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Monday, March 23, 2009

News Mt Redoubt Volcano Erupts in Alaska

Posted by Jonathan Golob on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 at 8:07 AM

b8c3/1237820820-redoubteruption.jpg
(Image from AVO, which has many more.)

An eruption of Mt. Redoubt began at approximately 22:38 AKDT, March 22, 2009 (0638 UTC). AVO is raising the aviation color code to Red and the alert level to Warning. Initial height of the eruption cloud is estimated at less than 20,000 ft above sea level at present. Further reports will be issued as more information becomes available.

AVO stands for Alaska Volcano Observatory—you know, a huge waste of money unlike bonuses to incompetent financial executives. Make a note of it.

The ash plume is now up to 50,000 feet, with some drifting into Anchorage.

You can follow the eruption on Twitter.

Comments (16) RSS

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So they get ash all over their igloos - big whoop.

Posted by Nobody in Particular on March 23, 2009 at 8:33 AM

God must be angry at all the gay sex and abortions in the tundra.

Posted by eric (the other one) on March 23, 2009 at 8:34 AM

Good thing there's snow to cool down the liquid-hot MAGMA.

Posted by formanoreasta on March 23, 2009 at 8:52 AM

Last time it went it was ashy in Anchorage for a week or so. Nasty stuff! Makes for great sunsets though.

Posted by Jeremy from Seattle on March 23, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Lucky we have the AVO to tell us this thing is erupting.

Posted by who would guess, from looking at the pictures on March 23, 2009 at 8:59 AM

Volcano monitoring is a waste of federal dollars. And the government should be better-prepared for natural disasters because the FEMA response to Katrina was a disgrace.

Posted by Bobby Jindal, savant on March 23, 2009 at 9:04 AM

Disappointed that I'm missing it... I used to be able to see the volcano from my apartment in Soldotna.

Posted by ng on March 23, 2009 at 9:10 AM

God's pissed that Palin's not taking any of the federal government's money.

Someone should ask Piyush Jindal what he thinks of Volcano monitoring programs now.

Posted by apres_moi on March 23, 2009 at 10:02 AM

These photographs are NOT of the current eruption. That began the night of March 22nd (i.e. not during daylight) and as of now (9 am Alaskan time) it is only just getting light.

Later today I'm sure there will be good photos if the weather cooperates.

Posted by ash on March 23, 2009 at 10:04 AM

Usually Anchorage is blanketed by dirt-colored snow-slush. Ash is a step up.

Posted by Niro DeRobert on March 23, 2009 at 10:09 AM

Anchorage itself is currently not receiving any ashfall. The winds are carrying the ash over the Susitna valley, which is to the west of Anchorage.

Posted by Alaska Guy on March 23, 2009 at 10:38 AM

My friend txted me at 2:30 this morning to let everyone know the world was going to end. If the world has ended, why am I at work?

Posted by Lily Fluffbottom on March 23, 2009 at 11:06 AM

So, if the ash falls on Canada, can Canada send a bill for it?

Posted by Will in Seattle on March 23, 2009 at 12:08 PM

No, no, you people don't get it! God's pissed about the Bristol-Levi break-up!!! God don't like anything other than one-daddy-one-mommy families, remember? We must ALL sink to our knees and beg for forgiveness!!

Posted by Chris down in The Couv on March 23, 2009 at 2:04 PM

@ 9 - Yep, from their site, it sounds like their camera got blasted by the eruption. Kewl!!

Posted by Chris down in The Couv on March 23, 2009 at 2:07 PM

Awesome. Volcanoes are for lovers!

Jonathan, thanks for the linx.

Posted by wilbur@work on March 23, 2009 at 8:53 PM