Mt. Fitzherbert

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 east-southeastward early in the day and eastward later.

Recent observations: Both the VolcanoCam at Johnston Ridge Observatory and our USGS DomeCam near the mouth of the crater are in the clouds this morning. Unobstructed views of the dome over the next few days are not likely given current weather forecasts. Seismicity remains at a relatively low level with small quakes occurring about every 4 to 6 minutes, some of which indicate continued rockfall from the dome. The GPS unit on the older part of the new dome near the vent continues to translate southward at slightly more than 6 inches per day, eastward at about 18 inches per day, and to rise vertically a few inches per day.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:15 | Permalink

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 southeastward early in the day and eastward later.

Recent observations: The VolcanoCam at Johnston Ridge Observatory is in the clouds this morning, but the DomeCam, which is located near the crater mouth, shows a moderate vapor plume rising from the growing lava dome and drifting over the south crater rim. This is yet another example of meteorological conditions that favor condensation of the warm, moist air in the crater as it rises and cools. If the low clouds in the valleys clear, tourists at JRO and those of us in the metropolitan area may see the vapor plume.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:06 | Permalink

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 broadly west to southwestward early in the day, and broadly south to southeastward later in the day.

Recent observations: The spine of lava continues to emerge from the north end of the new dome and shed occasional rockfalls. A GPS unit on the older part of the new dome near the vent continues to move laterally at a rate of about 1.5 feet per day, and rise vertically at a rate of about 4 inches per day, showing that north end of the dome continues to inflate slightly. Overall, the volcano remains relatively quiet. This morning, the view of the volcano is obscured by clouds.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:17 | Permalink

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 broadly north and west early in the day, and broadly southwestward to southeastward later. Under these conditions, Johnston Ridge, Coldwater, and the eastern parts of State Route 504 could all receive fallout from any ash clouds produced by explosions or large rockfalls.

Recent observations: The spine of lava continues to emerge from the north end of the new dome and shed occasional rockfalls. A GPS unit on the older part of the new dome near the vent continues to move laterally at a rate of about 1 foot per day, and rise vertically at a rate of about 4 inches per day, showing that north end of the dome continues to inflate slightly. Overall, the volcano remains relatively quiet.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:04 | Permalink

Views taken on 2005-May-24/26

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 northwestward to northward. However, later in the day, higher-altitude clouds would drift north-northeastward. Under these conditions, Johnston Ridge, Coldwater, and the eastern parts of State Route 504 could all receive fallout from any ash clouds produced by explosions or large rockfalls.

Recent observations: Analysis of a digital elevation model produced from aerial photographs taken on 19 April shows that the new lava dome had reached a volume of 47.5 million cubic meters (about 62 million cubic meters). We have changed the method by which we compute the volume of the dome, so this figure isn't directly comparable to results we've given in the past (by the older method the new volume is about 55 million cubic meters). The rate of addition of lava to the dome remains roughly constant at about 1.5 cubic meters (2 cubic yards) per second.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:21 | Permalink

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 will have trajectories that vary with time and altitude. Early in the day, most clouds would drift west-northwestward to northward. Later in the day, clouds would drift along a north-northwestward to north-northeastward trajectory. Under these conditions, Johnston Ridge, Coldwater, and Highway 504 could all receive fallout from an ash cloud.

Recent observations: Lava extrusion continues at the north end of the new lava dome, while the high spines continue to crumble and other parts of the lava dome move at relatively low velocities (about one foot per day) or remain stagnant. Weather permitting, field crews will make further observations tomorrow.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:46 | Permalink

Views taken on 2005-May-24

Some new photos taken of the new lava dome on 2005-May-24 and earlier.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 20:40 | Permalink

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 westward at low altitude. Higher-altitude clouds would drift southeastward early in the day and westward later.

Recent observations: Yesterday field crews placed a new GPS spider on the growing lava dome and collected rock samples. Crews also repaired several seismic stations and radio repeaters. Lava extrusion continues at the north end of the new lava dome, while the high spines continue to crumble and other parts of the lava dome move at relatively low velocities (about one foot per day) or remain stagnant. It is not possible to put a GPS spider on the north end of the dome, which is the mostly rapidly moving part, because it is too steep.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:01 | Permalink

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 east-southeastward.

Recent observations: Seismicity and ground deformation continue at rates similar to those of the past few weeks. Several crews are headed to the field to make visual observations, to collect samples, to place a GPS-spider on the growing lava dome, and to perform several maintenance chores to seismic and radio-telemetry sites.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:04 | Permalink

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 east-northeastward.

