Latest news with #AlaskaVolcanoObservatory
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Earthquakes rattle US city under volcano advisory
The first tremor, a magnitude 3.2, was detected about 48 miles north at 5:23am (11:32am ET), but residents in Anchorage also reported feeling the shaking, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). An assessment from Michigan Tech University showed that people typically do not feel quakes with a magnitude of 2.5 or less. Anchorage sits about 78 miles from Mount Spurr, which continues to show signs of unrest with elevated seismic activity. Mount Spurr was under an eruption 'Watch' earlier this year, but it has since been lowered to 'Advisory,' meaning 'volcanic activity has decreased significantly but continues to be closely monitored for possible renewed increase.' Elmendorf Air Force Base, like all of Alaska, is prone to earthquakes due to its location along a major tectonic plate boundary. Specifically, it sits on top of the Aleutian subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the North American Plate, generating significant seismic activity. This plate movement creates stress that is periodically released in the form of earthquakes, some of which can be quite large. Elmendorf is the largest military installation in Alaska, as its 13,130 square acres are occupied by more than 800 buildings, two runways and more than 150 miles of roads. While the magnitude 2.9 quake is considered minor, dozens of locals reported feeling it to the USGS, while more than 100 reports came in for the stronger tremor. Mount Spurr has experienced dozens of small earthquakes in the last week, reaching up to a magnitude 2. The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) issued the latest update on Wednesday, saying: 'Low-level unrest continues at Mount Spurr with occasional, small earthquakes occurring beneath the volcano. 'No activity was observed in mostly clear webcam images and satellite views from the past day.' However, the volcano was under a 'Watch' in March when it began releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit and a side vent that last erupted in 1992. During that month, Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO told that eruption would most likely occur at the Crater Peak side vent, and 'it would be explosive. This event would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air, Haney said. Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, and the resulting cloud could blanket the city of Anchorage and other nearby communities in a thick layer of dust. The eruption would also produce destructive mudslides and avalanches volcanic debris racing down the volcano's side at over 200 miles per hour, 'but fortunately, there are not any communities in that radius that would be affected,' Haney said.
The Hill
12-07-2025
- Science
- The Hill
Iliamna Volcano in Alaska ‘rumbling' after being inactive for a century
A volcano in Alaska that last erupted in 1867 is displaying signs of rumbling. Located roughly 140 miles southwest of Anchorage, Iliamna has been dormant for over a century. But on June 15, the Alaska Volcano Observatory detected seismic activity. Scientists believe the shaking was likely caused by a large avalanche. Iliamna is known for frequent ice and rockslides that cause the mountain to rumble every couple of years. While not a clear sign of imminent eruption, the event highlights the dynamic nature of this glacier-covered peak, which stands 10,000 feet tall. As of July 4, Iliamna Volcano's threat level is categorized as 'Green/Normal,' according to the United States Geological Survey.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Iliamna Volcano in Alaska ‘rumbling' after being inactive for a century
(NewsNation) — A volcano in Alaska that last erupted in 1867 is displaying signs of rumbling. Located roughly 140 miles southwest of Anchorage, Iliamna has been dormant for over a century. But on June 15, the Alaska Volcano Observatory detected seismic activity. Residents wear masks as volcanic ash blankets villages near erupting Indonesian volcano Scientists believe the shaking was likely caused by a large avalanche. Iliamna is known for frequent ice and rock slides that cause the mountain to rumble every couple of years. While not a clear sign of imminent eruption, the event highlights the dynamic nature of this glacier-covered peak, which stands 10,000 feet tall. As of July 4, Iliamna Volcano's threat level is categorized as 'Green/Normal,' according to the United States Geological Survey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Alaskan volcano rumbling despite being dormant for over 100 years, scientists say
