Along with Augustine, 11,069-foot Mount Spurr, about 80 miles west of Anchorage, and 5,905-foot Makushin Volcano, 16 miles from Unalaska, have been subjects of exploration projects over recent years.

The island itself is also primarily volcanic rock from the rumbling Makushin Volcano, an active volcano that sits only 16 miles from the settlement. The rich volcanic soil of the island helps ...