Recent observations: Seismicity and ground deformation continue at rates similar to those of the past few weeks. The clear weather forecast for this week should permit several days of field work. We hope to make thermal and visual observations, collect samples, place one or more GPS-spiders on the growing lava dome, and perform maintenance chores.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:45 | Permalink

Dome view taken 2005-May-21

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.

Recent observations: We obtained several clear views yesterday morning on the DomeCam at the crater mouth that we can compare with the last clear views that we obtained on 13 May. The two spiny features at north end (vent end) of the dome appear conspicuously higher, but narrower as the fractured lava crumbles off the steep sides. Seismicity and ground deformation continue at rates similar to those of the past few weeks.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:15 | Permalink

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 eastward early and shift to a more east-northeastward trajectory later.

Recent observations: After days of rain and clouds, the mountain has emerged from the mist and the crater is clear. Over the next few days viewing conditions should improve markedly and permit field work early next week. There has been no significant change in seismicity or movement of GPS sensors in the crater over the past several days. Today CVO is hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come meet us and learn about what we do. Directions are available on our web site.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:02 | Permalink

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 and shift to a more east-northeastward trajectory later.

Recent observations: The stormy and cloudy weather continues to obscure the volcano, but viewing conditions will hopefully improve over the weekend and permit field work early next week. The volcano remains relatively quiet with small (M1 or smaller) quakes occurring about every 3 to 6 minutes. However, a moderate size earthquake (~M2.3) occurred yesterday at 12:36pm. CVO will be hosting an open house tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Come meet us and learn about what we do. Directions are available on our web site.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:03 | Permalink

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.

Recent observations: The stormy and cloudy weather continues to obscure the volcano, but viewing conditions will hopefully improve over the weekend and permit field work early next week. Monitoring systems show no changes in seismicity or ground deformation. CVO will be hosting an open house this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Come meet us and learn about what we do. Directions are available on our web site.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:43 | Permalink

• Awe marks Mount St. Helens anniversary 2005-May-19 04:56 from The Portland Oregonian

  Hundreds of tourists, foresters and government officials reflected with humility and awe Wednesday on the 25th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, which killed 57 people and turned day to night across eastern Washington.

  Clouds obscured the horseshoe-shaped crater left by the 1980 eruption, which blew off the cone-shaped mountain's top 1,300 feet, spawned mudflows, leveled hundreds of square miles of forest, and paralyzed towns and cities more than 250 miles away with volcanic ash.

• A day remembered with awe 2005-May-19 07:50 from The Tacoma News-Tribune

  MOUNT ST. HELENS NATIONAL MONUMENT – Hundreds of tourists, foresters and government dignitaries reflected with humility and awe Wednesday on the 25th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, a blast that devastated the landscape, killed 57 people and turned day to night across Eastern Washington.

  “We commemorate the 25th anniversary of an act of God, and we remember those who died,” Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told visitors who gathered at Weyerhaeuser Co.'s Forest Learning Center near the volcano. “It seems to me this calls for a certain amount of humility, so let us commit to one another that we will wisely use this hard-won 25 years of insight to guide our future efforts to manage our natural resources.”

• Flood control at St. Helens criticized 2005-May-17 02:40 from The Tacoma News-Tribune

  After Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980, the mountain of rubble left at the foot of the mountain looked like another disaster waiting to happen.

  A 17-mile long heap of volcanic ash, mud and pulverized rock – some 3 billion cubic yards of it – sat steaming in the headwaters of the Toutle River, apparently poised to wash downstream.

• Volcano often a ‘one-trip wonder' 2005-May-15 14:42 from The Tacoma News-Tribune

  On really busy days at Mount St. Helens, Mark Smith can't help but feel a pang of disappointment as he watches cars zip by his Eco Park Resort on Highway 504.

  He knows that in a few hours, those cars will be zipping by again in the other direction.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:08 | Permalink

Remote views taken 2005-May-12/14

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 north-northeastward. Under such wind conditions, Johnston Ridge Observatory and other areas near the east end of SR 504 could receive ash fall if there were an ash-producing event.

Recent observations: Although seismicity and ground deformation in the crater remain at relatively low rates, the volcano marks the 25th anniversary of its major 1980 eruption in a state of active eruption. It is building a second lava dome in its crater. However, clouds and rain obscure views of the volcano, and likely will do so for a few more days. The weather forecast for the next few days suggests that snow will be accumulating on the crater floor and upper flanks.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:09 | Permalink

• A cloudy future for volcano experts 2005-May-18 00:00 from The Seattle Times

  Dan Dzurisin was on the rim of Mount St. Helens last week when the volcano started to rumble.

  Though clouds blocked his view of the crater, Dzurisin, a U.S. Geological Survey volcanologist, knew what was going on.

