Mount Spurr, a volcano located near Alaska’s largest city, is exhibiting new signs of unrest, prompting experts to increase the likelihood of an eruption in the coming weeks or months. The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported on Wednesday that recent overflights have detected “significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions,” indicating a potential for eruptive activity.
The observatory stated, “We expect to see further increases in seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating prior to an eruption, if one were to occur.” They noted that this heightened activity may provide days to weeks of additional warning before any possible eruption.
What is Mount Spurr?
Mount Spurr stands at 11,070 feet (3,374 meters) and is covered in ice and snow. It is situated roughly 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage and is one of 53 volcanoes in Alaska that have been active in the past 250 years. The volcano features two main vents.
Previous Eruptions
The last significant eruption from the summit vent occurred over 5,000 years ago, while the Crater Peak vent, located about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the summit, erupted once in 1953 and three times in 1992. There have been periods of increased seismic activity since then, notably between 2004 and 2006, but no subsequent eruptions. The observatory raised Mount Spurr’s alert status from green to yellow last October due to pronounced seismic activity and evidence of ground deformation detected via satellite.
The current unrest may lead to eruptions similar to those experienced in 1953 and 1992. However, geophysicist John Power from the US Geological Survey cautioned that it is also possible for the present activity to diminish without an eruption or for a smaller eruption to occur.
Potential Impacts of an Eruption
Eruptions in the past century at Mount Spurr lasted between three and seven hours, generating ash columns that rose over 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and depositing ash in communities across south-central Alaska. The 1992 eruptions resulted in ashfall of about a quarter-inch in Anchorage, prompting residents to remain indoors or wear masks to avoid inhaling ash. The ash cloud even drifted as far as Greenland.
Volcanic ash is abrasive and can cause significant issues for jet engines, leading to shutdowns. The 1992 events also resulted in temporary airport closures in Anchorage and other areas, which can be particularly disruptive in Alaska, where many communities rely on air transport due to limited road access. Notably, Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is one of the busiest cargo hubs globally.
As the situation develops, monitoring efforts will continue to assess the potential for volcanic activity and its implications for surrounding communities.
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