300,000 Alaska Residents Brace for Potential Volcano Eruption
300,000 Alaska Residents Brace for Potential Volcano Eruption
Scientists are closely monitoring Mount Spurr, an 11,000-foot volcano located 81 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city with nearly 300,000 residents, as underground activity suggests a possible eruption in the coming weeks or months.
Experts say the volcano’s behavior has become increasingly unstable over the past year, with a sharp rise in seismic activity, ground movement, and gas emissions – all warning signs of a possible eruption.
Powerful eruption could bring widespread ashfall
Matt Haney, lead scientist at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), said any eruption could be powerful, sending ash clouds as high as 50,000 feet into the air. Each ash-producing event could last up to four hours, spreading volcanic dust across Anchorage and nearby communities.
MEGA VOLCANO SET TO EXPLODE AS EARTHQUAKES DESTABILIZE ITS CENTER, THREATENING ANCHORAGE
Mount Spurr, an 11,000-foot volcano in Alaska, is edging toward an eruption, with 30 earthquakes in the past week signaling magma movement, per the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). Located… pic.twitter.com/GnRXsTElPx
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) April 11, 2025
Volcanic ash poses serious health concerns. According to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, the fine particles can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and may worsen conditions for those with asthma, lung disease, or heart issues.
Residents gather supplies and gear up for pets
Residents across Anchorage have begun preparing. Stores have seen a spike in demand for N95 masks, goggles, gloves, and water jugs. Pet owners are also taking precautions – buying dog booties, pet goggles, and even gas masks for their animals.
Angela Łot’oydaatlno Gonzalez, a local resident, shared her preparedness routine in a TikTok video showing her dogs wearing protective eyewear.
@ayatlin Getting ready for Mt. Spurr’s possible eruption.
How are you preparing?#alaskavolcano #MtSpurr
Seismic activity, gas emissions raise concern
Mount Spurr’s current unrest began in April 2024. By October, weekly earthquakes around the volcano jumped from about 30 to over 125.
More recently, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded hundreds of small tremors within 30 miles of the volcano. A 3.7-magnitude quake on April 2 struck near Petersville at a depth of 65 miles—deep enough to suggest tectonic activity, though scientists believe it could also relate to rising magma.
Steam emissions from Mount Spurr's summit.
Note the departing 747 aircraft in the foreground: Mount Spurr is located ~80 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, the 4th busiest air cargo airport in the world.
Photo Date: March 26, 2025.
Image/Info Credit: AVO, USGS & Ole Jordan. pic.twitter.com/9tU6W6hEcs
— Cora A. Harris
(@CoraAHarris) April 6, 2025
AVO said it continues to monitor small, shallow quakes and gas emissions from both the summit and a side vent called Crater Peak. Elevated gas levels were first reported on March 7. The combination of seismic activity, ground deformation, and emissions has raised concern that an eruption could happen soon.
Looking back at the 1992 eruption of Crater Peak
While Mount Spurr’s summit crater hasn’t erupted in 5,000 years, Crater Peak last erupted in 1992. That event blanketed Anchorage in ash, darkened skies during daylight hours, and shut down the city’s airport for 20 hours.
Two additional eruptions followed in August and September of the same year. Damages and cleanup costs exceeded $2 million, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
No deaths were reported, but two heart attacks – one of them fatal – were linked to ash cleanup efforts. If the volcano continues to show signs of building pressure, Haney said, the next major signal will be a volcanic tremor, indicating that an eruption is likely imminent.