Fears US mega volcano eruption could spark travel chaos across the world as experts warn it could explode ‘IN WEEKS'
A MASSIVE Alaskan volcano is on the brink of erupting — and terrified experts warn it could happen within weeks.
Mount Spurr, the 11,000-foot behemoth sitting just 80 miles west of Anchorage, has been rumbling with frequent small earthquakes as scientists fear it's moving closer to an explosive eruption.
5
5
5
The potential blast, experts say, could unleash global travel chaos and choke a critical cargo route between North America and Asia.
The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said in a chilling update: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr.'
'Most of the earthquakes that are occurring under the volcano are too small to be located.'
If it blows, the fallout could ground flights worldwide.
A massive ash cloud could shoot 50,000 feet into the air, forcing nearby Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down — sparking a ripple effect across global air travel.
'Mount Spurr has the potential to snare travel and cargo logistics, resulting in disruptions that extend far beyond the Alaskan border,' experts warned.
The AVO has been tracking the volcano's increasing activity since April 2024, monitoring telltale signs like shallow quakes, ground deformation, and gas and steam emissions.
And they all point to one thing — that magma level is rising.
Scientist-in-charge Matt Haney told the Daily Mail that if Spurr blows again, the event 'would be explosive,' adding it would likely mimic the volcano's last eruption in 1992.
Back then, three blasts rocked Alaska over the summer, with August's eruption shutting down Anchorage's airport for 20 hours and blanketing the city in an eighth of an inch of ash.
Commerce ground to a halt, office buildings shuttered, and $2 million in damages were reported.
The ash isn't just a nuisance — it's deadly to aircraft. Its fine particles can shred engines, corrode cockpit windows, damage fuselage, and knock out vital instruments mid-flight.
'It is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby,' the AVO warned.
ANC is a crucial cog in the global supply chain — the world's fourth-busiest cargo airport, handling over 8,000 freight flights each month.
Even minor disruptions can delay shipments, e-commerce, and manufacturing deliveries.
A total shutdown would bring it all to a standstill.
And as one of the top diversion and refuelling spots for polar and Pacific air routes, any closure at ANC or FAI would force passenger flights from Asia, Europe, and North America to divert, triggering delays and chaos across multiple continents.
5
5
'There are no residents living in the 'identified hazard areas for pyroclastic flows and lahars,'' the AVO said.
But the ashfall could rain on Anchorage and spread across the central US within days — just as it did in 1992.
The mountain's warning level was upgraded from green to yellow in October 2024 after a small lake formed in its summit crater.
Since then, 'seismic activity remained elevated with numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano,' the AVO reported.
Experts say the final red flag will be a volcanic tremor — a constant shaking that lasts minutes to days — signaling magma is on the move.
That's exactly what happened three weeks before Mount Spurr blew in June 1992.
'Alaska's Mount Spurr is about to erupt. Be ready,' the AVO posted on X.
And with the clock ticking, officials are urging residents and air traffic operators alike to brace for a blast that could bring the skies — and global trade — to a grinding halt.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Watch moment idiot tourists climb into fiery mouth of active volcano Popocatépetl in death defying stunt
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment that three tourists risked their lives by clambering into a live, lava-filled volcano. The thrill-seeking football fans, believed to support Club América, ignored Civil Protection warnings that getting too close to Popocatépetl in central Mexico could be deadly. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tourists filmed the lava inside the Popocatépetl volcano Credit: x/@volcaholic1 5 One of the tourists can be seen smiling in front of the active volcano Credit: x/@volcaholic1 5 Officials have slammed the act as dangerous Credit: x/@volcaholic1 Shocking footage captured by the trio shows one man climbing up to the edge of the Popocatépetl volcano's crater. The video, filmed at 7.23am on March 30, reveals glowing lava deep within the volcano. The tourists also posed for a selfie at the summit - despite strict restrictions in place under a Phase 2 yellow alert, issued by the National Coordination of Civil Protection. Both the Civil Protection authorities and CENAPRED (National Centre for Disaster Prevention) have repeatedly warned that this alert level carries the risk of explosions and the ejection of incandescent rock fragments. The stunt has sparked fierce debate online, with some calling it daring, while others condemned it as reckless and irresponsible. Officials have strongly