Past Mount St. Helens eruptions help predict the next

[n2doc]

LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — Ten years ago this week, Mount St. Helens awoke from an 18-year geological slumber.

The news media and volcano-watchers flocked to Johnston Ridge, the closest road with a crater view. Steam and ash eruptions shot thousands of feet into the air, and for several weeks, the area near the volcano was closed because of safety concerns.

Over the next three years, a second lava dome slowly appeared in the crater, eventually rising 1,076 feet above the crater floor. By the time the eruption ended in 2008, climbers had already been allowed back to the summit and media attention faded.

Though the mountain isn't getting as much publicity these days, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey are marking the anniversary to highlight new eruption warning technology they've installed around the volcano since then and to remind people that Mount St. Helens will continue to rebuilt itself.

The eruption that started a decade ago was the second of two dome-building phases.

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http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2014/09/27/mount-saint-helens-eruption-prediction-washington/16351951/

[Sopkoviak]

1. My scientific prediction

It blew up before it'll blow up again.

Don't ask how I arrived at that conclusion.

[uppityperson]

2. I am more concerned about Ranier and Baker, but it is great to continue studying StHelens

[pscot]

3. There are a million people

living in the lahar zone at the base of Mt. Rainier. And some of the worst traffic in the region. Evacuation would be a nightmare. Rainier could create a major disaster without even erupting.

[uppityperson]

4. Yup, shake The Mt, loosen some of the glacier and rocks and viola. Lahar

When my child moved to the area I said just don't live downstream of Ranier's lahar.

[Terra Alta]

6. If Rainier blows

it could take Tacoma and surrounding communities with it. Some call Rainier the most dangerous volcano in America.

[MFM008]

5. Mt. Ranier

In my view every day for 43 years we have lived here. We take advantage of its awesomness.

[yeoman6987]

7. This is just horrible

Between the war and a volcano, we are doomed to climate change. Volcanos are awful for the environment. We have so much against us and we wonder why it is so hard to control climate. Less driving and lightbulb changes and then a volcano wipes out all the progress.