Active Volcanic Activity in Four States Lined Up on the Pacific Ring of Fire
In Alaska's Ring of Fire, the world's most active zone for earthquakes and volcanoes, three volcanoes have been causing a stir recently - the Great Sitkin, Mount Spurr, and Mount Iliamna.
The Great Sitkin Volcano, located in the Aleutian Islands, has been experiencing ongoing volcanic activity since 2021. As of July 2025, it continues to show slow lava effusion, feeding a thick flow in its summit crater from July 2 to July 8, 2025. The eruption has been characterised as slow and non-explosive, but it remains a concern due to its proximity to air traffic routes and ongoing lava flows.
Mount Spurr, located on the mainland, started experiencing volcanic activity in March 2021. Deformations in the ground were observed at Mount Spurr's Crater Peak vent, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported higher-than-usual levels of volcanic gas emissions. However, the risk of an eruption significantly lowered in June 2021, although low-level unrest continues.
Mount Iliamna, located 90 miles south of Mount Spurr, detected a flurry of rumbling for several hours on June 15, 2021, but no surface activity was observed. Generally, it is known for its fumarolic activity but does not currently show signs of major eruptions.
Meanwhile, the AVO continues to monitor all three volcanoes, using models to forecast ash behaviours in the event of an eruption. This includes predicting ashfall thickness and distribution.
It's worth noting that five U.S. volcanoes along the Ring of Fire in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon have shown activity in 2025. One U.S. volcano, located in Hawaii, has also shown activity this year.
The Ring of Fire is the confluence of numerous tectonic plates, making it a hotspot for seismic and volcanic activity. Despite this, the region remains under close observation, with the AVO working diligently to monitor and predict any potential eruptions to ensure public safety.
References: [1] Alaska Volcano Observatory, AVO Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, 2021-2025. [2] United States Geological Survey, Volcano Hazards Program, 2021-2025. [3] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Satellite Facility, 2025. [4] Federal Aviation Administration, Alaskan Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre, 2021-2025. [5] University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute, 2021-2025.
- With the continual activity of volcanoes in Alaska's Ring of Fire, such as the Great Sitkin, Mount Spurr, and Mount Iliamna, the intersection of health-and-wellness concerns for residents and environmental-science research becomes increasingly important to maintain the wellbeing of both people and the environment.
- In the field of space-and-astronomy, studying the Ring of Fire offers valuable insights into the dynamics of tectonic plates and volcanic activity across various earth-bound conditions, providing crucial data for medical-conditions researchers seeking to study the impact of volcanic ash and seismic waves on human health.
