Lava flow seen on restless volcano on the Alaska Peninsula

Updated: September 11, 2018 Published: September 11, 2018

Landsat 8 satellite image of Veniaminof volcano, September 9, 2018. A small lava flow is visible on the south flank of the intracaldera cone. Also note a triangular-shaped patch of thin ash deposits on the snow south of the cone. Small lava flows like this one were also erupted in 1983-84, 1993, and 2013. (Alaska Volcano Observatory)

A lava flow has been spotted on an Alaska volcano that recently became active again.

Alaska Volcano Observatory scientists say people aboard the state ferry Tustumena saw the lava flow and fountaining Monday morning on Mount Veniaminof.

Scientists say satellite images obtained Sunday show the lava flow is about one-half-mile long on the 8,225-foot volcano, one of Alaska's most active.

The observatory last week increased the threat level of Veniaminof from yellow to orange. That color designation indicates sudden explosions could send ash above 20,000 feet and threaten jets on international routes.

This July 16, 2013, photo by the Alaska Volcano Observatory shows the southwest flank of the intracaldera cone at the Veniaminof Volcano near Perryville, Alaska. (Chris Waythomas / AVO)

The volcano erupted for several months in 2013. Other recent eruptions occurred in 2005 and between 1993 and 1995.

Veniaminof is 480 miles southwest of Anchorage on the Alaska Peninsula. Perryville, a town of about 100 people, is 20 miles southeast of the volcano.