Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008
Aleutian Islands Ecosystem Recovery Studies Active
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. The archipelago separates the Eastern Bering Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) from the Gulf of Alaska LME, and comprises a large portion of the USFWS Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS-AMNWR). These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern. Intermittent volcanic eruptions vary in terms of intensity, duration, and frequency, thus specific impacts on ecosystems and the trajectories of recoveries remain poorly understood. Presumably, local species have adapted to these periodic geological disturbances on timescales of decades to centuries, yet the mechanisms dictating the trajectory of recovery from large-scale disturbances have not been well-studied. Understanding the processes that underpin the assembly of biological communities following large-scale perturbations will facilitate better prediction of the trajectory and time-frame of community recovery, critical for managing and conserving both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008
Two Least Auklets sitting on rocks on Kasatochi Volcano four years after the catastrophic eruption in 2008.
Two Least Auklets sitting on rocks on Kasatochi Volcano four years after the catastrophic eruption in 2008.
Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009
Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009
Bronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on the slope Kasatochi Volcano next to a remaining clump of grasses from the 2008 eruption.
Bronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on the slope Kasatochi Volcano next to a remaining clump of grasses from the 2008 eruption.
Least and Crested Auklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption of August 7, 2008.
Least and Crested Auklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption of August 7, 2008.
Auklets on the slope of Kasatochi Volcano in 2009. They are standing on the ash mud from the 2008 eruption.
Auklets on the slope of Kasatochi Volcano in 2009. They are standing on the ash mud from the 2008 eruption.
Crested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Laysan Albatross floating in the waters near the Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption.
Laysan Albatross floating in the waters near the Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption.
A soil profile buried under ash from the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano
A soil profile buried under ash from the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano
Kasatochi Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is erupting, so USGS volcano scientist Marianne Guffanti fills us in on the situation.
Kasatochi Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is erupting, so USGS volcano scientist Marianne Guffanti fills us in on the situation.
- Overview
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern.
Return to Ecosystems >> Marine Ecosystems
The Aleutian archipelago is a 2,000 km long chain of volcanically-derived treeless islands stretching from Unimak Island in the east to the Commander Islands in the west. The archipelago separates the Eastern Bering Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) from the Gulf of Alaska LME, and comprises a large portion of the USFWS Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS-AMNWR). These volcanic islands support a wide range of species including large numbers of seabirds and marine mammal species, some of which are threatened and endangered, leading to a high level of federal management concern. Intermittent volcanic eruptions vary in terms of intensity, duration, and frequency, thus specific impacts on ecosystems and the trajectories of recoveries remain poorly understood. Presumably, local species have adapted to these periodic geological disturbances on timescales of decades to centuries, yet the mechanisms dictating the trajectory of recovery from large-scale disturbances have not been well-studied. Understanding the processes that underpin the assembly of biological communities following large-scale perturbations will facilitate better prediction of the trajectory and time-frame of community recovery, critical for managing and conserving both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008
Before and after views of Kasatochi Volcano's eruption of 2008
Two Least Auklets sitting on a rock on Kasatochi VolcanoTwo Least Auklets sitting on a rock on Kasatochi VolcanoTwo Least Auklets sitting on rocks on Kasatochi Volcano four years after the catastrophic eruption in 2008.
Two Least Auklets sitting on rocks on Kasatochi Volcano four years after the catastrophic eruption in 2008.
Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009
Black-footed Albatross flying near Kasatochi Volcano in 2009
Bronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on Kasatochi VolcanoBronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on Kasatochi VolcanoBronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on the slope Kasatochi Volcano next to a remaining clump of grasses from the 2008 eruption.
Bronwen Wang and Sandy Talbot working on the slope Kasatochi Volcano next to a remaining clump of grasses from the 2008 eruption.
Auklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the eruptionAuklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the eruptionLeast and Crested Auklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption of August 7, 2008.
Least and Crested Auklet panorama on Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption of August 7, 2008.
Auklets on the slope of Kasatochi Volcano in 2009Auklets on the slope of Kasatochi Volcano in 2009. They are standing on the ash mud from the 2008 eruption.
Auklets on the slope of Kasatochi Volcano in 2009. They are standing on the ash mud from the 2008 eruption.
Crested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested and Least Auklets standing on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi VolcanoCrested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Crested Auklets standing in a line on ash mud of Kasatochi Volcano
Laysan Albatross sitting in the waters near Kasatochi VolcanoLaysan Albatross sitting in the waters near Kasatochi VolcanoLaysan Albatross floating in the waters near the Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption.
Laysan Albatross floating in the waters near the Kasatochi Volcano one year after the catastrophic eruption.
A soil profile buried under Kasatochi Volcano 2008 eruption ashA soil profile buried under Kasatochi Volcano 2008 eruption ashA soil profile buried under ash from the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano
A soil profile buried under ash from the 2008 eruption of Kasatochi volcano
Kasatochi Volcano Erupts ExplosivelyKasatochi Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is erupting, so USGS volcano scientist Marianne Guffanti fills us in on the situation.
Kasatochi Volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands is erupting, so USGS volcano scientist Marianne Guffanti fills us in on the situation.