Fresh magma has been detected beneath Alaska’s Mount Spurr, located 75 miles west of Anchorage, raising concerns about a potential volcanic eruption in the near future, according to government officials.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory recently recorded a surge in volcanic activity at Mount Spurr’s Crater Peak, including the reactivation of gas fissures, or fumaroles. Additionally, increased earthquake occurrences and ground deformation have been observed, indicating ongoing magmatic movement within the Earth’s crust, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
“We cannot predict an exact timeframe for an eruption, but the elevated gas emissions recorded on March 7 suggest that it could take place within the next few weeks to months,” the USGS stated in a news release.
Magma is believed to have been accumulating beneath the 11,070-foot summit for several months. Given its proximity to Anchorage, a significant eruption could severely impact air travel and daily life in the region.
Mount Spurr has erupted in the past, with notable events in 1953 and 1992 producing ash clouds that prompted airport closures, contaminated water supplies, and deposited up to a quarter-inch of ashfall across southcentral Alaska. Those eruptions sent volcanic ash plumes as high as 45,000 feet into the atmosphere, disrupting trans-Pacific air travel between the U.S. and Asia.
A similar scenario is possible this time, with the USGS anticipating increased seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating leading up to an eruption. However, officials caution that an eruption could also occur with little to no additional warning, making it extremely hazardous for nearby communities and air traffic.
Beyond the immediate danger of an eruption, elevated carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide levels in the area could pose health risks, particularly in low-lying regions where these gases may accumulate. Carbon dioxide, being colorless and odorless, presents a particularly stealthy hazard.
Last month, Mount Spurr was assigned a “yellow” advisory level after nearly a year of volcanic unrest, signaling increased monitoring efforts.
Part of the geologically active Ring of Fire, Mount Spurr is among a chain of Aleutian volcanoes shaped by the Pacific plate’s subduction beneath the North American plate. Volcanologists have identified major historical eruptions at Mount Spurr occurring around 1650, 3200 BC, 5500 BC, and 6000 BC. Experts, such as Michael Manga from the University of California, Berkeley, suggest the volcano undergoes large-scale eruptions roughly every 1,000 years.
As scientists continue to monitor the situation, Alaskans and aviation officials are urged to stay informed and prepared for potential disruptions in the weeks or months ahead.
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