Great Sitkin Lava Eruption Continues at Low Activity

The Alaska Volcano Observatory keeps Great Sitkin at WATCH while Iliamna records a large avalanche.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Current Conditions

Wide view of a dark basalt volcanic cone on a remote treeless island, with a slow orange lava dome in its summit crater and a thin steam plume rising. — The Alaska Volcano Observatory lowered Great Sitkin's alert level to watch and stopped daily updates as its summit lava eruption stays slow and stable. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Lava continues to erupt slowly within the summit crater of Great Sitkin Volcano, with the south flank of the active lava dome moving gradually southward over the past week. Seismic activity there remains low, and no explosions have occurred since May 2021.

Why it matters

The Alaska Volcano Observatory has stopped issuing Daily Updates for Great Sitkin because the summit eruption has been stable and changing very slowly. Updates will resume if the eruption's character changes or other volcanoes show signs of unrest.

Great Sitkin is at volcano alert level WATCH and aviation color code ORANGE, while Iliamna is at NORMAL and GREEN. The source does not say how long the current slow lava extrusion will continue.

The players

Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is a joint program of federal and state agencies that monitors and reports on volcanic activity across Alaska's volcanoes.

The details

The Great Sitkin volcano is monitored using local seismic, geodetic, and infrasound sensors, satellite data, and web cameras. Iliamna's large rock and ice avalanche was detected at 04:37 AKST (13:37 UTC) on November 13 by seismic and infrasound sensors.

July 2021: The current Great Sitkin lava eruption began.
May 2021: Last explosion at Great Sitkin Volcano.
November 13, 2026, 04:37 AKST: Iliamna avalanche detected by sensors.
Earlier this week (November 2026): AVO stopped issuing Great Sitkin Daily Updates.

Seasonal Patterns

AVO's decision to pause Great Sitkin Daily Updates follows its standard monitoring practice of scaling reporting back when eruptions remain stable and slow. The eruption's stable state matches the pattern AVO has used for Alaska volcanoes it watches over long periods.

Great Sitkin remains at volcano alert level WATCH and aviation color code ORANGE, so aviators should note the elevated status. Residents and visitors near Great Sitkin Island or Iliamna should follow updates from the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The takeaway

Stable, slow-moving eruptions can be monitored with reduced reporting, but the Alaska Volcano Observatory will resume frequent updates if conditions change. Keep an eye on alert levels rather than daily reports to track when activity shifts.