 | Shishaldin from the south with volcanic steam (photo by NOAA, June 2000) <click to enlarge> |
Shishaldin Volcano
9372 ft (2857 m) Highest point in the Aleutian Islands . |
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| Location: | Unimak Island in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska | ||
| Lat / Long: | 54.8° N, 164.0° W | ||
| Volcanic Type: | Stratovolcano | ||
| Volcanic Status: | Active, last eruption 1999; nearly continuous steaming | ||
| First Ascent: | A. Pinart, 1872 (near summit) | ||
| First Ski Descent: | |||
| Skiable Vertical: | over 9000 ft (2800 m) | ||
| Administration: | Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge | ||
| Shishaldin is the real deal, the undisputed king of the Aleutian Islands and one of the most spectacular stratovolcanoes anywhere in the world. A near-perfect cone and a textbook example of the form, it rises over 9000 ft (2800 m) directly from the shore of the Pacific Ocean on the south side of Unimak Island, the easternmost and largest of the Aleutians. Shishaldin is located near the middle of this 65 mile (100 km) long island and is the youngest of the eastern group of Unimak volcanoes which includes neighboring Isanotski and Roundtop. Shishaldin is one of the most active volcanoes in the Aleutian Arc, with continuous steaming from its small summit crater and numerous recorded eruptions, which accounts for its youthful and symmetrical form. The entire cone above about 2500 ft (800 m) elevation is encased in permanent snow and glacial ice, and stunning ski descents are possible in any direction, although the south and east sides offer the most direct access (the summit is on the south edge of the crater rim). The best way to reach Unimak Island is to fly into the native village of False Pass, about 25 miles (40 km) east of Shishaldin, from Anchorage via Cold Bay on Pen Air. | |||
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Some useful links: Global Volcanism Program: Shishaldin Alaska Volcano Observatory Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Isanotski Corporation (Alaska native corporation in False Pass) Pen Air (Peninsula Airways) |
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| Topographic map of Shishaldin and Isanotski (1:250,000 scale) from USGS Unimak and False Pass <click to enlarge> |
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More photos and info about routes, access, etc. may be added in the future ... |
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