In October 2024, the Alaska Volcano Observatory issued a yellow advisory for Mount Spurr in Alaska. This means the volcano is showing greater signs of unrest than normal. Scientists predict that it may erupt again in 2025. Monitoring activities at Mount Spurr look for signals indicating that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption. If an eruption occurred, there would be advanced warning.
Mount Spurr is located 126 kilometres northwest of Anchorage. Mount Spurr had major eruptions in 1953 and 1992.
How a Mount Spurr eruption could affect the Yukon
The immediate volcanic hazards from Mount Spurr, such as magma, would not impact the Yukon. Volcanic ash, however, can affect regions thousands of kilometres from its source. Western Canada, including the Yukon, can be impacted by ash from distant volcanic eruptions, such as Mount Spurr.
Volcanic ash is unlike the soft ash produced by burning wood. Volcanic ash is:
- hard;
- abrasive;
- slightly corrosive; and
- electrically charged.
It does not dissolve in water.
Information about Mount Spurr volcanic activity
For up-to-date information about the activity at Mount Spurr, visit the Alaska Volcano Observatory. The Alaska Volcano Observatory monitors and studies Alaska's volcanoes to:
- forecast and record eruptive activity; and
- mitigate volcanic hazards to life and property.
They use a variety of instrumentation and techniques to detect and interpret signs of volcanic unrest or eruption.