Mt. St. Helens [Archive] - Armageddon Online Forums

Marajadex

Oct 6th, 2004, 1:58 AM

Figured it was about time she had her own thread. :headbang:

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.1887e9e.jpg
Since this activity looks like it is going to continue for a while it makes sence to start a seprate thread instead of posting in the "Webicorder Activity" thread.

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 5, 2004, 6:45 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3); aviation color code RED

This morning the rate of seismicity was at a high, sustained level when, shortly after 9:00 a.m. PDT, the most vigorous steam and ash emission of the current period of unrest began. The emission originated from the same vent as have others this past week, as well as from another nearby new vent in the intensely deforming area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome. For more than one hour, steam clouds billowed from the crater. The ash content varied with intensity of steam jetting from the vent. For the first time, ash content was sufficient that it was detected by National Weather Service Doppler Radar. Steam and ash clouds reached about 12,000 feet and drifted north-northeastward. Ash forecasts warned downwind residents. Media reports indicate that a light dusting of ash fell in Morton, Randle, and Packwood, Washington, towns about 30 miles from the volcano. Nearby traffic on U.S. 12 stirred up the ash, slightly reducing visibility. We have no reports of ash falling at greater distances.

The rate of seismicity dropped during and the emission and has stayed at relatively low rates. We infer that magma is at a very shallow level and could soon be extruded from a vent in the deforming area. Additional steam and ash emissions are likely and could occur at any time without warning. Conditions suggest that there is also an increased probability of larger-magnitude and more ash-rich eruptions in coming days.

Results of field work are pending. Crews worked on GPS and seismic stations and made thermal and visual observations during and after the steam and ash emission.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/MSH2004/20041004_msh_erupt_1343PDT_small.jpg

SladeLoD

Oct 6th, 2004, 2:53 AM

Looks like things have calmed down a little.

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/GREEN/CDF_EHZ_UW.2004100600.html

Great work Marajadex keeping us updated. :crtmn:

Marajadex

Oct 6th, 2004, 1:24 PM

Mount St. Helens Update, October 6, 2004, 7:00 a.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3); aviation color code RED

Seismicity overnight has remained at very low levels. After the vigourous steam-and-ash emission of yesterday morning, seismicity dropped with individual events becoming smaller. By about 5 p.m. PDT yesterday, individual events became rare and as of 11:00 p.m., seismicity has been stable at a low level.

Yesterday, field crews continued to harden GPS sites for the approaching winter and retrieved data. The GPS sites on the dome survived the steam-and-ash emission and data are being received and processed at the observatory. The station on the northern flank of the dome, shows a trend of northward displacement totaling 2 cm in the last three days. This is the same sense of movement recorded by the nearby station that was destroyed by the first steam-and-ash emission on 1 October. Data from the other two stations on the dome, which were installed on 4 October are currently being analyzed. Data from GPS instruments on the outer flanks of the volcano show no movement of the outer flanks.

No gas measurements were made yesterday. A seismic crew installed an additional broadband seismometer on the northwest flank of the volcano which will help show a broader range of seismic energy release. With the help of the U.S. Forest Service, field crews installed an antenna mast for a VSAT uplink which will improve our ability to retrieve data from the field.

It began raining t the mountain at about 7:30 p.m. PDT. By about 9:30 p.m. about 0.1 inch of rain had fallen. Overnight, the acoustic flow monitoror (AFM) in the crater indicated that several small debris flows had moved past the site. By midnight, higher flows were recorded at a station on the pumice plain, but none were large enough to trigger an automatic alert. We expect these types of flowage events to recur during intense rainstorms.

Marajadex

Oct 6th, 2004, 1:33 PM

As of 9:15 AM the alert level at Mt St Helens has dropped to level 2.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.6e2a1a9.jpg

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Alert Level Change
October 6, 2004 9:15 A.M., PDT

Past Alert Level: Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3) aviation color code RED
New Alert Level: Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2) aviation color code ORANGE

Following yesterday morning’s steam-and-ash eruption, seismicity dropped to a low level and has remained low. Low-level tremor observed following the eruption is also gradually declining. Lack of earthquake and rockfall signals suggest that deformation of the uplift area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome has slowed. Brief visual observations this morning from Coldwater Visitor Center showed weak steam emissions from the crater. We infer that the vigorous unrest of the past few days has lessened and that the probability of an imminent eruption that would endanger life and property is significantly less than at any time since Saturday, October 2, when the alert level was raised to Volcano Alert (Level 3). Therefore, we are lowering the alert level to Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2).

Such decreases in the level of unrest, which may reflect a decrease in the rate of magma movement, have been common at Mount St. Helens during eruptions in 1980-86 and also at similar volcanoes elsewhere. Episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months, are possible. We don’t think that the current episode of unrest is over and we expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days and months. Everyone should be aware that escalation in unrest and perhaps an eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the Alert Level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in Alert Level as warranted.

Is this the calm before the storm???

dreamwhiz

Oct 6th, 2004, 1:34 PM

Mount St. Helens Alert Level Change

Past Alert Level: Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3)
New Alert Level: Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2)

October 6, 2004 9:15 A.M., PDT

Following yesterday morning’s steam-and-ash eruption, seismicity dropped to a low level and has remained low. Low-level tremor observed following the eruption is also gradually declining. Lack of earthquake and rockfall signals suggest that deformation of the uplift area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome has slowed. Brief visual observations this morning from Coldwater Visitor Center showed weak steam emissions from the crater. We infer that the vigorous unrest of the past few days has lessened and that the probability of an imminent eruption that would endanger life and property is significantly less than at any time since Saturday, October 2, when the alert level was raised to Volcano Alert (Level 3). Therefore, we are lowering the alert level to Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2).

Such decreases in the level of unrest, which may reflect a decrease in the rate of magma movement, have been common at Mount St. Helens during eruptions in 1980-86 and also at similar volcanoes elsewhere. Episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months, are possible. We don’t think that the current episode of unrest is over and we expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days and months. Everyone should be aware that escalation in unrest and perhaps an eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the Alert Level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in Alert Level as warranted.

Marajadex

Oct 6th, 2004, 9:23 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 6, 2004, 6:00 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

The low rate of seismic activity that followed yesterday’s steam and ash emission continued through last night, but rose slowly between about 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., before leveling off at a slightly higher level. Earthquakes are presently occurring at a rate of about one per minute with a maximum magnitude of about 1.0. No thermal observations were possible today owing to low clouds and rain,

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.835366b.jpg
but late this afternoon scientists were able to get brief views of the vents and the area of intense uplift on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome. They saw only weak puffs of steam coming from vents. They were able to confirm that the top of the area of intense uplift is at or slightly above the highest point on the lava dome, which suggests that some uplift has occurred during this period of low seismicity. They were also able to observe areas affected by the small lahars that spilled out of the crater and onto the Pumice Plain during last night’s rain storm. Lahars flowed a short distance toward both Spirit Lake and the North Fork Toutle River. Another crew worked on installation of broad-band seismometers on the lower flanks of the volcano.

Information received today indicates that a light dusting of ash from yesterday’s event affected the eastern part of Mount Rainier National Park, about 70 miles north-northeast of Mount St. Helens.

As a result of the intense unrest of the past 10 days, we infer that magma is at a very shallow level. During times of unrest, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months. Such changes are in part driven by variations in the rate of magma movement. We expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days. Escalation in the degree of unrest and perhaps an eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the alert level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Marajadex

Oct 7th, 2004, 3:06 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 7, 2004, 6:50 a.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

The low rate of seismic activity of the past day increased slightly overnight. Earthquakes are presently occurring at a rate of about 1 to 1.5 per minute with maximum magnitudes of about 1.0. Late yesterday afternoon scientists were able to get brief views of the vents and the area of intense uplift on the south side of the 1980- 86 lava dome. They saw only weak puffs of steam coming from vents.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.c46a9ef.jpg

They were able to confirm that the top of the area of intense uplift is at or slightly above the highest point on the lava dome, which suggests that some uplift has occurred during this period of low seismicity. They were also able to observe areas affected by the small lahars that spilled out of the crater and onto the Pumice Plain during the rainstorm in the early morning of 6 October. Lahars flowed a short distance toward both Spirit Lake and the North Fork Toutle River.

Today, field crews will continue to harden GPS sites for the approaching winter, do a gas-sensing flight, take thermal images of the dome and crater floor and make geological observations.

As a result of the intense unrest of the past 11 days, we infer that magma is at a very shallow level. During times of unrest, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months. Such changes are in part driven by variations in the rate of magma movement. We expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days. Escalation of unrest could occur suddenly and perhaps lead to an eruption with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the alert level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

According to reports from Northwest Cable News:

They are seeing an up lift of 250 feet to the south side of the dome. The mountain is now in a more constant state of letting off steam.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_dome_glacier_uplift_10-06-04_med.jpg

Marajadex

Oct 7th, 2004, 3:34 PM

Crater floor rises at Mt. St. Helens, but no need to raise alert
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-10-07-helens-crater-floor_x.htm

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. (AP) — Part of Mount St. Helens' crater floor has risen 50 to 100 feet since Tuesday while earthquake rates have been low, signs that magma is moving upward without much resistance, scientists said Thursday.

"The skids are greased," Jake Lowenstern, a U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist, said at a news conference at the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash.

With the latest rising, an area of the crater floor just south of the nearly 1,000-foot lava dome has risen about 250 feet since the mountain began stirring two weeks ago, Lowenstern said.

There's no way to tell when magma might reach the surface, he said.

Balaso

Oct 7th, 2004, 4:32 PM

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=5&u=/usatoday/20041007/ts_usatoday/helenssiblingsmightbenastier

Marajadex

Oct 7th, 2004, 11:17 PM

Marajadex

Oct 8th, 2004, 12:35 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 8, 2004, 7:00 a.m., PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

Seismic activity continues to be at a low to moderate rate with an overall trend of slightly decreasing energy release over the past 24 hours. Earthquakes are occurring at a rate of 1 to 2 per minute with the largest magnitudes about M1.5. Yesterday field crews reported a new vent near the two that have been present for several days. They also reported that there has not been noticeable additional uplift of the south part of the dome and adjacent glacier in the past 24 hours.

