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Life on an Active Volcano: Fur Seals Adapt to a Changing Landscape on Bogoslof Island - Part 2

Volcanic eruptions at Bogoslof have changed the landscape dramatically. It’s home to a thriving breeding ground of northern fur seals. Scientists monitor the fur seal population every 4 years to understand how they respond to such a dynamic environment.

March 13, 2024 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

Aerial view of Bogoslof Island in June 2022 showing the impact of the volcanic eruption from 2019

Aerial survey imagery from June 2022 along with a white outline showing the former size in 2019. Erosion has changed the island dramatically since it tripled in size after the eruptions in 2016-2017. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Alexey Altukhov and Burlyn Birkemeier.

Life on an Active Volcano: Fur Seals Adapt to a Changing Landscape on Bogoslof Island - Part 1

Biologists return for the first time in 4 years to find that the island and the distribution of northern fur seals was radically different.

March 12, 2024 - Feature Story ,

Alaska

Dark brown northern fur seals on the beach of a island with an active smoking volcano in the background

Northern fur seal rookery on the shores of Bogoslof Island, an active volcano on the Aleutian chain. In the background, the volcano’s vent steams in this photo from August 2019. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Paul Hillman taken under NOAA Fisheries Permit #14327.