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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

7.3 magnitude earthquake triggers brief tsunami warning for Southwest Alaska communities
A tsunami warning that was later downgraded was issued for several coastal communities after the earthquake struck south of Sand Point.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Anchorage Daily News

Fire destroys Peter Pan Seafoods facility in Sand Point
A fire destroyed a Peter Pan Seafoods facility in Sand Point, Alaska, causing a pervasive smell of burning plastic from fishing gear stored on-site.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

An Egret on the Alaska Peninsula
An unusual visitor showed up in King Cove in late November. Shankell Mack was able to get a picture. The great egret is rare sighting anywhere in Alaska.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

Tsunami warning canceled following strong earthquake off Alaska Peninsula
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake initially triggered sirens and evacuations in communities including Sand Point and Kodiak.
Sand Point, Alaska, United States
Alaska Public Media

High levels of PSP in Blue Mussels
Blue mussels collected on 6/15/2023, were way above the FDA limit for safe consumption of 80 μg/100g.

Cold Bay still on bottled drinking water, 10 months after the wells tested high for 'forever chemicals'
About a year ago, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation tested Cold Bay’s water wells for PFAS, and the results came back well above the levels recommended for human consumption. Cold Bay closed the wells for drinking when the test results came back, and the Eastern Aleutian community has relied on state-provided bottled water ever since.
Cold Bay, Alaska, United States
KDLG

Unusual container found on Bering Sea beach
This container was found on the beach near Nelson Lagoon, Alaska. No letters or numbers, symbols or any other noticeable identifications. It turns out it is a special type of long term bait container used for crab fisheries.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States
Melissa Good, Mark McNeley, Tom Okey, Gay Sheffield, Amy Holman

Dead whale by King Cove
There was a dead whale out in the bay by King Cove. Then couple locals pulled the whale into town.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Unusual Bird Sighting May Be a Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola enucleator)
Unidentified birds may be Pine Grosbeaks (*Pinicola enucleator*), whose species range extends to some parts of the Alaska Peninsula.

Dust-like deposit on water along beach
White, dust-like deposit on the beach on sunny day after high tides. Water samples would be required for identification.
Dean Stockwell, Arlene Gunderson, Thomas Farrugia

Possible Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Sighting
This bird is a juvenile Great Blue Heron. It is rare sighting of heron outside of its normal range which extends into Southeast but not Southwest Alaska.
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Unusual Winter Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Sighting
Although bears may hibernate for different lengths of time during winter, winter bear activity is an uncommon sight for Alaska Peninsula residents.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Damage from Fall Storm
Winds in Sand Point reached speeds higher than those predicted by the National Weather Service and caused damage to community infrastructure.
Anne Morris, Edward "Ted" Smith, Amber Hill

Tsunami warning issued following 7.4 magnitude earthquake off Alaska Peninsula
A tsunami warning was issued for areas along the Alaska Peninsula coastline following the 7.4 earthquake, which was centered 62 miles from Sand Point.
In this post, you can find links to the US Tsunami Warning Centers, as well as information on creating home emergency kits during COVID.
We hope everyone stays safe as this event unfolds, and welcome observations of conditions along the Alaska Peninsula.
Anchorage Daily News

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Floating by Moller Point
Between 2015 and 2020, two Unusual Mortality Events have been declared for wales along the western coast of British Colombia and the United States, indicating the possibility of a disturbance to the marine ecosystem.
King Cove Alaska

7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes King Cove
"I got under my kitchen table and it was very violent and loud and lasted quite a while. The tsunami sirens started right after it stopped."
King Cove, Alaska, United States

Dead Seal On The Beach
King Cove Alaska

Picking Shellfish Yields Tingling Fingers
Is there something that would cause fingers to tingle or swell after touching the mussels and clams?

Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) Found Farther West Than Normal
Giant kelp (*Macrocystis pyrifera*) is normally found in Prince William Sound and Kodiak Archipelago. However, it has recently appeared at the north end of Zachary Bay near Sand Point.

Flooding from Heavy Rain
Strong southerly winds brought moisture from the central Pacific in to the King Cove area. The FAA weather station at the King Cove airport recorded 4.93" of rain from the early morning of June 25 through the early morning of June 28, and half of that total (2.49") fell in 12 hours from late evening on the 26th to late morning on the 27th, and resulted in flooding.

Sea Star Wasting Disease
Sea star wasting disease (SSWD) observed near King Cove
Melissa Good, Ginger Bear, Amy Holman, Bruce Wright, Melissa Miner, Karen Pletnikoff

Proliferation of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Landfill
Rabies has been identified by the State of Alaska as being endemic (regularly found) in the fox population in this area.
Nelson Lagoon, Alaska, United States

Booming Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Population
"It’s a bit because people are feeding them, and they’re getting into the dumpster now too. But I’ve never seen them like this before."

Second Day of Spring
Weather is relatively consistent around this time of year, but this season, storms have come in quickly.

Another Sand Point fisherman is chomped on by a sea lion
The third such bite in two years prompted a police warning in the Aleutian Islands town.
Anchorage Daily News

Indian Summer: Unusually Warm September
Unusually warm September temperatures.

Elevated PSP Levels in Unalaska and Sand Point
Regional monitoring program notifies shellfish harvesters of an upward trend in concentrations of PSP.

Abnormally Cold Spring
At Cold Bay, snow was reported on five days during the month, the most for any May since 2013.

Shrimp Found While Collecting Badarkies
I have never found live shrimp before in King Cove while subsisting for Chiton's not sure if it is unusual or significant.