An Alaskan volcano that has been inactive for more than 100 years is showing signs of rumbling, according to scientists. However, there's a chance that the activity could be signs of a pending avalanche, rather than a volcanic eruption, NASA said. MORE: Eruption at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano sends lava shooting 1,000 feet in air The Iliamna volcano, located near the Cook Inlet in southern Alaska, last erupted in 1867, but would still rumble every few years due to avalanches large enough to register on nearby seismic and infrasound instruments, according to NASA. The region has recently experienced a "flurry of shaking," according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. On June 15, seismic activity ramped up at a "nearly continuous" rate for several hours, the observatory reported. The Operational Land Imager, a sensor aboard the Landsat 8 satellite, acquired an image of the volcano on June 10, prior to when the rumblings began. MORE: Scientists solve mystery of 'zombie' volcano displaying signs of eruption for decades The seismic activity was similar to those caused by the initial slipping between rock and ice that preceded large avalanches on the volcano in the past, according to the AVO. Iliamna often experiences massive avalanches due to the combination of glacial ice weakened rock and volcanic heat, scientists say. Its peak is covered in glaciers, snow and ice and it sits on a base of Jurassic-era granite, according to the NPS. Since its last eruption, the volcano was recorded ejecting smoke and light ash in 1876, 1933, 1941 and 1947, according to the NPS. MORE: Mile-deep underwater volcano could erupt off West Coast this year, scientists say More reports of smoke and light ash were recorded for the late winter of 1956 or early spring of 1957, but those reports were not confirmed, the NPS said. In 1958, four columns of vapor were shooting out of vents on the eastern side of the volcano, according to the NPS. But that was the last time smoke appeared to be ejected by the volcano. Although Iliamna is remote -- located in the Chigmit Mountains within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve -- it is monitored closely be volcanologists due to its potential hazards. There are several communities within a 200-mile radius of the volcano that could be impacted in the event of an eruption, including Pedro Bay, Port Alsworth and Anchorage, according to the NPS. MORE: Hidden magma cap discovered at Yellowstone National Park The AVO monitors 51 other active volcanos within the state, including the Redoubt Volcano, Iliamna's more eruptive neighbor, which is also located within the preserve. The U.S. Geological Survey currently has Iliamna at a "normal" volcano alert level.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Alaskan volcano rumbling despite being dormant for over 100 years, scientists say
An Alaskan volcano that has been inactive for more than 100 years is showing signs of rumbling, according to scientists. However, there's a chance that the activity could be signs of a pending avalanche, rather than a volcanic eruption, NASA said. MORE: Eruption at Hawaii's Kilauea volcano sends lava shooting 1,000 feet in air The Iliamna volcano, located near the Cook Inlet in southern Alaska, last erupted in 1867, but would still rumble every few years due to avalanches large enough to register on nearby seismic and infrasound instruments, according to NASA. The region has recently experienced a "flurry of shaking," according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory. On June 15, seismic activity ramped up at a "nearly continuous" rate for several hours, the observatory reported. The Operational Land Imager, a sensor aboard the Landsat 8 satellite, acquired an image of the volcano on June 10, prior to when the rumblings began. MORE: Scientists solve mystery of 'zombie' volcano displaying signs of eruption for decades The seismic activity was similar to those caused by the initial slipping between rock and ice that preceded large avalanches on the volcano in the past, according to the AVO. Iliamna often experiences massive avalanches due to the combination of glacial ice weakened rock and volcanic heat, scientists say. Its peak is covered in glaciers, snow and ice and it sits on a base of Jurassic-era granite, according to the NPS. Since its last eruption, the volcano was recorded ejecting smoke and light ash in 1876, 1933, 1941 and 1947, according to the NPS. MORE: Mile-deep underwater volcano could erupt off West Coast this year, scientists say More reports of smoke and light ash were recorded for the late winter of 1956 or early spring of 1957, but those reports were not confirmed, the NPS said. In 1958, four columns of vapor were shooting out of vents on the eastern side of the volcano, according to the NPS. But that was the last time smoke appeared to be ejected by the volcano. Although Iliamna is remote -- located in the Chigmit Mountains within Lake Clark National Park and Preserve -- it is monitored closely be volcanologists due to its potential hazards. There are several communities within a 200-mile radius of the volcano that could be impacted in the event of an eruption, including Pedro Bay, Port Alsworth and Anchorage, according to the NPS. MORE: Hidden magma cap discovered at Yellowstone National Park The AVO monitors 51 other active volcanos within the state, including the Redoubt Volcano, Iliamna's more eruptive neighbor, which is also located within the preserve. The U.S. Geological Survey currently has Iliamna at a "normal" volcano alert level.
