After more than a year of heightened volcanic activity, the Alaska Volcano Observatory has lowered the aviation color code for Mount Spurr to green and the Volcano Alert Level to normal, signaling that the immediate threat of an eruption has passed.
Since early 2024, the volcano about 80 miles west of Anchorage had shown signs of unrest, including increased earthquakes, gas emissions, melting ice, and surface changes near its summit. Scientists say those indicators began tapering off this spring, and no ground deformation has been recorded since March 2025.
“Taken together, these observations indicate that the upward movement of magma has stopped,” AVO reported. “The chance of an eruption in the near-term is now considered extremely low.”
While the volcano has quieted, some activity remains. Small earthquakes are still occurring more often than before the unrest began, and volcanic gases continue to vent from both the summit crater and Crater Peak on the south flank. According to AVO, such activity is normal for a volcano where magma has risen but not erupted, and minor emissions could continue for months or even years.
Hazards still exist for those venturing onto the mountain. volcanologist have detected high levels of carbon dioxide gas along the rim of Crater Peak. The gas, which is both odorless and colorless, can be dangerous in enclosed areas and poses a potential risk to climbers and other recreators. AVO emphasized, however, that the emissions are not affecting surrounding communities.
Mount Spurr is the highest volcano in the Aleutian Arc, standing at 11,070 feet. Its most recent eruption occurred in 1992, when ash fell on Anchorage and disrupted air travel.
It worked, the Alaska Volcano Observatory got the funding they wanted for office space by declaring a “RED” scare. With funding in place they could go back to a “GREEN” normal for Mt Spurr.
Prominent components of the local media had us stockpiling dried foods and building bomb shelters to ride out the inevitable eruption. Many of these folks probably also believe in catastrophic global warming and assorted other Leftist theories. Irresponsible. Worse is that these media outlets are allowed to make handsome profits.
Chalk up another W for the “nothing ever happens” crowd.
Thank you, thank you very much.
It’s always good to get prepared and stay prepared. Still: at work the younger generation was losing their collective bowel control over this. Those of us who have seen this a time or two took a, “Lets look at the preps we have in the garage and basement and update if we need,” view of a potential eruption. People at the office were clamoring for hazmat suits, respirators and other falderal and flocking to the Employee Assistance Program to get help dealing with their panic over the potential ash fall. Flibbertygibbets, one and all.
Yep, Spurr was over-hyped by everyone involved. It’s clear that AVO and the hysterical press were co-conspirators in this most recent “scare”.
Partial agreement. Yes, it was overhyped. No, AVO was not a co-conspirator.
If the mountain is waking up, they are obligated to report it so as to notify the public. Remember that the biggest thing they exist to do is warn aviation of volcanic activity before, during and after eruptions. Activity from Spurr over the last couple years the before stage. In case you forgot, jet engines don’t play well with volcanic ash, and the last time Spurr woke up in 1992, it put a half inch of ash on ANC from 80 miles away.
This wasn’t a $$$ grab. It was they are hired to do and do it pretty well. Cheers –
I just need it to erupt and cover the big city in ash so I can get some free days of paid vacation.