Shishaldin is a stratovolcano located in the United States within a subduction zone setting over continental crust more than 25 kilometers thick. Standing at an elevation of 2,857 meters, the volcano has a recorded history of volcanic activity spanning thousands of years, with 40 confirmed eruptions documented in the official records of the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program.
Overview of Recorded Eruptions
The official chronological record for Shishaldin includes 40 confirmed eruptions. The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 7550 BCE (with an uncalibrated radiocarbon isotopic evidence method), while the most recent confirmed eruption in the comprehensive list began on July 11, 2023, and ended on November 3, 2023.
Of the 40 confirmed eruptions, 34 include recorded values on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), which measures the relative size or magnitude of explosive volcanic eruptions. The largest recorded VEI in Shishaldin's historical profile is 3.0.
Activity Distribution Across Centuries
The historical record shows varying frequencies of documented eruptions across different centuries, shaped by both ancient geological dating methods and more recent observational reporting:
- 76th century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 71st century BCE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 10th century CE: 1 confirmed eruption
- 19th century CE: 9 confirmed eruptions
- 20th century CE: 24 confirmed eruptions
- 21st century CE: 4 confirmed eruptions
Selected Eruption Milestones
Historical observations of Shishaldin span multiple centuries, utilizing different documentation methods ranging from isotopic dating for ancient events to direct human reports for modern history. Representative recorded events include:
- 7550 BCE: An early confirmed eruption identified via uncalibrated 14C isotopic evidence.
- July 2, 1883: A reported observational eruption with a recorded VEI of 2.0.
- July 2, 1948: A reported observational eruption with a recorded VEI of 2.0.
- February 16, 1979: A reported observational eruption with a recorded VEI of 2.0.
- July 11, 2023 – November 3, 2023: A confirmed eruption with a recorded VEI of 3.0.
Frequently asked questions
What type of volcano is Shishaldin and where is it located?
Shishaldin is a stratovolcano located in the United States.
How many eruptions have been recorded at Shishaldin?
The Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program records 40 confirmed eruptions for Shishaldin.
What is the largest recorded VEI for Shishaldin?
The largest recorded Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) for Shishaldin is 3.0.
When did Shishaldin's earliest recorded eruption take place?
The earliest recorded eruption in the dataset dates back to 7550 BCE.
Image credits
- NOAA — Wikimedia Commons source — Public domain
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.