Pavlov, the Aleutian chain volcano that has been erupting for the last month has escalated its activity on Tuesday according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

The volcano began ramping up its activity on Monday night and continued to increase through Tuesday, at which time in surpassed the strongest seismic activity that was observed last month. On Wednesday however seismic charts show a decease in activity. That can change again at any time.

AVO reported that satellite data confirmed a distinct plume rising above the 27,000 to 28,000 foot level. Reports of trace ash falling on the community of King Cove has been reported.

AVO reports that at the present seismic activity it is very likely that lava fountaining is occuring and lava is flowing down the flanks of the volcano.

Presently, AVO says that the plumes are probably not particularly ash-rich, but caution that ash content can increase at any time.

Although major airlines have not suffered any delays thus far, PenAir reported the cancellation of one flight and flight plan changes in others. One refueling stop in Cold Bay was cancelled.

Pavlof is a snow-covered stratovolcano situated high on the flanks of the Emmons Lake Caldera and is approximately 4.3 miles in diameter with two active vents on the north and east sides close to the summit.

Prior to its previous activity in May of this year, it has been relatively quiet since 2007. Activity was reported at the volcano in 1999, 2001, and 2003 but no eruption occured at those times. Prior to that the last eruption was in 1996. The volcano ramps up its activity at least twice and as many as four times a decade on average.

The name Pavlof is Russian for Paul. Captain Feodor Petrovich Lutke first published the name in 1836. Lutke comanded the Russian corvette Seniavine.