Everything we know about one of America's most dangerous volcanoes as scientists warn it's about to erupt
This is everything we know about one of America’s most dangerous volcanoes as scientists are warning the public that it is gearing up for an eruption.
Experts believe that the active volcano, which is the closest one to Anchorage in Alaska, will erupt soon.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the chances of Mount Spurr erupting had increased and it was thought that it could happen ‘within the next few weeks or months’.
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So, what do we need to know about the potential event?
Here’s everything the scientists have informed the public on so far:
Why is the volcano expected to erupt?
Experts believe the volcano is due to erupt because it is ticking off the usual signs on their checklist.
Speaking to Alaska Public Media, Matt Haney, who is the scientist in charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory, said: “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.”
Where is Mount Spurr located?
Mount Spurr can be found in a remote region around 80 miles west of Anchorage. If you wanted to visit it, you’d have to charter a plane as there is very little in terms of infrasture there, apart from the Alaska Volcano Observatory’s monitoring stations.
When is the eruption likely to happen?
While it isn’t clear yet if an eruption will definitely happen at all, scientists now believe that its’ more likely to happen 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?
The short answer is - maybe. Scientists use a color code to label how soon a volcano is likely to erupt.
If a volcano has a ‘yellow’ warning, this means that there has been signs of increased unrest and it has an advisory status.
Above that is orange, which means it is more imminent but only posing a limited hazard to people in the area.
If a volcano is given a red warning, this means that a hazardous eruption is either imminent or already underway.
There’s no telling just yet whether Mount Spurr will erupt anytime soon but the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is continuing to monitor its activity and currently rates it as Level of Concern Color Code Yellow.