About Pavlof Sister
Pavlof Sister is a stratovolcano rising to 2,142 meters (7,028 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
Pavlof Sister is located in United States, within the Aleutian Ridge Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 55.46° N, 161.85° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. At 2,142 meters above sea level, Pavlof Sister rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. 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
Pavlof Sister 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 Pavlof Sister, 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 basalt / picro-basalt, 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
Located near the western end of the Alaska Peninsula at the end of a chain of volcanoes trending NE from Emmons Lake caldera, the symmetrical Pavlof Sister stratovolcano is somewhat more eroded than Pavlof volcano to the SW. Pavlof Sister, along with Pavlof and Little Pavlof, formed outside of the Emmons Lake caldera; these and other volcanoes inside Emmons Lake caldera are not glaciated and thus would have formed since the area was last glaciated about 15-20,000 years ago. Pavlof Sister is almost 400 m lower than Pavlof and has a sharper-peaked summit. Some sources attributed a period of intermittent eruptive activity from 1762 to 1786 CE to Pavlof Sister, but other sources consider this event to have been from Pavlof.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Pavlof Sister.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Pavlof Sister
Is Pavlof Sister an active volcano?+
Pavlof Sister 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 Pavlof Sister?+
Pavlof Sister has a summit elevation of 2,142 meters (7,028 feet) above sea level. At 2,142 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Pavlof Sister?+
Pavlof Sister 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 Pavlof Sister located?+
Pavlof Sister 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 55.457° latitude, -161.854° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Pavlof Sister?+
Pavlof Sister 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.
