A massive volcano in Alaska is showing signs of an imminent eruption, sparking concerns about potential disruptions to global air travel. The Spurr volcano, standing over 11,000 feet tall, is located about 130 kilometers west of Anchorage. Scientists have detected a surge in small earthquakes beneath the volcano, indicating magma buildup.
Matt Haney, a scientist with the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), warned that an eruption could be as intense as the one in 1992. The AVO has been closely monitoring the volcano since April 2024, noting numerous shallow earthquakes, surface changes, and steam emissions from the crater.
Dangers of Volcanic Ash
Volcanic ash poses a significant threat to aircraft, as tiny particles can damage engines, erode windshields, and harm plane surfaces. Flying during an eruption is extremely risky. Although the area around Spurr is sparsely populated, ash from an eruption could blanket Anchorage and spread to central US areas within days.
The AVO has raised the alert level from green to yellow since October 2024, after a small lake formed in the crater. If Spurr erupts, ash could reach 50,000 feet, grounding planes and shutting down major airports like Anchorage International. This could trigger a global domino effect, disrupting air cargo and e-commerce.
Learning from Past Eruptions
The 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland caused widespread disruption, closing over 300 airports for eight days and canceling 100,000 flights. The Spurr volcano itself erupted three times in 1992, forcing the closure of Anchorage airport for 20 hours and causing $2 million in damages. As scientists continue to monitor the situation, the world waits with bated breath, aware that the consequences of an eruption could be far-reaching.
Source: The Sun