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Scientists warn that one of America’s most deadly volcanoes is preparing for an eruption, and this is all we know about it.
The active volcano, Alaska’s nearest to Anchorage, is expected to erupt shortly, according to experts.
The likelihood of Mount Spurr erupting was said to have increased earlier this month, with an estimated time of “within the next few weeks or months.”
What do we need to know about the possible occurrence, then?
Here is what the public has been told thus far by the scientists:
Why is the volcano expected to erupt?
Since the volcano is meeting all of the typical indicators on their checklist, experts think it is about to explode.
“It’s almost like we have a checklist of the usual signs that volcanoes give us before they progress to an eruption, and now we’re seeing all four of those are giving us those indicators,” said Matt Haney, the scientist in charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, in an interview with Alaska Public Media.
Where is Mount Spurr located?
Mount Spurr is located about 80 miles west of Anchorage in a secluded area. Aside from the monitoring stations operated by the Alaska Volcano Observatory, there isn’t much infrastructure there, so if you wanted to go, you would have to rent a plane.
When is the eruption likely to happen?
Although it’s still unclear if an eruption will occur at all, scientists now think it’s more likely than not.
Haney said, “We haven’t quantified what that is in terms of a percentage but it is judged to be higher likelihood than this unrest dissipating.”
Will there be any warning before an eruption happens?
“Maybe” is the short response. Scientists measure the likelihood of a volcano erupting using a colour-coded system.
A volcano with a “yellow” warning is considered to be in advisory status and indicates that there have been indications of rising instability.
The orange colour above indicates that the situation is more imminent, but it only poses a minor risk to nearby residents.
A red alert indicates that a dangerous eruption is either approaching or has already begun at a volcano.
Although it is now impossible to predict when Mount Spurr will erupt, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is keeping an eye on its activity and has given it a Level of Concern Colour Code Yellow rating.
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