About Douglas
Douglas is a stratovolcano rising to 2,140 meters (7,021 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
Douglas is located in United States, within the Alaska Peninsula Volcanic Arc of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 58.85° N, 153.54° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. At 2,140 meters above sea level, Douglas 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
Douglas 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 Douglas, 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
Glacier-covered, dissected Mount Douglas stratovolcano is located at the N end of the Alaska Peninsula south of Kamishak Bay, and is the NE-most in Katmai National Park. It was constructed above Cretaceous and Jurassic sedimentary rocks, and contains a small, ice-free summit crater lake and an active fumarole field. A lake temperature of 25°C and a pH of 1 were measured in 1982. Fumaroles are located on the NE wall of the 160 x 200 m wide crater lake; some are subaqueous and produce turbulence on the surface of the blue-green lake. The fumaroles, which are actively depositing sulfur, were all at the pressure boiling point in 1982 and heated up to 114-118°C in 1991. Unglaciated and relatively uneroded lava flows are found on the NW flank. The age of the most recent eruptions is not known, but Nye et al. (1998) considered activity to have occurred during the Holocene.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Douglas.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Douglas
Is Douglas an active volcano?+
Douglas 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 Douglas?+
Douglas has a summit elevation of 2,140 meters (7,021 feet) above sea level. At 2,140 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Douglas?+
Douglas 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 Douglas located?+
Douglas is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Alaska Peninsula Volcanic Arc. Its exact coordinates are 58.855° latitude, -153.542° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Douglas?+
Douglas 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.