criticised the act, labelling it extremely dangerous, especially given Popocatépetl's frequent volcanic activity and unpredictable eruptions. What is Popocatépetl? Popocatépetl is an active volcano in Mexico. It is located about 43 miles southeast of Mexico City. The name Popocatépetl comes from the indigenous Nahuatl language and means "Smoking Mountain". It is the second-highest volcano in Mexico, standing at about 17,802 feet tall. Popocatépetl is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, a chain of volcanoes across central Mexico. The volcano has been active for centuries, with frequent eruptions, including ash plumes and lava. It is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Mexico due to its activity and proximity to large populations. Popocatépetl is often referred to by locals as "El Popo" for short. It comes as a massive Alaskan volcano is on the brink of erupting - and experts warn it could happen within weeks. Mount Spurr, the 11,000-foot behemoth sitting just 80 miles west of Anchorage, has been rumbling with frequent small earthquakes as scientists fear it's moving closer to an explosive eruption. The potential blast, experts say, could unleash global travel chaos and choke a critical cargo route between North America and Asia. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said in a chilling update: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr.' 'Most of the earthquakes that are occurring under the volcano are too small to be located.' If it blows, the fallout could disrupt air travel worldwide as the ash is taken by the winds and makes flying impossible. Meanwhile, scientists recently revealed that a volcano erupted in the South Pacific with such force that it sent shock-waves into space. The enormous underwater eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai in January 2022 was one of the biggest in modern history. It sent a plume of ash and gas over 31 miles into the air, far above the usual cruising altitude of commercial airliners. Ripples from the blast didn't just rattle land and sea, but made it all the way into space - shaking the area where satellites orbit our planet. Research published in AGU examined how the volcano was able to send shock-waves into the cosmos. 5 One man climbed dangerously close to the edge of the volcanic crater Credit: x/@volcaholic1
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Fears US mega volcano eruption could spark travel chaos across the world as experts warn it could explode ‘IN WEEKS'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MASSIVE Alaskan volcano is on the brink of erupting — and terrified experts warn it could happen within weeks. Mount Spurr, the 11,000-foot behemoth sitting just 80 miles west of Anchorage, has been rumbling with frequent small earthquakes as scientists fear it's moving closer to an explosive eruption. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Mount Spurr vents steam and ash, near Anchorage, Alaska Credit: Getty 5 Experts predict the volcano - pictured here erupting in 1992 - could blow again in just a few weeks Credit: U.S Geological Survey 5 The potential blast, experts say, could unleash global travel chaos and choke a critical cargo route between North America and Asia. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said in a chilling update: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr.' 'Most of the earthquakes that are occurring under the volcano are too small to be located.' If it blows, the fallout could ground flights worldwide. A massive ash cloud could shoot 50,000 feet into the air, forcing nearby Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down — sparking a ripple effect across global air travel. 'Mount Spurr has the potential to snare travel and cargo logistics, resulting in disruptions that extend far beyond the Alaskan border,' experts warned. The AVO has been tracking the volcano's increasing activity since April 2024, monitoring telltale signs like shallow quakes, ground deformation, and gas and steam emissions. And they all point to one thing — that magma level is rising. Scientist-in-charge Matt Haney told the Daily Mail that if Spurr blows again, the event 'would be explosive,' adding it would likely mimic the volcano's last eruption in 1992. Back then, three blasts rocked Alaska over the summer, with August's eruption shutting down Anchorage's airport for 20 hours and blanketing the city in an eighth of an inch of ash. Tourists evacuated as volcano starts erupting in Iceland hols hotspot & red alert issued as magma builds up Commerce ground to a halt, office buildings shuttered, and $2 million in damages were reported. The ash isn't just a nuisance — it's deadly to aircraft. Its fine particles can shred engines, corrode cockpit windows, damage fuselage, and knock out vital instruments mid-flight. 