Gradually increasing “volcanic unrest” at Mount Spurr in recent months led the Alaska Volcano Observatory this week to issue an advisory, though “there are no indications that an eruption is imminent.”
Since spring, according to a statement from the observatory published Wednesday, activity at Mount Spurr — located across Cook Inlet north of the Kenai Peninsula — has been documented. Swelling of the ground in the area has been detected since March, and seismic activity has increased since April. In June, a small lake was recorded in Spurr’s summit crater.
The volcano alert level was raised to advisory on Wednesday, because of the “notable departure” from usual behavior. That activity, though, often “will decline without producing an eruption.”
“It is very likely that if an eruption were to occur it would be proceeded by additional signals that would allow advance warning,” the notice reads.
For more information, visit avo.alaska.edu.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
