Disaster is inevitable; A megavolcano about to erupt; People buy food and water in a panic PHOTO

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has recorded 55 earthquakes in the past week, including several "swarms" that form multiple earthquakes in rapid succession.

Megavolcano activation is threatened

Officials say the increased seismic activity is a sign that magma is rising beneath Mount Spur, causing cracks in the surrounding rock, leading to earthquakes.

Emergency plans were immediately put in place for more than 300,000 residents of the city of Anchorage. Citizens were urged to stock up on food, as well as baby and pet supplies, as the volcanic eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delivery delays. Residents bought N95 masks, gallons of water and protective equipment to prepare for the eruption, writes the British "Daily Mail".

Ash cloud 15,000 meters high

When an eruption occurs, the ash cloud could reach a height of up to 15,240 meters, AVO scientist Matt Haney told the Daily Mail.

Each explosive ash-producing episode would last three to four hours, resulting in Anchorage and other nearby places being engulfed in a giant ash cloud.

Volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause more serious health problems for people with asthma, other forms of lung disease, and severe heart disease.

"Volcanic activity continues and is characterized by constant earthquake activity. Seismicity is still elevated with around 55 earthquakes recorded in the past week," AVO announced, among other things.

Seismic activity near Spur Mountain began in April 2024, and the rate of activity rose from an average of 30 per week to 125 in early October, and continues to rise.

Although recent earthquakes have been weaker, the swarms indicate that pressure is building, cracks are widening and magma is moving.

Mount Spur has been releasing elevated gas levels from its summit crater and flank vent for the past month, an indication of changes within the volcano, such as water being heated by magma deep underground.

Volcano eruption inevitable

While AVO said that no sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data over the past week, "weather conditions or clouds prevented views of the volcano for most of the week."

"AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spur watching for signals that indicate the volcano is approaching eruption," it added.

The volcano's summit crater hasn't erupted in about 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago.

During the 1992 eruption, Anchorage was covered in ash, the sky darkened in the middle of the day, and the airport was closed for 8 hours. Something similar is expected now, scientists predict.

Back in February, they predicted that the eruption would happen in the next few weeks or months.