Not Iceland or Japan: Here’s where the next volcano could erupt and it’s in the United States

On Wednesday, March 12, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) revealed that a volcano near Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage, is likely to erupt soon. Recent overflights of Mount Spurr have shown “significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions”, indicating the presence of new magma beneath the volcano.

When could an eruption occur and what to expect

Mount Spurr, the volcano covered in ice and snow, is located 80 miles northwest of Anchorage and stands at 11,070 feet tall. It’s got two vents - the summit vent and the Crater Peak. The last time Crater Peak erupted was three times in 1992 and before that, once in 1953. The summit vent has not erupted in more than 5,000 years.

Mount Spurr was listed as being in the “yellow” advisory level in February after “unrest” occurred for 11 months.

Yellow signifies: “Volcano is exhibiting signs of elevated unrest above known background level or, after a change from a higher level, volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase."

Those living in low-lying areas or downwind from the gas vents could experience increased levels of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

AVO stated on their website that Mount Spurr is likely to erupt “in the next few weeks or months”. Although it’s not certain, the increase in gas emissions indicates that an eruption will happen soon.

“During overflights on March 7 and 11, AVO measured significantly elevated volcanic gas emissions from Mount Spurr volcano,” they wrote. “Newly reactivated fumaroles (gas vents) were also seen at the volcano’s Crater Peak vent. Elevated earthquake activity and ground deformation continue.”

They also wrote that the eruption (or eruptions) is/are likely to be similar to those that occurred in 1953 and 1992, which lasted for a few hours. They “produced ash clouds that were carried downwind for hundreds of miles and minor ashfall (up to about ¼ inch) on southcentral Alaska communities.”

They also assured that there would be indicators - “increase in seismic activity, gas emissions, and surface heating” - that would give ample warning of an eruption from days to weeks before it occurred.

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