Trump Administration’s Budget Cuts Endanger Alaska's Volcano Monitoring Efforts

Alaska’s volcano monitoring capabilities are at risk due to recent budget cuts initiated by the Trump administration. With travel and telecommunications funding frozen, vital real-time data about volcanic activity could be lost, posing a severe threat to safety in air travel and nearby communities.

When volcanic rumblings and emissions began to escalate at Mount Spurr, located northwest of Anchorage, the Alaska Volcano Observatory promptly elevated its alert status. However, a cost-cutting push from the Trump administration threatens to undermine this crucial work. Federal employees at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), tasked with monitoring the volcanoes, have reported that their credit cards for travel and related expenses have been frozen. This freeze jeopardizes their ability to communicate crucial data regarding volcanic activity and travel to remote sites for equipment maintenance.

According to insider sources, the credit freezes encompass essential telecommunications services required for transmitting monitoring data from Mount Spurr, potentially leading to a catastrophic failure in real-time monitoring. Jeff Freymueller, a geophysics professor who has previously coordinated efforts for the Alaska Volcano Observatory, warned that the impact on safety could be profound as thousands traverse the Aleutian Islands, which are home to the majority of Alaska's volcanoes.

The administration has fast-tracked budget cuts across federal agencies, following an executive order by President Trump that empowers the newly designated Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to clamp down on unnecessary spending. This order has resulted in a blanket freeze on government-issued credit cards, with limited exceptions for disaster relief and critical services. Unfortunately, expenses for the Alaska Volcano Observatory have not been exempted, raising concerns among scientists about how long communications and monitoring efforts can continue without funding.

Currently, the observatory continues to track volcanic signs at Mount Spurr, where small earthquakes and visible steam activity have been detected. Meanwhile, another nearby volcano, Great Sitkin, is already on heightened alert due to ongoing lava eruptions since 2021. The situation remains precarious as authorities prepare for the possibility of disrupted monitoring capabilities that could affect public safety and air travel in the region.