Scientists and vulcanologists seem to be in agreement that the eruption of Alaska’s Mount Redoubt is imminent. The question is not if there will be an eruption but when it will happen and how strong it will be. Redoubt has a long history of documented eruptions. The most recent occurred in 1989-90 and was characterized by large explosions that produced ash clouds reaching altitudes of 40,000 feet that disrupted air traffic operations in and out of Anchorage.

Possible scenarios for this new event range from no eruption at all to a complete collapse of the mountain flank, but according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the most likely scenario is an eruption similar to the 1989-90 event that could persist for weeks or months. The AVO warns that the hazards associated with this type of eruption could include ash clouds reaching 40,000 feet or higher; ash fall; mudflows that could travel east down the Drift River, possibly reaching the Cook Inlet; and pyroclastic flows (fast-moving clouds of hot ash and gas) that could travel swiftly down the mountain flanks, affecting areas within about nine miles of the volcano.

Judge for yourself. First, take a look at the photos of the 1989-90 eruption:

Geologist uses a theodolite to measure the dimensions of the lava dome at Redoubt Volcano. From the same installation, scientists also utilized a laser-ranging device to measure distances to reflectors. Repeated measurements of these distances allow for detection of ground deformation that may be related to volcanic activity. Photograph by R.G. McGimsey, June 04, 1990.

Ascending eruption cloud from Redoubt Volcano as viewed to the west from the Kenai Peninsula. The mushroom-shaped plume rose from avalanches of hot debris (pyroclastic flows) that cascaded down the north flank of the volcano. A smaller, white steam plume rises from the summit crater. Photograph by R. Clucas, April 21, 1990.

Final lava dome of the 1989 to 1990 series of eruptions of Redoubt Volcano as it appeared approximately one year after the end of the eruption. It measures approximately 350 to 400 m (980 to 1,300 ft) across and represents an estimated 10 million cubic meters (353 million cubic feet) of material. By the time this photograph was taken, snow had accumulated on the cooling lava blocks. Locally, hydrothermal activity continued to produce intermittent steam plumes. View is to the south. Photograph by R. McGimsey, U.S. Geological Survey, June 21, 1990.

And now the photos that have been recorded over the last few days:

Oblique photo of Redoubt Volcano taken during an observation flight. Fumarolic activity on the north side of the volcano is associated with the most recent unrest at Redoubt Volcano. View from the east. Photograph by Kristi Wallace, January 30, 2009.

View of vigorous hot fumarolic emission from two holes (at about 7000 feet in elevation) through the steep Drift glacier that descends from the Redoubt summit crater to the north into Drift River Valley. The orifice on the left was first observed on January 30 during an overflight and it appears to have widened by the time this photo was taken on January 31. The orifice on the right was first seen on January 25. Water vapor and volcanic gas emanating from these holes in the ice are forming a visible white plume that rose about two thousand feet vertically, nearly to the summit of the volcano. Photograph by Christina Neal, January 31, 2009.

Oblique photo of Redoubt Volcano taken during an observation flight. Fumarolic activity on the north side of the volcano is associated with the most recent unrest at Redoubt Volcano. View from the east. Photograph by Kristi Wallace, January 30, 2009.

Residents living in the area around Mount Redoubt, having previously been through an eruption, are taking it all in stride. Other than stocking up on air filters for their cars and paper masks to wear if ash begins to fall, life goes on as usual. Alaskans. I’d say they’re a crazy bunch, except for the fact that I have never evacuated for any hurricane that was headed my way during the years I lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or the Outer Banks of North Carolina. And the fact that I’m dying to hop on a plane to see that smokin’ Alaskan volcano up close.

Photos courtesy of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

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Of all the things I still long to see on this beautiful planet of ours, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is at the top of my list. I’m not sure why I am so intent upon seeing this exquisite display of nature’s power and majesty. It may have something to do with my spiritual beliefs. I think of God as pure energy, and perhaps for me the Northern Lights come closest to representing “the face of God.”

I have long been able to see people’s auras – the energy fields that emanate from and surround them. Each person’s energy is a different color or combination of colors, and the colors can change from day to day or even hour to hour. Then, about three years ago I began to see the same kind of colored energy field around all kinds of things, both animate and inanimate. At first the colors were only visible at night, especially at dusk. Then, as I became accustomed to it, I developed the ability to see the energy at all times of day, simply by tuning in to it. Being able to see this energy field has enhanced my belief that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

I feel closest to the Creator, the Source, the One, the Higher Power, the __________ (insert whatever phrase best describes God for you), when I am in touch with this lovely energy. It brings me peace and belief in the connectedness of all things. So perhaps my yearning to see the Northern Lights is a desire to be closer to “All That Is.” And I am apparently not alone in this belief. The Cree Indians refer to this phenomenon as “the dance of the spirits.” In Estonian they are called virmalised, spirit beings of higher realms. Eskimos say that their ancient ancestors can be seen in the rippling movements of the Northern Lights; that the “shadows” within the display are relatives and friends who have gone to the sky and march along or dance to remind the living people of their presence.

The Aurora Borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April. Although travel sites often reference Alaska, Finland, Norway, and Iceland as the best places to view the lights, they can also be seen across Canada and in the northern tier of states in the U.S. In fact, on rare occasions when conditions have been just right, they have been seen as far south as North Carolina. Now, why couldn’t I have been lucky enough to see them when I lived in North Carolina? It may have had something to do with the fact that I lived at the beach rather than the mountains. I guess I am just going to have to buck up and travel north if I want to check this destination off my wish list.

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