A gigantic volcano in Alaska shows signs of an approaching eruption.
Significantly raised levels of volcanic gas emissions were recently observed around the Spurr Mountain, which is 75 miles from Anchorage that is home to nearly 300,000 people.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said that the emissions 'confirm' that new magma flows under the volcano, which indicates a foreseeable eruption.
Increased seismic activity and earth distorting are also detected in the surrounding area.
These signs indicate 'that an outburst will probably, but not certain, will take place within a few weeks or months', scientists said.
If Mount Spurr bursts, it would produce destructive mud flows, avalanches of hot gas and streams of lava racing on the volcano side by more than 200 miles per hour.
Scientists predict that the ash cloud would travel hundreds of kilometers away and everyone in low -lying areas in poisonous emissions would flood.
“Although we expect additional changes in the monitoring of data prior to an eruption, it is also possible that an eruption could occur with little or no extra warning,” they said.
Scientists warn Mount Spurr in Alaska could burst out within a few weeks or months. It broke out for the last time in 1992 (photo)
The warning comes after the Mount Spurr has experienced A cluster of small earthquakes in recent months.
“In the past month, AVO has found more than 100 earthquakes per week under Mount Spurr,” the team shared Bulletin in a Wednesday.
'Most earthquakes are shallow (less than 2.5 miles below sea level). Magnitudes are as large today as M2.7. More than 3400 earthquakes have been under the volcano since April 2024. '
The most recent signs were the increase in gas emissions, which reflect shifts in Magma properties and activity under the volcano.
The observatory carried out two flights above the volcano and recorded high levels of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and other gases.
Sulfur dioxide levels were nine times higher than a detected in December, so AVO spent the Bulletin.
Coordinating scientist David Fee said The Alaska Beaconon: 'Nothing came out earlier, and now a lot of gas, in particular CO2 comes out, which usually, when we have seen this at volcanoes in Alaska and all over the world, this means that eruption becomes more likely.
Mount Spurr is one of the 53 volcanoes in Alaska. It is about 75 miles from Anchorage that is 300,000 people home base
Scientists predicted that the ash cloud would travel hundreds of kilometers away and flood someone in low -lying areas in poisonous emissions
Scientists believe that the most likely scenario will be comparable to explosive outbursts that took place in 1953 and 1992.
The events lasted between three and seven hours, produced Ash Columns that rose more than 50,000 feet above sea level and Asfall in the South Central Alaska communities, according to the observatory.
These came from Crater Peak Vent, about two miles south of the top. The last eruption of the top opening was more than 5000 years ago.
In 1992 Ashfall of about a quarter-inch in Anchorage led residents to stay inside or to wear masks if they go outside to prevent axis from breathing. The cloud drove to Greenland.
Volcanic axis is angular and sharp and is used as an industrial abrasive. The powdered rock can cause a jet engine to be switched off.
The event led to the temporary closures of airports in Anchorage and other communities.
Mount Spurr is an 11,070 feet long, ice and snow -covered volcano and is one of the 53 in Alaska.
“We expect further increase in seismic activity, gas emissions and surface heating prior to an eruption, if anyone would perform,” shared AVO scientists.
“Such stronger unrest can offer days up to weeks of extra warning.”
