About Chagulak
Chagulak is a stratovolcano rising to 1,028 meters (3,373 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
Chagulak is located in United States, within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 52.57° N, 171.14° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,028 meters above sea level, Chagulak is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Chagulak 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 Chagulak, 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. The dominant rock type is andesite / basaltic andesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
GVP Reference Summary
The 3-km-diameter island of Chagulak is the exposed summit of a stratovolcano in the Islands of the Four Mountains group of the Aleutians. The sharp-topped summit is ~11 km NE of the summit of Amukta and 35 km W of Yunaska volcano. The visible edifice is steep and strongly eroded. No eruptions have been recorded and its age is not precisely known.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Chagulak.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Chagulak
Is Chagulak an active volcano?+
Chagulak is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Chagulak?+
Chagulak has a summit elevation of 1,028 meters (3,373 feet) above sea level. At 1,028 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Chagulak?+
Chagulak is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Chagulak located?+
Chagulak 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 52.572° latitude, -171.138° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Chagulak?+
Chagulak 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.
