Volcano that hasn't erupted in 800 years is showing signs of magma activity

A volcano in Alaska that has not erupted in 800 years is showing signs of imploding. Scientists say that the volcano considered dormant can erupt any time now and have warned people to stay away from it. Dormant volcanoes are considered to be ones that will never erupt. But experts say that's not true. These are simply volcanoes that haven't erupted in a long time but can.

The latest warning is for Mount Edgecumbe in the south of Kruzof Island in Alaska. At an elevation of 3,201 feet, tourists flock to it and several people live in areas near it. It has been considered safe for thousands of years. But, that might change.

The volcano is now showing signs of magma moving inside, as per the latest studies. This sends out a warning that an eruption might happen and so people need to be alert. However, it is not a surety. 

As a precaution, the Alaska Volcano Observatory has raised the threat level.

According to data, the volcano was more active during a certain period in history. The last eruption happened 800 years ago and one evidence suggests volcanic activity 1,150 years ago. 

Experts say that if a similar eruption happens now, it would "pose significant risk to local population centres." A 2010 research paper mentions finding ash in deposits in Sitka Sound. 

The area seems to be already heating up, with hikers saying they saw gas bubbling from the ground near Mount Edgecumbe. The ground around the volcano is also bulging upward, as per satellite radar measurements. A series of earthquakes hit the region in 2022 and the activities are likely linked. 

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Earthquakes near Mount Edgecumbe continue to happen in 2024 and are reportedly the result of the volcano’s magma. This is because when the magma moves, two types of activities can happen - either it forces its way along the cracks, or becomes a pool of melt. Minor tremors can happen in both cases. So scientists believe that something similar could be happening. 

While scientists are alert, they feel an eruption is unlikely. "It does have some signs of unrest," said Hannah Dietterich, a research geophysicist for the U.S. Geological Survey at the Alaska Volcano Observatory.  

"There are signs that there is magma that's come into the system very deep. We're talking six miles below the volcano. And so we want to be sure to be monitoring it as best we can," Dietterich added.

The nearest city to the volcano is the city of Sitka 15 miles away. Seismometers are being placed around Mount Edgecumbe to monitor quakes that people might not feel. The data collected using them can help know if or when the volcano will erupt.