Mount Carlisle
Encyclopedia
Mount Carlisle is a stratovolcano
in Alaska
which forms part of the 5 mile (8 km) wide Carlisle Island
, one of the Islands of Four Mountains
which, in turn, form part of the central Aleutian Islands.
Despite its modest summit elevation, a small glacier
exists high on the western slopes just below the rim of the summit crater.
A few historical eruptions of Carlisle have been recorded, but its proximity to several other neighboring volcanoes means that there has been some confusion in the older records as to which of the volcanoes was erupting. As the area is extremely remote, distant observations of volcanic plumes cannot be verified for certain.
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
which forms part of the 5 mile (8 km) wide Carlisle Island
Carlisle Island
Carlisle Island is an island in the Islands of Four Mountains subgroup of the Aleutian archipelago. It is across the Carlisle Pass from Chuginadak Island and is northeast of Herbert Island. Carlisle Island has as diameter of and is dominated by the conical stratovolcano of the same...
, one of the Islands of Four Mountains
Islands of Four Mountains
Islands of Four Mountains is an island grouping of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, United States. The chain includes, from west to east, Amukta, Chagulak, Yunaska, Herbert, Carlisle, Chuginadak, Uliaga, and Kagamil Islands. This island chain is located between Amukta Pass and the Andreanof Islands...
which, in turn, form part of the central Aleutian Islands.
Despite its modest summit elevation, a small glacier
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
exists high on the western slopes just below the rim of the summit crater.
A few historical eruptions of Carlisle have been recorded, but its proximity to several other neighboring volcanoes means that there has been some confusion in the older records as to which of the volcanoes was erupting. As the area is extremely remote, distant observations of volcanic plumes cannot be verified for certain.