The Iliamna volcano, situated near the Cook Inlet in southern Alaska, has not erupted since 1867. However, seismologists have recently detected what they describe as a “flurry of shaking” in the area. On June 15, instruments recorded nearly continuous seismic activity for several hours.

According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, these tremors bear similarities to past events that preceded large avalanches on the volcano. It’s important to note that Iliamna’s combination of weakened rock, volcanic heat, and glacial ice makes it prone to such massive avalanches.

While Iliamna has been dormant for over a century, it has not been entirely quiet. Records show occasional emissions of smoke and light ash in 1876, 1933, 1941, and 1947. The last confirmed sighting of vapor from the volcano was in 1958.

Scientists are closely monitoring the situation. The U.S. Geological Survey currently maintains Iliamna at a “normal” volcano alert level. However, the potential hazards posed by this volcano cannot be overlooked, given its proximity to several communities within a 200-mile radius, including Anchorage.

This development follows earlier reports from NASA suggesting that the observed activity could potentially indicate a pending avalanche rather than a volcanic eruption. The significance of this distinction is clear when we consider the different impacts each event could have on the surrounding area.