In past eruptions of Augustine, Redoubt and Mt. Spurr, the ashfall has been mostly nuisance. A small amount (we’re talking millimeters here) wreaks havoc for cleanup. Filters clog, storm drains ditto, electronics sieze up, seals fail, etc.
By comparison, the Novarupta (Katmai) eruption in 1912 dumped over a foot of ash on Kodiak Island (see photo about 1/4 down the page). It was one of the most violent eruptions in recorded history, producing twice as much ejecta as Krakatoa.
Local vulcanologists are telling us that the big blast is probably yet to come and that this venting activity could continue for weeks before a major eruption.
I always wanted to be a vulcanologist. Besides the really cool job title, you get to wear a cape and shiny boots.
A smal concern is a major landslide of Augustine. Although past erutions have not caused this type of activity I suppose this is plausable. The resulting wave could cause a tsunami. Expecailly on the spit. And although the poulation on the spit is at a low this time of year it would devistate this town financially.
Here on the island we have had ash warnings all week, the ash was visible before the clouds moved in today, and every asthmatic I know (including myself) has been sucking albuterol and staying indoors. Our wind keep shifting, so who knows which way the ash will go?
The top soil here is thin over some of the nastiest clay you would ever want to find. Digging deeper one finds ash drift, sometimes over two feet deep, from the Katmai eruption. It does help loosen up the clay if one is wanting to garden.
I was here whan Redoubt was fussing, again, the ash reduced visibility, and caused breathing troubles.
I was also living in Washington State when Mt. Saint Helens blew. I was living in the Bothell/Kenmore area, and we heard it blow. My (then) boyfriend is a ham radio operator, so we had the first information on the events. We had to rinse ash off our cars, replace air filters daily, and as I was employed at the Primary Center for GTE I had to be prepared to be sealed in the building in case the ash came our way (north) instead of east.
fifty-six I hope that you have your evac plans and supplies ready. I know the terror of a tsunami warning, and finally this last September moved above the 100 foot level. Stay safe.
So you’re the cause of all this! I was also in WA when St. Helens went. I was stationed in Oak Harbor, which is about 100 miles north and we still heard the explosion! Looks like a lot of low-level earthquake activity over the past twelve hours, so the big bang may be imminent. Winds appear to have shifted in our general direction, which ain’t good news for us.
As a followup to our discussion about volcanic ash and nutrients, here is a photo of the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in Katmai. After 93 years, nothing grows there. My wife and I hiked down into the valley; while there was growth along the sides of the valley, it was normal-to-stunted, and virtually nothing grows in the ash itself. Birch trees in the area are about 25 feet tall at most; the birch trees in my back yard are easily twice that. The site has several other photos of the area.
Now, here’s the crazy thing: I’m also in Florida; the wind was blowing quite strongly out the north-northeast yesterday. Today, as I’m cleaning house (OK, “apartment”), I notice that one of our bathrooms – the one with the northern-exposure window – has a thin black powder film on everything. Odd, but I figure maybe it was just the wind blowing dust out of the windowscreen. So then I’m cleaning by the front door. There’s a tiny gap where I can see daylight between the door and jamb … and a little spray pattern of black dust right there on the floor.
What are the chances that we’re getting some ash down here?
Certainly possible. Ash from the Novarupta eruption was found in the Sahara Desert. Since the initial prevailing winds were southwest from here, ash could easily have been picked up by westerly winds and carried your way. Scary, ain’t it?
My husband took the air cleaner off his truck about three weeks ago, and keeps forgetting to get a new one. I went out last night and got it for him. I told him why and he laughed, but he put it on. I’m sure he’ll thank me someday.
What are the Spitters doing, fifty-six? Just keeping the road open or are businesses and boats closing and moving until the risk subsides? Or maybe is everyone just hanging out at the Salty Dog?
