March 8, 2005. The Ongoing, Mind-blowing Eruption of Mount St. Helens. Geological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC) meeting Portland State University November 17, 2006. Dan Dzurisin On behalf of colleagues at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory. U.S. Department of the Interior - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
March 8, 2005 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey The Ongoing, Mind-blowing The Ongoing, Mind-blowing Eruption of Mount St. Helens Eruption of Mount St. Helens Dan Dzurisin Dan Dzurisin On behalf of colleagues at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory On behalf of colleagues at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Geological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC) meeting Geological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC) meeting Portland State University Portland State University November 17, 2006 November 17, 2006
Transcript
March 8, 2005
U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyU.S. Geological Survey
The Ongoing, Mind-blowingThe Ongoing, Mind-blowingEruption of Mount St. HelensEruption of Mount St. Helens
Dan DzurisinDan DzurisinOn behalf of colleagues at the USGS Cascades Volcano ObservatoryOn behalf of colleagues at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
Geological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC) meetingGeological Society of the Oregon Country (GSOC) meetingPortland State UniversityPortland State University
November 17, 2006November 17, 2006
whaleback
Let’s skip right to the good stuffLet’s skip right to the good stuff
If this doesn’t quicken your pulse, check that you have one
It started on a quiet September morning…It started on a quiet September morning…
September 23, 2004September 23, 2004
SEP webicorder (on 1980-1986 lava dome)SEP webicorder (on 1980-1986 lava dome)
……with an earthquake swarm…with an earthquake swarm…
September 24, 2004September 24, 2004
……that didn’t stop!that didn’t stop!
09/24
09/25
09/26
09/27
09/28
09/29
09/30
PDT
Within a few days, several earthquakes were occurring Within a few days, several earthquakes were occurring per per minuteminute……
September 29, 2004
……and a large welt was rising on the south crater floor.and a large welt was rising on the south crater floor.Eight days after the first earthquakes…Eight days after the first earthquakes…
By October 1…
October 1, 2004
Mount St. Helens’ first eruption of the 21st century was underway!
Seismic Amplitude, September 20, 2004 – January 5, 2005Seismic Amplitude, September 20, 2004 – January 5, 2005
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USGS and PNSN provided timely information and hazards USGS and PNSN provided timely information and hazards assessmentsassessments
to partner agencies and the publicto partner agencies and the public
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) On October 11, 2004, the first new lava emerged and the dome-buildingphase of the eruption was underway
The eruption sparked intense interest The eruption sparked intense interest from the media and publicfrom the media and public
USGS scientists provided daily press briefings at CVOUSGS scientists provided daily press briefings at CVOuntil a joint information center was set up atuntil a joint information center was set up at
USFS Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters USFS Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters
CVO kept its attention focused on the volcano…CVO kept its attention focused on the volcano…
October 7, 2004 The welt grew at a prodigious rate(That’s a BIG helicopter)
Until, on October 11…Until, on October 11…
2004 welt2004 welt 1980-1986 dome1980-1986 dome
October 11, 2004October 11, 2004
……a hot (775°C, 1430°F) lava spine a hot (775°C, 1430°F) lava spine emergedemerged
November 4November 4
In late October, a whaleback-shaped extrusion appeared
A time-lapse camera on Sugar Bowl Dome records the whaleback’s growth
(sometimes)
Scientists are using a combination of time-tested and innovative techniques to study the eruption
Helicopter mounted Helicopter mounted FLIR and video moduleFLIR and video module
““Spider” – helicopter-slingableSpider” – helicopter-slingablevolcano-monitoring stationvolcano-monitoring station
There are several species of spider……and they’re evolving!
We’ve placed spiders on the 1980-1986 dome……and on the new dome……including some places even a volcanologist wouldn’t go
““Whale rider”Whale rider”spiderspider
In the process, we’re learning a lot about …In the process, we’re learning a lot about …
February 22, 2005February 22, 2005
Eruptionmechanics
1980-1986 dome1980-1986 dome
Volcano-glacierinteractions
Dome-buildingprocesses and hazards
““Fault gouge” is dome rock pulverized by Fault gouge” is dome rock pulverized by earthquakesearthquakes
“Bathtub rings”record dome growth
Why bother?(So what?)
Volcano Studies: Challenges and Opportunities for the 21st
Century• Radar-interferometry satellites can monitor most of the world’s
volcanoes at centimeter-scale accuracy with high spatial resolution and virtually complete areal coverage
• Networks of continuous sensors, including seismometers, GPS, strainmeters, and tiltmeters, can maintain constant vigilance even at long-dormant volcanoes. In the United States, EarthScope (USArray, PBO, SAFOD, InSAR?) is the most ambitious and promising Geoscience initiative ever undertaken.
• Autonomous, self-organizing sensor networks can provide essential real-time information that is spatially and temporally dense in areas otherwise inaccessible for reasons of logistics or safety. Such networks can trigger event-driven data acquisitions by Earth-observing satellites, thus supporting continuous global surveillance of hundreds of dangerous volcanoes. USGS/CVO, WSUV, and NASA are developing a prototype system for deployment at Mount St. Helens.
• By monitoring volcanoes more thoroughly using a combination of old-school and 21st century techniques, scientists might be able to anticipate the onset of shallow volcanic unrest, intensify monitoring, and provide longer term warnings of impending eruptions.
Something EXTRAORDINARY is happening at Mount St. Helens.Something EXTRAORDINARY is happening at Mount St. Helens.The volcano’s last 2 quiescent periods lasted 123 years (1857-1980) and The volcano’s last 2 quiescent periods lasted 123 years (1857-1980) and 18 years (1980-2004). Past inter-eruption periods have lasted for several 18 years (1980-2004). Past inter-eruption periods have lasted for several
millennia.millennia.We’re living in interesting times.We’re living in interesting times.
