Off The Record
Imminent Eruption Threat Sparks Mass Alert for 300,000 U.S. Residents
Scientists believe that a nearby volcano will erupt, and hundreds of thousands of Americans are preparing for the worst.
Although there are 169 volcanoes classified as “active” in the 50 states of the United States, Alaska’s 11,070-foot-tall Mount Spurr, which is located near Anchorage, the state’s largest city, appears to be poised to erupt.
On a clear day, Alaskans living 81 miles away in the coastal city may see the volcano, which is just under 2,000 feet taller than the Yellowstone supervolcano.
More than 100 earthquakes have occurred beneath Mount Spurr every week between February and March, according to a report by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), the regulatory agency that regularly monitors 90 of the 140 volcanoes thought to be located on the state.
It also said that since April 2022, over 3,400 earthquakes have occurred near the volcano.
In an interview with Alaska Public Media, AVO scientist Matt Haney described the possible appearance of an eruption.
“A Spurr eruption similar to those in 1953 and 1992 would likely not be audible for people in Anchorage but would be audible if one were close to the volcano. However it wouldn’t be advisable to be that close,” the scientist said.
“Ash-producing eruptions can produce volcanic lightning in the ash cloud due to friction between volcanic ash particles, and that lightning produces thunder, which may be audible at further distances.”
“More often than not, we have explosive eruptions that fragment magma and shoot ash, you know, 50,000 feet into the atmosphere.”
In 1992, Mount Spurr erupted three times, in June, August, and September, compared to only one explosion 39 years earlier.
Haney added, “On August 18, 1992, which was the second of the three explosions, the winds were blowing to Anchorage that day, and the ash was carried over Anchorage, and ashfall ensued on Anchorage.”
It would probably result in ash falling over Anchorage and the other settlements, given the last significant eruption occurred about 43 years ago.
In anticipation of the impending eruption, residents of Alaska who live near Mount Spurr have started to stockpile face masks, gas masks, safety goggles, latex gloves, and lots of water.
Inhaling volcanic ash can lead to lung disorders, serious health problems for people with asthma, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, according to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN).
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