High School Resource

Alaska Volcano Observatory

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is a joint program of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS). AVO was formed in 1988, and uses federal, state, and university resources to monitor and study Alaska’s hazardous volcanoes, to predict and record eruptive activity, and to mitigate volcanic hazards to life and property.

Through the website, visitors have a “front-row seat” on Augustine Volcano’s sporadic eruptions. In addition to offering images from cameras, the site also gives hourly updates on ash blasts and allows the public to email questions to observatory scientists.

Related NY State Academic Standards: MST2.C.ES.IS.3.1, MST4.I.PS2.2, and MST4.C.ES.PS2.1!

Be sure to check out our Educational Resources, featuring thousands of activities, lesson plans, constructed-response questions, rubrics, teacher resources, multimedia, and more!