Alaska’s 2nd Volcano Records Seismicity; rash of fear

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A second volcano in a remote area of ​​Alaska recorded strong seismicity this week, signaling a possible imminent eruption, authorities said.

Seismic activity near Takawangha Volcano has increased over the past 48 hours and is continuing, officials from the Alaska Volcano Observatory said in a statement Thursday.

The volcano is located west of Anchorage in the Aleutian Islands and about 8 kilometers from Tanaga Volcano, where seismic activity increased this week, scientists said.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory raised the alert level to a warning for Tanaga Volcano Tuesday evening after seismicity increased in strength.

The observatory raised the alert level to monitor the Takawangha volcano on Thursday.

Observatory analysts continue to monitor the situation closely. Many earthquakes per minute occur under Tanaka Island, where the two volcanoes are located, the observatory said.

The largest of the tremors in the past 24 hours had a magnitude of 3.9 below the Tanaga volcano.

No eruptive activity or signs of other phenomena were detected by satellite or other monitoring equipment.

The island is located approximately 2,012 kilometers (1,250 miles) southwest of Anchorage. There are no communities on the island, but Adak, a town of about 170 people on another island, may see ash fall as it is 105 kilometers away.

If one of the volcanoes were to erupt, it could be a problem for planes. Tanaga first erupted in 1914.