Volatile Ground 10 million years ago the volcanoes west of Kachemak Bay begin to form along the Aleutian and Alaska Ranges. There are seven in all - Fourpeaked, Douglas, Augustine, Iliamna, Redoubt, Spurr, and Hayes from south to north. Three regional volcanoes have erupted in historic times. Some eruptions may be little spurts of steam plumes, such as those frequently seen above Iliamna. Others may be vigorous and dangerous eruptions of steam, gases, mud, ash and lava flows such as those of Augustine in 1986 and Redoubt in 1989-1990.

Map of Kachemak Bay and Augustine Volcano Courtesy of Janet R. Klein

Iliamna at Sunrise © Bill Scott

Currently, Douglas, Augustine and Iliamna show signs of volcanic activity. Douglas has an active fumarole field, which issues smoke or steam. Augustine shows occasional haze. Iliamna has three or more fumaroles issuing steam continuously, sometimes visible to heights of more than 2,000 feet above the mountain.

1883 Augustine Eruption, Debris Avalanche, and Tsunami

A smoking snow-covered cone, the volcanic island of Augustine hovers on the blue horizon west of Kachemak Bay.

In the morning hours of October 6, 1883, a partial collapse of Augustine Volcano sent debris avalanching into Cook Inlet. This launched a tsunami 75 miles across the waters. It is told that a small party of sea otter hunters in kayaks witnessed this event in boiling waters just off Augustine. On that day, Port Graham villagers rejoiced at the unusually low tide allowing them to gather clams far offshore. As the tsunami rolled in, the townspeople found refuge on higher ground.

Augustine Smoking © Juergen Kienle

Simeon Kvasnikoff … remembers his mom telling him about, I think his name was Anton … rowing around in the bay picking up boards and stuff that were washed out with the smoke houses.
-Herman Moonin, Port Graham

Scientists look for evidence of tsunami wave deposits. Like geochemical fingerprints, volcanic ash layers provide unique records of particular eruptions. Rain, wind, and tidal storms may carry away hard proof while stories linger. History has many perspectives.

Ancient Ash Plume

Wooden Box Panel	Illustration Showing Detail
© Koniag, Inc., Collection: Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository

A 500-year-old wooden box from Kodiak illustrates an erupting volcano in faded red paint. The image appears to show a volcano spewing a cloud above it, particles of ash floating in the air, and a tsunami wave at the lower right.

Augustine Volcano erupted about 1540 A.D. which closely corresponds to the age of the painting. This is the earliest known record of an eruption in Alaska and reveals how prehistoric peoples recorded important events in their lives.