Gas-sensing and thermal imaging flights occurred late yesterday afternoon and we are awaiting those results. There will be limited work in the field today due to the poor weather. Field crews today will mostly work on enhancing data links between field stations and the Cascades Volcano Observatory.

Marajadex

Oct 8th, 2004, 12:40 PM

Lava dome continues to grow at Mount St. Helens
07:57 AM PDT on Friday, October 8, 2004
From KING, KGW Staff and the Associated Press
http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_100704WABmountsthelensLJ.b1b6cb9.html

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.e542c72.jpg

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. – Part of the lava dome in Mount St. Helens' crater has risen 50 to 100 feet since Tuesday but earthquake activity remained low, indicating molten rock is moving upward with little resistance, scientists said.

"We think that magma will very likely to reach the surface very soon, perhaps within days," said USGS hydrologist Larry Mastin, a specialist in the physics of volcanic eruptions.

Mastin said there could still be a large, explosive blast, sending ash clouds much higher into the sky that first forecasted.

"We think there's a small but real possibility of ash eruptions of VEI 4 or 5 - VEI 4 meaning ash clouds up to ten miles into atmosphere, VEI 5 being ash clouds up to about 15 miles," said Mastin.

Onikiri

Oct 8th, 2004, 12:50 PM

Donsun

Oct 8th, 2004, 1:15 PM

Obviously nothing of any significance is going to happen. The press and the scientists just pumping it up. What a joke. :gtfo:

lotrfan55345

Oct 8th, 2004, 3:02 PM

Obviously nothing of any significance is going to happen. The press and the scientists just pumping it up. What a joke. :gtfo:

You know this how? I dont see how it's "obvious" that nothing is going to happen.

Bigsky770

Oct 8th, 2004, 6:11 PM

Marajadex

Oct 8th, 2004, 8:16 PM

Lava dome still growing at Mount St. Helens
02:40 PM PDT on Friday, October 8, 2004
Associated Press

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. — Part of the lava dome in Mount St. Helens’ crater has risen 10 to 30 feet in the past day, on top of 250 feet in the past week, U.S. Geological Survey scientists said Friday.

Earthquake activity remained low, however, indicating molten rock is moving upward with little resistance, volcanologist Jake Lowenstern said.

The south side of the dome has been rising for the past week and is now nearly as tall as the dome’s 1,000-foot summit.

Despite the swelling, scientists said there was no reason to raise the alert level around the 8,364-foot volcano.

There was an outside chance an eruption could shoot ash 15 miles into the air or higher, but there was no indication that any eruption is imminent or that one would be powerful enough to threaten lives or property, said Larry Mastin, a USGS expert in the physics of volcano eruptions.

Bigsky770

Oct 8th, 2004, 9:09 PM

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Seismic activity has been rising gradually today to a moderate rate of energy release, with earthquakes up to magnitude 2.4 occurring at a rate of about 1 every two minutes. No visual observations of the crater and dome were possible today due to low clouds and rain. AFM data suggest a small lahar flowed out of the crater about midday. Field work was limited to observations of river flows and installation of a satellite dish near Coldwater Visitor Center for telemetry of seismic, GPS, and other data.
Measurements from recent photographs and LIDAR (an acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging) show that the intensely deformed and uplifted area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome is about 1300 feet (N-S) by 1600 feet (E-W) with a maximum uplift of about 300-400 feet.
As a result of the intense unrest of the past 11 days, we infer that magma is at a very shallow level. During times of unrest, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months. Such changes are in part driven by variations in the rate of magma movement. We expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days. Escalation in the degree of unrest and perhaps an eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the alert level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.
Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined with eruption models, show winds this evening will remain westerly and any ash clouds will drift northeastward (tonight) and east-northeastward (early tomorrow morning).
Saturday’s press conferences will be held at the Headquarters office of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest at 10:30 a.m.

- - -The LINK to the above information:

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

SladeLoD

Oct 8th, 2004, 9:33 PM

Looks like things are starting to pick up again. :crtmn:

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/GREEN/CDF_EHZ_UW.2004100900.html

Zach

Oct 9th, 2004, 6:57 AM

. . .In this story it is forecasted that there is a possibility that the eruption could be as bad as the May 1980 eruption. Here's the LINK:

http://www.kirotv.com/news/3792581/detail.html

. . .I think it's possible, in light of how long it's taking to erupt. Almost seems (as if) it's storing it's energy for one big-blast. . . .

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Many of the volcanoes in the history of the world do this. A seldom number of volcanoes just blow there top a few days after they show signs of eruption. Hell, it could be another month or longer. And you are right Bigsky, it would be bigger. The longer the bigger(generally).

Marajadex

Oct 9th, 2004, 1:58 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 9, 2004, 7:00 a.m. PDT Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE.

Seismic activity leveled off overnight after rising gradually for most of yesterday (10/08), with earthquakes up to magnitude 2.4 presently occurring at a rate of about 1 every two minutes. No visual observations of the crater and dome were possible yesterday due to low clouds and rain. Acoustic Flow Measurement (AFM) data showed no evidence of lahars occurring overnight. Field work yesterday was limited to observations of river flows and installation of a satellite dish near Coldwater Visitor Center for telemetry of seismic, GPS, and other data. Measurements from recent photographs and LIDAR (an acronym for LIght Detection And Ranging) show that, as of 10/07, the intensely deformed and uplifted area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome is about 1300 feet (N-S) by 1600 feet (E-W) with a maximum uplift of about 300-400 feet. WOW!

http://forms.belointeractive.com/sharedcontent/datafiles/1096917203069_LARGE_8.jpg

Donsun

Oct 9th, 2004, 2:47 PM

You know this how? I dont see how it's "obvious" that nothing is going to happen.
OK maybe obvious is to strong a word but i do think its way overblown. Time will tell all as ussual. :headbang:

Marajadex

Oct 9th, 2004, 9:42 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 9, 2004, 5:30 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Seismic activity has remained at a moderate, but variable rate. Currently earthquakes up to magnitude 2 are occurring at a rate of about 1 every two to three minutes minutes. No visual observations of the crater, the 1980-86 lava dome, or the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome were possible today due to low clouds. No scientists worked in the field today.

Additional analysis of lidar and photographs of the intensely uplifting area on the south side of the lava dome suggests that the total volume change represented by the deformation between late September and October 6 is about 16 million cubic meters (21 million cubic yards). :yikes: The average rate of change is about 2 million cubic meters per day (2.6 million cubic yards per day). If this figure represents the rate of intrusion of magma into shallow levels of the dome and(or) underlying crater floor, it is an intrusion rate about twice that measured during dome-building eruptions at Mount St. Helens in the 1980s.

Bigsky770

Oct 9th, 2004, 11:08 PM

. . .Nothing good, this is for certain. If this rate of magmatic intrusion holds with no eruptive activity, than Mt. St, Helens' could make the eruption of May 18, 1980 look like the difference between a hissy-fit of a volcanic-fart and a volcano GONE POSTAL. The question is: WHEN?

. . .The really funny thing about all this is the fact that there is so-little we actually DO KNOW about volcanos, (and) we are quickly learning that there can be so-many differences in how the SAME VOLCANO can be so DIFFERENT in its' action from one eruption to the next. When this volcano really started to show itself in its' activity again, scientists were so certain of the predictions they had made for it's eruption, only to find their predictions' fall short of the mark. I am curious to know just how BAD Mt. St. Helens' could be during an eruption, thing is, I know it won't be too-long before we find out. . . :ack:

. . .So now, all of those researching Mt. St. Helens' are reduced to doing the very same thing we are doing...Watching & Waiting. Try to imagine how bad that must seem for them, for all of the equipment and technology focused upon this as well as all of their learned minds. Gotta be sucky.

. . .In closing I do have to say that I do thank-them all, especially the USGS and CVO for the time and effort as well as the twice-a-day press briefings they have been giving, they have been marvelously forthcoming in all the information they have been passing-on in keeping the public and those concerned apprised of the situation. Thanks, People! :2thumbs:

Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 10th, 2004, 5:45 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 10, 2004, 7:00 a.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE
http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_101004WABmountsthelensSW.1b581c4d.html

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.1bb625ee.jpg

Seismic activity has decreased slightly over the past 20 hours to low levels, similar to those observed during the evening hours of October 7. Earthquakes continue to occur at a rate of about 1 per minute, but most have magnitudes of 1.0 or less. With the improving weather, a gas measuring flight is planned within the next two days.

Additional analysis of lidar and photographs of the intensely uplifting area on the south side of the lava dome suggests that the total volume change represented by the deformation between late September and October 6 is about 16 million cubic meters (21 million cubic yards). The average rate of change is about 2 million cubic meters per day (2.6 million cubic yards per day). If this figure represents the rate of intrusion of magma into shallow levels of the dome and(or) underlying crater floor, it is an intrusion rate about twice that measured during dome-building eruptions at Mount St. Helens in the 1980s. Cartographers with the USGS office in Denver are working to develop precise volume change estimates for the uplifted area from stereo airphotos acquired between 1 and 5 October.

SladeLoD

Oct 10th, 2004, 8:36 PM

One comment i do have to make on St.Helens.The experts are not really sure of what is about to take place when and if anything does and it looks like sooner or later it will.If i where one of those tourists camping there to see what is happeneing i would pack up and move alot further away from St.Helens.We do not need a repeat of the extent of 1980 in loss of life.This volcano has a mind of it's own,we do not know when or how large this eruption will be when it takes place.Five miles seems to be a safe distance for now,but if it erupts anywhere near the magnitude of the 1980 eruption that five mile area just might be covered in ash but fast. :52:

Marajadex

Oct 10th, 2004, 9:00 PM

Five miles seems to be a safe distance for now,but if it erupts anywhere near the magnitude of the 1980 eruption that five mile area just might be covered in ash but fast.I agree with you Slade. When the volcano erupted in 1980 there was a geologist station 5 miles away. He didn't survive. I don't think 10 miles would be a really safe distance.

Marajadex

Oct 10th, 2004, 9:11 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 10, 2004, 5:00 p.m, PDTCurrent status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_crater_dome_from_northeast_10-07-04_small.jpg

Seismic activity remained at a low level today. Currently small earthquakes (about magnitude 1) are occurring at a rate of about 1 per 5 to 10 minutes. Very small earthquakes are occurring at a rate of about 1 per minute. Visual observations and thermal imaging of the crater, the 1980-86 lava dome, and the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome were made during the early afternoon. The deforming area has increased in area by about 10 percent since last seen on 7 October.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/MSH2004/20041007_msh_dome_new_uplift_small.jpg

Estimate of change in height awaits further analysis. A steam plume originating at vents on the deforming area is rising above the crater rim and drifting to the southeast. A dusting of ash on new snow high on the volcano suggests that minor ash emission may be occurring intermittently. Installation of a remotely controlled video camera provided by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory began late in the day at Sugar Bowl, which lies at the eastern side of The Breach, the open north end of the 1980 Crater.

Marajadex

Oct 11th, 2004, 3:05 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 11, 2004, 7:45 a.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.201aaa92.jpg

Seismicity overnight remained at a low level similar to October 10. Small earthquakes (about magnitude 1) have continued at a rate of about 1 per 5 to 10 minutes.

Viewing conditions were very clear most of October 10, and fresh snow had fallen to the level of the crater floor north of the dome. A USGS field crew noticed a thin ash deposit on the snow in the crater and just beyond the crater rim, trending southeast from the active area.

A steam plume rose to crater rim level or slightly above all day on October 10, heading to the southeast. USGS field workers described the plume as “lazy”—no gas thrust or notably vigorous convection was observed. The plume was clean, with no noticeable ash or blue/orange haze. The odor of H2S was noted at the crater breach, but not elsewhere.

Helicopter field crews were at work on Sunday October 10. A telemetered webcam was placed at Sugarbowl and GPS data were downloaded.

The thermal imaging crew made an excellent video of the uplifted area of the south crater floor. The western portion of the the uplift was steaming over a large diffuse area. Maximum measured surface temperatures were 200-300 deg. C. The thermal imaging crew judged the uplifted area to have grown since it was last seen on the 7th.

No gas observations were made on October 10.

Rockfall deposits were not seen on or around the uplifted area, perhaps indicating a lull in its growth or deformation.

Bigsky770

Oct 11th, 2004, 6:31 PM

. . .Was watching the "Weather Channel's" report on "Mt. St. Helens", and I noted that the plume of smoke shown on the television TODAY showed a very distinct heavy-orange haze to the plume. AT the time this was photographed, the sunlight was not striking this part of the "plume" so, it could not have been caused by sunlight.

. . .Let's see what the update from the CVO is for to-morrow, when they have time to go-over this latest activity. . .

Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 11th, 2004, 10:19 PM

Bigsky770

Oct 12th, 2004, 12:21 PM

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE
Seismic activity remained at a low level overnight. Small earthquakes (maximum about magnitude 1) continue to occur at a rate of about 1 per 5 to 10 minutes. Visual observations and thermal imaging of the crater, the 1980-86 lava dome, and the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome were made yesterday afternoon. Thermal imaging of the western part of the uplifting area revealed temperatures of 500 to 600 degrees C on a large pinkish-gray fin of rock and in nearby fumaroles and cracks. These observations are consistent with new lava having reached the surface of the uplift. Additional visual and thermal observations will be made today to further evaluate this interpretation.
A gas-sensing flight yesterday measured fluxes of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide that are similar to or slightly smaller than those measured on 7 October. The next gas-sensing flight is scheduled for tomorrow.
Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined with eruption models, show winds this morning will remain northwesterly. Any ash clouds will drift south-southeastwardly to southeastwardly.

LINK to info.:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 12th, 2004, 2:27 PM

Lava reaches surface at Mount St. Helens
12:17 PM PDT on Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Associated Press and KING Staff Reports
http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_101204WABmtsthelensLJ.24ddb72e.html

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. — Weeks after Mount St. Helens first showed signs of acvtivity, scientists confirmed Tuesday that hot molten rock had reached the surface of the crater.

A fin of rock, about 20 meters high, 40 meters long and as much as 1,100 degrees Farhenheit has punctured the surface, according to USGS scientists Tina Neal.

Neal said the latest observations made scientists comfortable calling the activity dome building.
Scientists did not discount the possibility of an explosive eruption, however.
"Just because we see this lava at the surface now doesn't mean we won't have explosive activity in the future," USGS geologist Jon Major said.

On Monday, geologists observed that the bulge that has been growing on the south side of the lava dome is cracked, a sign that magma was hammering away at the surface. This is where the lava fin poked through.

The vents visible in the crater five days ago were gone, swallowed up by the expanding bulge.

Just how fast the molten rock is rising is another big concern with scientists. If it’s moving too fast, explosive gases will not have enough time to dissipate, triggering an eruption with very little warning.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_st_helens_with_steam_from_JRO_10-10-04_med.jpg

Marajadex

Oct 13th, 2004, 12:04 AM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 12, 2004, 5:45 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Seismic activity remained at a low, but gradually increasing level today. This morning’s visual observations and thermal imaging of the 1980-86 lava dome, the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome, and the new lava extrusion first seen yesterday afternoon were hampered by steam clouds. Conditions appeared similar to those of yesterday afternoon, with high temperatures (up to 600 degrees C) around the fin-shaped lava extrusion in the western part of the uplift. The area of high temperature appears to have increased in size. Abundant steam continued to rise from the fin area to the crater rim, from which it was dispersed southeastward by strong winds.

A new instrument array was lowered onto the uplifting area this afternoon by helicopter. It contains telemetered seismic, GPS, and tilt instruments, as well as a microphone. It will provide critical information on rate of movement of the uplift as well as a close-in seismic station. Other field work concentrated on improving satellite and radio telemetry systems.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_crater_dome_uplift_from_NE_10-11-04_med.jpg

Marajadex

Oct 13th, 2004, 1:33 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 13, 2004, 7:00 a.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Seismic activity remained at a low, but slightly increasing level overnight. Yesterday’s visual observations and thermal imaging of the 1980-86 lava dome, the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome, and the new lava extrusion first seen on October 11 were hampered by steam clouds. Conditions appeared similar to those of October 11, with high temperatures (up to 600 degrees C) around the fin-shaped lava extrusion in the western part of the uplift. The area of high temperature appears to have increased in size. Abundant steam continued to rise from the fin area to the crater rim, from which it was dispersed southeastward by strong winds.

A new instrument array was lowered onto the uplifting area on October 12 by helicopter. It contains telemetered seismic, GPS, and tilt instruments, as well as a microphone. It will provide critical information on rate of movement of the uplift as well as a close-in seismic station, which is proving useful in interpreting very small seismic events that do not appear at more distant stations. Today, field crews will take new thermal images of the crater floor and dome, make gas-sensing measurements, perform routine maintenance of GPS sites, and take hydrological measurements.

As a result of the intense unrest of the past two and one-half weeks and recent observations, we infer that magma is at a very shallow level and is extruding onto the surface. Incandescence from hot rock or gases reflects off steam clouds and is visible from north of the volcano. During times of unrest, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of unrest over periods of days to weeks, or even months. Such changes are in part driven by variations in the rate of magma movement. We expect fluctuations in the level of unrest to continue during coming days. Escalation in the degree of unrest could occur suddenly or with very little warning. There may be little time to raise the alert level before a hazardous event occurs. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Marajadex

Oct 13th, 2004, 9:59 PM

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_growth_on_dome_closein_from_west_10-12-04_med.jpg

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 13, 2004, 6:00 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Seismic activity remained at a low level today, maintaining the slight increase that occurred last night. This morning’s visual observations and thermal imaging of the crater were focused on the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome and the new lobe of lava in the western part of that area. The area of both the uplift and the new lobe of lava have increased slightly since yesterday. Temperatures of almost 700 degrees C were measured in parts of the new lobe, from which ash-rich jets rose tens of meters. Abundant steam continued to rise from the area of lava extrusion to the crater rim, from which it was dispersed southwestward by strong winds.

Other field work today included a gas-sensing flight (data not yet reduced), downloading GPS data, and observations of water flows and temperatures in streams draining the crater.

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined with eruption models, show variable wind directions tonight, but generally northerly. Any ash clouds will drift southward this evening and southeastward tomorrow morning.

Magma continues to be at a very shallow level and is extruding onto the surface and forming a new lobe of the lava dome. Incandescence or glow from the hot rock will likely be visible intermittently from north of the volcano, or possibly from other vantage points if the right cloud conditions exist.

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TECH/science/10/13/mount.st.helens.ap/vert.magma.ap.jpg http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/TECH/science/10/13/mount.st.helens.ap/vert.crater.ap.jpg

Lava-dome growth is a dynamic process and, as we observed in the mid-1980s, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of activity over periods of days to weeks, or even months. Such changes are in part driven by variations in the rate of magma movement. We expect fluctuations in the level of eruptive activity to continue. Escalation could occur suddenly or with very little warning. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Marajadex

Oct 14th, 2004, 3:34 PM

Bigsky770

Oct 14th, 2004, 5:05 PM

. . .I just want to say "thanks" for doing such a great job posting all of this information as well as the pictorals, it's greatly appreciated! :2thumbs:

. . .As night falls in the area of Mt. St. Helens, I've been visiting the web-cam at the web-site listed below, and though you cannot see the volcano itself in the darkness, the glow of the hot rocks and gases can now be seen for longer periods of time, and as well appears brighter than previous. During day-light hours, you can see the lava-dome that is within the mouth, and has grown incredibly large (and will probably get quite a bit larger) 'fore any 'major eruption' should occur. I'm simply in awe of it's phenominal growth, :yikes: this force of nature that it is. Kinda strange, the way a story like this can make you feel. In one way, I'd LOVE to be there, to see it up-close-and-personal, to experience it. . . .On the other hand, NO FRIGGIN' WAY! (heh....) Anywho, Here's the LINK:

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 14th, 2004, 11:20 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Update, October 14, 2004, 6:15 p.m, PDT
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_visual_and_FLIR_new_growth_10-13-04_med.jpg

Seismic activity remained at a low level today. Today’s visual observations and thermal imaging of the crater were focused on the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the 1980-86 lava dome and the new lobe of lava in the western part of that area. The area of both the uplift and the new lobe of lava have increased slightly since yesterday. Yesterday’s gas-sensing flight detected low levels of sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, but no carbon dioxide. Abundant steam continues to rise from the area of lava extrusion to the crater rim, from which it is being dispersed downwind. Measurements taken yesterday of flow-rate and temperature in streams draining the crater showed no significant change from late September values.

Other field work today included a gas-sensing flight (data not yet reduced), downloading GPS data, and servicing GPS stations.

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), combined with eruption models, show that any ash clouds will drift south-southeastward this evening and southeastward tomorrow morning. Magma continues to be at a very shallow level and is extruding onto the surface and forming a new lobe of the lava dome. Small emissions of steam and ash are possible. Reflection onto steam clouds of incandescence or glow from the hot rock and gases will be visible at night from some locations.

Lava-dome growth is a dynamic process and, as we observed in the mid-1980s, Mount St. Helens and similar volcanoes elsewhere typically go through episodic changes in level of activity over periods of days to weeks, or even months. We expect fluctuations in the level of eruptive activity to continue. Escalation could occur suddenly. Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

Under current conditions, small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could be triggered if hot material from the new lava extrusion swiftly melts glacier ice. Such lahars pose negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people working or recreating along the river channel upstream of the SRS. Furthermore, due to weather and stream-flow conditions at this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky.

There will no longer be daily media briefings at the Headquarters of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. A media briefing will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Castle Lake Viewpoint in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. However no additional such briefing are planned until conditions warrant them. Beginning tomorrow, we will release only one daily update, at approximately 11 a.m. Tomorrow’s update will contain information regarding media contacts with the Joint Information Center.

Marajadex

Oct 19th, 2004, 12:31 AM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
October 18, 2004 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS VOLCANO
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky. Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Seismicity has not changed significantly and remains at a low level overall. Continuing storm noise explains some of the higher background signal observed. We have no new Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements to report. Poor weather yesterday prevented geological observations.

The current level and character of seismicity are consistent with a continuing rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding the surface extrusion of lava. Low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor. When weather conditions improve, we will continue geologic observations, thermal imaging, and making improvements in telemetry systems.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.ff6874ac29.93.88.fa.7c.34c09632.jpg

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics, please visit: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For seismic information visit: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels, please see: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

Telephone recordings with the latest update on Mount St. Helens and phone contacts for additional information can be heard by calling:

Media (360) 891-5180

General public (360) 891-5202

OTHER CASCADE VOLCANOES

All other volcanoes in the Cascade Range are all at normal levels of background seismicity. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, and Mount Adams in Washington State; Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry, and Crater Lake, in Oregon; and Medicine Lake, Mount Shasta, and Lassen Peak in northern California.

LC Jeffries

Oct 19th, 2004, 7:51 PM

Why all the sudden has the media attention for Mount St. Helen's suddenly come to a standstill? I have not heard one thing about the volcano this week.

By the way, I know this is off the subject, but did you all see the plane that crashed here in Atlanta today? This is something like the 5 th crash, including one near my home that has happened over the past several months.

Many think it was the weather. I do know that it has been quite strange here lately. I feel like we are back into spring once again after having a brief shot of more Fall like weather last week.

RavenWhitefang

Oct 19th, 2004, 8:25 PM

Helens is still kind of active, and as of right now the scientists dont think it is going to do something drastic and newsworthy as of yet.

Emerald_Dragon

Oct 20th, 2004, 9:42 AM

>By the way, I know this is off the subject,
>but did you all see the plane that crashed here in Atlanta today?

yeah, heard about it. had a small plane crash in my town too. 3 on board, pilot died, elderly woman died, her elderly son survived in critical condition for awhile.

maybe the atmosphere was affected by the 4 hurricanes that hit florida, making small pockets of dead air a hazard for small aircraft. dunno, just a guess. any meteorologists out there?

niteflyer

Oct 20th, 2004, 10:43 AM

I fly pretty small aircraft too...I currently own a 1977 Cessna 172M and a Blanik L19 sailplane and dead air is stable air to me....its microbursts associated with low building cumulus and abidatic cooling downdrafts that Ive fount to be the most hazardous low altitude phenomonon, and lenticular cloud formations can rip you apart at altitude as can the shears in building thunderstorms...

niteflyer

Oct 20th, 2004, 10:52 AM

I used to live in Rainier Oregon, Harry Truman (the lodge owner) was a friend of my grandfather. We often went to Spirit Lake. I went to boy scout camp there and climbed the old mountain via Ape ridge many times. Ive only been there briefly a few times sice it blew.
Im gonna be in the area for a week, and planned to camp out around there and see if I could look up some old people in the Couger area....
Marajadex, can you give me coordinates for the seismographs?? I thought it might be fun to go to the sex store, buy some vibrators, radio switch them, and hike around the Mt taping them to the recorders as I go...Im kinda dubious about the crater though...
I would be kinda fun to set them all off at once though...hehehehehe....
I know...Im warped....what can I say??

cyberstorm

Oct 21st, 2004, 2:01 AM

This eruption is gonna be like the one on Monseratt(sp),lots of dome building,a few blasts with pyroclastic flows,nothing huge,but this will go on for a long time

Bigsky770

Oct 21st, 2004, 2:42 PM

. . .Go here to get a look-see @ all of the PICS taken since this had begun. (best to start @ the beginning) incredible force that nature is, to see the building of the 'dome' in progress, and also how utterly LARGE it has become!

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Images/MSH04/framework.html

You won't regret it! Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Bigsky770

Oct 24th, 2004, 10:51 AM

. . .Check-out the P & S waves on these seismograph/webicorder readings, I've been watching them for some while, how much they appear like an "EKG" taken of a patient in a sorta way . . .

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/GREEN/JUN_EHZ_UW.2004102412.html

. . .Need we more evidence than this that the "Earth" lives? Mindboggling.

Joe (bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 24th, 2004, 1:28 PM

The waves on the webicorders are definatly interesting. Seems the Mountain has been leading us on quite the chase.

Has anyone seen the reports on the earthquakes in Japan?
http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/

The ring of fire has been giving us quite a show latley.

Bigsky770

Oct 24th, 2004, 11:32 PM

. . .In the "Honshu" area of Japan, one major quake and something like (6?) aftershocks of fairly heavy magnitudes, (above 5.5). Heard of 1 death, pretty sure there were more, but haven't had too much time to search out more on the internet as right now the *BIG* story [maybe] the "Global Markets". (as for the earthquakes, though, the good news is that "Nippon Oil" has stated that no production losses will occur due to the quakes. Back to Topic: 10/24's report on "Mount St. Helens" (abbreviated to only relay the new material, as much from the previous news stories is only 'copy')

October 24, 2004 11:00 am PDT (18:00 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS VOLCANO

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift southeastward to eastward from the volcano.

Seismicity remains at a low level compared to that observed early in this unrest. The current seismicity is consistent with a continuing, slow rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding a surface extrusion of lava. The overall low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor, thereby reducing the probability of highly explosive eruptions in the near term.

No field work was possible yesterday owing to poor weather. Today field crews will attempt to make geological and thermal-imaging observations and to take aerial photographs for use in estimating the rate of growth of the new lava dome and the deforming area.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Bigsky770

Oct 25th, 2004, 10:44 PM

October 25, 2004 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS VOLCANO

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift northeastward from the volcano.

Yesterday field crews were able to make brief geological and thermal-imaging observations and to install an additional GPS receiver. Thick steam clouds obscured much of the new lava dome, but some changes were apparent since the last observations on 21 October. A small apron of warm ash and blocks that fell from the dome lies on newly fallen snow on its west side and a small stream of melt water flows from a nearby area of intensely deformed glacier ice. A new GPS instrument was slung by helicopter and placed on a large boulder just north of the 1980-86 lava dome. It will aid in detecting any crater-wide deformation. Initial analyses were made over the weekend of samples of the new lava dome that were collected on 20 October. They show that, since lava first appeared on 11 October, it has been rising more easily from depth and not spending much more than a few days at shallow levels before being extruded onto the surface. Reviews of several lines of evidence confirm that the average rate of volume change between late September and mid-October of the deformed area and new lava dome was about 8 cubic meters (10 cubic yards, or a typical dump truck full) per second. A substantial part of that change must be magma, which suggests a rate similar to that of many other lava-dome-building eruptions.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Bigsky770

Oct 27th, 2004, 1:32 PM

Mount St. Helens' lava dome now as tall as 35-story building

05:39 PM MDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
By kgw.com and AP Staff

MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. -- Scientists said Monday the lava dome continues to quietly grow in the crater of Mount St. Helens.
The U.S. Geological Survey said magma is pushing to the surface of the volcano at the rate of ten cubic yards -- a dump truck load -- per second.
And in less than two weeks, the uplift has grown to the height of a 35-story building and the area of 29 football fields, said USGS scientist Ralph Haugerud.
The uncovering of the changes on the mountain was made by utilizing a new application of NASA technology. Scientists used high-tech Light Detection and Ranging instrumentation to analyze changes in the surface elevation of the Mount St. Helens crater.
"LIDAR mapping uses a scanning laser rangefinder mounted in a small aircraft to measure distances," Haugerud explained Monday.
This marked the first time the NASA technology has been used to measure volcanic activity, according to David Harding, a scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
"The resulting pictures of topographic change can reveal information found in no other kind of data set," he said.
Plans were already in the works by USGS and NASA scientists for an aerial survey of Mount St. Helens at the time it started erupting. NASA engineers pioneered airborne LIDAR mapping in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Because of its very high accuracy and fast turn-around of results, LIDAR is rapidly becoming the preferred method for detailed topographic mapping and is conducted worldwide on a commercial basis by numerous companies," Harding said.

http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/ktvbn-oct2604-mount_st._helens.287b6c50.html

Do the residents of Kalama know something the USGS doesn't?

Kalama River signals Mount St. Helens' awakening, say locals
11:50 AM MDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Associated Press

KALAMA, Wash. — Along the Kalama River, locals say they know something the volcanologists don’t, that when the water turns milky white it means Mount St. Helens may be about to blow.
Elwin Bottorff, 76, a retired lumber mill manager, says he has been reading the river that runs past his front yard for 40 years and knew what it meant the last time he saw the change.
“The first thing I said was, ‘That goddamn mountain is screwing around again,’” Bottorff said. “Then, sure enough, about a week later, here it comes.”
That was just about the time it took before seismograph needles started jumping and days before geologists and volcanologists warned of an impending eruption.
Fly fishers were casting lines to riffles, hoping to land a steelhead or coho salmon, as the river ran low and clear on that cloudless morning in mid-September, Bottorff and his neighbors recalled.
“So clear, you could read a newspaper through the water,” says Barbara Orzel, whose famly runs Prichard’s Western Angler, a bait and tackle outfitter, snack shop and community hub.
“Just a gorgeous day,” Orzel says. “Then, pretty soon, here it comes, so eerie it was almost like you were on another planet.”
All of a sudden the Kalama was running chalk white, “one hundred percent white,” Bottorff said.
“Just like milk,” added another resident, Bill Swihart.
It took a full 24 hours before the river ran clear again, locals said.
“There was no question in my mind or the neighbors’ either,” Bottorff said. “We all knew. I mean, my God, in 24 years it hasn’t done it.”
He said the last time he saw the river turn that color was in 1980, just before the volcano blew its top on May 18, killing 57 people, blasting away miles of forest and banketing homes, cabins and cars with gritty, machine-clogging volcanic ash.
Although the Kalama originates from a spring above McBride Lake on the southwest flank of St. Helens, scientists who monitor the volcano are skeptical of the theory.
“I can’t think of any mechanism related to volcanic activity that would change that river’s color,” said Jon Major, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash.
Molten rock rising within the mountain, as is now occurring at St. Helens, has been known to stir up minerals, raise temperatures and change the color of the water in hot springs much higher up the volcano, “but the Kalama’s headwaters are probably too far away (from the magma) for that,” Major said.
A more likely cause, Major suggested, was the collapse of a stream bank or a small landslide — especially since areas around the mountain received the most rainfall in 18 years during August.
“N-O,” Bottorff insisted. “No. Impossible.”
Orzel said sediment from heavy rain or slides usually turns the river “a brownish, cup of coffee with a lot of cream” color rather than milky white.
With what’s happening now at St. Helens, “it’s just too much of a coincidence,” she added.
Another believer in the river is Gary Suhadolnik, a retired state fish and wildlife officer who worked in the area for most of his 35-year career, including a grim body-recovery mission after the big blast of 1980.
“I’m not belittling the scientists, because I’m sure they know their stuff,” Suhadolnik said. “Maybe these guys look at us and say, ‘What do these people know?’ but I can tell you this:
“The Kalama never turned white except during volcanic activity.”
Suhadolnik also said the source of the river, “the most beautiful little spring you ever saw, bubbling right out of the ground,” is not far from ancient lava tubes.
“Logically, there has to be a connection,” he said. “Least, that’s my gut feeling.”

http://www.ktvb.com/news/regional/stories/NW_102604WAKsthelens_kalamariverLJ.281ac147.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 28th, 2004, 12:09 AM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
October 27, 2004 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC)
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky.

Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Seismicity remains at a low level compared to that observed early in this unrest. The current seismicity is consistent with a continuing, slow rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding a surface extrusion of lava. The overall low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor, thereby reducing the probability of highly explosive eruptions in the near term.

Samples of the new dacite lava collected on 20 October are mostly similar chemically and texturally to lava erupted during the late period of dome growth in the 1980’s (1984-1986). This is consistent with slow rise, degassing, and cooling of magma within the volcano’s conduit. However, a minor component of the 10/20/04 sample has textures and mineral compositions indicative of rapid ascent of magma from a region at greater depth and greater temperature (900º C).

By the by... I finally got a job today!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!

Bigsky770

Oct 29th, 2004, 12:14 AM

. . .(as long as it doesn't include work-in-the-field -w- the USGS near Mount St. Helens, otherwise I'd inquire about your "Hazard Pay" benefits, if I were you!). . .heh. . . :bubble:

Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Marajadex

Oct 29th, 2004, 12:56 AM

Thanks Joe! No USGS although that would be sweet... :52:
It is however through a company called Volt and I will be working for Boeing. Just basic computer tech stuff. It is only an internship with a max time limit of 2 years but it is a good start! :D

Marajadex

Oct 29th, 2004, 1:02 AM

Cascade Range Current Update
U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
October 28, 2004 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC)
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_st_helens_from_JRO_10-27-04_med.jpg

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky.

Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Seismicity remains at a low level compared to that observed early in this unrest. The current seismicity is consistent with a continuing, slow rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding a surface extrusion of lava. The overall low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor, thereby reducing the probability of highly explosive eruptions in the near term.

Preliminary reduction of LIDAR data from October 14 indicates that the volume increase of the new dome (uplifted glacial ice, rock debris, and new lava) was approximately 11 million cubic meters at that time, giving a growth rate of about 7 cubic meters per second.

Crews had a productive day in the field yesterday. Work included installation of two new GPS stations to measure ground deformation on the surface of the growing dome, geologic observations and sampling, collection of oblique stereophotos for tracking growth of the new dome, thermal-infrared mapping to determine temperature distribution in the new and old (1980-86) domes, a gas-measurement flight, and telemetry maintenance. Results include the following: the new GPS station on the southern part of the new dome shows motion downward and to the southeast; a station near the summit of the old dome has moved northward about 7 cm since October 20; thermal imaging showed an elongate band of elevated surface temperature, locally as great as 775º C along the west face of the new dome coincident with the area of exposed newly extruded lava; gas-emission rates measured yesterday are similar to recent previous measurements (SO2 about 250 tons per day, CO2 about 300 tons per day, H2S about 2 tons per day); samples of dome rock similar in appearance to the rock of the older dome were collected from two localities in the vicinity of the exposed new lava. In the aggregate, the above results indicate that the character and rise of magma is continuing as it has over tha past few weeks. The visible steam plume is caused by condensation of moisture in the cold air above the hot dome.

Marajadex

Oct 31st, 2004, 5:29 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
October 31, 2004 10:00 am PDT (17:00 UTC)
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS), but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky.

Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Seismicity remains at a low level compared to that observed early in this unrest. The current seismicity is consistent with a continuing, slow rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding a surface extrusion of lava. The overall low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor, thereby reducing the probability of highly explosive eruptions in the near term.

SladeLoD

Nov 7th, 2004, 11:54 AM

St.Helens the last several days.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/11/06/mount.saint.helens/index.html

:crtmn:

Bigsky770

Nov 22nd, 2004, 3:48 PM

Recent observations: The only field work conducted yesterday was continued construction on a new site west of the volcano to improve and strengthen our radio-telemetry network. Saturday's field work during ideal conditions produced good sets of photographic, thermal-imaging, and gas-sensing data. The welt, the broad area of uplift south of the 1980-86 lava dome, has now reached the crater wall on the southeast and south and has also expanded to the southwest. It also appears to be moving northward into the southern part of the 1980-86 lava dome. The new lava dome, which lies within the welt, continues to expand upward and outward. The dome expansion is accompanied by growth of fractures creating weak zones. The steep west face of the dome is crumbling piecemeal, but, as fractures grow, there is an increasing chance of large slabs of hot rock toppling westward and forming ash clouds that drift out of the crater and hot avalanches, or pyroclastic flows. The flows would sweep over, erode, and melt snow and ice and produce lahars, or volcanic debris flows, that pour northward out of the crater onto the Pumice Plain. The three instrument packages, called Spiders, that were lowered from a helicopter into the crater on Saturday are operating well and sending back data in real time. The GPS site placed near the top of the new lava dome is moving at an impressive rate southeastward and upward. In 24 hours it moved about 10 meters (33 feet) southeastward and 2 meters (6.5 feet) upward, confirming visual and photographic observations. Gas measurements made on Saturday were of high quality and show that daily gas emissions remain at a more or less constant rate of a couple hundred tons of sulfur dioxide, about 1000 tons of carbon dioxide, and several tons of hydrogen sulfide.

More @:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/currentconditions/special.shtml

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

SladeLoD

Nov 27th, 2004, 7:36 PM

Here ya go,Shake Rattle and Roll!

MOUNT St. HELENS — A 3.1-magnitude earthquake shook the crater at Mount St. Helens (search) on Saturday, the strongest quake at the volcano since mid-October.

U.S. Geological Survey (search) scientists said they did not believe a major eruption was imminent — just a continuation of the minor ash and steam eruptions that have been occurring since the mountain reawakened this fall.

Saturday's earthquake appeared to be a larger version of the small earthquakes scientists have registered about once a minute for the past several weeks, the USGS said in a news release. Scientists hoped good weather Sunday and Monday would allow them to get a better look at the volcano.

A flurry of small earthquakes beginning in late September were followed by a burst of steam and ash on Oct. 1 — the first in a series of small eruptions. None of the early earthquakes measured more than 3.2 in magnitude.

A new lava formation began building in the crater soon after, with magma (search) reaching the floor at the rate of 7 to 8 cubic meters — about one large dump truck load — every second. The new dome and the uplifted floor beneath it now cover 70 acres and stand 750 feet high.

:crtmn:

Marajadex

Nov 27th, 2004, 7:52 PM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
November 27, 2004 10:15 am PST (1815 UTC)
MOUNT ST. HELENS VOLCANO
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues and is accompanied by intermittent emissions of steam and ash. As long as this eruption is in progress, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days, weeks, or even months. Increase in the intensity of eruption could occur suddenly or with very little warning and may include explosive events that produce hazardous conditions within several miles of the volcano. Small lahars (volcanic debris flows) could suddenly descend the Toutle River valley if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow or glacier ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard to people along the river channel upstream of the SRS. At this time of year, it is not unusual for rivers draining the volcano to contain high concentrations of sediment that turn the water murky.

Although considered less likely at this time, the current eruptive activity could evolve into a more explosive phase that affects areas farther from the volcano and sends significant ash thousands of feet above the crater where it could be a hazard to aircraft and to downwind communities.

Seismicity remains at a low level compared to that observed early in this unrest. The current seismicity is consistent with a continuing, slow rise of magma driving uplift of the crater floor and feeding the extrusion of lava onto the surface, where it builds a dome. The overall low rates of seismicity and gas emission suggest that the lava reaching the surface is gas poor, thereby reducing the probability of highly explosive eruptions in the near term.

Recent observations: Aerial views taken late yesterday afternoon show that growth of the welt and lava dome continue. Most of the east arm of the crater glacier that is adjacent to the welt is now deformed. Ice close to the welt is steeply inclined and intensely fractured; farther away the ice surface is beginning to rumple into broad ridges as the welt grows eastward. A magnitude 3.1 earthquake occurred at a shallow level in the crater about 5 a.m. this morning--the first earthquake greater than M3 that has been recorded since the new lava dome emerged in mid-October. It appears to be a larger version of the small earthquakes that have been occurring for many weeks at the rate of about one per minute. We hope to take advantage of good weather on Sunday or Monday to get in the field for a variety of activities.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_night_shot_new_dome_from_JRO_11-04-04_med.jpg

Dead Man Walking

Nov 28th, 2004, 10:20 AM

The depth of the study is remarkably intense. An eruption is eminent, now to what capacity is questionable. I don't foresee anything that would compare to the previous Event.

Bigsky770

Dec 4th, 2004, 7:46 AM

. . .In case you may not have recently visited the site:

The Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network

http://www.pnsn.org/recenteqs/latest.htm

There have been changes that were as of recent implemented to better arrange the network of webicorders into ‘subsections’ that differentiates those recorders used for more common earthquake activity from those that ‘zero-in’ more properly on activity associated with volcanoes. All your favourite webicorder stations are still on-line PLUS you will notice the addition of more stations that will provide a greater degree of ability to study the events and also triangulate more properly depth, location and magnitude as well as other effects made apparent with this phenomena. You can locate the stations (as well as others/like Rainier) here:

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/welcome.html

The complete listing for all stations focused upon “Mount St. Helens”, is as follows, (with names):

BLIS SHZ CV : St. Helens - New Dome

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/BLIS_SHZ_CV.2004120412.html

SEP SHZ CV : St. Helens - Dome

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/SEP_SHZ_CV.2004120412.html

YEL SHZ UW : St. Helens - Yellow Rock

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/YEL_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

SHW SHZ UW : St. Helens - West

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/SHW_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

HSR SHZ UW : St. Helens - South-Ridge

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/HSR_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

JUN SHZ UW : St. Helens - June Lake

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/JUN_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

STD SHZ UW : St. Helens - Studebaker

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/STD_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

CDF SHZ UW : St. Helens - Cedar Flats

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/CDF_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

TDL SHZ UW : St. Helens - Tradedollar

http://www.pnsn.org/WEBICORDER/VOLC/TDL_SHZ_UW.2004120412.html

. . .As "Dead Man Walking" so aptly stated;

The depth of the study is remarkably intense.

. . .Yes, DMW, these changes effectively TRIPLE the amount of stations the USGS had upon this area from just a few short months ago, whereas activity @ Mount St. Helens’ had renewed late this last September. Welcome to this corner of the "Forum" with us, great to have you here! Happy volcano watching! :D

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

SladeLoD

Dec 9th, 2004, 9:32 PM

Rock On!

1.4 2004/12/09 21:40:16 46.199 -122.190 1.0 1 km ( 0 mi) W of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.5 2004/12/09 21:34:26 46.198 -122.189 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.7 2004/12/09 20:56:33 46.199 -122.190 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) W of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.6 2004/12/09 20:54:43 46.197 -122.188 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
2.0 2004/12/09 20:50:56 46.197 -122.186 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
2.1 2004/12/09 19:19:24 46.199 -122.187 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.7 2004/12/09 18:03:11 46.197 -122.186 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
2.0 2004/12/09 17:35:42 46.197 -122.189 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.9 2004/12/09 17:15:30 46.200 -122.185 0.0 0 km ( 0 mi) W of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.7 2004/12/09 17:12:23 46.197 -122.190 0.3 1 km ( 1 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
2.0 2004/12/09 15:14:04 46.196 -122.186 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) SW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
1.7 2004/12/09 14:46:12 46.197 -122.187 0.0 1 km ( 0 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA

:crtmn:

RavenWhitefang

Dec 16th, 2004, 11:20 AM

Predictions for Helens (http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn6806) to have a dramatic eruption sometime down the line.

"Something extraordinary is happening at Mount St Helens. We are scratching our heads about it," says Dan Dzurisin of US Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory (CVO) in Vancouver, Washington, US. The new dome has grown so quickly - almost four cubic metres every second - that it has bulldozed a 180-metres-thick glacier out of its way.
If this rapid growth rate continues, there is a growing risk of a dome collapse which could trigger a major eruption, researchers warned at the American Geophysical Union meeting in San Francisco.

Bigsky770

Dec 19th, 2004, 4:02 PM

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Sunday, December 19, 2004 9:50 a.m. PST (1750 UTC)

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could also intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift north-northeastward early in the day, and swing southeastward later in the day.

Recent observations: This morning, clouds obscure the mountain, and no field work is planned for today. Overnight a few more earthquakes of about magnitude 2.5-3 occurred amidst the ongoing pattern of frequent smaller earthquakes. Such swarms have occurred on several occasions during the past month and are not unusual given the nature of the eruption. Results from the gas-sensing flight on Friday are still being processed and will be made available once processing is complete.

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

- - -Submitted by, [and] still with an eye on the lil' booger,
Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Wednesday

Dec 29th, 2004, 2:33 AM

its so beautiful http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/archive/20041217-flash.shtml

thought maybe this earthquake would shake things up on mt st helens, but it appears to be the same

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 8:20 a.m. PST (1620 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Marajadex

Dec 31st, 2004, 1:56 PM

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Friday, December 31, 2004 10:50 a.m. PST (1850 UTC)
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could also intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH04/MSH04_crater_dome_uplift_from_NE_12-28-04_med.jpg

Recent observations: Views of the crater are obscured by clouds. The level of seismicity has remained at a very low level for the past few days. Directions and rates of movement of GPS stations on the old lava dome and growing welt around the new lava dome appear not to have changed during this same time period. The significance, if any, of this low level of seismicity remains to be seen.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/News/framework.html

For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

Bigsky770

Jan 29th, 2005, 3:43 PM

. . .Great video footage of what Scientists are now calling "The Whaleback Growth" lavadome build for the size and shape of this growth (now HALF the size of the old dome that took 5 YEARS/THIS growth took 4 months!)

Link to the Video can be found here, as well as article!
http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=74392

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

Bigsky770

Feb 21st, 2005, 12:10 PM

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Sunday, February 20, 2005 10:15 a.m. PST (1815 UTC)

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could also intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift in variable directions with time and altitude. Early clouds would drift lazily northward at low elevation, but east-northeastward at higher altitudes. Later, low-level clouds would drift lazily north-northwestward, but more southeastward at higher altitudes.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, any ash clouds produced are unlikely to exceed 15,000 feet in altitude. Ashfall from such events rarely reaches more than 20 miles downwind. If the lava dome continues to grow over the next several months, it will become able to produce larger ash clouds that reach higher altitudes and extend farther downwind.

Recent observations: The crater is partly obscured by clouds this morning. A minor ash emission, much smaller than that of Friday afternoon, occurred yesterday morning. On the basis of seismicity, a similar event may have occurred early this morning. Further analysis of recent aerial photos reveals that as of February 1, the whaleback-shaped extrusion is about 1,550 feet long and 500 feet wide. The new dome and uplifted welt of crater floor and deformed glacier ice have grown to a combined volume of about 50 million cubic yards, almost one-half the volume of the old lava dome.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Eruption04/

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/volcano_warning_scheme.html

For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

Telephone recordings with the latest update on Mount St. Helens and phone contacts for additional information can be heard by calling:

Media (360) 891-5180

General public (360) 891-5202

From this LINK:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

- - -Submitted by Joe (Bigsky770) :vbroll:

DmoneyCustoms

Feb 21st, 2005, 10:56 PM

Joe, thats a nice post i agree with that there has been alot of activity around mt st. Helens, but I wonder how much longer it will be before it actually blows that dome......... :scatter:

Scrapyard Ape

Feb 23rd, 2005, 2:21 AM

Joe, thats a nice post i agree with that there has been alot of activity around mt st. Helens, but I wonder how much longer it will be before it actually blows that dome......... :scatter:

I think we may be in for a period of dome building here. St. Helens past activity indicates that it goes through phases of large explosive eruptions followed by phases of rapid dome growth followed by periods of smaller eruptions. I doubt there will be a large eruption(VEI-4 or larger) for some time. We can probably expect at least a century of dome building punctuated by small(VEI 2-3) eruptions.

