In 1992, Mt. Spurr erupted three times, coating many areas in Southcentral Alaska with one-eighth inch of volcanic ash. That eighth inch was enough to ground planes for about eight hours. Over thirty years later, Mt. Spurr displays some signs pointing to a possible eruption.
According to Matthew Haney from the Alaska Volcano Observatory, it’s possible Upper Valley residents could see up to a one-quarter inch of volcanic ash. However, this is largely dependent on which way the wind blows at the time of an eruption. When Mt. Spurr erupted in 1992, the volcanic ash was sent in a different direction each of the three times it erupted.
Despite the uncertainty of where the ash may fall, Haney said it’s still best to be prepared. He recommended following guidelines such as minimizing time spent outside during ashfall to prevent damage to air passageways. When outdoors, he recommended wearing masks and goggles. He added it’s important to continue wearing a mask even days after the ash settles as vehicles driving by can kick the ash back in the air. Additionally, Haney said covering vehicles with a tarp could help protect them getting damaged.
While there is increased seismic activity, Haney said there will likely be more signs before an eruption occurs. However, there is a chance the volcano won’t erupt at all. From 2004 to 2006, Mt. Spurr displayed some increased seismic activity, but after years of monitoring, nothing happened.
Haney said that in the event of an eruption, Upper Valley residents would still have hours before volcanic ash reaches them, which would provide some extra time to run out and make necessary preparations.
As we wait for further information on Mt. Spurr, Haney said the Alaska Volcano Observatory will continue to monitor seismic activity and collect air samples. He added that people can subscribe to the Volcano Notification Service to receive further updates on Mt. Spurr.
