As Mount Spurr shows signs of increased activity, the U.S. Geological Survey's ability to monitor volcanic threats is jeopardized by spending cuts meant to streamline government operations.**
Threat to Volcano Monitoring Amid Federal Spending Cuts**
Threat to Volcano Monitoring Amid Federal Spending Cuts**
Alaskan Volcano Observatory faces operational risks due to credit card freeze implemented by the Trump administration.**
The increasing rumbling of Mount Spurr, situated northwest of Anchorage, has raised alarms, prompting Alaska’s volcano monitoring agency to elevate its alert level. The potential eruption, expected to threaten nearby communities and flight paths, faces a significant hindrance due to recent financial measures enacted by the Trump administration.
Reports indicate that the credit cards utilized by staff at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Alaska Volcano Observatory are frozen, limiting their ability to pay essential expenses. This includes telecommunications vital for transmitting real-time volcanic data. Without these services, critical monitoring could cease, leaving regions susceptible to disaster without timely warnings.
Experts highlight the severe implications of losing volcano monitoring capabilities in Alaska, where thousands frequently navigate the Aleutian Islands. Jeff Freymueller, a respected geophysicist, warned of the potential catastrophes that may arise from aircraft inadvertently flying through volcanic ash clouds, a scenario that could result in fatal accidents.
Amid these concerns, the administration has rapidly pushed through cost-cutting and workforce reductions across federal agencies. A recent executive order by President Trump further consolidates the authority of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to oversee spending. While disaster services are exempt from the spending freeze, it appears that the observatory has not secured such exceptions, leaving the future of their maintenance and monitoring capabilities uncertain.
Currently, the Alaska Volcano Observatory maintains vigilance as it continues to track Mount Spurr, where seismic activity has increased, with small earthquakes recorded and visible steam observed around the peak. Meanwhile, another volcano, Great Sitkin, has been persistently erupting since 2021, reinforcing the necessity of robust monitoring systems in place.
As officials weigh the ramifications of the current spending policies, the fate of essential services that ensure community safety hangs in the balance.
Reports indicate that the credit cards utilized by staff at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Alaska Volcano Observatory are frozen, limiting their ability to pay essential expenses. This includes telecommunications vital for transmitting real-time volcanic data. Without these services, critical monitoring could cease, leaving regions susceptible to disaster without timely warnings.
Experts highlight the severe implications of losing volcano monitoring capabilities in Alaska, where thousands frequently navigate the Aleutian Islands. Jeff Freymueller, a respected geophysicist, warned of the potential catastrophes that may arise from aircraft inadvertently flying through volcanic ash clouds, a scenario that could result in fatal accidents.
Amid these concerns, the administration has rapidly pushed through cost-cutting and workforce reductions across federal agencies. A recent executive order by President Trump further consolidates the authority of the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to oversee spending. While disaster services are exempt from the spending freeze, it appears that the observatory has not secured such exceptions, leaving the future of their maintenance and monitoring capabilities uncertain.
Currently, the Alaska Volcano Observatory maintains vigilance as it continues to track Mount Spurr, where seismic activity has increased, with small earthquakes recorded and visible steam observed around the peak. Meanwhile, another volcano, Great Sitkin, has been persistently erupting since 2021, reinforcing the necessity of robust monitoring systems in place.
As officials weigh the ramifications of the current spending policies, the fate of essential services that ensure community safety hangs in the balance.