• Mount St. Helens still shrouded in secrets 2005-May-18 from The Seattle Post-Intellegencer

  A quarter century ago, Steve Malone felt defeated and Seth Moran was elated.

  Malone was, and still is, lead scientist at the University of Washington in charge of monitoring Mount St. Helens' seismic activity for signs of eruption. He had been the first to recognize that the mountain's quakes were evidence of an awakening volcano. But the blast of May 18 still surprised him -- as it did everyone.

• Scientists fear retirements will slow volcano study 2005-May-18 from The Seattle Post-Intellegencer

  About 18 months ago, geologist Cynthia Gardner hurried down a corridor of the Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash. Management at the U.S. Geological Survey recently had bought a defibrillator and Gardner was late for her training session.

  On her way, she saw a small group of junior, temporary contract scientists gathered in a room near the training area. Poking in her head, she gently admonished them, saying that as the only young people on staff, they better attend the training. It likely would be one of them, she said, who would save her or some other staff "geezer" in the event of a cardiac arrest.

• Lives, punctuated: Survivors recall eruption's awful fury 2005-May-18 08:21 from The Tacoma News-Tribune

  They careened down winding mountain roads at breakneck speed ahead of a deadly volcanic surge. They cowered in hunting shacks as lightning-laced ash clouds blackened the midmorning sky.

  They prayed to God to save them. They risked their lives to save others.

• Remembering Mount St. Helens 25 years later 2005-May-18 09:59 KING (ch.5) Seattle

  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.

  For anyone living in the Northwest, it's a day they will always remember.

• St. Helens, 25 Years Later 2005-May-18 from KOMO (ch.4) Seattle

  SEATTLE - Twenty-five years ago, a KOMO 4 News photographer had a hunch. Dave Crockett headed to Mount St. Helens, pretty sure that "something" was going to happen.

  Crockett was there on May 18th, 1980, when the mountain blew it's top and he continued to film as he witnessed what he called "Hell on Earth."

• Moment Of Silence Held On Anniversary Of Eruption 2005-May-18 09:21 from KIRO (ch.7) Seattle

  VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Visitors to Mount St. Helens observed a moment of silence at 8:32 Wednesday morning to mark the time 25 years ago when the volcano erupted.

  The blast killed 57 people, leveled hundreds of square miles of forest and dumped gritty ash across Washington. It sent mudflows down the Toutle River that clogged the Columbia.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:07 | Permalink

The Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian has run a series of articles entitled Mount St. Helens: 25th Anniversary, on the 1980-May-18 eruption of Mt.St.Helens—

• Waking to a nightmare 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  After sitting around their campfire until 3 a.m., Danny Jay Balch and Brian Thomas were sleeping in.

  Balch was jolted awake, and he realized something was happening when he saw his friend's face.

• Caring for the injured 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  What Sandy Vaughan found awaiting her at work at 10 p.m. defied logic.

  "It was a strange, strange feeling," the 58-year-old Vancouver nurse said. "Whoever thought you would be taking care of a volcano victim?"

• Shattered dreams 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  "What an adventure," Tim Grose scribbled in his diary as he and his grandfather, Martin Remmen, launched their mining escapade with a couple of partners in April 1980. Six weeks later, three of their colleagues were killed by the eruption of Mount St. Helens, a fate Grose and Remmen escaped only because they reluctantly took a day off to go to a wedding. Nearly three decades later, the Black Rock miners are virtually forgotten.

• Miner's diary 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Just before Tim Grose headed to the Black Rock Mine with his grandfather, his aunt thrust pen and pad into his hands and told him to keep a diary. Excerpts from the diary provide a rich account of the last active mining effort around Mount St. Helens, as well as daily life in the shadow of the volcano in the weeks just prior to the 1980 eruption.

  The diary begins as Martin Remmen, his grandson Tim Grose, mining partner Jay Parker and others hitch Remmen's antique bulldozer to a sled laden with used mining equipment and start slogging from a Forest Service road toward the Black Rock Mine, 91/2 miles north of Mount St. Helens.

• Eruption aftermath 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  For Grover Laseke, the eruption of Mount St. Helens wasn't a spectacle. It was a grueling, dangerous, serious job.

  Grueling as a trek through ash-blasted wasteland, dangerous as a car crash, serious as a body bag: all part of his job in the days following May 18, 1980.

• The look that almost killed 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Marianna Kearney and her late husband, Ty, were vacationing in New Zealand when Mount St. Helens started its preliminary rumbling in March of 1980.

  Her husband really wanted to see the action, Marianna recalled. He had waited all his life to see the volcano erupt, he told her.

