Scientists Warn That Volcano Near Alaska’s Largest City Could Erupt in ‘Next Few Weeks or Months’
Experts are saying a volcano in Alaska could be likely to erupt soon.
According to NBC News, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) revealed their findings on Wednesday, March 12.
In a release on their website, the agency stated that the likelihood of Mount Spurr erupting “in the next few weeks or months” had increased.
“During overflights on March 7 and 11, AVO measured significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions from Mount Spurr volcano,” they wrote. “Newly reactivated fumaroles (gas vents) were also seen at the volcano’s Crater Peak vent. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue.”
Officials continued that while an eruption is not certain to occur, the increase in gas emissions confirms the presence of new magma beneath the volcano, suggesting an eruption is likely to happen soon.
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“The most likely outcome of the current unrest is an explosive eruption (or eruptions) like those that occurred in 1953 and 1992,” their summary read.
It continued, “Those eruptions each lasted a few hours and produced ash clouds that were carried downwind for hundreds of miles and minor ashfall (up to about ¼ inch) on southcentral Alaska communities.”
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“We expect to see further increases in seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating prior to an eruption, if one were to occur. Such stronger unrest may provide days to weeks of additional warning,” the summary added.
According to USA Today, the United States Geological Survey said that those living in low-lying areas around or downwind of the gas vents may face the hazard of increased levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
The outlet also reported that the agency listed Mount Spurr in the “yellow” advisory level in February after “unrest” was displayed at the mountain for 11 months.
According to NBC News, Mount Spurr is 11,070 feet tall. Covered in ice and snow, the volcano is around 80 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
The volcano has two vents — the summit vent, which erupted over 5,000 years ago and the Crater Peak, which erupted in 1953 and three times in 1992, per the outlet.
