Government officials announced on Wednesday that fresh magma has intruded into the Earth’s crust beneath Mount Spurr in Alaska, located 75 miles west of Anchorage. This development has heightened the possibility of an eruption occurring in the near future. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has reported a significant increase in volcanic activity in the past week, with newly reactivated gas fissures observed at Mount Spurr’s Crater Peak. Increased earthquake activity and ground deformation have also been noted by the United States Geological Survey.
While an exact timeframe for a potential eruption cannot be determined, the USGS stated that the heightened gas emissions detected on March 7 indicate that an eruption may happen in the coming weeks to months. Magma has been accumulating beneath the 11,070-foot summit for some time, with the peak visible from Anchorage, the state’s largest city. Previous eruptions in 1953 and 1992 caused disruptions to air travel, prompting airport closures and affecting water supplies due to ashfall.
The USGS anticipates that a similar event may occur this time, with warnings of increased seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating preceding any potential eruption. The agency emphasized the hazards posed by elevated levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in low-lying areas around the volcano. Mount Spurr is part of the Ring of Fire in the Aleutian Islands, an area known for its geological activity with more than 100 active volcanoes.
Volcanologists have identified significant eruptions in the region throughout history, occurring around 1650, 3200 BC, 5500 BC, and 6000 BC. The potential eruption of Mount Spurr is being closely monitored, with authorities warning of possible disruptions to air travel and safety hazards for nearby residents and aircraft.