• A race with death 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  In the spring of 1980, as Mount St. Helens rumbled, Trixie Anders was among the hundreds of visitors who were drawn like moths to the flame.

  "I was hoping to see an eruption," she said.

  She got more than she bargained for on Sunday, May 18.

• Remembering Reid 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Bundled against a cool and overcast sky, a small group of visitors looked out across the hilly landscape.

  Eight miles away, shrouded in clouds spitting granular pellets of snow, Mount St. Helens stood at the head of a valley that was temporarily rendered lifeless in the span of a few minutes in 1980.

  This is where Reid Blackburn lost his life.

• Volcano death site reveals horror of eruption blast 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  A search of the ash-laden hulk of his car first revealed a book opened to a page headed, "What comes out of volcanoes?"

  The answer to the query for former Columbian photographer Reid Blackburn and at least 23 other persons is that fatal fury comes from volcanoes, even from the most peaceful-appearing peaks.

• Mount St. Helens: 25th Anniversary -The old man and the mountain 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  If a screenwriter had written a character like Harry Truman into the script of a volcano movie, it would have been scorned as a contrived and low-budget idea.

  But there he was, in the flesh, as chiseled as the bark of an old-growth fir, liquored up by his whiskey-and-Cokes, and defiant right to the day he was entombed by the guts of the mountain whose shadow he refused to leave.

• On the rebound 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  From the air, the pumice plain still appears gray, desolate and lifeless 25 years after a blast of superheated gases destroyed all above-ground life in a fan-shaped zone north of Mount St. Helens.

  But a quarter-century after the peak's cataclysmic 1980 eruption, life abounds in the seeps and crevices of the pumice plain and nearly everywhere else on the mountain.

• ount St. Helens: 25th Anniversary - From out of the ash 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  In early March, Weyerhaeuser Co. marked a milestone: contract loggers began cutting 70-foot-tall Douglas firs that began life as seedlings planted in the ash-gray soil of the Mount St. Helens blast zone a quarter-century ago.

  The first commercial thinning of Weyerhaeuser's post-eruption tree plantations is happening in the Green River Valley, the part of the company's Mount St. Helens Tree Farm that lies farthest from the mountain and received the lightest ashfall.

• For more information ... 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Assorted books, tapes tell St. Helens' tale

  More than 100 titles — books, research studies, videos and audios — about Mount St. Helens are available through the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. A selection of titles and their library call numbers:

• International draw 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  It was 80 degrees, but seemed hotter, on the gray and dusty north flank of Mount St. Helens.

  Shade is hard to find in August, available mostly in damp spots where alders have taken the lead in recolonizing the landscape blasted in 1980.

• Along Highway 504 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Mount St. Helens is a cultural and historical touchstone for most of the people who lived in Southwest Washington 25 years ago.

  For the thousands of residents who have moved here since then as well as old-timers who have yet to experience the landscape refashioned by the 1980 eruption a variety of volcano-related natural and man-made features are available within a two-hour drive of Vancouver on state Highway 504, the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.

• In their words 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  "This is an extremely dangerous place to be. If it were to erupt right now, we would die."

  USGS volcanologist David Johnston, to reporters at the Mount St. Helens timberline parking lot the day after the volcano's first eruption in March 1980. He was killed in the May 18 eruption.

• St. Helens still hot 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Most of the world knows Southwest Washington's unruly volcano by the name bestowed by Capt. George Vancouver in 1792: St. Helens.

  Vancouver intended to honor British diplomat Alleyne Fitzherbert, whose title was Baron St. Helens, but the peak's modern title represents scarcely an eye-blink in geologic time. Cowlitz Indians, who lived in the mountain's shadow for generations before Vancouver's arrival, knew it by a different name.

• Helicopters to hell 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  The cockpit of the HH-1H Huey helicopter was silent as the crew surveyed the steaming hell of ash, gases and volcanic debris below.

  Mike Cooney, a pararescueman with the Air Force Reserve's elite 304th Rescue Squadron, then based in Portland, knew at once that anyone who had been down there was beyond his help.

• ount St. Helens: 25th Anniversary - The taste of death 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Roald Reitan and Venus Ann Dergan came within seconds of dying on the morning of May 18, 1980.

  It's likely that no one who can claim a near-miss with death that day was as far from the mountain as they were.

  They were not thrill seekers or volcano gawkers. They had not been drawn to the mountain by lurid headlines or work assignments.

• 'The world is coming to an end' 15 May 2005 fromThe Vancouver (Wash.) Columbian

  Twenty-five years ago, I was preparing for retirement from active duty from the Navy after 20 years. I was sitting in the living room (in Woodland), talking to my family when we heard and felt the eruption.

