Volcano Erupts

In this photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, steam rises from the summit of Mount Augustine Volcano in Alaska, Wednesday, Jan. 18 2006. New pyroclastic flow deposits can be seen in the foreground. Scientists downgraded the threat level from code red to code orange a day after the volcano's ninth eruption in a week.

Steam and ash billow from Augustine Volcano, 75 miles southeast of Homer, Alaska, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. The volcano in Cook Inlet erupted Tuesday morning, sending an ash plume 8 1/2 miles into the air, officials at the Alaska Volcano Observatory said. Tuesday's eruption was preceded by increased seismic activity at the volcano, located on an uninhabited island about 180 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Dark gray veins of ash criss-crossed the upper slopes of Augustine Volcano and a small steam cloud puffed from the summit following the island mount's latest explosion Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. The volcano in southcentral Alaska resumed erupting after a three-day lull, scattering soft, but abrasive, ash into the mountainous Bristol Bay region to the west.

Steam and ash billow from Augustine Volcano on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. The volcano located 75 miles southeast of Homer, Alaska, erupted Tuesday morning after increased seismic activity. The 8 1/2-mile high eruption was "a little more energetic," than a series of eight explosions last week on Augustine, according to Michelle Coombs, a geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey.

This image provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/USGS Web site shows Augustine Volcano activity on Jan. 16, 2006 near Homer, Alaska. In this view from the northeast, a new, small dome can be seen on the summit of the volcano. The yellow/orange color in the steam is caused by volcanic gases.

Alaska's Augustine volcano erupted again on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, sending a plume of ash 8 1/2 miles into the air. The eruption lasted for five minutes, and started just before 8 a.m. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, the eruption was similar in style to six significant eruptions a week earlier, but a little more energetic. Most of the previpus eruptions reached 30,000 feet, or about 5 1/2 miles.

This image provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatroy/USGS Web site shows the eastern flank of the Augustine Volcano Jan. 16, 2006 near Homer, Alaska. The Augustine Volcano erupted Tuesday morning, Jan. 17, 2006, sending an ash plume 8 miles into the air.

Alaska's Augustine Volcano erupted on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006. The nonth eruption in a week was preceded by increased seismic activity at the volcano, located on an uninhabited island about 180 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Tom Beaudoin and his wife Chris pause while gathering coal for their fireplace along a beach in Homer, Alaska, Sunday Jan. 15, 2006, to look toward Augustine Volcano as they talk about the recent eruptions of the volcano 75 miles to the southeast. Officials on Sunday downgraded the status of Augustine Volcano after more than a day without any eruptions.

Grayish ash from Augustine Volcano mixed with snow sits on the roof of the old church in the village of Nanwalek, Alaska, at the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula southwest of Homer, Alaska, on Jan. 14, 2006. Plumes of ash from Augustine Volcano some 75 miles to the southeast of Homer halted air travel and closing schools.

A photo provided by the Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey shows Alaska Volcano Observatory's Web camera located on the Augustine Volcano island 75 miles southeast of Homer, Alaska, pointed at Augustine Volcano's summit Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006. The camera is used to monitor the volcano's activity.