Mount Spear: Severe Unrest, Potential for Massive Eruption

Earthquakes Hit Major Volcano

 Alaska Fears After 73 Earthquakes Hit Major Volcano

The Alaska Volcano Observatory announced last week that Mount Spear remains at a high level of unrest, and a massive eruption is likely.

Fear is spreading among hundreds of thousands of Americans living near a giant volcano whose eruption is now imminent and expected at any moment. This comes after authorities detected 73 earthquakes in the area, which could lead to an imminent and massive eruption.

According to details published by the British newspaper "Daily Mail," the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) announced last week that Mount Spear remains at a high level of unrest, and a massive eruption is likely. The Observatory stated that in addition to the 73 recorded tremors, "much smaller earthquakes are occurring several times per hour."

Seismic activity is caused by magma rising to the surface, creating pressure and cracks in the surrounding rocks. The agency also observed steam rising from the volcano and an increase in gas emissions. The Alaska Volcano Monitor has warned that any imminent eruption is likely to resemble those of 1953 and 1992.

These previous events involved one or more explosions—each lasting several hours—that produced ash clouds that traveled hundreds of miles, dropping large amounts of ash across south-central Alaska.

Mount Spear is about 129 kilometers from Anchorage, a city of approximately 300,000 people, and could be completely covered in ash. Residents are already preparing for a potential eruption, which experts say could occur within "weeks to months." Mount Spear has been showing signs of eruption since last fall, prompting experts to issue a warning.

The National Volcano Monitor reported in its update that ground deformation at Mount Spear has slowed over the past month, but noted that it previously occurred in November and December 2024 before resuming activity. Unrest at Mount Spear continues, albeit at a lower level than observed in early 2025, according to the updated reports.

While the potential for an eruption has decreased since last March, the volcano remains highly unstable. Each ash-producing explosion episode will last three to four hours, and the resulting plume could blanket Anchorage and nearby towns in a thick layer of dust.

The eruption will also produce destructive mudslides and avalanches of volcanic debris rushing down the volcano's flank at speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour, "but fortunately, no communities within this range will be affected," experts say.

Transportation systems could be disrupted as the eruption will cause international chaos. The massive ash cloud will force international airports such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and possibly Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to close.

The suspension of all flights arriving and departing from these airports could have ripple effects across the United States, leading to widespread delays, cancellations, and even disruption to the global supply chain.