The rapid formation of the new dome is not particularly surprising. There is a well known precedent. Here is a picture of Mt. Bezymianny in Kamchatka taken in 1957, just two years after an eruption which took away the summit and flank of the mountain.(note the similarity in appearance to Mt. St. Helens)
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/bezymianny/Besymianny_ground.gif

Now take a look at the same mountain photographed recently:
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/current_volcs/bezymianny/bezymianny.jpg

As you can see, the crater has been largely filled in after only 50 years. Reventador volcano in South America is also similar though the rebuilding process has been much slower.

DmoneyCustoms

Feb 23rd, 2005, 3:54 AM

Thanks for the info Scrapyard........ :2thumbs: Also some nice comparison pics........

Scrapyard Ape

Feb 25th, 2005, 12:46 AM

Thanks for the info Scrapyard........ :2thumbs: Also some nice comparison pics........

Thanks D. I've been a volcano junkie for as long as I can remember.

Scrapyard Ape

Mar 8th, 2005, 9:07 PM

Small eruption of ash today on St. Helens. Probably caused by a small earthquake rupturing part of the new dome. This may lead to increased dome construction for a few weeks or months.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7132927/

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

Marajadex

Mar 9th, 2005, 12:23 AM

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Mount St. Helens Information Statement,
Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 6:00 P.M. PST

A small explosive event at Mount St. Helens volcano began at approximately 5:25 p.m. PST. Pilot reports indicate that the resulting steam-and-ash plume reached an altitude of about 36,000 feet above sea level within a few minutes and drifted downwind to the east-northeast. The principal event lasted about 30 minutes with intensity gradually declining throughout. The USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory lost radio signals from three monitoring stations in the crater soon after the event started. The cause of the outage won’t be known until scientists can visit the crater tomorrow to assess the situation, weather permitting. The event followed a few hours of slightly increased earthquake activity that was noted but not interpreted as precursory activity. There were no other indications of an imminent change in activity.

The current hazard assessment for the ongoing eruption mentions the possibility of such events occurring without warning, and the assessment remains unchanged. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH05/MSH05_plume_from_CVO_office_03-08-05_med.jpg

Tuesday, March 8, 2005 8:45 a.m. PST (1645 UTC)
MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE

Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, episodic changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could also intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Recent observations: The volcano is clear this morning and absent a steam plume. However, crews will not be going to the field until later in the week, weather permitting. When they do go out, they plan to conduct visual observations, thermal imaging, equipment maintenance, and retrieve a GPS package. Small earthquakes continue to occur at a pace similar to that of the past several weeks. No large quakes have been recorded since Saturday.

For additional information, background, images, and other graphics: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Eruption04/

For seismic information: http://www.pnsn.org/HELENS/welcome.html

For a definition of alert levels: http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/volcano_warning_scheme.html

For a webcam view of the volcano: http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH05/MSH05_dome_from_sugarbowl_camera_03-08-05_172742PST_med.jpg

Marajadex

Mar 9th, 2005, 12:31 AM

Mount St. Helens erupts

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/L_IMAGE.101688cd0b5.93.88.fa.7c.11cea409d.jpg

09:51 PM PST on Tuesday, March 8, 2005
KING5.com

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A large plume of ash and steam rising up to 36,000 feet was being emitted Tuesday afternoon from the crater of Mount St. Helens.
It could be seen from miles around, including Portland, Oregon, and was moving northeast. The eruption occurred at about 5:20 p.m. Tuesday.

The plume was accompanied by an earthquake of about 2.0 magnitude, according to Bill Steele, coordinator of the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network at the University of Washington.

Steele said he did not believe the explosion had increased the risk of a significant eruption and noted that recent flights over the volcano's crater did not reveal high levels of gases.

Steele said the ash burst may have been triggered by partial collapse of a lava dome in the crater, which has been growing steadily over the last several months.

"Until we get a better view in the crater we won't know," Steele said.

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_030805WABhelensKC.11c6f3a06.html

Marajadex

May 18th, 2005, 7:05 PM

Twenty five years ago this morning – 8:32 a.m. May 18, 1980 - Mount St. Helens blew her top.

A force 300 times more powerful than the atom bomb at Hiroshima killed 57 people, thousands of animals and devastated thousands of acres of land. The Toutle River turned into a raging combination of ash, mud and logs, and nearby Spirit Lake was nearly filled with ash.
From KING5.com Staff and Wire Reports

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/D_IMAGE.101688cd0b5.93.88.fa.7c.269df397f.jpg

DmoneyCustoms

May 19th, 2005, 12:03 AM

Very Impressive pictures here, Now thats powerrrrrr...... :strt:

palex911

May 19th, 2005, 4:06 AM

thanks yall for putting mt st helen up here...... there have been awesome rockfalls and magma intrusion there since oct. of last year....... i don't think it has the power to be an amageddon type experience .... hopefully it is an outlet for yellowstone and mt rainer.....

Electric T-Bird

May 21st, 2005, 2:49 PM

If Mt. Rainier goes, entire towns will be involuntary relocated by mudflow. The town of Orting sits on an old mudflow path.

SladeLoD

Jul 16th, 2005, 5:09 PM

Here ya go,,,St.Helens,3.1 :crtmn:

Magnitude 3.1
Date-Time Friday, July 15, 2005 at 12:22:00 (UTC)
= Coordinated Universal Time
Friday, July 15, 2005 at 5:22:00 AM
= local time at epicenter
Location 46.196°N, 122.188°W
Depth 0.3 km (~0.2 mile) set by location program
Region MOUNT ST. HELENS AREA, WASHINGTON
Distances 1 km (0 miles) SW (236°) from Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
39 km (24 miles) NNE (33°) from Amboy, WA
40 km (25 miles) NNE (25°) from Yacolt, WA
59 km (37 miles) E (84°) from Longview, WA
70 km (44 miles) NNE (27°) from Vancouver, WA
Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 0.3 km (0.2 miles); depth fixed by location program
Parameters Nst= 32, Nph= 32, Dmin=0 km, Rmss=0.18 sec, Gp= 40°,
M-type=duration magnitude (Md), Version=1
Source Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network
Event ID uw07151222

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/recenteqsUS/Quakes/uw07151222.htm

Suzy

Jul 17th, 2005, 1:51 PM

New vent opening at MSH?

http://img344.imageshack.us/img344/812/mshvolcanocam223dl.jpg

The glow is back.
http://img323.imageshack.us/img323/8870/158ka.jpg

Marajadex

Aug 5th, 2005, 12:58 PM

As there seems to be some concern about activity at Mt St Helens... I thought I would post Todays Update:

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Friday, August 5, 2005 9:25 a.m. PDT (1625 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift northeastward early in the day and eastward later.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: Hot and dry conditions are stirring dust plumes in the crater again this morning. The dust comes from rockfalls off the crater walls and the new lava dome, and erosion of ash that has accumulated since the eruption began in October. Rockfalls are particularly active from the west crater wall, a situation common at this time of year. Yesterday, crews installed a camera mount on the east crater rim, repaired our voice communications system, and cleaned up some debris. Today, crews will install a tiltmeter on the old lava dome, conduct GPS measurements on the volcano’s flanks, and deploy an ash collector in the crater.

U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue additional updates and changes in alert level as warranted.

If there were any serious trouble right now I don' think they would be going into the crater on a daily basis. Were here to let you know if anything does change...

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH05/MSH05_dome_from_sugarbowl_camera_08-04-05_med.jpg As of 8/4/5

Marajadex

Aug 5th, 2005, 7:10 PM

3.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Mt. St. Helens[/B
]July 31, 2005

By KOMO Staff & News Services
http://www.komotv.com/news/story_m.asp?ID=38286

VANCOUVER, WASH. - A 3.3-magnitude earthquake trembled beneath Mount St. Helens early Sunday morning, the latest in a series of stronger than usual quakes at the volcano.

The quake at 2:34 a.m. [B]likely triggered the overnight collapse of large section of rock at the north end of the growing lava dome, U.S. Geological Survey scientists reported Sunday from the Cascades Volcano Observatory.

Much of the smooth surface of the ridge, which is created as rock extrudes from the vent, has now been removed by rockfalls over the past few weeks.

After years of quiet, the mountain rumbled awake last September, and in October a flow of molten rock reached the surface, marking a renewal of domebuilding activity that had stopped in 1986.

A deadly eruption in 1980 killed 57 people and sent a river of hot mud and ash down the Toutle River Valley.

USGS and the University of Washington continue to monitor the mountain.

Scientists say a more explosive eruption, possibly dropping ash within a 10-mile radius of the crater, is possible at any time.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH05/MSH05_new_dome_from_JRO_08-04-05_med.jpg

.Q.

Aug 5th, 2005, 7:25 PM

3.3 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Mt. St. Helens[/B
]July 31, 2005

By KOMO Staff & News Services
http://www.komotv.com/news/story_m.asp?ID=38286

VANCOUVER, WASH. - A 3.3-magnitude earthquake trembled beneath Mount St. Helens early Sunday morning, the latest in a series of stronger than usual quakes at the volcano.

The quake at 2:34 a.m. [B]likely triggered the overnight collapse of large section of rock at the north end of the growing lava dome, U.S. Geological Survey scientists reported Sunday from the Cascades Volcano Observatory.

Much of the smooth surface of the ridge, which is created as rock extrudes from the vent, has now been removed by rockfalls over the past few weeks.

After years of quiet, the mountain rumbled awake last September, and in October a flow of molten rock reached the surface, marking a renewal of domebuilding activity that had stopped in 1986.

