I was reading my local news site this morning when I came across an article about the recent activity on the St Helens Volcano in Washington state. I was slightly surprised to see no articles on Joeuser on this topic. The current situation seems to be that The volcano has now been sealed off, due to the highest level of activity since 1986. Earthquakes related to the volcano are now occurring at a rate of 3-4 a minute suggesting an erruption is imminent. Admittedly any eruption is expected to be small with possibly only the venting of gases and no lava. Certainly not effecting any area greater than 5 kilometers away, unless glacial waters are released.
I wonder if an erruption wil ltake place and how big will it be. Will lava find it's way to the surface?
I'd love to hear the views of those who live in the area on this. I tend to view volcanos as wonders of nature and find them very interesting. Probably a totally different view from those who live near them though.
Paul.
PS. link for those interested is http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Cascades/CurrentActivity/2004/current_updates_20040929.html