About Stepovak Bay Group
Stepovak Bay Group is a volcanic field rising to 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Stepovak Bay Group is located in United States, within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 55.92° N, 160.02° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,633 meters above sea level, Stepovak Bay Group is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Stepovak Bay Group sits in a subduction zone, where one tectonic plate dives beneath another, creating intense heat and pressure that generates magma. Subduction zones are responsible for many of the world's most explosive volcanoes and deadliest eruptions. For communities in United States near Stepovak Bay Group, this tectonic setting means the volcano is capable of producing powerful explosive eruptions, pyroclastic flows, and lahars that can threaten populated areas within tens of kilometers of the summit.
GVP Reference Summary
The Stepovak Bay Group is a chain of four cones, extending over a distance of 18 km, just SW of Kupreanof volcano. Stepovak Bay 2 is a cinder cone with a Holocene andesitic lava flow extending initially to the NE, then SE. The Stepovak Bay 3 cinder cone has a thick Holocene lava flow that originated from an ice-filled 300-m-wide crater and entered the same valley as the lava flow from Stepovak Bay 2 (Wilson, 1989); however, Wilson (in Wood and Kienle, 1990) noted uncertainty about this being Holocene activity. Stepovak Bay 4 is a small stratovolcano with Holocene debris flows or block-and-ash flows, and a fumarole has been observed. Stepovak Bay 1, the southwesternmost of the chain is Pleistocene, with K-Ar dates of about 0.53 and 0.4 million years (Wilson, 1989).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Stepovak Bay Group.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Stepovak Bay Group
Is Stepovak Bay Group an active volcano?+
Stepovak Bay Group is classified as active based on credible evidence of past eruptions. Although its last known eruption was in prehistoric times, volcanologists consider it capable of erupting again.
How high is Stepovak Bay Group?+
Stepovak Bay Group has a summit elevation of 1,633 meters (5,358 feet) above sea level. At 1,633 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Stepovak Bay Group?+
Stepovak Bay Group is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Stepovak Bay Group located?+
Stepovak Bay Group is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 55.917° latitude, -160.017° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Stepovak Bay Group?+
Stepovak Bay Group can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. United States may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
