An increase in the number of earthquakes under a volcano near Alaska’s largest city this year has geologists paying attention.
Mount Spurr, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage, last erupted in 1992, spewing an ash cloud nearly 12 miles (19 kilometers) into the air, prompting flights to be canceled and people to don masks. Another eruption at the 11,100-foot (3,383-meter) stratovolcano could be severely disruptive to the city, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
The observatory raised its alert status for Mount Spurr in October — from green to yellow — when the increase in seismic activity became pronounced and a ground deformation was spotted in satellite data. Observatory scientist David Fee said Friday there have been about 1,500 small earthquake below the volcano this year, compared to about 100 in a normal year.
While that might seem like a lot, it’s “not an enormous amount,” Fee said. It could be a precursor to an eruption — or not. Similar seismic unrest occurred from 2004 to 2006 before subsiding without an eruption.
“We don’t see any significant change in our data that would tell us that an eruption is imminent,” Fee said. “Things have been kind of this low-level unrest for a while now and we’re, of course, watching it very closely to detect any changes and what that might mean.”
Scientists are monitoring seismic stations, global satellite data and a webcam for additional changes that would signal an impending eruption. If magma is moving closer to the surface, there would be an increase in earthquakes, ground deformations, the creation of a summit lake or fumaroles, which are vents that open in the surface to vent gas and vapors.
The volcano last erupted in 1992 from the Crater Peak flank vent, located about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the summit. The eruption dropped about a quarter-inch of ash in Anchorage that year, prompting residents to stay inside or to go out donning masks, and the cloud drifted as far as Greenland.
A similar eruption from the same vent happened in 1953. The last known eruption from the summit was more than 5,000 years ago.
Volcanic ash is angular and sharp and has been used as an industrial abrasive. The powdered rock can cause a jet engine to shut down, which prompted Anchorage and other nearby airports to close during the 1992 eruption.
Closing airports is always an inconvenience in a state with few roads, but can be more than just inconvenient. Business would also be impacted since the Anchorage airport today is among the world’s busiest cargo hubs with Memphis, Hong Kong and Shanghai, mainly because of Alaska’s proximity to Asia.
Mount Spurr, located on the Volcanic Ring of Fire, is one of 53 volcanoes in Alaska that have been active within the last 250 years.
Beach-side restaurant announces indefinite closure after growing threat causes permanent damage: ‘It’s a kick in the gut’
A beloved waterfront restaurant in Bradenton, Florida, has permanently closed its doors after sustaining severe damage from back-to-back hurricanes, according to the Herald-Tribune.
What happened?
Caddy’s Bradenton Riverwalk, known for its white-sand beach and stunning views of the Manatee River, suffered catastrophic damage during Hurricane Milton, including a collapsed tiki hut that covered one of its two bars.
“It’s a kick in the gut having two storms back-to-back,” Caddy’s CEO Randy Esponda told Fox Weather. “We’re resilient and happy as can be that the building is intact.”
While other Tampa Bay area Caddy’s locations are temporarily closed for repairs, the Bradenton location’s closure is permanent, according to the restaurant’s website.
Why are restaurant closures concerning?
The permanent shutdown of this popular gathering spot reflects a troubling pattern of how stronger storms are affecting our coastal communities and local economies.
While extreme weather events have always happened, scientists have found that warming temperatures are making hurricanes more intense and destructive. These storms pose increasing challenges for waterfront businesses, which often serve as economic anchors for their communities.
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Caddy’s wasn’t just a restaurant. It was a beloved local destination that employed dozens of people and created cherished memories for countless families since opening on St. Patrick’s Day in 2017.
What’s being done to protect coastal businesses?
Many coastal communities are taking proactive steps to help waterfront businesses become more resilient.
Some cities are updating building codes to require stronger construction materials and better storm protection, while others are offering grants to help businesses install flood barriers and hurricane-resistant windows. Business owners can also work with local climate resilience experts to develop action plans.
