Alaska.com: Alaska's Travel Website

An explosive past

Published: May 17th, 2005
Last Modified: November 8th, 2005 at 07:54 AM

Volcanoes are part of Alaska's history, and today they still dominate portions of the state's horizon. The Aleutian arc contains 80 volcanoes, 44 of which are active. A drive from Anchorage to Homer can highlight a number of volcanoes. Remember "AIR" -- Augustine, Iliamna and Redoubt from south to north -- to recall the volcanoes in the proper order.

• AUGUSTINE VOLCANO: It is an island volcano in lower Cook Inlet and rises 4,025 feet. The volcano's most recent eruptions were in 1976 and 1986, covering much of Cook Inlet in ash.

• ILIAMNA VOLCANO: It is a stratovolcano and part of the Aleutian Range in Lake Clark National Park. Iliamna rises 10,016 feet. At least 10 glaciers come from the summit area.

• REDOUBT VOLCANO: It is also a stratovolcano and is almost Iliamna's twin, rising 10,197 feet. It most recently erupted in 1989-90.

• MOUNT DOUGLAS: It is visible only on the most clear days southwest of Homer. It rises about 7,000 feet.