Mount Spurr Shows Increased Activity, Alaska Volcano Observatory Warns of Potential Eruption

The Alaska Volcano Observatory reports increased seismic activity at Mount Spurr, a 3,300-meter volcano near Anchorage. Observed since early February, the activity includes numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes, weak sulfur dioxide emissions, and ground swelling. While the area around the volcano is uninhabited, a potential eruption poses a threat to Anchorage, located approximately 134 kilometers away, due to ashfall. The last eruption in 1992 disrupted air traffic, closing the Anchorage international airport for 20 hours. Authorities are preparing for a possible eruption in the coming weeks or months. Another active volcano, Great Sitkin, is currently erupting on Great Sitkin Island, but poses less of a threat to major population centers.