Posted on 09/29/2004 10:29:55 AM PDT by Michael Goldsberry
MOUNT ST. HELENS, Wash. -- The lava dome in Mount St. Helens' crater apparently is growing, possibly a new sign of an impending eruption, but a major explosion doesn't seem likely, a top volcano scientist said today.
"There seems to be some movement in the lava dome," said Jeff Wynn, chief scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey's Cascade Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Wash., about 50 miles south of the mountain.
The pressure could come either from a buildup of gases within the 8,364-foot volcano, which erupted with devastating force in 1980, or from molten rock moving into the dome, Wynn said. The volcano began stirring again last week.
Seth Moran, a seismologist at the observatory, estimated the initial movement at 4 centimeters, about an inch and a half.
Wynn said the movement "sort of suggests that we're getting closer" to an eruption that could hurl rocks and ash a few thousand feet into the air.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
It's all Bush's fault. In addition to this and the hurricanes, California is experiencing earthquakes.
Will Move-on.org blame this on Bush or not...
Mount St. Helens lava dome building ping!
The global warming crowd will not be happy about this.........that cloud of ash causes temperatures to lower as it makes it's way around the globe.
Ping!
Are there any evacuations being done in case there is an explosion?
I think my stomach is going to explode.
We were in Paris on vacation in 1980 when Mt. St. Helens erupted. I didn't read enough French to read the article, and the front page of Le Monde showed a photo of the eruption. Looked like a nuclear war. Scared the bejeebers out of me, since I had NO idea what caused it. Now we are planning to move to den Hague soon and the volcano is trying to erupt again.
I hope EVERYONE gets out of the area this time if it is going to erupt!
What is Karl Rove planning now?
Natural climate control. Ash in air fights globull warming. Algore will be deeply saddened.
Both are bad but gas buildup is worse.
Problem solved......
If we have a major earthquake in California, that might make St. Helen's erupt. That on top of the hurricane's would probably over strech FEMA, and Bush will get the blame. Let's hope if it does happen that there isn't enough time for people to become aware that FEMA can no longer keep up.
I don't understand why don't pass legislation outlawing volcanic eruptions.
They stopped hikers from getting too close and are keeping people out of the dome area. I believe the closest observation spot is still open for viewing. They didn't find the right gases that predict an explosion but are going up again today to recheck for gases.
Just drop a little bomb in there and crack open the lava dome...then it will just ooze out!
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