Alaska’s Mount Redoubt Volcano Part I

Everyone has their eyes on this volcano today. Mount Redoubt erupted in 1989, and the ash compromised at least one flight, especially the well-documented KLM jet that was 150 miles away from the volcano. The Redoubt Volcano is 100 miles southwest of Anchorage. It has been observed more closely in the last months due to changes, but is now on Alert Orange, which is the highest alert prior to an eruption.

What to expect from an eruption? Well, if you’re familiar with Mount St Helen’s eruption 30 years ago, you could be living in South Carolina and still experiencing ash follow-out onto everything. That’s amazing, considering Mount St Helen is in Washington, and SC is, well, very south and very far away. So, you will likely see the effects no matter where you live. But living or travelling close by, you can expect the following:

- flights being cancelled. Risk is too great for engines.
- respiratory problems
- vehicles – cover them when possible
- evacuations.

See Part II for Prepararing for a Volcano.