“At this point, there is absolutely no sign that it will erupt anytime soon, but the data we collect tells us that the volcano is still very much alive,” the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The low-magnitude quakes have increased in frequency to about 40 a week, as recorded by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network (PNSN). The PNSN has a network of 300 seismology stations in Washington and Oregon, working to monitor earthquake and volcanic activity across the Pacific Northwest.
There have been no signs indicating any change in gas emissions, and no signs of magma formation beneath the surface, says the USGS, and more importantly, no signs of an imminent eruption, reports CNN. The agency reminds us that a recharge can continue for many years beneath a volcano without an eruption.
The earthquakes are actually too small to be felt, even if you are standing over the spot where one is occurring. They range from 0.5 to 1.2 magnitude, just enough to register on a seismograph. “The earthquakes are volcano-tectonic in nature, indicative of a slip on a small fault. Such events are commonly seen in active hydrothermal and magmatic systems,” says the USGS.
While each volcano behaves differently, improvements in computer technology and scientific experience give us a greater understanding of what is happening, improving our ability to locate earthquakes and seismic activity, and if necessary, provide eruption warnings.
Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people. That eruption was preceded by over 10,000 small earthquakes. The force of the eruption blew off over 1,000 feet of the mountain’s top, leaving an immense crater. The hot ash ignited forest fires and caused flooding as the snow melted from surrounding mountain tops, reports CBS News.
