Mount Pavlof is the most active volcano in the Aleutian volcanic arc with almost 40 relatively well-documented eruptions dating back to 1790 (Newhall and Dzurisin, 1988 Smithsonian Institution, 1976-1988 McNutt, 1987 Coats, 1950 Jaggar, 1932). Pavlof lies within the Shumagin seismic gap (Davies and others, 1981). The composite volcano is relatively undissected and is probably Holocene in age. It is situated high on the northeastern flank of Emmons Lake caldera along a northeast-trending alignment of vents that includes Little Pavlof, Pavlof Sister, and several intracaldera cones (Kennedy and Waldron, 1955). The volcano is approximately 7 km in diameter and has active vents on the north and east sides close to the summit (McNutt and others, 1991). Mount Pavlof is a largely snow-covered, cone-shaped mountain with a high ridge extending to the southwest towards Little Pavlof. Fortunately the volcano is located in a fairly remote region and does not pose a great threat to many people. Even during these pauses the threat of violent volcanic activity is always present. Pavlof has been in a period of eruptive pause during the previous six weeks.

Seismic activity, mudflows, and flooding have also occurred due to Pavlof's eruptive process. Other geologic events are also related to the volcanic activity at Pavlof. Emission of lava and ash has occurred during the volcanoes eruptive stage. The volcano consists of andestic magma, that contains an intermediate content of gases. At its summit Pavlof reaches an elevation of 8,262 ft (2518). Pavlof is a composite cone volcano located in the southwestern region of Alaska about 600 kilometers southwest of Anchorage.

Mount pavlov