On May 18, 1980 , Mt St Helens exploded ravaging the countryside.
Photos innédites, recently published by geologist Ricahrd Bowen, taken during an overflight of the volcano , accompanied by his daughter Tara , 11 years old at the time.
As Sam Knapp, the Cessna 172 pilot said : " we were as close as you could be and survive ! "
During this anniversary, St Helens reminds us of its status as an active volcano.
" The One " from The Oregonian newspaper of 19.05.1980 , the day after the eruption - doc. The Oregonian archives
The CVO , in charge of the Cascade Range volcanoes, revealed the results of monitoring at all times, on .
For the period 2004 - 2008 , a new dome was built , and scientists have noticed a " subtle inflation " , along with a minor seismic activity ... the magma chamber of St Helens is held to pressurize slowly again . This phenomenon is caused by an inflow of a small amount of magma at 4-8 km. below the surface.
This does not mean that the volcano is about to erupt ... the re- pressurization of the magma chamber of a volcano is observed on various buildings after an eruption , and may continue for years without eruption .
This summer, field work will include measuring the types and amounts of gases being released, and the strength of the gravity field at the volcano.
Sources :
- The Oregonian - Mount St. Helens eruption: Rare aerial photos never seen before, shot after the 1980 eruption - link
- CVO - Cascades Volcano Observatory / USGS - Monitoring Techniques Provide Insight into Mount St. Helens Behavior - link
- KOIN 6 - The mountain continues to captivate since the 1980 eruption - link