SCIENCE TOPICS

ABOUT THE ALASKA
SCIENCE CENTER

Weekly Highlights for 02-19-2009

I. Departmental/Bureau News

A. Upcoming Events

Upcoming Alaska Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) Imagery Workshop
The Alaska Statewide Digital Mapping Initiative (SDMI) Imagery Workshop will be held in Anchorage March 2-3, 2009. The workshop is intended to be a thorough review of the technical, logistic, and planning issues associated with developing a statewide imagery coverage, primarily for the production of digital ortho-photo quadrangles, that will eventually replace the current outdated inch to the mile topographical maps. Alaska is the only state that lacks a current, comprehensive coverage of imagery. Representatives from the major imaging vendors will present their solutions, and case examples of current orthoimagery use in Alaska will be presented. Vicki Lukas, USGS Chief of Partnerships, will give a status report of the "Imagery for the Nation" project which is a federal-state framework that will provide for a sustainable and flexible digital imagery program that meets the needs of local, state, regional, tribal and federal agencies. More information on the workshop can be found at http://www.alaskamapped.org/.
Contact: Carl Markon Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7023

B. Current

Unrest Continues at Redoubt Volcano, Alaska
USGS Alaska Science Center staff at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) Observatory and visiting staff from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute continue to respond to volcanic unrest at Redoubt Volcano. Data from real-time seismic networks, web cameras, ground-based radar, and near-real imagery from time satellites are monitored by AVO staff 24/7. AVO posts daily updates of the volcano's condition on the AVO website ( http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php ) along with digital data feeds and web camera images. AVO is a partnership among the USGS, the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, and The University of Alaska Geophysical Institute.
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

New USGS Report Available on 2006 Volcanic Activity in Alaska and Russia
A new USGS report titled "2006 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory" is now available online. The AVO responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, and volcanic unrest at or near nine separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2006. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication and monitoring of multiple eruptions at seven volcanoes in Russia as part of its collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams. The report is available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5214/.
Contact: C. (Tina) Neal Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7458

II. Press Inquiries/Media

On February 18, 2009, USGS Alaska Science Center geophysicist John Power participated in a live, on-air call-in radio program Coffee Table through KBBI AM 890 public radio in Homer, AK. Dr. Power was joined by staff from the Kenai Peninsula Borough Office of Emergency Management to answer caller's questions concerning the current period of unrest at Redoubt Volcano, ~70 miles northwest of Homer.
Contact: John Power Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7426

From February 14 – 15, 2009, USGS Alaska Science Center staff of the Alaska Volcano Observatory and visiting staff from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory answered inquiries from the Japan Broadcast Network and CNN Radio News regarding the eruption of Galeras volcano in Colombia.
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

From February 13 – 18, 2009, USGS Alaska Science Center staff of the Alaska Volcano Observatory and visiting staff from the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute responded to inquiries from the media regarding the current period of unrest of Redoubt Volcano and the Observatory’s corresponding information products and response, including field work, data collection and aerial observations. Media contacts during this period include: NBC affiliate KTUU-TV (Ch 2) CBS affiliate KTVA-TV (Ch 11), ABC affiliate KIMO-TV (Ch. 13), KFQD AM 750 Anchorage, KBBI AM890 Public Radio Homer -AK, CNN Radio News, and a production company working for National Geographic.
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

The Alaska Volcano Observatory held a press conference on Friday, February 13 regarding the current period of unrest at Redoubt Volcano, Alaska. In attendance were NBC affiliate KTUU-TV (Ch 2), CBS affiliate KTVA-TV (Ch 11), and ABC affiliate KIMO-TV (Ch. 13).
Contact: Thomas Murray Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7042

Return to Highlights page

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://alaska.usgs.gov
Page Contact Information: ascweb@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: June 17, 2009