Dozens of mini earthquakes have struck near a 11,000-foot-tall volcano in Alaska that experts fear is ‘moving closer to an eruption.’

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has detected 30 earthquakes in the past week, including several ‘swarms’ which are multiple quakes in quick succession.

Officials say the increased seismic activity is a sign magma is rising beneath Mount Spurr, causing stress and cracking in the surrounding rock, leading to earthquakes.

Emergency plans have hastily been put in place for the more than 300,000 residents of Anchorage, warning them to stock up on food, baby supplies and pet necessities as the eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries.

The city’s residents have gone on a buying frenzy of N95 masks, water jugs and protective gear as they brace for an eruption.

When it blows, the event ‘would be explosive,’ Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO told DailyMail.com, adding that it would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air.

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

While Anchorage is not within the impact zone, massive clouds of ash is likely to engulf the city and residents. 

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

The city of Anchorage, 80 miles from Mount Spurr, is home to around 300,000 people who are bracing for an eruption 

The AVO shared on Thursday. ‘Unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano. Seismicity remains elevated with occasional small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano over the past day.’

‘Based on previous eruptions, changes from current activity in the earthquakes, ground deformation, summit lake conditions, and fumarolic activity would be expected if magma began to move closer to the surface. 

‘Therefore, if an eruption occurred, it would be preceded by additional signals allowing warning.’ 

Seismic activity near Mount Spurr kicked off in April 2024, and the rate of events increased from an average of 30 per week to an average of 125 per week in early October that has continued since.

While the recent quakes are small, the swarms suggest pressure is building, cracks are widening and magma is moving. 

Mount Spurr has also been releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit crater and a side vent — an indicator of changes within the volcano, such as water being heated by magma deep underground.

The volcano’s summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. 

The 1992 eruption saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash. 

Emergency plans have hastily been put in place for the more than 300,000 residents of Anchorage, warning them to stock up on food, baby supplies and pet necessities as the eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recently sounded the alarm on Mount Spurr after observing elevated seismic activity, increased emissions and ground deformation. Pictured is Mount Spurr releasing gas on March 26

The volcano’s summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. The 1992 eruption (pictured) saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash

The skies darkened in the middle of the day and the city’s airport was forced to shut down for 20 hours. 

When Mount Spurr blows, the eruption will most likely be from this side vent and will look similar to the 1992 event, Haney said. 

Back in February, scientists had warned Mount Spurr was likely to erupt in the next few weeks or months.

On March 20, Anchorage officials raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, which means that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols.

The city has also issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption.

Anchorage locals are also preparing their dogs for the eruption. They have shared photos of their pups’ protective gear on the Facebook page for a local pet shop, AK Bark, which is selling goggles and dog respirators 

Officials advised them to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside

Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside.

Residents of Anchorage have not taken the warnings lightly and have purchases necessary gear for themselves and their dogs. 

‘We’re getting ready for the volcanic eruption,’ said TikTok user Angela Łot’oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, ‘Check out the dogs.’

Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. ‘They’re not happy with the goggles,’ Gonzalez says. ‘We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.’

She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water. 

Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt.

‘I searched ‘pink, dog goggles, small,’ and it was the top result,’ Salanguit said of Iroh’s heart-shaped goggles. ‘Aren’t they darling?’

AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March.

He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he’s already presold 1,800 of them.