'It is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby,' the AVO warned. ANC is a crucial cog in the global supply chain — the world's fourth-busiest cargo airport, handling over 8,000 freight flights each month. Even minor disruptions can delay shipments, e-commerce, and manufacturing deliveries. A total shutdown would bring it all to a standstill. And as one of the top diversion and refuelling spots for polar and Pacific air routes, any closure at ANC or FAI would force passenger flights from Asia, Europe, and North America to divert, triggering delays and chaos across multiple continents. 5 Mount Spurr last erupted in 1992, causing major disruption to Anchorage Credit: Alamy 5 Enormous plumes of smoke engulfed the skies Credit: U.S Geological Survey 'There are no residents living in the 'identified hazard areas for pyroclastic flows and lahars,'' the AVO said. But the ashfall could rain on Anchorage and spread across the central US within days — just as it did in 1992. The mountain's warning level was upgraded from green to yellow in October 2024 after a small lake formed in its summit crater. Since then, 'seismic activity remained elevated with numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano,' the AVO reported. Experts say the final red flag will be a volcanic tremor — a constant shaking that lasts minutes to days — signaling magma is on the move. That's exactly what happened three weeks before Mount Spurr blew in June 1992. 'Alaska's Mount Spurr is about to erupt. Be ready,' the AVO posted on X. And with the clock ticking, officials are urging residents and air traffic operators alike to brace for a blast that could bring the skies — and global trade — to a grinding halt.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- The Sun
Fears US mega volcano eruption could spark travel chaos across the world as experts warn it could explode ‘IN WEEKS'
A MASSIVE Alaskan volcano is on the brink of erupting — and terrified experts warn it could happen within weeks. Mount Spurr, the 11,000-foot behemoth sitting just 80 miles west of Anchorage, has been rumbling with frequent small earthquakes as scientists fear it's moving closer to an explosive eruption. 5 5 5 The potential blast, experts say, could unleash global travel chaos and choke a critical cargo route between North America and Asia. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) said in a chilling update: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr.' 'Most of the earthquakes that are occurring under the volcano are too small to be located.' If it blows, the fallout could ground flights worldwide. A massive ash cloud could shoot 50,000 feet into the air, forcing nearby Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down — sparking a ripple effect across global air travel. 'Mount Spurr has the potential to snare travel and cargo logistics, resulting in disruptions that extend far beyond the Alaskan border,' experts warned. The AVO has been tracking the volcano's increasing activity since April 2024, monitoring telltale signs like shallow quakes, ground deformation, and gas and steam emissions. And they all point to one thing — that magma level is rising. Scientist-in-charge Matt Haney told the Daily Mail that if Spurr blows again, the event 'would be explosive,' adding it would likely mimic the volcano's last eruption in 1992. Back then, three blasts rocked Alaska over the summer, with August's eruption shutting down Anchorage's airport for 20 hours and blanketing the city in an eighth of an inch of ash. Commerce ground to a halt, office buildings shuttered, and $2 million in damages were reported. The ash isn't just a nuisance — it's deadly to aircraft. Its fine particles can shred engines, corrode cockpit windows, damage fuselage, and knock out vital instruments mid-flight. 'It is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby,' the AVO warned. ANC is a crucial cog in the global supply chain — the world's fourth-busiest cargo airport, handling over 8,000 freight flights each month. Even minor disruptions can delay shipments, e-commerce, and manufacturing deliveries. A total shutdown would bring it all to a standstill. And as one of the top diversion and refuelling spots for polar and Pacific air routes, any closure at ANC or FAI would force passenger flights from Asia, Europe, and North America to divert, triggering delays and chaos across multiple continents. 5 5 'There are no residents living in the 'identified hazard areas for pyroclastic flows and lahars,'' the AVO said. But the ashfall could rain on Anchorage and spread across the central US within days — just as it did in 1992. The mountain's warning level was upgraded from green to yellow in October 2024 after a small lake formed in its summit crater. Since then, 'seismic activity remained elevated with numerous small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano,' the AVO reported. Experts say the final red flag will be a volcanic tremor — a constant shaking that lasts minutes to days — signaling magma is on the move. That's exactly what happened three weeks before Mount Spurr blew in June 1992. 'Alaska's Mount Spurr is about to erupt. Be ready,' the AVO posted on X. And with the clock ticking, officials are urging residents and air traffic operators alike to brace for a blast that could bring the skies — and global trade — to a grinding halt.
