http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/...elens%20Notice

This doesn't mean there's going to be an eruption like the one in 1980, but who knows?

Andrew

We were there 3 years ago - still an incredible sight. Makes me want to go back. Also makes me feel very old when I hear the big eruption was almost 25 years ago.

The Park Service is now curtailing back country travel in the park; this morning they're saying it might be a bigger event than they thought yesterday. Pesky Mother Nature...

Better safe than sorry. Guess that means that we are not going backpacking on it this winter unless rules are changed though

I remember when it blew and seeing all the ash...something I doubt I will ever forget.

"Volcanic Advisory" Update:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/09/29/mount.st.helens/index.html

More imminent AP update:
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040930_279.html

Johnston Ridge webcam:

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

Not much to see at the moment. Looks like it's "socked in" with fog and low clouds (been having a lot of that up here (Western Washington) lately - at least in the morning hours). Either that or the webcam is down.

Ken

PS: For those of you who take a trip to the Pacific Northwest, a day excursian to Mt. St. Helens is very, very interesting.

My wife visited the Johnston Ridge Observatory in 1995 and was very impressed. Unfortunately, the visit was a date with a man very much not her husband. When she revealed the Mt. St. Helen's date to me several years later and three kids later, it proved to be very, very interesting in deed!

Like the recent hurricanes in Florida it seems that when these things occur, and they are "bad" we always see them attributed to "Mother Nature." But when natural phenomena occur which are "good" God gets the credit..interesting viewpoint.

Good gracious, is the end of the world coming?!!?? Hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, oh my!!! I'm going to get myself a sandwich board & stand on street corners to warn people! geez!!

Reply to TopMan,
I only have praise[-o< for LordBalfor's revelation, and am surprized at the odds of eruption:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science....ap/index.html

Maybe someone should call Ghostbusters.

Thanks John.

The webcam is up now and you can see right inside the crater and can make out the new lava dome (about 5 miles away). During the May 18th eruption of 1980 (when the top and side of the mountain blew off) the webcams' location was flattened by the blast and the trees in the general vacinity were literally shredded. They beleive there is no danger of that now, and indeed, The Johnston Ridge visitor center (where the camera sits) is to remain open (at least for now).

Ken

Today we flew out of Portland Oregon and the pilot directed our attention to the mountain shrouded in mist/steam to our right...sheesh!
I do so hope that this is just some steam letting off and nothing much more.

Try to read 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' by Bill Bryson; the chapter on volcanoes and particularly about St Helens is amazing. I would worry about rumblings if I lived nearby.

I'm listening to Fox news, and they are having a press conference right now, saying that they are pretty sure there will be a actual eruption very soon. They are at "Level 3" but are saying the risk is just to the immediate area.

So they are evacuating some areas in the immediate vicinity of the volcano. In fact, the newsman just got evacuated while the press conference was going on! They are saying it's a precautionary measure, and the media are being sent 2 miles further away.

It's really something listening to this happening in real time.

Sending thought to every around there, hope yuou all stay safe and ash free.

Yes, we are watching it from our local channel here. Quite interesting. Especially since yesterday they kept saying that the Johnston Ridge visitors center was safe. Not now...all evacuated.

sorry that last bit got so garbled, but I was so distracted by the sight of it on TV!
I'll try again,

sending you all positive thoughts, and hope you stay safe.

mms, It's amazing to watch in real time, I'm just glued to the TV, as I can imagine you are!
Now they are moving everybody back another 10 miles, and think it might be bigger than they first predicted....

Guess I will have to go watch the news upstairs...dh is glued to football, lol!

I remember the 1980 event very well and remember all the ash coating everything. So this is exciting to see again...and at least this time there are more warnings and such.

We have hiked there quite a bit and it is just amazing to see what nature can do. Even after all this time, the landscape is truly amazing.