Alaska Volcanoes
For the Explorer

Alaska volcanoes that are dormant or extinct exist in several areas of Alaska. They give good opportunities for climbing and volcano exploration.



Those listed below are located in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It can be entered from Nabesna Road off the Tok Cut-off Highway on the north side. On the south side, you follow the Richardson Highway to the Edgerton Highway, following that to Chitina. Then take the McCarthy Road to the ghost town of McCarthy and the abandoned Kennecott copper mines.

Alaska volcanoes in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park:

This park has thousands of solid lava flows. They are part of a volcanic field which is approximately 4000 square miles in size. That is a little smaller than the State of Connecticut.

In the middle of this field are some rather tall volcanic mountains. The first two mountains, Mt. Blackburn and Mt. Sanford are over 16,000 feet tall. The third one is Mt. Drum which is around 12,000 feet tall. These three are completely silent volcanic mountains and have made no known disturbance in recorded history. They are considered dormant.

The fourth is Mt. Wrangell, around 14,000 feet tall, and is the only one of this group that is classified as an active volcano. Though it doesn't have any lava flowing from it currently, it still gives off a steam plume now and then. Occasionally a think layer of dark ash can be seen on it's summit also.

All of these Alaska volcanoes have somewhat sloping sides because they were built up slowly from liquid lava flows. Called shield volcanoes, they can be easier to climb and explore than the much steeper-sided mountains formed from large eruptions.

Besides those mentioned, there are numerous other volcanic mountains in this region. There are at least six more that are named, and numerous other peaks that have not as yet been named. And they are all over 10,000 feet tall!

In this huge volcanic field you'll also find many cinder cones such as Mt. Gordon, the largest one, and other notable mountains, such as Mt. Churchill which has a small caldera.

Another interesting feature of this area is that volcanic mountains above 8,000 feet have glaciers covering them.

Locations of Alaska volcanoes in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park:

If you want to do some hiking, climbing and exploring of these Alaska volcanoes, the exact locations are listed below. The needed US Geological Survey topographical maps for each volcano are listed as well as their exact coordinates.

Mt. Blackburn - Dormant, at 16,390' (4,996m) high, it is the tallest peak in this Park. An un-named peak, 1.5 miles (2.5km) to the southeast is 16,286' (4964km) high. Located about 36.5 miles (58.5km) northeast of Chitina. Coordinates: +61.44(N), -143.26(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: McCarthy C-7. It is covered with ice fields and glaciers. Last eruption about 3.4 million years ago.

Mt. Wrangell -Active, 14,163' (4,317m) high. Minor activity with steam plumes - located about 50 miles east of Glennallen. Coordinates: +62.00(N), -144.00(W). Use these USGS Quadrangle Maps: Gulkana A-1, Nabesna A-6, Valdez D-1 and McCarthy D-8.

Mt. Drum - Dormant, 12,010' (3,661m) high - located 29 miles due east of Glennallen. Coordinates: +62.07(N), -144.38(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Gulkana A-2. It's last eruption was about 1/4 million years ago and blew off the top and south face of the mountain.

Mt. Sanford - Dormant, 16,237' (4,949m) high - located about 30 miles due southeast of Chistochina. Coordinates: +62.13(N), -144.08(W). Use these USGS Quadrangle Maps: Gulkana A-1 and Gulkana B-1. Scientists think this volcano may be only 100,000 years old.

Capital Mountain - Dormant, 7,731' (2356m) high - located about 20 miles (32km) southeast of Chistochina. Coordinates: +62.25(N), -144.07(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Gulkana B-1. It became a very rugged volcanic mountain when the outer layers of its "shield" eroded, leaving the solid, hardened inner lava flows. Has no glaciers but leftover rocks and debris from glacial movements fill two deep valleys. Last eruption about 1million years ago.

Tanada Peak - Dormant, 9,358' (2852m) high - located about 17 miles (27km) southwest of Nabesna Community. Coordinates: +62.01(N), -143.37(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Nabesna B-6. An interesting volcano because it has a number of volcanic cones on its north side. It is the high point on a ridge. Last eruption about 1million years ago. Has some valley glaciers and some at the peak.

Mt. Jarvis - Dormant, 13,421' (4091m) high - located about 31miles (50km) southwest of old Nabesna Mine at the end of Nabesna Road. Coordinates: +62.18(N), -143.31(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Nabesna B-6. An interesting volcano because it has a number of volcanic cones on its north side but is covered by glacial ice. Jacksina Glacier is a large glacier low on the east side of this Alaska volcano. Mt. Jarvis is a high point at the north end of an un-named 5 mile (8km) long ridge. Last eruption about 1million years ago. Has some valley glaciers and glacier at the peak.

Skookum Creek Volcano - Dormant. Its central high point amongst a ring of domes is 7,125' (2,172m). Its high point is 5 miles (8km) northwest of the old Nabesna gold mining camp. Coordinates: +62.24(N), -143.08(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Nabesna B-5. The only volcano in this group that can be reached by road. Erosion has exposed many of its geologic features which makes it interesting to study. Last eruption about 2 million years ago.

Print this brochure on the Skookum Creek Volcano Trail.

Boomerang Volcano - Dormant, at 3,949' (1,204m) high, it is a low, broad volcano that rises about 1000 feet above the surrounding Copper River Basin flatlands. Located about 13 miles (21km) south of Slana (off Nabesna Road). Coordinates: +62.31(N), -143.55(W). Use this USGS Quadrangle Map: Nabesna C-6. Last eruption is uncertain but is older than Capital Mountain.

Studying and learning about Alaska volcanoes can be a very enriching experience. Be sure you pick up the proper Alaska USGS maps before you go hiking in these vast wilderness areas because you'll be on your own. There is no help within any easy distance.

Hope you have fun exploring our dormant Alaska volcanoes. If you are looking for more information on this area, there is a lot more to know about Wrangell-St. Elias National Park....

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