On August 20th, we woke to fine views of Great Sitkin Volcano which intermittently displayed its glowing lava dome through the clouds prior to dawn. The expedition landing this morning was near the head of Sand Bay, on the southeast side of the active volcano on Great Sitkin Island. The ~6,000-foot volcano has been active since 2020 and we saw steam from hot lava in the dome near the summit. The large flat glacial valleys at the head of Sand Bay contain numerous remains of the large fuel depot that supplied the Allied forces in the Aleutian war against Japanese invaders on Attu and Kiska Islands to the west. The wide sandy beach, broad valley with numerous remains, and steep ridges provided opportunities for a strenuous hike up a steep ridge, exploration of the fuel depot remains, and wandering along the beautiful black-sand beach. Glimpses of Great Sitkin Volcano with snow patches, a lava dome, and steam provided a remarkable backdrop. Dense monkshood, wild celery, fireweed, lupine, and grasses formed a dense thicket above the high tide line.
During the afternoon, we returned to Adak to disembark our Alaskan ship pilot and then turned southwest across the Aleutian trench which marks the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Bering Sea. Later in the afternoon, we relaxed onboard and enjoyed a staff presentation on the history of the Aleutians until recap and dinner.
