Alaskan Volcano Mount Redoubt Is Rumbling

Geologists in Alaska a keeping a close eye on Mount Redoubt.

They say rumblings coming from the volcano means an eruption is more than likely.

Tucked in the inside the Cook Inlet, Mount Redoubt sits as a statue of volcanic power.

This aerial footage captures the devastating ash plume as the volcano erupted in 1989 and 1990 blanketing parts of the inlet and dusting homes one hundred miles away in Anchorage.

Today, this 10,000 foot volcanic wonder is again steaming under seismic rumbling.

John Power, a USGS Geophysicist, says "it's the kind of activity that typically proceeds volcanic eruptions."

On sunday, scientists noted increased activity at Redoubt.

Kristi Wallace, a research geologist, says "we have a volcano that is in unrest, which means it's waking back up and will likely erupt."

A team flew over Redoubt checking for signs of eruption on the surface of the mountain.

Kristi Wallace says "flying over there yesterday we were surprised not to see some more surface expression based on the level of seismicity that we saw 21:39."

At the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage, geologists use a color code system to alert people of the danger of pending eruptions.

Overnight, scientists moved the code from yellow to orange.

Kristi Wallace says "our general feeling is that it may erupt. Large eruption small eruption that's a little harder to say."

Scientists are monitoring Redoubt seismic movements and tracking temperature changes with these satellite images.

On a global scale, Redoubt is considered a small volcano.

John Power says "however because of its proximity to communities here in south central Alaska when it does erupt the ash fall does impact up quite heavily."

If the volcano erupts, the ash will likely cover the ground for hundreds of miles.

John Power says "based on worldwide studies on volcanoes similar to Redoubt we would say this activity has say a 50 to 70 percent chance of resulting in some type of eruptive activity."

Volcanoes make a lot of noise on seismograph machines before blowing.

AVO says if Redoubt erupts it will be as clear as day and night.

Scientists are warning people in the area to prepare for an eruption the same as they would for a big snow storm.