Lava Point is a headland on the northwest coast of Akutan Island, covering approximately 988 acres (400 ha) of jagged basalt formed during eruptions of Akutan Volcano, about 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Dutch Harbor and 12 miles (19 km) west-northwest of Akutan Village, Alaska. The US Coast and Geodetic Survey first reported the name in 1902. Akutan Island, the largest in the Krenitzin Islands group in the eastern Aleutian arc, is approximately 18 miles (29 km) long and 13 miles (21 km) wide. The island is dominated by Akutan Volcano, a composite stratovolcano with a circular summit caldera about 1.2 miles (2 km) across and 200-1,200 feet (60-365 m) deep, featuring an active caldera cinder cone. The caldera rim reaches a maximum elevation of 4,275 feet (1,303 m) at Akutan Peak, a remnant of a pre-caldera cinder cone now filled with a lava plug. Remains of a larger caldera, dating to the late Pleistocene, extend 0.9 miles (1.5 km) southwest of Akutan Peak, terminating to the north at the younger caldera. Small glaciers fill the older crater and lie within the southwest and southeast margins of the younger caldera. The active cinder cone, located in the northeast quarter of the caldera, rises over 650 feet (200 m) and spans approximately 0.6 miles (1 km) in diameter. Its summit hosts three small sulfur-lined craters, with several fumarole zones along its south and southwest flanks. A crescent-shaped lake along the inner southwest rim of the caldera and a hot, slightly acidic lake along the northern caldera wall were documented in 1948, although they may have since been obliterated by volcanic activity. Much of Lava Point likely originated before 1870. However, some flows appear to have formed in the late 1920s when Captain C. Anderson, on the mail steamer Starr, observed smoke near Lava Point, possibly emanating from a large cinder cone at the base of Half Peak. In 1947, lava flows covered the central portion of the northwest end of the island at Lava Point.
Other 20th-century volcanic activities on Akutan are well documented. In 1929, lava flowed through the breach in the north caldera rim, extending about 0.4 miles (0.7 km) down the northeast flank. A mudflow formed at the front of this lava tongue and flowed into valleys to the north and northwest. In 1931, dark smoke appeared above the caldera cinder cone. In 1947, lava extruded from a vent near the base of the caldera cone, prompting the US Navy to evacuate 75 island residents. In 1948, three earthquakes preceded a major eruption that deposited ash on Akutan village. Sporadic activity continued that year, with ash-laden gas clouds and fragments up to 3 feet (1 m) in diameter ejected from the summit cone. Ash eruptions persisted until 1953. Further eruptions occurred in 1973 and 1974. In 1977, light brown ash was ejected every 15 minutes, with steam emissions in between. In 1978, airline pilots observed car-sized fragments ejected 330 feet (100 m) above the summit and a lava flow that may have breached the north rim of the caldera. In 1980 and 1987, emissions of ash and steam were observed at Akutan volcano. In 1988, small ash eruptions began from the summit cinder cone and continued intermittently, with ashfall and strong sulfur fumes reported in Akutan village. In 1989, the village experienced a light dusting of ash. Activity subsided until September 1990, when intermittent emissions of ash and steam plumes resumed and continued into 1991. The most recent eruptive activity occurred from March to May 1992, possibly extending into 1993, with localized steam and ash emissions producing plumes up to 15,000 feet (4,600 m) high. An intense earthquake swarm beneath the volcano in 1996 raised concerns in the village about a potential eruption. The volcanic edifice experienced measurable deformation, with the eastern side lowering and the western side rising. Fumarole activity persists at the base of Lava Point. Evidence from Hot Springs Bay on the island’s northeast coast indicates significant changes in the hydrothermal system over the past 30 years.
Hot Springs Bay derives its name from the numerous hot springs and a geyser located in the lower valley at the bay’s head. These hot springs form a band approximately 330 feet (100 meters) wide and extend about 0.9 miles (1.5 kilometers) up the valley from the sea. Springs situated further up the valley typically have higher temperatures. Above the valley, at an elevation of 1,370 feet (417 meters), lies a vigorous fumarole field spanning about 2 acres (0.8 hectares). This field comprises four large and several dozen smaller gas vents. Since 2008, the residents of Akutan have pursued the development of geothermal energy. With a new harbor at Akutan Bay’s head, an airport on nearby Akun Island, and North America’s largest land-based seafood processing facility, Akutan has potential for growth as a commercial and industrial hub in the Aleutian chain. The geothermal prospect in Hot Springs Bay Valley has been extensively studied through geophysical surveys, geological mapping, geochemical analyses, and the drilling of three small-diameter wells—two in 2010 and one in 2016. These studies confirm a geothermal resource in the hot springs area with a potential mean power capacity of 3 megawatts (MW) and a most likely capacity of 1 MW. The fumarole area above the valley has a potential mean capacity of 20 MW and a most likely capacity of 9 MW. Development scenarios, including the necessary infrastructure for power generation, transmission, and maintenance, as well as financial feasibility, have been completed. The fumarole area offers the highest probability of successful power production. However, development is hampered by inaccessible terrain. Although higher temperature geothermal resources exist in this area, the higher costs of exploration, drilling, and development are currently not justified by electricity demand. Read more here and here. Explore more of Lava Point and Akutan Island here: