University of Alaska Anchorage
05/13/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/13/2025 18:12
Guidance on preparing computer equipment for a volcanic ashfall event
Date: April 30, 2025
With the potential for volcanic ashfall from Mount Spurr, the University of Alaska Anchorage IT Department is issuing guidance to protect computer equipment and peripherals from damage caused by fine, abrasive volcanic ash. Ash can infiltrate and harm sensitive electronics, so proactive measures are essential to ensure the safety of university and personal devices.
The latest information on Mount Spurr and general preparedness guidance can be found on the Mount Spurr Updates page.
When should I start implementing this guidance?
When the Alaska Volcano Observatory elevates the Color Code for Mount Spurr from yellow to orange. This change will also be communicated by the UAA Incident Management Team (IMT).
Preparation steps for computer equipment and peripherals
- Power down and unplug devices
- Before ashfall is expected, shut down and unplug all computers, monitors, printers and other peripherals to prevent electrical damage from ash infiltration or power surges.
- In the event of a volcanic eruption, there may only be hours before potential ashfall on campus, therefore it would be wise to practice turning off devices at the end of the day during the duration of the potential eruption in case an ashfall begins while you are away from campus.
- Devices with cooling fans, such as laptops and desktop computers, are especially important to power down, to prevent cooling fans from pulling any ash into the device.
- Ensure devices are powered off properly to avoid data loss or corruption.
- While UAA does not expect ash to enter the buildings on campus, as an extra precaution you can use plastic bags, dust covers or plastic sheeting to cover desktop computers, laptops, monitors, keyboards and other peripherals.
- For shared or lab computers, ensure all equipment is covered after use.
- Store portable devices safely
- Place laptops, external hard drives and other portable peripherals in sealed plastic bags or containers and store them in a secure, indoor location away from windows or vents.
- If possible, take personal devices home to reduce exposure to ash on campus.
- Back up all critical files to cloud storage or external drives stored in sealed containers.
- Ensure backups are complete before ashfall begins to avoid data loss in case of equipment failure.
- Avoid using equipment during active ashfall
- Do not operate computers or peripherals during active ashfall, as fans and cooling systems can draw in ash, causing internal damage.
How to request resources
In preparation for a potential volcanic eruption from Mount Spurr this summer, UAA's IMT has procured plastic sheeting to cover and protect computers, electronic equipment and employee workspaces in the event of an eruption.
If you have specific requirements regarding the care of your university-issued equipment or workspace, please work directly with your supervisor, dean, director or building manager.
Additional recommendations
- Monitor updates: Stay informed through the Rave Guardian app, Green & Gold announcement, UAA email, UAA website or social media for campus closure announcements and ashfall warnings from the Alaska Volcano Observatory .
- Cleaning after ashfall: Do not attempt to clean ash from equipment without guidance. Use a vacuum with a fine-particle filter for external surfaces, and contact the IT Helpdesk for professional cleaning of internal components. Avoid wiping or sweeping ash, as it can scratch surfaces or become airborne.
- Contact the technical support center: For questions or assistance, reach out to the UAA IT Helpdesk at (907) 786-4646 or uaa.techsupport@alaska.edu . Report damaged equipment promptly for assessment and repair.
Why this matters
Volcanic ash is composed of tiny, sharp particles of rock and glass that can infiltrate electronics, causing short circuits, overheating or mechanical failure. By taking these precautions, you can help protect UAA's computing resources and your personal devices from costly damage.
Mount Spurr could experience multiple eruptions. One or more of these eruptions could result in an ashfall event at university locations depending on prevailing wind directions at the time.
Stay safe and prepared. Thank you for your cooperation.
UAA IT Services
University of Alaska Anchorage published this content on May 13, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 14, 2025 at 00:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io