Alaska’s Mount Spurr volcano on yellow alert eruption watch as scientists provide update

Scientists provided an update Thursday connected nan chances of an eruption of nan Mount Spurr volcano in Alaska, a business being intimately monitored by officials successful Anchorage, nan state’s largest city.

According to a statement from nan Alaska Volcano Observatory, nan likelihood of an eruption has decreased somewhat since March because the volcano has exhibited less signs of unrest. However, nan upland remains astatine a yellowish alert level because nan unrest that is occurring is greater than normal, non-eruptive activity.

The AVO said that bad upwind conditions person prevented different formation complete nan volcano to show immoderate volcanic gases that whitethorn beryllium venting from nan upland since nan past 1 connected March 21, astir a period ago. Satellites person not detected immoderate sulfur dioxide coming from nan volcano since April 3, nan AVO said, but that whitethorn beryllium because of clouds that person kept Mount Spurr shrouded.

Scientists said that contempt nan little activity, nan volcano continues to grounds signs of unrest successful nan shape of earthquakes. 

AVO said nan unrest could proceed to diminution aliases prime up again, expanding nan chances of an eruption. Until upwind conditions amended and caller state information tin beryllium collected, nary existent determination tin beryllium made. 

Scientists said they are incapable to springiness a timeframe for an eruption if 1 were to happen, but they do expect to spot changes successful information earlier 1 happens, arsenic magma moves person to nan surface.

Mount Spurr hasn’t erupted since 1992. 

Authorities successful Anchorage said they are keeping a adjacent oculus connected Mount Spurr and are preparing for ashfall if an eruption were to occur. The biggest problems will beryllium a drastic simplification successful aerial value and machinery becoming clogged pinch ash, officials said.