More than 100 shallow earthquakes have been detected at Alaska’s Mount Spurr, signaling a potential eruption. The activity, which began on Sunday night and continued into Monday morning, has caught the attention of scientists at the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage. According to Matt Haney, the scientist in charge, there is a 50/50 chance that the volcano may erupt. The visible proximity of Mount Spurr to Anchorage, the state’s largest city, adds to the concern as a major eruption could disrupt air traffic in the region.
Mount Spurr, standing at 11,070 feet, last experienced explosive eruptions in 1953 and 1992. Unlike the lava-spewing volcanoes in Hawaii, Mount Spurr is known for ejecting massive plumes of volcanic ash, reaching heights of up to 45,000 feet. This ash can significantly impact air travel routes connecting the United States and Asia, prompting close monitoring of the volcano by experts.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory has raised the alert level for Mount Spurr to “yellow,” indicating ongoing unrest for almost a year. Despite the heightened surveillance, the possibility of an eruption remains uncertain. Scientists are using various monitoring techniques, including seismic data, cameras, satellite imagery, and infrasound sensors, to detect any signs of imminent eruption.
Key indicators of an impending eruption include changes in earthquake activity, ground deformation, appearance of new features such as lakes or fumaroles, and the occurrence of tremors. The absence of tremors, which are prolonged ground shaking events, suggests that the volcano has not yet reached a critical stage. Past eruptions have provided valuable insights, with significant warning signals preceding explosive events.
The aftermath of previous eruptions, particularly the 1992 event, serves as a reminder of the potential impact on local communities. The deposition of volcanic ash can pose health hazards and cause damage to infrastructure, leading to disruptions in daily life. As the situation at Mount Spurr unfolds, scientists and authorities remain vigilant, prepared to respond to any escalation in volcanic activity.
Situated in Alaska, the magnificent Mount Redoubt is a stratovolcano formed by the Pacific plate subducting beneath the North American plate. Standing at an impressive height of 11,070 feet, this volcanic peak has had its fair share of explosive eruptions over the years, with notable events recorded in 1953 and 1992.
The eruption on July 9, 1953, was particularly memorable, as it sent a massive plume of ash soaring 30,000 feet into the sky, persisting for an hour. The eruption caused significant disruption, with even an Air Force jet experiencing the wrath of the ash cloud, emerging with sandblasted paint and a frosted windscreen. The Anchorage airport had to be shut down for a period of two days due to this eruption.
Moving forward to August 1992, another eruption at Mount Redoubt resulted in a small lake within the crater reaching its boiling point. Subsequently, a plume of ash shot up to an astonishing 47,500 feet into the atmosphere, leading to the closure of the Anchorage airport for a span of 20 hours.
Between 2004 and 2006, the mountain witnessed dramatic ice cauldron hydrothermal events, a phenomenon where volcanic eruptions occur beneath a glacier, forming a depression, or “cauldron,” on the icy surface. These events often culminate in the explosive release of steam and substantial debris flows. The cauldron formed by rising magma in 2004 resulted in a unique lake with a peculiar grayish-turquoise hue, likely attributed to dissolved sulfur compounds, as detailed in a publication in the Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network.
Over the course of history, volcanologists have documented several substantial eruptions at Mount Redoubt, occurring around 1650, 3200 BC, 5500 BC, and 6000 BC. Renowned volcanologist Manga noted a pattern, suggesting that significant eruptions tend to transpire approximately every 1,000 years.
An article originally published in USA TODAY highlighted that over 100 earthquakes have been detected near Mount Redoubt, hinting at the potential for an imminent eruption of this Alaskan volcano.
