A volcano near Alaska’s largest city may erupt soon
Scientists warn of increased activity, raising the chances of an eruption in the coming weeks or months
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LIFESTYLE Safety
Scientists are closely monitoring Mount Spurr, a glacier-covered volcano located about 80 miles (nearly 130 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, after detecting significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions. The Alaska Volcano Observatory warns that while an eruption is not certain, the chances have increased for the coming weeks or months.
Mount Spurr is one of 53 volcanoes in Alaska that have been active in the past 250 years. Its main vent has been inactive for over 5,000 years, but another of its vents erupted once in 1953 and three times in 1992. Those eruptions lasted between three and seven hours, sending ash clouds more than 50,000 feet (about 15,250 meters) into the air, covering parts of south-central Alaska in volcanic dust. Experts say a future eruption would likely follow a similar pattern.
The 1992 eruptions forced temporary airport closures in Anchorage and other communities, as ashfall of up to a quarter-inch (60 centimeters) covered the region. Volcanic ash, which can damage aircraft engines and reduce visibility, also poses serious health risks, as inhaling fine ash particles can cause breathing complications for residents. If Mount Spurr erupts again, it could also impact Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, one of the world’s busiest cargo hubs.
It is no small thing to constantly live on the edge of danger, with every sunrise bringing the possibility of either destruction or peace. Life in the shadow of an active volcano certainly comes with its own challenges, but while there are some extremely dangerous volcanoes around the world, it isn’t impossible to live near them.
Intrigued? Click through and read on as we explore active volcanoes where people live (and how you can be one of them).
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