Earthquake swarm detected beneath Mount St. Helens

[Eugene]

Source: CBS News

CBS NEWS May 8, 2016, 12:47 AM

Earthquake swarm detected beneath Mount St. Helens

Magma stores are recharging inside Mount St. Helens, setting off a swarm of small earthquakes since last month, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Since the catastrophic eruption of May 18, 1980, scientists have been conducting research and collecting data on the volcano to learn more about its typical behavior.

CBS affiliate KIRO reported over the last eight weeks, there have been more than 130 earthquakes located by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and many more that are too small to be located.

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The USGS says the earthquake rates have been steadily increasing since March, reaching nearly 40 located earthquakes a week, but there are no signs an imminent eruption.

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Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/earthquake-swarm-detected-beneath-mount-st-helens/

[Warpy]

1. Frequent eruptions aren't necessarily a bad thing

It's when they go quiet for a few hundred years that you have to worry.

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a small eruption within the next couple of months.

[bkkyosemite]

2. Well that happen before it blew...oh great! I lived in CA at the time and ash was

falling from the sky. I could imagine what it would be like living here now as I do.

[pnwmom]

3. As I recall, it looked a bit like a light snowfall. And it was quite unexpected

because they used to think there was such a thing as an "extinct" volcano. And that all of ours here were extinct.

[AnAzulTexas]

4. don't get too comfortable

that whole pacific plate has been quaking in a counter clockwise rotation. started in japan and is now rocking the eastern portion

[pnwmom]

5. Don't get too comfortable.

You could get hit by a car tomorrow.

[pscot]

6. But that probably wouldn't

wipe out Yelm and the Puyallup valley.

[pnwmom]

7. Ever hear of global warming? That's something we can and should be trying to head off.

[AnAzulTexas]

9. ditto

[cstanleytech]

8. Yes but most of the time earthquakes near volcanoes do not = eruption is gonna happen run away!!!!

Even if it does erupt though (which I doubt it will within my lifetime) the odds of the next one one being as strong are pretty dang low.