Mount Spurr, located approximately 75 miles to the west of Anchorage, has been the epicenter of a series of curious occurrences over the past 10 months. The region has been rattled by hundreds of minor earthquakes, prompting experts to warn that the volcano might be gearing up for an eruption. According to reports from CNN, scientists have noted deformities in the surrounding terrain, possibly indicating the swelling of magma beneath the surface. Additionally, observations of warm water in a newly formed lake within the volcano’s crater and the release of gases from the area have added to the intrigue.
Although the exact timing of a potential eruption remains uncertain, experts estimate a likelihood of around 50%. They anticipate an escalation in volcanic activity, with signs such as further warming of the lake water, as well as the melting of snow and glaciers, preceding any significant event. The last known eruptions of Mount Spurr occurred in 1992, during which the volcano erupted twice. Prior to that, a significant eruption was recorded in 1953, characterized by relatively small yet explosive events that spread volcanic ash across interior, south-central, and southeastern Alaska.
While the volcano currently poses no immediate threat to nearby populations due to its distance from inhabited areas, concerns linger regarding the potential hazards posed by ash clouds that could drift for hundreds of miles downwind, affecting air travel and causing ash fall across Anchorage and neighboring communities. Notably, during the 1992 eruptions, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport was forced to shut down for a period of 20 hours, and the state issued multiple air-quality alerts in the aftermath of the volcanic activity.
At present, Mount Spurr’s volcano alert level has been raised to advisory (yellow), one step above the normal baseline, indicating a heightened state of vigilance within the scientific community.
