# Ask Me About Mount St. Helens **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 29, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718 "2004-09-29T20:11:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/21 "2004-09-30T13:12:12Z")
I thought it was Yellowstone National Park that we all had to worry about. Wake me up when it starts grumbling - gota see that one go. Sin ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/22 "2004-09-30T13:21:48Z")
Is lava hot? ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/23 "2004-09-30T14:20:48Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > As late as last week, all eyes were on the South Sister of the Three Sisters volcano in central Oregon. The Three Sisters have been rising an inch a year for the past ten years. Is the rise in response to the Indiana University Library sinking an inch a year under the weight of all the books? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/24 "2004-09-30T14:33:10Z")
Why is the [volcano cam](http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/) so crappy? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/25 "2004-09-30T14:49:39Z")
How’s Harry Truman these days? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/26 "2004-09-30T14:53:40Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > Why is the [volcano cam](http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/) so crappy? Define “crappy.” ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/27 "2004-09-30T14:59:01Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Define “crappy.” Maybe it’s just my computer or maybe it’s poor weather/visibility there, but all I see is a blue/gray screen. I can’t make out any part of the volcano. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/28 "2004-09-30T15:24:54Z")
> [@Honey](#): > > Maybe it’s just my computer or maybe it’s poor weather/visibility there, but all I see is a blue/gray screen. I can’t make out any part of the volcano. This morning, just like yesterday morning, ground fog is preventing anyone from viewing the volcano. The VolcanoCam is working just fine. It is merely showing you the quality ground fog here in the Pacific Northwest this time of the year. And like yesterday, we hope it clears, not just for your viewing pleasure, but for the scientists who need to fly around and over the volcano taking readings and measurements. If you take a look at [VolcanoCam Hall of Fame Images Archive](http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/archive/) you will see a number of saved images from the VolcanoCam with captions describing what is happening. You would be surprised how many emails I receive with viewers complaining they cannot see the volcano _at night!_ Our favorite archive image is the mutant fly. He was here with the old VolcanoCam and he’s back. We should have some more old and new archive images posted sometime today. ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/29 "2004-09-30T15:34:31Z")
Duckster – The Hall of Fame images archive doesn’t seem to be loading the pix this morning. . . Do you work in the Interior Department with my close personal friend Larry (Chicagoan, balding, with a mustache)? Best regards, Mooney252 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/30 "2004-09-30T16:07:45Z")
**Duckster** , as a geologist and previous St. Helens hiking visitor ('88), let me say that I’m extremely jealous of your proximity. Are you professionally affiliated with the mountain? ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/31 "2004-09-30T17:24:22Z")
And here I was planning a hiking trip in the area. I think I’ll wait on it a bit. Hopefully my “Hiking Trails of Mount St. Helens” book won’t be rendered obsolete. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/32 "2004-10-01T01:20:06Z")
Barb reminded me of one of those Discovery Channel science-for-dummies programs that aired about two years ago, which according to her predicted an eruption in the Cascade Range “within the decade.” Now, we both know (sometimes from comparing what they have to say with our own expertise on a subject) that Discovery “facts” need to be taken with a significant dose of salt. But would anyone know if this is what they were alluding to, or something else? (BTW, does anyone know what the deal is with Hood, Logan, Rainier, and the other Cascades peaks that get mentioned as potentially-dormant and remote-chance-for-eruption candidates whenever anyone gets into “what if” sort of question about volcanoes? Are there any real concerns about any of them?) **Duckster** , I gather that what they’re expecting is that if Saint Helens does erupt, which seems more and more likely, it will be a _relatively_ minor eruption, as opposed to the rather cataclysmic 1980 eruption. (Not that any eruption is truly “minor”!) Is that the assessment you’re getting? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/33 "2004-10-01T01:30:07Z")
The pic looks like it is erupting now! ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/34 "2004-10-01T01:32:23Z")
Maybe it was the sun ligting up a cloud. It should be sunset soon. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/35 "2004-10-01T01:44:12Z")
