By The Associated Press AP

3:38 p.m. AKST, March 8, 2013
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is downgrading the alert level for Cleveland Volcano in the Aleutian Islands.

The observatory on Jan. 24 detected elevated surface temperatures at the volcano 940 miles southwest of Anchorage, and later through satellite data, spotted a growing lava dome on the floor of the summit crater.

The observatory raised the alert level Feb. 6 to "orange," indicating that sudden explosions could send ash above 20,000 feet, threatening international air carriers.

The observatory announced Thursday the lava dome has remained unchanged.

It says surface temperatures prevalent in late January through mid-February have declined and the alert level is being lowered to yellow, which means activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored.