However, some experts speculate that the recent increase in seismic activity at Mount Spurr may not be entirely natural.
Some peculiar patterns in the gas emissions and the occurrence of specific earthquakes have raised suspicions about possible underground disturbances—could there be hidden geological shifts or even human activities taking place beneath the surface?
Despite official sources maintaining a cautious stance, these peculiarities have instilled a sense of unease among a few volcanologists, who believe that the volcano’s behavior may be more intricate and unpredictable than initially anticipated.
Is Mount Spurr quietly preparing for a conventional eruption, or is there an underlying force beneath the ice and rock, one that could catch everyone off guard?
Over the past year, Mount Spurr, a volcano in Alaska, has exhibited signs of heightened activity: it has been expanding, trembling, and emitting toxic gases. Currently, these signs could indicate that a major eruption is imminent, or the volcano might be releasing pressure without causing a significant event.
In the event of an eruption, the positive aspect is that no towns are situated on the volcano’s slopes, ensuring that individuals won’t be exposed to the immediate threats posed by flowing lava or pyroclastic flows. Nevertheless, a significant volcanic eruption would likely result in the release of substantial amounts of ash. If the wind carries this ash eastward, it could significantly impact anchorage, which is approximately 80 miles away.
‘ashfall will be a major hazard,’ explains matt haney, lead scientist at the u
Despite its ominous appearance, volcanic ash is actually less harmful to humans than many people believe. The primary danger posed by the ash cloud is to aircraft, as the ash particles can melt within jet engines, leading to engine failure. If there was an eruption at Mount Spurr, it could lead to the rerouting of flights and the closure of the busy international airport in Anchorage, which could have significant economic consequences.
The dangers from Mount Spurry extend beyond aviation. The impact of ash volume and its deposition location can have consequences for individuals, structures, and the natural surroundings. Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface and what an eruption could mean.
Mount Spurr has two main vents: the summit vent, located at 11,000 feet, which has been dormant for thousands of years, and crater peak, which has erupted multiple times in the past few thousand years. The most recent eruption happened in 1992 and consisted of three blasts.
While the volcano typically encounters minor tremors, activity surged significantly in April 2024, with the volcano expanding as the ground rose. The level of activity decreased during the summer but increased again in the fall. By mid-October, with persistent swelling and powerful tremors, the Alaska Volcano Observatory issued a warning of unusual volcanic activity.
‘the volcano is inflating due to magma pushing upward, causing earthquakes,’ says haney The aviation alert level was increased from green (normal) to yellow (elevated unrest), suggesting the potential for an imminent volcanic eruption and the presence of ash clouds that could pose risks to aircraft.
From January to February, the frequent and sometimes powerful earthquakes continued to occur beneath the crater peak. By March, the levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide increased near the summit, indicating the presence of magma close to the surface. Additionally, carbon dioxide was detected near the crater peak, suggesting that magma was rising deeper below the surface.
Scientists are particularly worried about magma located near the crater peak—the vent responsible for the recent volcanic eruptions—as it suggests that the volcano’s primary pathway for gas release may be active. These combined signs indicate that the underground channel beneath the crater peak is still active, as stated by haney.
As of may, activity has slightly decreased: gas emissions continue, but swelling and quakes have eased somewhat. The volcano could continue calming down, resulting in a ‘failed eruption’ where magma doesn’t reach the surface, as happened in 2004-2006, says volcanologist david fee from the university of alaska fairbanks.
Alternatively, the unrest could intensify again, leading to an explosive eruption from crater peak, producing an ash cloud reaching tens of thousands of feet.
Although residents of anchorage are not in immediate danger of lava flows or pyroclastic avalanches, ashfall could cause serious disruption. ‘you won’t be overwhelmed by flowing lava or hot gas,’ says michelle coombs, a geologist at the alaska volcano observatory, ‘but ash clouds could spread for hundreds of miles, affecting southcentral alaska.’.
Before ash particles descend to the ground, they remain suspended at high altitudes and can have a significant impact on air travel. Volcanic ash is not like wildfire smoke, it’s made of hard, glass-like particles that can damage airplane engines, scratch windows, and interfere with electronics.
In 1953 and 1992, eruptions occurred, resulting in the deposition of ash over the anchorage. The eruption in 1992 caused the airport to be closed for 20 hours due to the thick layer of ash that covered the city. Haney points out that due to the increased number of flights in the sky, a similar incident would result in even more chaos and delays.
Fortunately, the eruption at Mount Spurr would likely be shorter than the 2010 Icelandic eruption that caused European airspace to be closed for several days. Despite anchorage’s airport being the world’s fourth busiest cargo hub, even a short closure would have a significant impact.
Volcanic ash poses additional threats beyond the realm of air travel. It can obscure skies, resulting in nighttime obscurity. Although not typically fatal, ash can be highly irritating to the respiratory system, particularly for individuals who are more susceptible, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing lung or heart conditions.
Ash can also cause irritation to the eyes and skin, and it can have similar effects on animals. It can pollute water sources and grazing areas, compelling farmers to offer additional feed and clean water to their livestock.
Ash has the potential to disrupt power by either short-circuiting electrical systems or causing tree limbs to fall on power lines. It can gather on rooftops, potentially leading to harm if the ash layer becomes excessively thick—though such thick ashfall is uncommon for mount spurr.
After the ashfall, driving conditions deteriorate, with roads becoming slippery, visibility reduced, and vehicle filters clogged, leading to a higher likelihood of accidents.
Although ash can temporarily make water unsafe for drinking due to the presence of iron and aluminum particles, the primary health concern is the scarcity of water caused by clogged filtration systems and the increased demand for water for cleaning purposes.
Considering all this, air traffic disruption poses the greatest risk in the event of a mountain eruption. It is crucial for residents to stay updated and prepared for ashfall, which may require them to remain indoors, safeguard their pets, and secure their vehicles.
As of now, researchers are keeping a close watch on the volcano. A clear indication of an impending volcanic eruption would be rapid ground swelling, heightened gas emissions, melting snow and ice, and frequent earthquakes indicating the rapid ascent of magma.
However, it’s important to note that not all volcanic eruptions are inevitable, and even if one does occur, it may take weeks or months for the warning signs to become apparent.
At present, authorities are in a state of vigilance, closely monitoring the situation at Mount Spurr and being prepared for the potential return of ash clouds in the future.
Over the past year, Mount Spurr in Alaska has shown signs of increased activity: it has been expanding, shaking, and releasing harmful gases. As of now, the available evidence suggests the possibility of a significant explosive event in the near future—or the mountain might just be releasing some harmless steam.
In summary, Mount Spurr’s recent unrest indicates that it is currently in a fragile state—situated somewhere between a harmless release of gases and a potential explosive eruption. Although an eruption could have a major impact on life, particularly through dangerous ash clouds affecting air travel and local communities like anchorage, the immediate danger to human safety is relatively low.
Researchers persistently observe the situation, prepared to issue updated warnings if indications suggest a more imminent volcanic eruption. Currently, residents and authorities are on high alert, ready to respond to any potential danger but maintaining a sense of optimism that the mountain’s rumblings will subside peacefully. The weeks and months ahead will play a significant role in determining whether this restless giant will unleash its power or remain calm and still.