King Cove closer to goal of 100 percent renewable energy
A small eastern Aleutian community is now getting nearly all of its energy from renewable sources. With a second hydro facility that began producing power late this spring, the city of King Cove has dramatically reduced its dependence on diesel.
Alaska Public Media
Zoë Sobel, Alaska's Energy Desk - Unalaska

Abundant Year for Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)!
The creeks were so full - I bet the oxygen levels weren't so good for them though.

Late Bloom Of Moss
Late Mossberry (*Empetrum nigru*) Bloom

Weather is Confused!
It's still snowing in early May.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) with Sores/Deformities?
Several bald eagles were observed with sores around their eyes and bills.
King's Cove, Alaska, United States

Dead Juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Abundance of "Oyster Pickers" Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani)
"I learned from a community member that they haven't seen these type of birds here within town, they usually see them on the islands that surround our cove. With the warming temps. people have noticed more and more different types of birds showing up in our community."

Unusual Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Are the difference species of bird ecosystems failing or in the process of change?
Kathy Kuletz, Angela Johnson, Julia Parrish

Dead Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella)
Dead Crested auklet observed near the southwest end of the Alaska Peninsula.
Kathy Kuletz, Dorothea Berntsen, Julia Parrish

Dead Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
We are unsure how the eagle died.

Jumping Spiders (Salticidae) in School
A spider was found in a class room, not sure what it is.
Derek Sikes, Jessie Moan, Karis Porcincula

First Sight of Snow
Early sighting of snow this year.

Subsistence Harvest Comes Early
Silver salmon, Brant geese and berries.

Jellyfish Getting Bigger
Getting bigger each sighting.

Dead Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) in Boat Harbor
Dead sea lion found in boat harbor, cause of death unknown.

Leopard or Giant Garden Slug (Limax maximus) Found
Leopard Slug Found

March Flies (Bibionidae) All Over Sand Point
Flies all over Sand Point

Extremely High PSP Levels
Extremely high PSP levels

Early Growth Of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)
Early Growth of Salmonberries (Rubus spectabilis - Highbush)

Early Bloom of Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis Highbush) Bushes
Early bloom of salmonberry bushes.

Dead Murres At Boat Harbor

Volcano Spewing Ash and Lava
Pavlov Volcano provides spring show and showers
Mount Pavolf, Alaska, United States

Volcanic Ash Fall
Ash from Mount Pavlof Lands in Nelson Lagoon

Dead Birds On Spit Beach
Residents concern over die-offs persist

Dandelions (Taraxacum) in Bloom
First dandelions of spring

Sand Point's Unsafe PSP Toxin Levels
Unusually high PSP toxin levels making shellfish unsafe to eat.

Thunder & Lightning
Unusual weather event; thunderstorm and fluctuating temperatures

Dead Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
A dead juvenile female humpback whale near Dolgoi Island

Dead Birds (Cepphus columba) In Harbor
Dead birds in harbor

Dead Birds - Seagulls and Magpies
Dead seagulls and magpies

Dead Birds - Seagulls, Puffins, Murres
Dead seagulls, puffins, murres

So Many Pinks (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha)!
Amazing run of pink salmon.

Urban Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)
5/2/15 Urban Canada goose - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, USA

Late Snow
4/20.15 Late snow - King Cove, Alaska, USA

Lightning and thunder
4/20/14 Thunder and lightening - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, USA

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams - Sand Point, Alaska, USA

February Bees
We have bees in February
Arlene Gunderson, Amy Mack, Ian Williams

High PSP in Clams
High PSP level in Sand Point, Alaska

PSP High in Clams
The paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) results for Sand Point, Alaska (butter clams collected 1/5/2015) had PSP toxin levels of 112 micrograms/100 grams.

High PSP in Clams
High PSP in clams

Abundant Mossberries (Empetrum nigrum)
A great year for harvesting mossberries.
Cold Bay, Alaska, United States

Abundance of Fireweed (Chamerion agustifolium) on Popof Island
Abundance of Fireweed on Popof Island

Northern Sea Nettle Jellyfish Die-Off
Northern sea nettle jellyfish die-off

Abundant Bees and Berries
7-14-14 Abundant bees & berries - King Cove, Alaska, USA

Pavlof Volcano Ash
Volcanic eruption in the Aleutian's.

Pavlof Volcano Eruption
6-2-14 Mt Pavlov volcano eruption - King Cove, Alaska, USA

Unusually Cold and Snow
5-30-14 Unusually cold and snow - King Cove, Alaska, USA

High PSP Levels in Clams
4-30-14 High PSP levels in clams - King Cove, Alaska, USA

High PSP Levels in Clams
High PSP levels in clams near the end of the Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska.

Persistent High PSP Levels
Persistently high levels of PSP recorded in the Shumagin Islands.

High PSP levels in clams
11-7-13 High PSP levels in clams - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, Unites States

Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)
For a couple years, Sand Point residents have observed an increasing number of the non-native leopard slug.

Volcanic Ash Fall
5-21-13 Volcanic ash fall - Sand Point, Alaska, USA

Pacific sleeper shark
6-20-12 Pacific sleeper shark - King Cove, Alaska, USA
King Cove, Alaska, USA

Wolves and Bear around the Dump
Wolves and bears rummaging around the dump.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
Brown marmorated stink bug
Corlene Rose, Honey Lou Wilson, Mike Rasy

Earthquake swarm signals unrest at volcano in Alaska’s western Aleutian Islands
It’s not clear whether the unrest will lead to an eruption at Tanaga Volcano, which is located on an uninhabited island about 65 miles from Adak.

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