Recent searches
Search options
This is Mt. Spurr; it's a volcano and has been quite active for several weeks. The Alaska Volcano Observatory says there is a very good chance it will erupt, which hasn't happened since 1992, I think. We live very close to Mt. Spurr. I very much do NOT want it to erupt!! 
#Alaska #MtSpurrVolcano
@MicheleV_AK 
Stay safe!
@MicheleV_AK Yikes! Maybe time to take a little trip out of town?
@KateConnors It's an if/possibility and taking a trip out of town would be kind of pointless since the eruption would cause lots of ash in the entire South Central Alaska region and it would be super expensive to go somewhere for an indefinite amount of time and leave my house/cars without protection.
@MicheleV_AK This may seem odd, but why not? I live near 2 of Hawaii's active volcanoes and kinda look forward to eruptions, though here the lava flows mostly follow known patterns.
Different volcanoes have different risks too. Pressure build ups, gases and types of lava they produce, tsunami risks, etc. Having been in proximity to St Helens and lived on another dormant volcano right in a lahar and pyroclastic flow path, it can sometimes be quite concerning.
Hawaii's are really interesting, I get why you can find enjoyment in some ways too.
@CoastalCoasting @MicheleV_AK They have caused problems, of course, but generally in defined regions. I know zilch about Alaskan volcanoes but certainly remember Mt. St. Helens.
@BruceMirken @CoastalCoasting Mt Spurr is a bit bigger than Mt. St. Helens, but Spurr is not an explosive volcano so that's good. We don't have the risk of lava flows into our cities/towns.
@MicheleV_AK @CoastalCoasting That seems reassuring. So if it's not explosive and no risk of lava flowing into nearby towns, what's the worry?
@BruceMirken @CoastalCoasting Ash...lots of ash and dirt. It can mess up cars, heating systems and get into your house if windows aren't sealed. Also, masks are important for people with lung issues and keeping animals inside.
@MicheleV_AK @CoastalCoasting Interesting. We don't get a lot of ash in Hawaii. We do get air pollution, called vog, mainly sulfur dioxide, which can be irritatingand unhealthy. Happily, the trade winds blow it away from me.
@BruceMirken @CoastalCoasting Our air quality is pretty awesome in Alaska. It's not even bad in Anchorage; however, it kinda sucks in Fairbanks because they rely on diesel fuel for heating.
@BruceMirken Good for you! I, however, do not want an eruption so close. I live near several volcanoes and don't wish to see any of them erupt.
Hope your community and it's inhabitants all have good precautions and preparations just in case.
Having lived in the foothills or adjacent to volcanoes all my life, Mt St Helens big eruption especially, I've been so grateful for the supplies that made a world of difference. Besides those same supplies came in clutch for floods, roads/phone and power being out weeks at a stretch, and forest fires too, so all the better to have had them at the ready.
Wishing you all strong contingencies.
@CoastalCoasting There's only so much we can do with an uncertain date/timeline, but we wait and see. Not a whole lot we can do but protect our homes, cars and selves from nasty ash.