  My first reaction was: "Who is having artillery practice at this hour?" When I was aboard ship, the gunnery crew would have drills occasionally. Our bunks were always near the gun tubs, so we always dreaded when they had gunnery practice (especially if you are just coming off shift and were hoping for some shut-eye). When you hear (and feel) your first 5-inch gun go off next to your compartment, you will never forget it. I heard (and felt) my first 5-inch gun go off on my first cruise! It shook the whole ship and the sound was deafening.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:56 | Permalink

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 eastward early in the day and northward to northeastward later. Under such wind conditions later in the day, Johnston Ridge Observatory and other areas near the east end of SR 504 could receive ash fall if there were an ash-producing event.

Recent observations: Another cloudy day obscures views of the volcano. The weather forecast for the next few days suggests that snow will be accumulating on the crater floor and upper flanks. Seismicity and ground deformation in the crater remain at relatively low rates, but lava extrusion probably continues to build the spine at the north end of the new lava dome.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:06 | Permalink

Rockfall on 2005-May-12

Remote camera views of a rockfall that occurred on 2005-May-12, and some other new views.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 16:52 | Permalink

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 north-northeastward at low altitude and northeastward to east-northeastward at higher altitudes early in the day. Later in the day, any ash clouds would drift eastward.

Recent observations: The volcano is again obscured by clouds. Seismicity and ground deformation in the crater remain at relatively low rates, but lava extrusion probably continues to build the spine at the north end of the new lava dome. As we've witnessed in recent weeks, the steep spine is subject to rockfalls and avalanches of hot lava that can generate ash clouds.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 13:00 | Permalink

• Life takes root again 2005-May-15 07:07 from The Tacoma News-Tribune

  The little “Entering the blast zone” sign on the edge of the highway tells the Mount St. Helens revival story.

  Twenty-five years after the volcano's catastrophic 1980 eruption, the boundary of the 230-square-mile blast zone is so lush with life that newcomers probably wouldn't notice it without a hint.

• May 18, 1980 - The day Mount St. Helens erupted 2005-May-12 14:45 from KING (ch.5) Seattle

  Before the devastating May 18, 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens was considered to be one of the most beautiful and most frequently-climbed peaks in the Cascade Range. The peak's symmetric cone earned it the title of the "Fuji of North America," and nearby scenic Spirit Lake was a vacation area offering hiking, camping, boating, and fishing.

• Survivors recount their stories 2005-May-12 09:40 from KING (ch.5) Seattle

  Geologists Dorothy and Keith Stoffel had chartered a Cessna flight over Mount St. Helens the morning of May 18, 1980. As their plane flew overhead, the mountain began rumbling and suddenly erupted. Believed to have been the closest to the mountain during the time of the eruption, Keith Stoffel managed to capture the moments before and after the blast on film.

• Mount Rainier: The sleeping giant 2005-May-11 11:39 from KING (ch.5) Seattle

  Mount Rainier is considered a sleeping giant that will one day awaken. It's due for another major eruption after the last one 150 years ago.>/p>

  “We would be concerned on Mount Rainier, even with the heating-up process, because even the little kind of deformation we're seeing at the dome crater floor could be enough to break off a chunk of mountain and then, combined with water, could produce lahar debris flow that would threaten downstream communities,” said Dr. Bill Steele, University of Washington seismologist.

• Visiting Mount St. Helens 2005-May-11 10:49 from KING (ch.5) Seattle

  The violent explosion of Mount St. Helens that captured the world news in 1980 had almost been forgotten and the number of visitors to the mountain – the tourists, climbers, hikers and campers – was declining.

  But last fall the volcano began to wake up once again and with the new rumblings, tourists started to return in droves.

• Jeff Renner recalls 'the big one' 2005-May-11 10:49 from KING (ch.5) Seattle

  Climbing into a volcano is like entering a different planet. There may be blue sky above, but otherwise the surroundings seem alien.

  Glacial ice and snow melted by the heat of hydro-thermal or steam vents reveal rock in muted shades of red, brown, black and gray. It can be a noisy place — the cacophony of rock and ice fall, joined by the loud hissing of steam jetting out of vents at speeds of one hundred miles per hour or more.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:20 | Permalink

With the 25th anniversary of the 1980 eruption this week,The Portland Oregonian (and Associated Press) has published a number of article on Mt.St.Helens:

• What's next? After St. Helens, Mount Rainier poses greatest threat 2005-May-14 09:42 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  In the shadow of Mount Rainier, a father pushes his son on a squeaky swing set. A small dog sleeps undisturbed in the middle of a dead-end road. The tall firs lining the main street whisper in the spring breeze.

