The Aleutian volcanic arc stretches nearly 2,500 km from the Alaska Peninsula to the Near Islands (Fig. 1). The arc contains approximately 80 major volcanic centers of which almost half have been volcanically active in historic times. Subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the North American plate has produced these volcanic centers. Unlike other subduction zones, the direction of plate motion changes systematically along the arc. In the east, motion between the two plates is nearly orthogonal, but becomes increasingly strike-slip in nature as one moves west along the arc. Near Buldir Island, the motion becomes completely strike-slip and recent volcanic activity ceases. Because of its long-lived history of fixed volcanic activity, transition from continental to oceanic crust, systematic variation in convergence direction, and a diversity of volcanic products, the Aleutian arc is an ideal setting to study the many and varied aspects of subduction.
	Figure 1: The Aleutian arc.
	This Web site, the Aleutian Arc Data Systems (AADS), brings together a wide variety of published and unpublished data about this important volcanic arc. There are sections on the entire arc as well as individual volcanic centers. For the latter, a wide variety of geochemical data are presented and organized by volcanic edifice. Because the Aleutians are extremely remote and subject to harsh weather, an extensive library of photographs are provide to familiarize others with the interesting volcanic features of the arc. To start your virtual exploration of the Aleutian arc, select a link from the menus above.
	Copyright 2003 by J.D. Myers and T.J. McElfresh