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Weekly Highlights for 05-21-2009

I. Departmental/Bureau News

A. Upcoming Events

International Conference on North Pacific Subduction Zone
USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists will be attending the Biennial Workshop on Subduction Processes emphasizing the Kurile-Kamchatka-Aleutian Arcs at the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (UAFGI), Alaska from June 22-26, 2009. More than 100 scientists from the U.S., Japan, Russia, and other countries will assemble for workshops, technical sessions, and field trips emphasizing magma genesis, tectonism, and geologic hazards common among these spectacular and extremely active segments of the North Pacific subduction zone. This meeting, the sixth in a series that rotates among the countries of Japan, Russia, and the U.S., seeks to foster collaborations and exchange among geoscientists working in the region. USGS scientist Dave Kirby of Menlo Park will lead a special workshop on Aleutian Geohazards at the start of the meeting. This workshop will provide a forum for scientists from many disciplines to discuss Aleutian geohazard assessment, science, and mitigation through new, integrated on-shore and marine investigations. USGS Alaska Science Center geologist Tina Neal is on the local organizing committee and will lead a workshop on improving collaboration and exchange among volcano monitoring groups in the North Pacific. The meeting is co-sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazard Program.
Contact: C. (Tina) Neal Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7458

B. Current

Eruption of Redoubt Continues, Lava Dome Growing
Redoubt Volcano in Alaska's Cook Inlet continues to erupt steadily building a large lava dome in the summit crater of this glacier-clad volcano. USGS Alaska Science Center staff at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) and visiting staff from USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory and Menlo Park offices, University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys continue to respond to the ongoing eruption of Redoubt Volcano. During the past week, several field crews conducted geologic studies of eruption deposits, obtained thermal images of the growing dome, and measured gas emissions. Fieldwork around the volcano will continue in the weeks ahead and will include additional geologic investigations, maintenance of monitoring equipment, and evaluation of the stability of the dome. The Aviation Color Code remains at ORANGE with the Alert Level at WATCH. The presence of an actively growing dome on the steep northern slope of the volcano means further sudden explosive activity is possible. Data from real-time seismic networks, web cameras, ground-based radar, GPS stations, an infrasound instrument, and near-real imagery from satellites are monitored by AVO staff 24/7. AVO continues to post daily updates of Redoubts condition on the AVO website ( http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php). 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: C. (Tina) Neal Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7458

New USGS Publication on Barite Deposits in NPRA, Alaska
A new USGS Professional Paper is available titled "The Longview/Lakeview barite deposits, southern National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska (NPRA) - Potential-field models and preliminary size estimates." This report provides quantitative constraints on the size and shape of high-quality barite deposits occurring along the northern Brooks Range front. This work is a result of USGS cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management on an Integrated Activity Plan-Environmental Impact Statement (IAP-EIS) process for the southern NPRA. The report is being published this week and will be available at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1760/.
Contact: Jeanine Schmidt Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7494

USGS Participates in BLM's Outdoor Week
USGS participated in the 35rd Annual Outdoor Week sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management and the Anchorage School District. This event, May 12-15, was geared towards sixth grade students from southcentral Alaska. Scientists from the USGS Alaska Science Center worked with over 500 students to determine whether current streamflow in Campbell Creek could sustain the population of Anchorage and discussed water use and availability.
Contact: Durelle Smith Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7104

USGS Research on Bank Erosion Guides Matanuska River Management Plan
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough in Alaska has invited USGS Alaska Science Center hydrologist Janet Curran to provide technical assistance to the development of the Matanuska River Management Plan, a planning effort to address chronic loss of properties and homes to bank erosion. As a featured speaker at the initial public meeting on May 14, she presented preliminary findings from a USGS study assessing bank erosion hazards along the braided, glacial Matanuska River. The USGS will use the results of this study to guide the planning team over a series of planning and community meetings in the next year.
Contact: Janet Curran Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7128

Presentation on Streambed Scour Data from Bridges in Alaska
USGS Alaska Science Center hydrologist Jeff Conaway gave a presentation “Collection and Distribution of Real-Time Streambed Scour Data from Bridges in Alaska” at the National Hydrologic Warning Council annual conference in Vail, Colorado on May 21, 2009. Six years of stream stage and bed-elevation data have been collected at 17 bridge sites in Alaska. Data are transmitted every 6 hours during the ice-free season and transmitted via email to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The frequency of data transmissions increase if stage or bed-elevation thresholds are exceeded, such as during floods. This monitoring network was used extensively during floods in 2006 and 2008 to remotely evaluate the integrity of bridges in southcentral Alaska. Data from the monitoring network was used by State engineers to evaluate bridge-pier stability and to deploy inspection and maintenance crews.
Contact: Jeffrey Conaway Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7041

II. Press Inquiries/Media

From May 14 - 20, scientists at the USGS Alaska Volcano Observatory responded to media inquiries about the current activity at Redoubt volcano. Media contacts included CBS affiliate KTVA-TV (Ch.11, Anchorage), the Homer Tribune, and the Peninsula Clarion.
Contact: C. (Tina) Neal Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7458

On May 21, video from a May 16 overflight of Redoubt volcano was distributed to NBC affiliate KTUU-TV (Ch. 2, Anchorage), CBS affiliate KTVA-TV (Ch. 11 Anchorage), and ABC affiliate Alaska Superstation (Ch. 13, Anchorage).
Contact: C. (Tina) Neal Anchorage, AK, (907) 786-7458

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