  One day, the peaceful hush of this small town will be broken by a rumble that sounds like a thousand freight trains. If everything works right, sirens will wail and the town's 4,400 residents will have less than 45 minutes to evacuate — or be buried by an avalanche of mud and debris tumbling off the flank of Mount Rainier.

• The deadly toll of volcanic eruptions 2005-May-14 09:01 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  "You could hear women lamenting, children crying, men shouting. Some were calling for parents, others for children or spouses; they could only recognize them by their voices. Some bemoaned their own lot, other that of their near and dear. There were some so afraid of death that they prayed for death. Many raised their hands to the gods, and even more believed that there were no gods any longer and that this was one last unending night for the world."

  •Pliny the Younger, 79 A.D., describing the eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, killing thousands.

• 25 years after the destruction, renewal is evident at Mount St. Helens 2005-May-14 12:17 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  St. Helens. In the distance, trees scattered like dropped matchsticks still lie where they were toppled by a cloud of fragmented rock and ash that exploded from this mountain 25 years ago.

  A quarter-century has passed since the devastating blast killed 57 people and an overwhelming amount of plant and animal life. But the barren landscape is now scattered with green, and wildlife has made a home in the vastly different habitat.

  also in The Seattle Post-Intellegencer
  also in KING (ch.5) Seattle
  also in KOMO (ch.4) Seattle
• Other Cascade volcanos vary in eruption likelihood 2005-May-14 12:16 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  Mount St. Helens is one in a 1,000-mile chain of more than 30 volcanos in the Cascade Range. Here are some of the principal peaks:

  also in The Seattle Post-Intellegencer
• Mount St. Helens timeline 2005-May-14 12:15 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  Recent history of Mount St. Helens in southwestern Washington, as provided by Mount St. Helens National Volcano Monument and the U.S. Geological Survey:

• Some fast facts on Mount St. Helens 2005-May-14 12:14 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  What's the volcano's current status? It's currently at Alert Level 2, the second highest. This indicates heightened concern about potential hazard, but not an imminent life- or property-threatening event. Under current 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.

  Is the volcano going to erupt? By geologic standards, the mountain has been erupting since October, but scientists aren't sure if another large eruption is coming. So far, it has emitted steam and a little ash. A major eruption could produce a flow of superheated rock and ash that destroys anything in its path, as in 1980. People downwind from the volcano may have to contend with ash that could spew as much as 60,000 feet high and threaten aircraft.

• Geologic time speeds up at youngest, most active Cascade volcano 2005-May-14 12:13 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  Volcanoes erupt and simmer, dinosaurs rule and vanish, continents slide and collide. These events occur in geologic time, over millions of years.

  Then there is Mount St. Helens, young, restless and unique in the Cascade Range. The mountain that blew itself apart 25 years ago is now rebuilding its shattered dome— in a generation.

• Scientists have same goals, new tools for volcano study 2005-May-14 12:09 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  In 1980, scientists needed days to compare photos of Mount St. Helens and determine whether the volcano was changing in ways that could lead to an eruption. Today, they get their answers in seconds with digital photos and other new tools.

  Many of those researchers are still on the job, 25 years later. And their memories of the heavy labor they exerted while on the mountain before the deadliest eruption in U.S. history have not faded.

• Pre-eruption peak lured legions of climbers, including writer 2005-May-14 12:08 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  Every high peak has its own allure, its siren's call. Old Mount St. Helens beckoned generations of climbers with a symmetrical profile and cone of perpetual ice.

  The 9,677-foot volcano in the Cascades of Washington state was sculpted by pyroclastic flows over a 50,000-year period. Such facts were absorbed by kids, like myself, who went to school nearby in those pre-eruption days.

• Changes in technology since 1980 eruption 2005-May-14 12:04 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  Some of the changes in volcano monitoring technology and equipment that have occurred since the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, as provided by the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascades Volcano Observatory:

• Families of St. Helens victims say loved ones not to blame 2005-May-14 12:02 fromThe Portland Oregonian

  The four bodies were found inside the family's car, their lungs filled with ash.

  When rescue workers finally reached them, they also found a cassette tape, recorded by Ron and Barbara Seibold's children on their way to the volcano.

  also in The Seattle Post-Intellegencer

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:49 | Permalink

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. Later in the day, any lower altitude ash clouds would drift eastward.

Recent observations: Views of the volcano have been few in recent days owing to clouds and rain, a pattern that is forecast to continue through much of the coming week. Seismicity and ground deformation in the crater show no changes overnight.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:25 | Permalink

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. Under such wind conditions, State Route 504, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, and Johnston Ridge Observatory should generally be spared any potential fallout from an ash plume.

