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Alaska's Vulnerable Regions Revealed: Mount Spurr Eruption Threatens Key Areas

Unknown geology, news, volcanic eruptions, volcanoes, volcanology

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1BN6bQ" data-reference="video"/>

 Alaska's Mount Spurr is exhibiting indications of increased activity, prompting scientists to warn that the volcano might be poised to erupt for the first time in 30 years.

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BNf3e" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BNf3e.jpg"/>

 The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has observed steady and ongoing ground swelling, which indicates possible magma buildup underneath.


 The AVO stated that an eruption is "possible within the coming weeks or months, though it is not guaranteed."

<h2>
 
 Why It Matters
 
</h2>

 Located approximately 80 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city by population, Mount Spurr is among the state's most monitored volcanoes. Its last eruption occurred in 1992, covering south Alaska with ash and disrupting aviation services.


 When that volcano erupted, Anchorage International Airport closed down for 20 hours. If such an incident happened again, we might face comparable consequences.

<h2>
 
 What To Know
 
</h2>

 The Alaska Volcano Observatory has confirmed that Mount Spurr is exhibiting signs of activity.
 indications of revived volcanic activity
 including heightened levels of gas emissions, increased seismic activity, and observable ground deformations.


 On March 7, overflights recorded a sulfur dioxide emission rate of approximately 440 tons daily. Additionally, elevated levels of carbon dioxide were observed both at the summit and near the Crater Peak vent.


 "The ongoing disturbances at Mount Spurr suggest that fresh magma has penetrated the Earth's crust under the volcano, thereby increasing the likelihood of an eruption," stated the AVO update.


 Chances are high that magma has been building up under the summit of Mount Spurr over several months now. Recent gas readings indicate that a new route might have formed toward the Crater Peak vent, allowing fresh magma to ascend and potentially cause an eruption at this location. All recorded eruptions have taken place at Crater Peak. The most recent documented eruption from the top of Spurr happened thousands of years ago.


 The AVO indicated that it was probable the area might experience an explosive eruption akin to those in 1953 and 1992, each originating from the Crater Peak vent and lasting several hours.


 These past eruptions propelled ash clouds for hundreds of miles downwind and left behind as much as a quarter-inch layer of ash over portions of southern-central Alaska. The upper Chakachatna River Valley might be impacted by pyroclastic flows and mudflows, also known as lahars.


 DIWIDA
 reported this week that the observatory’s functioning was under threat due to the Department of Government Efficiency
 issued a lease termination
 which endangered its Anchorage base. In Alaska, this was
 Republican
 Representative Nick Begich stepped in to assist in ensuring the facility remained operational.

<h2>
 
 What People Are Saying
 
</h2>

 
 The Department of the Interior
 
 
 said on X
 
 
 in February:
 
 Experts specializing in volcanoes are keeping a close eye on Mount Spurr in Alaska due to an ongoing sequence of minor, shallow seismic events under the volcano, which suggest continued eruptive activity. Aerial footage captured on February 7, 2025, reveals a tiny lake situated within the snow-covered crater.

<h2>
 
 What Happens Next
 
</h2>

 The AVO states they intend to carry out regular flyovers to assess gas emissions, examine surface alterations, and gauge ground temperature levels.


 "The consideration includes installing extra surveillance equipment due to the ongoing instability," it stated.


 
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Alaska's Vulnerable Regions Revealed: Mount Spurr Eruption Threatens Key Areas

Unknown geology, news, volcanic eruptions, volcanoes, volcanology

Alaska's Mount Spurr is exhibiting indications of increased activity, prompting scientists to warn that the volcano might be poised to erupt for the first time in 30 years. The Alaska Volcano Obser…

Scientists Uncover Enormous Living Eggs Deep Within an Underwater Volcano Off Ireland's Coast

Unknown biodiversity, marine animals, science, underwater, volcanoes

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1ByFB9" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1ByFB9.jpg"/>


 In an astounding discovery, researchers have uncovered
 
 thousands
 
 of
 
 giant
 
 eggs in an
 
 underwater volcano
 
 off the coast of
 
 Vancouver Island
 
 , Canada. These eggs belong to the elusive
 
 Pacific white skate
 
 , were uncovered in waters once thought too
 
 cold
 
 and devoid of life to back up such an astonishing discovery.

<h2>
 A Discovery That Defies Expectations
</h2>

 For years, the underwater volcano near Vancouver Island was believed to be
 
 extinct
 
 . Scientists had assumed that the surrounding waters were too cold to
 support much marine life
 .


 Nevertheless, in a 2019 exploration conducted by the deep-ocean researcher,
 
 Cherisse Du Preez
 
 of
 
 Fisheries and Oceans Canada
 
 , the team revealed a surprising fact: the seamount, once thought to be inactive, is in reality an active
 
 active
 
 underwater volcano.


 This finding altered the perception of the area, showing that the volcano emits
 
 warm
 
 ,
 
 mineral-rich
 
 Water—far from being lifeless, the region housed an unexpected variety of sea creatures.

<h2>
 The Mystery of the Giant Eggs
</h2>

 The
 
 discovery of thousands of eggs
 
 belonging to the Pacific white skate was one of the most astonishing finds of the expedition. These giant eggs, known as “mermaid purses” due to their distinctive purse-like shape, are approximately
 
 1.5 feet
 
 across, making them an impressive sight.


