Dozens of mini earthquakes have struck near a 11,000-foot-tall volcano in Alaska that experts fear is ‘moving closer to an eruption.’
According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), a total of 55 earthquakes have been identified within the last week, with some occurring in ‘swarms,’ which are clusters of multiple quakes happening in rapid succession.
Authorities have stated that this uptick in seismic activity indicates that magma is moving upward beneath Mount Spurr, causing stress and fracturing in the nearby rock formations, resulting in the occurrence of earthquakes.
In response to these developments, emergency measures have been swiftly arranged for the inhabitants of Anchorage, numbering over 300,000 people, advising them to gather essential supplies such as food, baby items, and pet provisions in anticipation of potential disruptions to the supply chain and possible delivery delays caused by a volcanic eruption.
The city’s residents have gone on a buying frenzy of N95 masks, water jugs and protective gear as they brace for an eruption.
When it blows, the event ‘would be explosive,’ Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO told DailyMail.com, adding that it would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air.
Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, resulting in Anchorage and other nearby communities being engulfed in a giant cloud.
While Anchorage is not within the impact zone, massive clouds of ash are likely to blanket the city and residents.
Volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause more serious health issues for people with asthma, other forms of lung disease and severe heart problems
The city of Anchorage, 80 miles from Mount Spurr, is home to around 300,000 people who are bracing for an eruption
The AVO shared on Friday: ‘Volcanic unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano and is characterized by ongoing earthquake activity.
‘Seismicity remains elevated with about 55 earthquakes over the last week. While this is similar to the previous week, earthquake rates have shown variability during this current period of unrest.’
The AVO also noted that ground deformation (the swelling or shifting of the volcano’s surface) has paused recently, but this happened before in November and December and then picked back up again.
Seismic activity near Mount Spurr kicked off in April 2024, and the rate of events increased from an average of 30 per week to an average of 125 per week in early October that has continued since.
While the recent quakes are small, the swarms suggest pressure is building, cracks are widening and magma is moving.
Mount Spurr was releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit crater and a side vent last month, which is an indicator of changes within the volcano, such as water being heated by magma deep underground.
While the AVO said no sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data over the past week, ‘cloudy conditions prevented views of the volcano most of the week.’
‘AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating the volcano is moving closer to an eruption,’ it added.
The volcano’s summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago.
The 1992 eruption saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash.
Emergency plans have hastily been put in place for the more than 300,000 residents of Anchorage, warning them to stock up on food, baby supplies and pet necessities as the eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recently sounded the alarm on Mount Spurr after observing elevated seismic activity. Pictured is Mount Spurr releasing gas on March 26
The volcano’s summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. The 1992 eruption (pictured) saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash
The skies darkened in the middle of the day and the city’s airport was forced to shut down for 20 hours.
When Mount Spurr blows, the eruption will most likely be from this side vent and will look similar to the 1992 event, Haney said.
Back in February, scientists had warned Mount Spurr was likely to erupt in the next few weeks or months.
On March 20, Anchorage officials raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, which means that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols.
The city has also issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption.
Anchorage locals are also preparing their dogs for the eruption. They have shared photos of their pups’ protective gear on the Facebook page for a local pet shop, AK Bark, which is selling goggles and dog respirators
Officials advised them to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside
Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside.
Residents of Anchorage have not taken the warnings lightly and have purchases necessary gear for themselves and their dogs.
‘We’re getting ready for the volcanic eruption,’ said TikTok user Angela Łot’oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, ‘Check out the dogs.’
Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. ‘They’re not happy with the goggles,’ Gonzalez says. ‘We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.’
She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water.
Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt.
‘I searched ‘pink, dog goggles, small,’ and it was the top result,’ Salanguit said of Iroh’s heart-shaped goggles. ‘Aren’t they darling?’
AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March.
He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he’s already presold 1,800 of them.
