This month in Alaska history: On June 6, 1912, the earth exploded when a volcano located on the Alaska Peninsula blew its top. The Novarupta explosion was the most powerful volcanic eruption of the 20th Century. People in Juneau, Alaska, about 750 miles from the volcano, heard the sound of the blast more than an hour after it started.

The eruption lasted three days and produced 30 times more ash than the Mt. St. Helen’s eruption. The wind blew several feet of ash over Southwest Alaska. Kodiak was buried in ash from Novarupta. The people there thought they were going to be found like the people of Pom Pei. (Aunt Phil’s Trunk Volume 2)

By Laurel Bill

AuntPhilsTrunk@gmail.com

Alaska history