The Alaska Volcano Observatory has downgraded the alert level for Cleveland Volcano to yellow.  Scientists have been monitoring the volcano since July when a lava dome in the crater started to grow. 

Early last month it threatened to overflow and unleash a major ash cloud.  Now scientists are saying that satellite observations show the eruption may have paused or stopped.  The dome has shown no significant growth in several weeks, although it remains hot.

Cleveland is on unpopulated Chuginadak Island, 115 miles southwest of Unalaska.  Although an eruption would not pose an immediate threat to human life, the volcano lies on a major flight path and air travel would likely be disrupted.

The Observatory will continue to monitor the volcano via satellite until the dome cools.  There is no real-time seismic equipment on Cleveland, but AVO has systems in place that can detect the lightning that accompanies ash-producing clouds within minutes.