Recent observations: Overall seismicity and ground deformation in the crater continue their relatively placid patterns established over the past few weeks. Rockfalls and associated minor ash plumes can be expected from the spine as it continues its predominantly vertical growth.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:41 | Permalink

Remote view taken on 2005-May-12

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 chiefly east early in the day, and east-northeastward later. Under such wind conditions, State Route 504, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, and Johnston Ridge Observatory should generally be spared any potential fallout from an ash plume.

Recent observations: Overall seismicity and ground deformation in the crater continue their relatively placid patterns established over the past few weeks. However, a couple of larger earthquakes (up to M2.5) were associated with rockfall collapses off the new spine. At about 1pm yesterday, a large piece of the spine collapsed and generated a small ash flow that deposited debris on the west arm of the glacier, and a plume that rose above the crater and drifted east-northeast. Another pair of rockfalls occurred about 10:35pm. Crews yesterday obtained thermal images and new photographs of the dome, conducted an extensive media interview at the mountain, and were on hand to witness the 1pm rockfall and ash plume.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:14 | Permalink

• Mount St. Helens erupting with new life 25 years later 2005-May-13 00:00 from The Seattle Times

  MOUNT ST. HELENS — The rainbow trout flexed and flopped as Charlie Crisafulli scraped a few scales from its side with a knife.

  "The fish are very large this year," he said, before releasing the 5-pounder back to its watery home.

  When Crisafulli first ventured onto the moonscape left behind by Mount St. Helens' May 18, 1980, eruption, Spirit Lake was lifeless. His discovery of a single lupine growing near its shores two years later was cause for wonder.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:15 | Permalink

• Mount St. Helens: Web sites offer info on 25th-anniversary events 2005-May-12 00:00 from The Seattle Times

  Wednesday marks the 25th anniversary of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, and there are special events in the nearby town of Castle Rock starting this weekend, plus free admission Wednesday to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The monument also hosts a number of special programs in the coming week.

  To help you plan a visit, the Internet offers a number of useful Web sites:

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:34 | Permalink

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 chiefly east-northeastward. Under such wind conditions, State Route 504, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, and Johnston Ridge Observatory should generally be spared any potential fallout from an ash plume.

Recent observations: The view from the VolcanoCam at JRO is again obscured by clouds, but the mountain is clear. Images from our camera at the mouth of the crater show continued growth of the new spine of lava at the north end of the dome. Data from seismic and GPS instruments in the crater and on the outer flanks of the volcano show no significant changes from readings of the past few weeks. Today, crews will be in the field making observations, gathering photographs and thermal images, servicing GPS and communications systems, and providing pooled media interviews on the mountain.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:29 | Permalink

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 chiefly south-southwestward. Under such wind conditions, State Route 504, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, and Johnston Ridge Observatory would generally be spared any potential fallout from an ash plume.

Recent observations: Although the view from the VolcanoCam at JRO is obscured by clouds, the mountain is clear. Images from a camera at the mouth of the crater show the new spine of lava at the north end of the dome continuing to grow. Data from seismic and GPS instruments in the crater and on the outer flanks of the volcano show no significant changes from readings of the past few weeks, although yesterday evening (~7pm) there was a slightly larger than usual (M2+) earthquake. Overall, the lava is able to emerge from the ground easily, and it is effectively decoupled from its surroundings. Weather permitting, we will have crews out tomorrow making observations and gathering photographs and thermal images.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:10 | Permalink

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 chiefly south-southwestward, but early in the day at low altitudes winds would carry any ash clouds more south-southeasterly. Under such wind conditions, State Route 504, Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, and Johnston Ridge Observatory would generally be spared any potential fallout from an ash plume.

Recent observations: The crater and growing lava dome remain obscured by clouds. Data from seismic and GPS instruments in the crater and on the outer flanks of the volcano show no significant changes from readings of the past few weeks. When the weather improves, crews will conduct observation flights to check on the status of the growing dome.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:23 | Permalink

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 north-northwestward early in the day and northeastward at low altitude and northwestward at higher altitude later. Under such wind conditions, the eastern portion of State Route 504, including Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and Johnston Ridge Observatory, could be downwind from the crater and in the path of potential ash plumes.

Recent observations: The crater and growing lava dome remain obscured by clouds. Data from seismic and GPS instruments in the crater and on the outer flanks of the volcano show no significant changes from readings of the past few weeks.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:44 | Permalink

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 northward to north-northwestward. Under such wind conditions, the eastern portion of State Route 504, including Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and Johnston Ridge Observatory, are downwind from the crater and would be in the path of potential ash plumes.