A deadly eruption in 1980 killed 57 people and sent a river of hot mud and ash down the Toutle River Valley.

USGS and the University of Washington continue to monitor the mountain.

Scientists say a more explosive eruption, possibly dropping ash within a 10-mile radius of the crater, is possible at any time.

It's going to lay an area to waste before long I think.
Don't want to be around there when it does.

bass

Aug 5th, 2005, 11:01 PM

All of the Cascade volcanoes go through cycles of dome building followed by explosive eruptions. How else would we get those magnificent mountains. In my opinion, Mount St. Helens is once again building its dome. It will probably go through several eruptions over next several hundred years to rebuild itself. Is there potential for another explosive eruption in the meantime? Of course- but I would place my bets on other Cascade volcanoes causing far more damage in the near future.

Marajadex

Aug 5th, 2005, 11:16 PM

Here here Bass. That was my point too. Yes there has been changes in the structure but you can see by the pictures that there has not been a lot of change recently. Like I said before... They wouldn't be sending geololgists into the crater if there was the chance that it was going to blow any minute.

On the other hand... everyday as I drive to work I get a good look at Rainier... and wonder...

Mezurashi

Aug 5th, 2005, 11:51 PM

I hear once that Mt. Baker is also a 'long-odds' potential big boom but I've never bothered to go any further. Anyone with easy info on this, or is Baker 'out of the loop' as far as that stuff goes?

Marajadex

Aug 6th, 2005, 12:11 AM

Mez you are correct. Baker, Rainier and St Helens are all volatile. If you check the webicorders you'll see there is ample activity at Baker. Up in the Bellingham area they have hundreds of very minor quakes... not strong enough to be felt. As Bass said in his earlier post... these things happen all the time.

I have actually gone through the house here and marked all the little plaster cracks in the walls. The last change in them was was 2/9/97. Now I know this isn't a scientific analysis but hey... it is a reference point...

Electric T-Bird

Aug 6th, 2005, 12:52 AM

I have actually gone through the house here and marked all the little plaster cracks in the walls. The last change in them was was 2/9/97. Now I know this isn't a scientific analysis but hey... it is a reference point...

The Nisqually quake in 2001 didn't make a change?

bass

Aug 6th, 2005, 10:55 AM

My money is on South Sister for the next Cascade eruption.

Mezurashi

Aug 6th, 2005, 11:03 AM

and another Really Big Bad Thing question ... just as a Thought Exercise -- let's try to run a mental 'simulation' of what would happen if the Cascade Chain went up at the same time.

How many major peaks would this involve? What kind of Area would be immediately affected (up to +6 hours after initial eruption)? And How Big a high energy event (earthquake, meteor strike, whatever) would be required to start the chain reaction?

just some sunny, happy thoughts on the 50th Anniversary of Hiroshima...

.Q.

Aug 6th, 2005, 12:15 PM

GeoDawg

Aug 9th, 2005, 11:58 AM

Nah. Better put your money on Hood or Rainier. Better on Hood.

GeoDawg

Aug 9th, 2005, 11:59 AM

What would it take for the entire Cascade range to go up at once? An act of God.

dreamwhiz

Aug 9th, 2005, 2:44 PM

Maybe Yellowstone blowing its cork out. Nah I doubt that would happen in the next millenium.

shawnee

Aug 9th, 2005, 7:23 PM

Montana isn't the only active spot; 3.0 at Mammoth Lakes. Not a good place for earthquakes....

CrystalSword

Aug 19th, 2005, 12:50 PM

A couple of months back, I heard something about Mount Spurr in Alaska beginning to act up. I wonder if it was just some localized event that's over now, or the beginning of something more. Couldn't really find too much stuff on it, so it probably has died down. Still, might merit watching...

Suzy

Aug 25th, 2005, 9:14 AM

What's goin on at MSH now?

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/2707/915dq.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/1663/893gp.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/143/907in.jpg

Marajadex

Aug 25th, 2005, 9:51 AM

For those who want to check the web cam posted in the previous post here is the link:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

Looks like the clouds and fog are finally burning off this morning. Here is the latest update from USGS.

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Wednesday, August 24, 2005 9:45 a.m. PDT (1645 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift southward to south-southeastward.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: Seismicity at the volcano remains very low, and the lava dome continues to shed rockfalls. Tomorrow, field crews plan to continue mapping the geology of the volcano, conduct routine servicing of gaging stations and mudflow warning systems, and retrieve data from an array of broadband seismometers deployed at the mountain.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH05/MSH05_dome_from_crater_rim_cam_08-24-05_med.jpg

Marajadex

Sep 1st, 2005, 5:32 PM

Hey folks...

It has been almost a year since Mt St Helens started to rumble...

Volcanic Unrest Quick Info
Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2). Current aviation color code is ORANGE. (October 6, 2004)
Previous status was Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3). Previous aviation color code was RED. (October 2, 2004)
Last documented eruption was October 11, 2004 (ongoing).
Current unrest began September 23, 2004.
Seismic triggers since the current unrest began: 13,841 (As of 6:30 PM, 10/26/2004) http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS/PNSN/HELENS/

Marajadex

Sep 1st, 2005, 11:33 PM

Safest And Least Safe Places In The U.S.
http://www.forbes.com/realestate/2005/08/30/safestplaces-insurance-realestate-cx_sc_0830home_ls.html

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina's devastation, some Americans--particularly Gulf Coast residents--may be wondering whether there are places in the U.S. that are safe from such natural disasters
.....

Other relatively safe places included Boise, Idaho; Santa Fe, N.M.; and three cities each in Oregon and Washington. But despite the lower incidence of frequent natural disasters in the Pacific Northwest, people who live there know that their area is far from secure.

The region is rife with potential natural hazards, says Rob Harper, spokesman for the Emergency Management Division of the state of Washington's Military Department. Among them are the tsunamis, earthquakes and volcano activities. Mud flows could come sliding down Mt. Rainer. A fault that lies 300 miles of the coast could create a huge swell of water.

"In that scenario, they have about 15 to 20 minutes to evacuate," Harper says. "And we can't forget Mount St. Helens as a volcano threat.”

Grim scenarios indeed. Then again, the last tsunami recorded was in 1700, Harper says. The last major mud flows happened thousands of years ago, he adds. In contrast, Florida experienced four major hurricanes back-to-back in the summer of 2004 alone.
.....

Suzy

Sep 6th, 2005, 11:46 AM

Anyone heard about this: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2005-09-05-oregon-bulge_x.htm :amaz: :amaz:

shawnee

Sep 6th, 2005, 12:29 PM

Yeah, read about that "bulge" over the weekend. So far a 5.2 in Alaska and several good sized earthquakes in CA. One in Mammoth area and another around Redding. Awfully active...

Marajadex

Nov 22nd, 2005, 5:55 PM

St. Helens puts on a (small) show
03:49 PM PST on Tuesday, November 22, 2005
KING5.com
http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/NW_112205WABsthelensJK.1a41887.html

http://www.nwcn.com/topstories/stories/M_IMAGE.107b66b0d7a.93.88.fa.7c.3df6ee3.jpg

ST. HELENS, Wash. – Mount St. Helens pushed a column of steam tinged with ash about 10,000 feet into the air late Tuesday afternoon.

Seismographs near the mountain did not record any earthquake activity associated with the burst and a spokesman for the USGS said the burst was not an explosive eruption, but a condensation plume caused by rockfall.

In fact, according to a spokeswoman for the Cascades Volcano Observatory, the kind of steam seen Tuesday has been happening regularly. We just haven't been able to see it because of bad weather.

Spokeswoman Cynthia Gardner said the volcano is always producing steam, but in this case, a rockfall that produced a lot of dust laced the steam cloud, making it more visible on a clear fall day.

"It's the benefit of having clear weather right now," she said.

Marajadex

May 26th, 2006, 2:14 PM

Hey check this out!

MAP 1.3 2006/05/26 10:42:59 46.197 -122.194 0.8 1 km ( 1 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.4 2006/05/26 04:55:27 46.195 -122.194 0.2 1 km ( 1 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.9 2006/05/26 03:48:56 46.194 -122.180 1.2 1 km ( 0 mi) S of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/Maps/US2/45.47.-123.-121_eqs.php

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Friday, May 26, 2006 10:30 a.m. PDT (1730 UTC)
MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Recent observations: The upper flanks of the volcano are receiving fresh snow this morning as another storm system moves through the Northwest, precluding visual observations from remote cameras. Seismicity at the volcano remains at levels typical of the past several months, however the number and magnitude of earthquakes have increased slightly over the past few weeks. This increase is not unusual and is within the realm of seismic activity observed over the past year. An earthquake about M2.9 occurred at 8:48 p.m. PDT (0348 UTC).
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/current_updates.html

No Worries... Just cool!

Marajadex

May 30th, 2006, 5:42 PM

MAP 3.1 2006/05/29 16:08:09 46.196 -122.195 0.0 1 km ( 1 mi) WSW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA

U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:00 a.m. PDT (1800 UTC)
MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE

Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); aviation color code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

Recent observations: A crew in the crater this morning reports that yesterday’s large rockfall came mostly from the north side of the growing spine (sometimes called “the fin”), and a smaller amount came from the south side. The rock avalanche resulting from the collapse on the north side flowed down the gully between the 1980-1986 dome and the east arm of the glacier, and partly across the east flank of the 1980-1986 dome. The associated dust cloud flowed farther northward and eastward, but did not extend much beyond the northeast flank of the 1980-1986 dome. Snowmelt from the hot avalanche percolated quickly into the remaining snow pack. Steam and a small amount of dust from the rockfall rose above the crater rim and left a thin deposit on the volcano’s upper northeast flank. Two monitoring instruments on the 1980-1986 dome were damaged by the event and will be replaced. Photos from remote cameras show that extrusion of the spine is continuing.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Imgs/Jpg/MSH/MSH06/MSH06_crater_dome_from_NW_05-30-06_med.jpg