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Mount Spurr might be rumbling to life (near Anchorage)
In recent days, there has been repeated increased seismic activity near Mount Spurr (closest volcano to Anchorage, Alaska.)
(Photo courtesy of Ellie Boyce and the Alaska Volcano Observatory / University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute)
The photo above was captured on October 15, 2024 this is the information:
Here is the site we are using to monitor new activity on this volcano. The site is reporting current seismic data, links to active web cams, and ashfall and ash cloud forecasts.Mount Spurr on a cloudless sunny morning, as seen from AVO monitoring station CKT. Mount Spurr summit is the tallest point in the image, and there is a faint steam plume visible on the right side of the peak. Directly in front of and below the summit is Crater Peak, the vent location of Spurr's most recent eruptions.
October 27th Report at 11:14 am
To give an idea as to the proximity of this volcano:No major changes were detected in the past day at Mount Spurr. Seismicity remains elevated with several small earthquakes detected. No unusual activity was observed in clear satellite or web camera data over the past day.
AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spurr for signals that would indicate that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption. Based on previous eruptions, changes from current activity in the earthquakes, ground deformation, summit lake, and fumaroles would be expected if magma began to move closer to the surface. Therefore, it is very likely that if an eruption were to occur it would be preceded by additional signals that would allow advance warning.
Local seismic, infrasound, web cameras, and GNSS stations are used to monitor Mount Spurr along with regional infrasound, lightning networks and satellite data.
(Courtesy of avo.alaska.edu/volcano/, click on the link to open the map to zoom in and see the communities and other features)
Ash fall, if the the volcano were to erupt would likely be VERY INTENSE in Anchorage.
The photo at the top of the page was shot from the Spurr CKT web cam location shown as the black web cam symbol directly south of the volcano. It would likely be a source of dramatic views.Special hazard info:
Mount Spurr (including Crater Peak) is listed as “very high threat” by the most recent edition of the USGS National Volcanic Threat Assessment. This is because it has erupted frequently in recent history and has shown signs of unrest since its most recent eruption. It is near a large international airport with a high daily passenger volume and would likely disrupt air travel for some time in any future eruption and cut off air access to interior Alaska . Because Mount Spurr is covered with an enormous volume of glacial ice, future eruptions are very likely to cause significant lahars, as happened in 1953 and 1992. If a lahar dammed the Chakachatna River, the river could back up to Chakachamna Lake and even “float” the ice dam there created by Barrier Glacier, which would likely lead to a very large flood that could reach Cook Inlet. As there are no permanent structures within the Chakachatna valley, this would luckily pose minor risk to people.
MarkLocation map of Spurr Volcano, Cook Inlet region, Alaska.
Courtesy of J.R.G. Schaefer, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory / Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
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