| PantyFanatic |
10-04-2004 01:40 AM |
In spite of my “journalistic talents”, I’m happy to report the events that I already have interest in am following. I’m doing this with what I call my “instinctual proximity theory”. :confused:
I long ago noticed that there seems to be a very natural reaction and effect difference within us, based more on how close we are to an event than even it’s severity or danger to us personally. We can sit at breakfast and read of genocide taking place in a far off country, that involves hundreds or even thousands of people and shake our heads or shrug as if we were reading a novel or a chapter from a history book. Yet if a neighbor knocks on the door to inform us of the fatal auto accident victim from across the street, our physiological rate changes and it’s a topic of concern for the next few days. It’s the psychological bond we feel to a person that seems to be the difference. With the “family feelings” we often sight among our members, I of course have a concern when any natural event occurs that could affect one of us. So you see, it’s only a task for me to create something readable to post. ;)
Here is the major change from the last official report.
Quote:
Mount St. Helens Update, October 3, 2004, 7:40 P.M.
Current status is Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3); aviation color code RED
At 2 pm yesterday, we increased the alert level to Volcano Alert due to a change in the character of seismic signals (50 minute long tremor) that occurred immediately after a steam emission at 12:16 P.M., recognition of ongoing uplift of the crater floor, and reports of sulfur gas odor. In addition, we believe that there is a significantly increased probability that gas-rich magma is moving toward the surface. After another period of tremor starting at 2:57 A.M. this morning, seismicity returned to discrete earthquakes. Seismic activity decreased gradually until about 2:00 P.M. then increased again, reaching levels comparable to those prior to steam and ash eruptions. M3 earthquakes are occurring at a rate of about one every 5 minutes. All earthquake locations remain shallow.
Yesterday’s gas sensing flights detected significant concentrations of carbon dioxide north and west of the dome. No significant levels of sulfur gasses were detected. Hydrogen sulfide odors detected by helicopter crews are attributed to steam emissions. These low levels of hydrogen sulfide are likely the result of boiling of the hydrothermal system.
Results from GPS measurements indicate no significant deformation of the outer flanks of the volcano. However, visual observations and photographic analysis show large-scale uplift (10’s of meters) of part of the glacier and a nearby segment of the south flank of the lava dome. This suggests rise of magma to shallow levels. Additional steam and ash eruptions could occur at any time. There is also an increased probability of larger magnitude and more ash-rich eruptions.
Today field crews took additional thermal images of the dome and crater and conducted gas sensing, infrared and geologic observation flights. Deformation crews retrieved data from GPS instruments and lowered a new GPS station from a helicopter onto the dome. In addition, two telemetered microphones are now operating to detect explosions. …..
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