data compilation tables. Column definitions are listed in the accompanying data dictionary. (Source: AVO)
    rdf2026-16-shishaldin_2023-seismic_chron_csv.zip
    Tables of real-time seismic amplitude measurements. Files are organized by station and year. (Source: AVO)

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    Data included in this report represent the collective efforts of the entire staff of the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). While only major contributors to the final data products are listed here, many of the observations and the overall response were made possible through the significant contributions of AVO personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. This work was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program through Alaska Volcano Observatory Cooperative Agreement Nos. G21AC10384 and G22AV00137. Data peer review was provided by Sarah Ogburn, and metadata review by Simone Montayne. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.

Why was the data set created?

The purpose of this report is to present chronology data documenting the 2019-2020 and 2023 eruptive activity of Shishaldin Volcano in support of improved volcanic system modeling, hazard assessment, and operational response planning.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 2026 (process 1 of 1)
    Data compilation - Chronology data for the 2019-2020 and 2023 Shishaldin Volcano eruptions were compiled by Alaska Volcano Observatory staff and research affiliates from multiple observational disciplines. Source observations were organized into standardized data tables within a Microsoft Excel workbook, with seismic summary files provided separately in CSV format. Location data were recorded using latitude-longitude coordinates referenced to the WGS84 datum. Free-text fields capture observer-recorded narrative information. The event_summary table integrates values derived from observation-specific tables along with event-level parameters, including eruption mass estimates calculated from plume height using established modeling methods. Seismic datasets include one-minute RSAM values and reduced displacement measurements processed following published methodologies. Data documentation is provided in table-specific data dictionaries, with additional methodological detail available in in-progress publications associated with a forthcoming special collection.
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Beget, J.E., Nye, C.J., Schaefer, J.R., and Stelling, P.L., 2003, Preliminary volcano-hazard assessment for Shishaldin Volcano, Alaska: Report of Investigation RI 2002-4, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks, Alaska, United States.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 28 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:500,000

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    This publication is a DGGS Raw Data File (RDF). Reports in the RDF series present field data and analytical results with limited or no interpretation by DGGS staff or project collaborators. The report and accompanying data have been evaluated by project staff for general readability and logical consistency but have not undergone technical peer review. Information presented in this release is subject to change.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    Location data methods and accuracy vary among the datasets included in this report. All latitude and longitude values are referenced to the WGS84 datum. Additional documentation for each dataset is provided in the corresponding data dictionary files.
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This data release is a compilation of eruption chronology observations from multiple disciplines. Complete documentation of the methods is provided in several in-progress publications for a special collection in the Bulletin of Volcanology. Partial citations are provided in the bibliographic reference list, and we anticipate versioning this report with final citations when those papers are finalized. All data presented here are subject to revision as these papers go through peer review. Readers are directed to the special collection papers for complete method documentation.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    Not applicable

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints:
This report, map, and/or dataset is available directly from the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (see contact information below).
Use_Constraints:
Any hard copies or published datasets utilizing these datasets shall clearly indicate their source. If the user has modified the data in any way, the user is obligated to describe the types of modifications the user has made. The user specifically agrees not to misrepresent these datasets, nor to imply that changes made by the user were approved by the State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys. The State of Alaska makes no express or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
    Metadata Manager
    3354 College Road
    Fairbanks, AK
    USA

    (907)451-5020 (voice)
    (907)451-5050 (FAX)
    dggspubs@alaska.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
    Contact_Instructions:
    Please view our website (https://www.dggs.alaska.gov) for the latest information on available data. Please contact us using the e-mail address provided above when possible.
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? RDF 2026-15
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    The State of Alaska makes no expressed or implied warranties (including warranties for merchantability and fitness) with respect to the character, functions, or capabilities of the electronic data or products or their appropriateness for any user's purposes. In no event will the State of Alaska be liable for any incidental, indirect, special, consequential, or other damages suffered by the user or any other person or entity whether from the use of the electronic services or products or any failure thereof or otherwise. In no event will the State of Alaska's liability to the Requestor or anyone else exceed the fee paid for the electronic service or product.
  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 15-Jun-2026
Metadata author:
Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
Attn: Simone Montayne
Metadata Manager
3354 College Road
Fairbanks, AK
USA

(907)451-5020 (voice)
(907)451-5050 (FAX)
dggspubs@alaska.gov
Hours_of_Service: 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Metadata extensions used:

Generated by mp version 2.9.50 on Mon Jun 15 16:57:41 2026