Iliamna volcano experienced several episodes of increased earthquake activity over the last three months, according to a news release issued Wednesday by Alaska Volcano Observatory officials. One of the episodes is currently ongoing and is characterized by numerous small earthquakes.
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© M. Scott MoonMount Iliamna, pictured several years ago, is showing unrest.
The increase in activity may be related to movement of magma at depth and additional observations, including an airborne gas sampling and observation flight, are being planned to help constrain this interpretation, according to the release. A similar but longer episode of increased earthquake activity occurred from September 1996 to February 1997 and likely was related to the intrusion of new magma at depth. That incident did not result in an eruption.

The AVO reports there have been no known historical eruptions of Iliamna. "AVO will continue to observe Iliamna carefully and will report on new observations and interpretations as warranted," the release states. The volcano's alert level remains at normal with the aviation color code at green.