Recent observations: The crater and growing lava dome remain obscured by clouds. Data from seismic and GPS instruments in the crater and on the outer flanks of the volcano show no significant changes from readings of the past few weeks.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:50 | Permalink

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 north-northeastward to northeastward.

Recent observations: The crater and growing lava dome remain obscured by clouds. There has been no change in the pattern of seismicity and ground deformation from that of recent days.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:46 | Permalink

• Johnston Ridge Observatory reopens to visitors 2005-May-06 11:37 from The Portland Oregonian

  Johnston Ridge Observatory reopened to the public Friday, seven months after it was closed because of new activity at Mount St. Helens.

  From the observatory, visitors can look five miles into the crater of Mount St. Helens where a steaming lava dome has been growing since October. On Friday, however, clouds obscured the view.

  also in Seattle Post-Intelegencer

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 15:47 | Permalink

• Johnston Ridge Observatory to reopen near Mount St. Helens 2005-May-06 07:57 KING (ch.5) Seattle

  MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. - The first person in line for this morning's opening of the highway to the closest Mount St. Helens observatory is interested in fish, more than the volcano.

  Mike LaBarre is a maintenance worker at the Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Ridge Visitors' Center. But today is his day off. He's going fishing at Coldwater Lake, where no one else has fished for months.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:55 | Permalink

Aerial views taken on 2005-May-03

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 early in the day and eastward later.

Recent observations: A volcano obscured by clouds is greeting the opening of Johnston Ridge Observatory today, and the forecast for the next several days is not encouraging. The volcano remains relatively quiet, with small (~ M1 or less) earthquakes occurring about every 3 to 6 minutes. GPS units located near, but not on, the new dome are moving very little, whereas the whaleback-shaped spine of lava at the north end of the new dome continues to emerge at a rate of about 2 to 3 meters per day.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:50 | Permalink

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 northward to north-northeastward early in the day and southward at low altitude and north-northeastward at higher altitudes later in the day.

Recent observations: Much of the crater is obscured by clouds this morning, but the VolcanoCam detected intermittent glow from the growing lava dome through much of the night. VolcanoCam viewers have noted a small persistent bright spot that has been visible for the past several nights on the outer northwest flank of the volcano. We believe that the spot originates in the video camera and is not a hot spot. There is no sign of steaming or unusual melting of snow in that area, both of which would be expected with an intense heat source. Seismic- and ground-deformation activity remains unchanged. Johnston Ridge Observatory opens tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:19 | Permalink

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.

Recent observations: Yesterday's good weather allowed field crews to obtain thermal and visual observations of the growing lava dome and to resurvey some targets that were placed on the dome two weeks ago. All data suggest that lava extrusion continues at a rate similar to that of recent months, even though the rate of seismic activity has declined somewhat over the past few weeks. We infer that this is the result of the recent breakup of the long whaleback-shaped spine that was being pushed southward and upward by extruding lava since late January. Under current conditions, the extruding lava is beginning to form a new, but much smaller, whaleback-shaped spine that is evidently easier to push. Therefore the accompanying seismicity is much less intense.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:37 | Permalink

Views taken in last week

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 eastward early in the day and northeastward later.

Recent observations: The volcano is clear this morning and we hope to make thermal-imaging and visual observations and resurvey some targets that were placed on the new lava dome last month. Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain unchanged as lava-dome growth continues. We discovered an error in the update of April 23 that gave the March 10 volume of the new lava dome and area of uplift as 62 million cubic yards. The correct volume on that date was 58 million cubic yards (45 million cubic meters). The highest point on the new dome was about 7675 feet, which was more than 500 feet above the top of the old lava dome. Since then, the dome has gone through a period of disintegration and spreading as it continues to increase in volume, so the high point is probably now somewhat lower.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:00 | Permalink

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 to east-northeastward.

Recent observations: Rates of seismicity and ground deformation remain unchanged as lava-dome growth continues. The weather forecast for the coming week appears unsettled, so field plans are currently on hold. Hopefully good viewing weather will accompany Friday's opening of Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:19 | Permalink

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 principally eastward.

Recent observations: The volcano's crater is partly obscured by clouds this morning, but it should clear off later. As has been the case for many days, the volcano remains relatively quiet. Seismicity remains at the recent typical level of one small earthquake (~ M1) every few minutes with smaller events occurring more frequently. Yet, a lava spine continues to emerge at the north end of the dome. Weather permitting, crews will be out this coming week to resurvey targets on the dome and collect aerial and thermal images.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:38 | Permalink