Good luck to you guys there. I always took newcomers to Homer, seeing as it’s probably the prettiest city in the US, easily on a scale with Sedona.
fifty-six, hey, do you know Tony DiMichelle, a hallibut charterman on the spit? Also, there’s a road that after coming in from Kenai and going through town winds back to the north and parallels the inlet. On the right there’s a house next to a large pasture with the inlet and mountains and glaciers beyond. From the road you can see through a window on the upper floor in that house and there’s a large picture of three characters together, kinda half person/half monkey like. It was always hard to miss and absolutely striking to see every time we’d drive by and I was wondering if it was still there. I know it’s crazy to ask, but it would be great to hear that you’re familiar with it.
Well the Spitters are just hanging out and business as usuall. There is not much going on at this time of year except Petro Maine and Land’s End, occasional boaters comming and going from Seldovia and Halibut Cove, and a few fishermen.
There was an Evacuation Mid-Late Summer years ago when the Icicle Cannery blew up. That was crazy it took ages from everyone to get off. A true disater waiting to happen. This time of year it should be less of a problem. Although the ETA from a Augustine generated Tsunami is 60-90 min. Hardly enough time to co-ordinate an evac. Some folks on the spit drop and run when they feel a strong quake and others lollygag about. The runners will likly be the only survivors if there was ever a problem. The Alaska Tsunami warning center is fast though. Usully within a few min of a strong quake they make a statement. But a flank collapse from Augastine may happen in such a way that little or no warning at all may happen.
I live at about 100 feet or so. I sometimes get in the car and head uphill when I feel a strong quake. Never can really tell what that rumble was or what is to come. In the 64’ quake the spit sank multiple feet. Total disaster.
Right now the turn off comming onto town on Baycrest Hill is swamped with photagraphers and sightseers. Nothing much to see because there is a fog bank obscuring the Mt. We expect later on this evening as the sun sets behind the moutain and the fog lifts there will be spectaular “money” shots.
Leiu, the name does not exactly ring a bell if I knew the name of his boat I would have a better chance of knowing who you where talking about. I think I have seen the house you mentioned. When was the last time you where down here? I bet we know some of the same people.
If it wasn’t for this thread, I wouldn’t know about Augustine. We’ve been watching CNN and The Weather Channel and MSNBC off and on for a week, an hour or so at a sitting (in addition to local news), and there’s nothing.
You’d think an eruption that blew ash 8 miles in the air would get some attention.
fifty-six and kaiwik, I’m glad to hear you’re taking tsunami threats seriously. I know Alaska’s had a few bad ones in the past.
Having spent some of last year helping clear up after the Indian Ocean one, I can confirm that you do not want to be anywhere near that sort of thing - the aftermath is astonishing to behold, and news footage really doesn’t give any idea of its scale and severity. I went through a couple of warnings, too, and now know the meaning of true fear. Anyone who lollygags around after a quake, or during a warning, is a freaking idiot.
I just watched the news, seems the folks in Homer are able to view boulders glowing after dark, and apparently now magma has developed.
fifty-six do you have your tsunami supplies packed and loaded? We had a tsunami warning in '94, and I was totally unprepared, and it was scary and stressfull. You take extra special care.
Our tsunami alarm has a test every Wednesday at 2:00 pm. Tomorrow I am going to be listening to the radio to make sure it’s still “only a test”. I am above the 100 foot mark, but if we get another warning I am loading up the kids and animals and heading up Pillar Mountain!
I wasn’t here during the '64 tsunami, but I have seen before and after photos, have friends who were here who have some of the most incredible stories, and there is a parking lot “downtown” which used to be a lake.
Again fifty-six stay safe, you’re in my thoughts with every news update.
Maddening, isn’t it? Notification of a volcanic eruption has been usurped by Angelina and Brad’s pregnancy.
I know Chefguy’s in a safe place but kaiwik, take care yourself. And if y’all have time, look of jjimm’s thread on the tsunami aftermath. A compelling read.
I’m bringing the family up, Homer included, in July. Save one minor event for us, will ya?
Yeah, well Brangelina is important stuff. Alaska routinely gets 100+ mph winds out on the coast, but it’s not a hurricane, and it’s only Natives who are being affected instead of casinos, so that never gets any news attention either.
Where are you planning to travel while here? And why did you name your son ‘Homer’?
