Steaming from summit of Mt. Spurr observed
Eighty miles west of Anchorage, Alaska
Alaskan volcano Mount Spurr showing activity that will ‘most likely end in an explosive eruption,’ scientist says
Mount Spurr near Anchorage has been showing signs of unrest for a year. Now scientists think it’s creeping closer to an eruption.
Stephanie Pappas
"This time period of unrest will eventually most likely end in an explosive eruption like the ones that happened in 1953 and 1992," Haney told Live Science. ¶Those eruptions both took place at Crater Peak, a flank vent about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the stratovolcano's summit. The last time the mountain's peak erupted was likely more than 5,000 years ago, Haney said, so scientists don't expect an eruption there — most likely, the rock between the eruptible magma and the summit crater is well-solidified and would be hard for any magma to burst through. ¶Any eruption will probably occur at Crater Peak, which has been more recently active and which probably has easier pathways to the surface for magma to move.
Nevertheless, the steaming and melting of ice and snow which were observed this weekend are from the summit of the mountain, not merely from the Crater Peak flank. A summit eruption of Mt. Spurr has the potential to be much more catastrophic than a flank eruption.
Alaska Volcano Observatory | Spurr
March 22, 2025, 10:21 am ¶Unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano. Seismicity remains elevated with numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano over the past day. An AVO overflight conducted yesterday observed continued steaming from the summit fumaroles and gas emissions. Steaming from the summit was readily apparent in webcam and by eye from Anchorage last night and this morning. ¶AVO continues monitoring activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption. Based on previous eruptions, changes from current activity in the earthquakes, ground deformation, summit lake conditions, and fumarolic activity would be expected if magma began to move closer to the surface. Therefore, if an eruption occurred, it would be preceded by additional signals allowing warning. ¶The volcano is monitored using local seismic, infrasound, web camera, and GNSS stations along with regional infrasound, lightning networks and satellite data.
Alaska’s Mount Spurr getting even closer to eruption as unrest escalates, volcanologists say
Alaska’s Mount Spurr, an active volcano near the most populated region in the state, is getting even closer to an eruption, according to volcanologists.
ABC News
¶Over the last month, more than 100 earthquakes per week have been occurring at the site as well. Ground deformation and collapse of snow and ice into the summit crater lake that formed during the unrest also continues, scientists said. ¶An increase in gas emissions confirms that new magma has entered the Earth’s crust beneath the volcano, indicating that an eruption is likely in the next weeks or months, according to the observatory.
Scientists are waiting and watching for the hundreds of small earthquakes to coalesce into a continuous “volcanic tremor” which would more typically precede a violent eruption.
Mount Spurr Shows Signs of Imminent Eruption
Mount Spurr Shows Signs of Imminent Eruption
OV Desk
The last eruption from the summit itself is believed to have taken place over 5,000 years ago, which complicates predictions about magma breaking through the solidified rock in that area. ... As magma movement continues, scientists are on high alert for any signs of tremor, which would likely signal a further escalation toward an eruption.