Scientists have raised alarms about the potential eruption of Mount Spurr, a towering volcano in Alaska. Warnings suggest it could unleash its fury within weeks or months.
This 11,070-foot, ice-covered giant, located just 80 miles west of Anchorage—a city of over 300,000 residents—has shown unsettling signs of activity, prompting concern from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) and grabbing headlines across the U.S.
A dramatic uptick in seismic activity marks Mount Spurr’s recent unrest.
According to a bulletin from the AVO, over 3,400 earthquakes have rattled beneath the volcano since April 2024, with more than 100 quakes per week recorded in the past month alone.
Most of these tremors are shallow, occurring less than 2.5 miles below sea level, and some have reached magnitudes as high as 2.7. While these quakes are relatively small, their frequency and clustering near the volcano are what have experts on edge.
The Daily Mail reported on March 13, 2025, that scientists are interpreting these signs as indicators that “an eruption is likely, but not certain,” in the near future.
Beyond earthquakes, the AVO has noted other red flags. Increased seismic activity, rising gas emissions, and surface heating are all expected precursors to a potential eruption.
These signals suggest magma may be shifting beneath the surface, a process that could build pressure and lead to an explosive release. However, scientists caution that while these changes are significant, they don’t guarantee an imminent eruption.
“It is also possible that an eruption could occur with little or no additional warning,” the AVO stated, highlighting the unpredictable nature of volcanic systems.
If Mount Spurr were to erupt, the consequences could be catastrophic. The volcano’s last major eruption in 1992 sent ash plumes skyward and disrupted air travel across the region.
This time, experts warn of destructive mudslides, avalanches of hot gas, and lava flows racing down its slopes at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour.
An ash cloud could spread hundreds of miles, potentially engulfing low-lying areas in toxic emissions and posing risks to both human health and infrastructure.
Anchorage, though not directly in the path of lava flows, could face significant fallout from ash, which can cripple aviation, contaminate water supplies, and strain respiratory systems.
Posts on X reflect a mix of alarm and curiosity among the public. Users have shared links to news stories, with some calling Mount Spurr “one of America’s most volatile volcanoes” and others questioning the timeline of “weeks or months.”
This uncertainty underscores a key point: volcanic predictions are notoriously difficult.
While the data points to heightened risk, the AVO emphasizes that stronger unrest—such as larger quakes or more pronounced gas emissions—might provide days to weeks of additional warning.
Alternatively, the volcano could quiet down, as it has after past periods of activity.
Mount Spurr isn’t alone in its restlessness. Alaska is home to 53 active volcanoes, part of the volatile Ring of Fire encircling the Pacific Ocean.
Yet, its proximity to a major population center sets it apart. Scientists are now intensifying monitoring efforts, using satellite imagery, gas sensors, and seismometers to track every rumble and emission.
The Daily Mail noted that the volcano’s ice and snow cover could amplify hazards, turning eruptions into torrents of melted water and debris known as lahars.
Critically, the narrative of an impending eruption warrants scrutiny. Headlines screaming “eruption in weeks” grab attention, but the science is less definitive.
Volcanic systems are complex, and false alarms are not uncommon—Mount Spurr has stirred before without blowing its top. The AVO’s language reflects this caution, framing the threat as “likely but not certain.”
Still, with thousands of earthquakes and a history of explosive behavior (its 1992 eruption dumped ash on Anchorage), the risk is real enough to warrant preparation.
