St Helens , a birthday under high supervision !

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 CVO , in charge of the Cascade Range volcanoes,  revealed the results of monitoring at all times, on April 30, 2014 .

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.