Hello Shannon - Shishaldin's current activity is a continuation of the low-level eruption that began in March, 2014. AVO raised the Aviation Color Code / Alert Level to ORANGE/WATCH on March 28, 2014 in response to satellite imagery showing elevated surface temperatures within the summit crater, consistent with lava extrusion. Since then, Shishaldin continues to have intermittent lava extrusion (confined to the summit crater), as well as small explosions and low-level, minor ash emissions. Although Shishaldin often has a degassing plume, we don't often have such a nice view in the webcam as we did today. Here is a brief summary of the 2014-2015 activity at Shishaldin through March 2015: https://www.avo.alaska.edu/volcanoes/activity.php?volcname=Shishaldin&eruptionid=771&page=basic . Images from this period of activity are here: https://www.avo.alaska.edu/volcanoes/activity.php?volcname=Shishaldin&page=images&eruptionid=771 Here is more information on our Aviation Color Code / Alert Level system: http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/alertsystem/index.php For Shishaldin to move to RED/WARNING, there would need to be an explosive eruption, either underway, suspected, or imminent that is releasing or likely to release a significant amount of ash into the atmosphere. As Shishaldin's current ash emissions are minor, the Aviation Color Code / Alert Level is ORANGE. Shishaldin currently falls under the second half of the ORANGE definition (" Volcano is exhibiting heightened or escalating unrest with increased potential of eruption, timeframe uncertain, OR eruption is underway with no or minor volcanic-ash emissions" Hope this is helpful, Cheryl Cameron -------- Shannon Kemp wrote: Hello! I saw the tweeted photo of Shishaldin's degassing earlier and was looking thru the updates on its activities. Is the volcano believed to be heading towards an eruption in the next few months? How long has the orange level warning been active? What does it take to upgrade from there? Thank you! -- Cheryl Cameron Geologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys voice: 907-451-5012 fax: 907-451-5050