Alaskan Volcano Could Force Parks to Close

Boy, when was the last time you heard of a national park closing because of a volcanic eruption?
That could happen in Alaska, where a major eruption from Augustine Volcano could temporarily close Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park and Katmai National Park and Preserve.

The Augustine Volcano has been simmering quite a bit lately, with a some explosions reported last week.
Located about 180 miles southwest of Anchorage in Cook Inlet, the volcano has a pretty good history of erupting. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory, this stratovolcano has spouted off six times since the early 19th century, with eruptions recorded in 1812, 1833, 1935, 1964-65, 1976 and 1986.
National Park Service officials say a major eruption and ash fall from Augustine could force its regional office in Anchorage to close, and that Lake Clark, Kenai Fjords and Katmai national parks could close, depending on the superintendents' discretion.

(USGS photo)