Scientists are urging people who live in southcentral Alaska to begin preparing for a possible eruption of the Mount Spurr volcano.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory said now is a good time for Alaskans to “familiarize themselves with the possible hazards of a Spurr eruption” following last week’s announcement that the likelihood of an eruption has increased.
“The major hazards to Alaska residents from Spurr would be from ash risk to aviation and possible ashfall,” the observatory said in a Wednesday post on X.
Ash can hurt the eyes and lungs, damage vehicles and its weight can make it physically demanding to clear up. The observatory cautioned residents to stay indoors and wear a face mask outside if ash is present.
The eruption would cause volcanic mudflows and pyroclastic flows, which are hot, high-speed flows of ash, volcanic rocks, and gas. The observatory said the areas immediately surrounding the volcano would be affected by the pyroclastic flows. The volcanic mudflows pose very little risk because there are no communities in that area.
Although people do not live in the immediate area surrounding Mount Spurr, it is a tourist destination. Nearby towns include Beluga, Nikiski, Salamatof, Tyonek, and Susitna. Mount Spurr is nearly 80 miles from Anchorage.
“Anyone considering a visit to the area around Spurr should be aware of these hazards, keep up to date with Spurr activity by signing up for the Volcano Notification Service, and obey any restrictions that might be put in place by land and emergency managers,” the post stated.
The observatory said the timing, location and duration of the impacts depend on weather conditions and the size and duration of the eruption.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory’s website states that eruptions that occurred in 1953 and 1992 were explosive. In the 1953 eruption, a single powerful blast about an hour long created a plume that was 30,000 feet high.
About a quarter inch of ash fell on Anchorage, shutting down the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport for two days.
In 1992, the volcano’s eruption sparked three explosions that occurred in June, August and September. The plume from the first explosion reached 47,500 feet, and the second explosion caused the Anchorage airport to close for 20 hours.
