Mount Spurr: Preparation Can Ease the Pain
Mount Spurr, photographed in 1993. (Photo by Christina Neal. Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Volcano Observatory)
By Allison Sayer
TNews Staffwriter
On March 12, The Alaska Volcano Observatory announced “an eruption [of Mount Spurr] is likely, but not certain, to occur within the next few weeks or months. The most likely outcome of the current unrest is an explosive eruption (or eruptions) like those that occurred in 1953 and 1992. Those eruptions each lasted a few hours and produced ash clouds that were carried downwind for hundreds of miles and minor ashfall (up to about ¼ inch) on southcentral Alaska communities.”
Many simple, low cost preparedness tips are available from the Municipality of Anchorage Emergency Operations Center and ready.alaska.gov. The common advice from these and other sources is to have a mask handy, stock up on relevant air filters, and put some forethought into what would happen if you must shelter in place somewhere.
On March 20, the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) announced the Office of Emergency Management stepped up to a “Level Two activation status,” meaning “A situation or threat has developed that requires increased public information and has the potential for agencies to take coordinated action… Conditions are being monitored with information sharing networks activated.”
To stay informed about changes to the volcano’s status, you can sign up for email notifications from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Locally, KEUL will broadcast emergency announcements if needed. KEUL is at 88.9 on the FM band, or can be streamed from the station’s website. Area residents can also text ANCHORAGE to 67283 for text alerts from the Municipality of Anchorage Office of Emergency Management or sign up online.
According to Girdwood Town Manager for the Municipality of Anchorage Kyle Kelley, the Anchorage Emergency Operations Center would be the coordinating agency if there is an emergency related to a volcanic eruption. “They are experts in emergency response to events like this,” Kelley said via email, “We will work with Emergency Operations staff and the Girdwood Fire Department to provide local resources to Girdwood.”
For residents who would like to keep track of ongoing air quality, Kelley said, “Girdwood does not have an air quality monitoring station, but I recommend following the Alaska Volcano Observatory website (Alaska Volcano Observatory | Spurr) to see the model projection for ashfall and ash cloud forecast. Also, most smartphones have an air quality forecast as part of their weather app, which covers Turnagain Arm/Girdwood.”
I asked Kelley whether there is a contingency to harbor stranded day trippers during a potential ash event. He recommended day visitors “be prepared to stay with friends/family, at the Alyeska Hotel, or a short term rental in Girdwood if they can’t leave.”
As for Girdwood residents who have self-reported on social media to be living in cars, “Anchorage Emergency Operations will determine the availability of resources and coordinate the opening of an emergency shelter if needed. This includes determining whether a public building is functional (heating, water, etc.), safe structurally, and has emergency personnel to get there to operate it. Depending on the severity of any natural event, many factors must be known and determined before an emergency shelter can be opened to the public.”
Ashfall, if it comes at all, may or may not be significant enough to warrant a clean up effort. If a large-scale clean up is needed, Kelley reported the “effort will be coordinated through the Anchorage Emergency Operations Center.” He continued, “Much needs to be considered when cleaning up ash so it will depend on how fine the ash is that falls in Girdwood. The best practice is to let ash work back into gardens, lawns, and the natural environment. The rain forest of Girdwood will help to get the ash into the soil over time.”