Unimak Island is the largest island in the Aleutians, covering 1,571 square miles, and the 9th largest in the United States. Mount Shishaldin, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, is its highest point at 9,373 feet.[1]
| Area | 1,571.41 sq mi |
|---|---|
| Highest point | Shishaldin, 9,373 ft |
| Population | 35 (2010) |
| Wilderness | 910,000 acres (1980) |
Volcanoes
Besides Shishaldin, Mount Westdahl rises to 5,426 feet, and Fisher Caldera in the west-central part of the island holds many volcanic cones and undrained lakes.[1]
People and wildlife
The island’s residents live in False Pass at the eastern end. Alaska Peninsula brown bears and barren-ground caribou live there.[1]
History
Scotch Cap Lighthouse, built in 1903, was knocked into the sea on 1 April 1946 by a tsunami from the Aleutian Islands earthquake, killing five Coast Guard personnel. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 2 December 1980 designated 910,000 acres as wilderness.[1]
FAQs
What is the highest point? Mount Shishaldin.
Where do people live? False Pass.
What happened at Scotch Cap? A 1946 tsunami destroyed the lighthouse.
Sources
Key facts
- Largest Aleutian island
- Shishaldin
- 1946 tsunami
Quick checkArea?Show answer
1,571 sq mi.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Unimak Island. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue