- EXPLORE FURTHER: Are you residing in an area prone to volcanic activity? Use this map to determine your risk level.
Researchers are closely monitoring an huge volcano in Alaska that seems to be 'approaching an eruption.'
On March 7, Mount Spurr, a stratovolcano standing at approximately 11,000 feet tall, Sitting 81 miles west of Anchorage, it started emitting increased amounts of gas from both its peak and a secondary vent that had last exploded in 1992.
These emissions represent the most recent phase in an ongoing period of instability that the volcano has been undergoing since April 2024, when it began trembling with minor disturbances. earthquakes —the initial indication that fresh magma was moving towards the volcano’s openings.
Seismic activity persists up until now, and following the recent rise in volcanic gas emissions, experts suggest that Mount Spurr might erupt within a timeframe of 'weeks or months.'
The eruption would most probably take place at the Crater Peak side vent, and it would likely be an explosive one," stated Matt Haney, who serves as the scientist-in-charge. Alaska The Volcano Observatory (AVO) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) informed INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.
Haney stated that this occurrence could result in several columns of ash ascending up to 50,000 feet into the atmosphere.
Every eruption producing ashes would continue for three to four hours, leading to clouds that could cover the city of Anchorage and surrounding areas with a dense layer of particles.
The eruption would additionally cause devastating mudflows and avalanches of volcanic debris rushing down the sides of the volcano. At speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, Haney stated, "Fortunately, there aren’t any communities within that radius that would be impacted."
The USGS has placed the volcano at an 'advisory' level, indicating that it 'displays symptoms of heightened unease.'
"We've been monitoring this for approximately one year," Haney stated.
From April to February, Mount Spurr displayed three main indicators of an impending eruption: heightened seismic activity, bulging of the volcanic surface, and melting of snow and ice around the peak.
The AVO stated last month that the volcano's activity had an equal chance of subsiding or culminating in an eruption.
However, on March 7, researchers conducted an aerial survey of Mount Spurr to assess the gases emanating from its two craters. This marked the first instance since increased activity started that they identified gas emissions exceeding normal levels, as mentioned by Haney.
On March 11, they flew overhead once more to verify their readings, and determined that the volcano was emitting above-normal quantities of gas.
'Haney stated that with the updated measurements showing higher levels than background emissions, we concluded that another eruption similar to the last two would be the most probable outcome.'
The Mount Spurr eruption occurred twice, in 1992 and 1953, with both incidents originating from the Crater Peak side vent.
Haney and his team believe that the volcano's peak crater has remained inactive for approximately 5,000 years. Therefore, when Mount Spurr erupts once more, it is expected to occur through one of its flank vents, as he mentioned.
In June 1992, the Crater Peak flank vent emerged from approximately four decades of inactivity and erupted following ten months of increased seismic activity, as reported by the USGS.
The eruption blanketed the city of Anchorage, which has a population of around 300,000, with about an eighth of an inch of ash.
In the midst of daylight, the sky grew dim because of an immense cloud of dust and gas, leading to the closure of the city’s airport for 20 consecutive hours.
Crater Peak subsequently erupted two additional times, first in August and later in September.
The Municipality of Anchorage reported approximately $2 million in damages, office closures, and cleanup expenses due to the eruption in August, as stated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Nobody died as a direct result of these events. However, two instances of heart attack occurred due to shoveling ashfall in Anchorage; one proved fatal.
Inhaling ash also presents health risks. These minuscule particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs, exacerbating symptoms for individuals who have respiratory issues like asthma or bronchitis.
Even though every indication suggests a volcanic eruption is likely soon, predicting the precise timing remains uncertain.
However, if Mount Spurr’s activity keeps intensifying, the upcoming indication of an impending eruption will be a volcanic tremor, according to Haney.
This would differ from the short, mild tremors that this volcano has previously encountered.
A volcanic tremor refers to an extended period of continuous shaking that may last from several minutes to multiple days.
This happens when magma under the volcano starts ascending towards the surface as the eruption becomes imminent.
In 1992, Mount Spurr experienced a volcanic tremor roughly three weeks prior to its major eruption in June. This kind of seismic activity may indicate that the volcano could erupt within a matter of weeks.
Nevertheless, some other volcanoes have witnessed extended intervals between a volcanic tremor and an actual eruption, like the adjacent Mount Readout.
The volcano went through seismic activity for two months prior to erupting in 2009.
Even though predicting an eruption comes with many uncertainties, Haney and his team will keep diligently monitoring Mount Spurr to get a general sense of when it might be poised to erupt.
Read more
0 Comments