 The eggs were found on the
 
 summit
 
 of the underwater volcano, nearly one mile beneath the ocean’s surface. This area, with its warm,
 
 geothermal
 
 environment, offers a stark contrast to the cold waters typically inhabited by the Pacific white skate.


 Researchers were left astounded by the fact that these eggs were
 
 alive
 
 Unlike dinosaur eggs discovered in other parts of the globe, such as the 80 million-year-old fossilized eggs unearthed in Ganzhou City, China, these remained
 
 living
 
 .


 The geothermal activity of the volcano offers
 
 warmth
 
 for the eggs, potentially aiding in accelerating their extended four-year process
 
 gestation period
 
 This is essential as the eggs, due to their small size, necessitate considerable care.
 
 energy
 
 for development.

<div>
 
 
</div>
<h2>
 How Do These Eggs Survive in the Deep?
</h2>

 The Pacific white skate (Bathyraja spinosissima) is a deep-sea species typically found in cold Pacific Ocean waters at depths ranging from 2,600 to 9,500 feet.


 The
 
 female skates
 
 are known to produce large eggs, exerting enormous energy to provide essential
 
 nutrients
 
 for their developing young. These eggs, which can grow up to
 
 1.5 feet
 
 across, are uniquely shaped, resembling purses, earning them the nickname “mermaid purses.”


 One of the most intriguing aspects of the discovery is how the Pacific white skate uses the heat from the
 underwater volcano
 to its advantage. The warmth from the volcano accelerates the development of the eggs, shortening the usual four-year gestation period. Du Preez believes the warm water provides a natural incubator that ensures the survival of the young skates.


 She explained, “The shallow summit of the seamount is almost a coral garden and a safe nursery for juveniles to grow before they descend to the deep.”

<h2>
 Why Do These Skates Use an Underwater Volcano as a Nursery?
</h2>

 This isn’t the first time scientists have observed deep-sea species using volcanic heat for reproduction. In 2018, researchers discovered similar eggs in the Galápagos Islands near hydrothermal vents.


 While those eggs were much smaller, measuring just over four inches long, the discovery pointed to a similar conclusion: deep-sea species use volcanic and hydrothermal environments to help incubate their eggs.


 The Pacific white skates’ eggs near Vancouver Island are much larger, which suggests that the geothermal heat plays an even more significant role in speeding up the development of the young..


 Open the Youtube video

<h2>
 Future Exploration and Preservation Efforts
</h2>

 Following the 2019 discovery, the research team returned to the site in
 
 2023
 
 for further investigation. During their two-week expedition, they captured live footage of a Pacific white skate laying an
 
 egg
 
 and gathered evidence that more than one skate species was utilizing the same volcanic site as a
 
 nursery
 
 .


 The scientists from Fisheries and Oceans Canada are committed to closely monitoring the area to ensure the protection of this fragile
 
 ecosystem
 
 . They are particularly focused on safeguarding the
 
 seamount
 
 and its surrounding environment from the threat of
 
 overfishing
 
 and other human impacts.


 This discovery is not only a stunning revelation about how deep-sea species adapt to harsh environments, but it also highlights the importance of
 
 geothermal environments
 
 in supporting marine life. The research team continues to monitor the site, they aim to further understand how volcanic and hydrothermal environments influence species’ survival and development.


 
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 .

Scientists Uncover Enormous Living Eggs Deep Within an Underwater Volcano Off Ireland's Coast

Unknown biodiversity, marine animals, science, underwater, volcanoes

In an astounding discovery, researchers have uncovered thousands of giant eggs in an underwater volcano off the coast of Vancouver Island , Canada. These eggs belong to…

Scientists Warn: US Volcano on Brink of Eruption

Unknown geology, news, volcanic eruptions, volcanoes, volcanology

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1C9lGZ" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1C9lGZ.jpg"/>

 
 Scientists have identified early warning signs of a potential volcanic eruption at
 Mount Spurr
 , located in Alaska.
 


 The most recent eruption took place in 1992; however, the volcano has displayed growing activity in the past several months. As reported by
 Alaska Volcano Observatory
 Now, an eruption seems probable according to AVO.


 Specialists at the observatory believe that an eruption might happen within just three weeks. In their latest document, they stated that a "
 robust plume
 had been noticed at the volcano's peak.


 The
 AVO
 mentioned in its most recent update: "
 The rise in gas emissions suggests that fresh magma has entered the Earth's crust under the volcano, indicating that while an eruption could happen within the coming weeks or months, it is not guaranteed.
 ."


 Nevertheless, researchers pointed out that the plume by itself does not automatically indicate an imminent eruption.


 "
 These findings, combined with the advantageous atmospheric conditions, indicate that the strong plume from Mount Spurr in recent days likely did not stem from heightened volcanic activity.
 ," they added.


 (QG - Source: The Daily Mail - Image Credit: © Unsplash)

Scientists Warn: US Volcano on Brink of Eruption

Unknown geology, news, volcanic eruptions, volcanoes, volcanology

Scientists have identified early warning signs of a potential volcanic eruption at Mount Spurr , located in Alaska. The most recent eruption took place in 1992; however, the volcano has di…