Mount Spurr, a volcano located 75 miles west of Anchorage, is showing signs of unrest after 10 months of activity. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has reported hundreds of small earthquakes and ground deformations beneath the volcano. According to experts, these signs indicate that magma and fluids are rising towards the surface, which could lead to an eruption.
A 50-50 chance of an eruption exists, with increased warning signs such as raised water temperatures, melted snow, and glaciers potentially preceding the event. However, there is no way to predict exactly when or if the volcano will erupt within days, weeks, or months.
The main hazards associated with a Mount Spurr eruption are ash clouds that could impact air travel and potential ash fall over regional communities, including Anchorage. The Alaska Volcano Observatory has listed the volcano’s alert level at advisory, one step above normal.
Historically, Mount Spurr has erupted several times, with its most recent eruptions occurring in 1953 and 1992. One of these eruptions closed down the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for 20 hours and issued numerous air-quality alerts. Experts believe that a present-day eruption would likely occur at Crater Peak, which is two miles south of the volcano’s summit.
While there are no communities or cities directly beneath Mount Spurr, the region surrounding the volcano could be impacted by ash fall and pyroclastic flows. Scientists will continue to monitor the situation closely, using their knowledge of past eruptions to inform their predictions.
Source: https://ktvz.com/news/national-world/cnn-national/2025/02/15/an-eruption-is-possible-at-alaskas-mount-spurr-what-we-know-about-the-volcano