I’m angrier than a person who likes to see a volcano erupt but is on the wrong side of the country. Yep! Angry! That’s because Mt. St. Helens is about to go at it again. The last eruption happened on May 18, 1980, killing around 57 people, although the exact number is a point of contention.
When the volcano erupted, I was two years old, living somewhat near Mt. St. Helens. It was close enough for my mother to feel the need to evacuate. I wish I’d been old enough to appreciate what was going on. As for 2024, however, I am old enough, and I hope to see it.
Experts are worried about the warning signs, namely earthquakes. 350 of them have been observed since February. However, the United States Geological Survey says that’s nothing to be concerned about. Maybe, maybe not, but it looks to me like people better get prepared. They need to be more prepared than they were in 1980.
The most recent earthquakes are far too small to be felt on the planet’s surface, but they are happening and it can go from bad to worse at any given moment. So far this month, there have been around 38 quakes per week, which is definitely something to at least be a little concerned about. I don’t have to be a geologist to know that.
KOIN, the local CBS affiliate, is reporting that Mt. St. Helens is “recharging.” They are also reporting that USGS is monitoring the situation and “will provide any updates or warnings if warranted.”
So, for right now, there’s nothing to do but wait it out. An eruption could have catastrophic implications for people in its path, but at least time, technology is such that there will be plenty of warning in regards to a potential evacuation, and as a result, the death toll this time around should be significantly lower than the last dance.