Imuruk Lake
Volcanic field · 610m · United States
About Imuruk Lake
Imuruk Lake is a volcanic field rising to 610 meters (2,001 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 300 CE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Imuruk Lake is located in United States, within the Northern Alaska-Bering Sea Volcanic Province of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 65.52° N, 163.45° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a subarctic climate zone. With a summit elevation of 610 meters above sea level, Imuruk Lake 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
Imuruk Lake is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Imuruk Lake tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in United States more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. 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.
Eruption History Summary
Imuruk Lake has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 300 CE to 300 CE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Oligocene-to-Holocene Imuruk monogenetic volcanic field in the central Seward Peninsula north of the Bendeleben Mountains contains around 75 small basaltic vents surrounded by voluminous lava flows. The largest and most recent vent is the Lost Jim cone, a 30-m-high cinder cone near Imuruk Lake that produced the only Holocene lava flow in the field. The massive Lost Jim lava flow, erupted about 1,655 years ago, extends 35 km W and 9 km N of the vent, and covers about 230 km2. The next youngest flow, the late-Pleistocene Camille lava flow, traveled 39 km from its vent.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Lost Jim Cone |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Imuruk Lake
Is Imuruk Lake an active volcano?+
Imuruk Lake is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 300 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Imuruk Lake last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Imuruk Lake occurred in 300 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Imuruk Lake has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Imuruk Lake?+
Imuruk Lake has a summit elevation of 610 meters (2,001 feet) above sea level. At 610 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Imuruk Lake?+
Imuruk Lake 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 Imuruk Lake located?+
Imuruk Lake is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Northern Alaska-Bering Sea Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 65.517° latitude, -163.450° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Imuruk Lake?+
Imuruk Lake 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.