> [@Mooney252](#): > > The Hall of Fame images archive doesn’t seem to be loading the pix this morning. . . The problem is occurring with the agency web server. It is getting hit hard and overloading. We’re doing what we can to fix that. > [@](#): > > Do you work in the Interior Department with my close personal friend Larry (Chicagoan, balding, with a mustache)? I don’t work for the Dept. of Interior. You mean _that Larry_, the non-hairy? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/36 "2004-10-01T01:46:20Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > **Duckster** , as a geologist and previous St. Helens hiking visitor ('88), let me say that I’m extremely jealous of your proximity. Are you professionally affiliated with the mountain? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/37 "2004-10-01T02:02:58Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > (BTW, does anyone know what the deal is with Hood, Logan, Rainier, and the other Cascades peaks that get mentioned as potentially-dormant and remote-chance-for-eruption candidates whenever anyone gets into “what if” sort of question about volcanoes? Are there any real concerns about any of them?) Up until Mount St. Helens decided to begin its happy dance, the concern was centered at Three Sisters in central Oregon. Within the past year, there have been news stories concerning Mt. Rainier and Mt. Hood, although the concern is not so much of a near-time event occurring (say next 10 years) but that when both of them do have significant events, one needs to remember both are near major metropolitian areas. Even a small event at Mt. Rainier may generate huge lahars cascading into the Tacoma-Seattle area. The last public report about Mt. Hood I recall (within the last 18 months?) expected an event within 30 years. Sure, a long time in human years but not geologic time. But think again, … how much will the Portland metro area grow in population near and around Mt. Hood in the next 30 years? That’s where the concern takes on a serious point. > [@](#): > > **Duckster** , I gather that what they’re expecting is that if Saint Helens does erupt, which seems more and more likely, it will be a _relatively_ minor eruption, as opposed to the rather cataclysmic 1980 eruption. (Not that any eruption is truly “minor”!) Is that the assessment you’re getting? The USGS scientists are says as of this writing that the eruption will not be similar to the 1980 eruption, but it will be on par or greater than the 1986 dome-building event. One USGS scientist said today the dome within the crater has moved about two and a half inches in recent days. Big deal, huh? When you consider that dome is almost 1,000 feet high of volcanic rock, it is a significant event. There have been more than 10,000 earthquakes from last Thursday when this began through last night. The intensity and magnitude of the quakes have continued to increased. ---
**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/38 "2004-10-01T02:03:59Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Barb reminded me of one of those Discovery Channel science-for-dummies programs that aired about two years ago, which according to her predicted an eruption in the Cascade Range “within the decade.” Now, we both know (sometimes from comparing what they have to say with our own expertise on a subject) that Discovery “facts” need to be taken with a significant dose of salt. But would anyone know if this is what they were alluding to, or something else? IANAgeologist, but when I was there in 2001, the USGS guys we were with told us they were keeping a close eye on South Sister because one of her sides was showing signs of bulging a bit, which could mean an impending Saint-Helens-type eruption. Could that be what they were talking about? Then again, Discovery specials often include those “disaster is right around the corner” lines. We all know we’re overdue for an asteroid impact, a mega-quake, the Yellowstone supervolcano eruption, and giant tsunamis from melting ice caps. _Any_ second now… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/39 "2004-10-01T02:27:08Z")
Duckster – I listened to almost the entire press conference on Thursday (being just N of Seattle). They went through the eruption history of Mt. St. Helens: “1480: an eruption 10 times the size of 1980. 1482: another eruption. . .” Is there a website with the eruption history and scope of Mt. St. Helens. BTW, my friend Larry is in Washington, DC – so it’s unlikely that the two of you work together. Best regards, Mooney252 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2004, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718/40 "2004-10-01T03:08:06Z")
> [@Mooney252](#): > > They went through the eruption history of Mt. St. Helens: “1480: an eruption 10 times the size of 1980. 1482: another eruption. . .” > > Is there a website with the eruption history and scope of Mt. St. Helens. Start here -----\> [Mount St. Helens](http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/framework.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-me-about-mount-st-helens/266718.md?page=3)