October 2, 2004

Alert Level 3 and counting

From KOMO-TV: bq. Government scientists raised the alert level Saturday for Mount St. Helens after its second steam eruption in two days was followed by a powerful tremor. They said the next blast was imminent or in progress, and could threaten life and property in the remote area near the volcano. bq. Hundreds of visitors at the building closest to the volcano - Johnston Ridge Observatory five miles away - were asked to leave. They went quickly to their cars and drove away, with some relocating several miles north to Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center. bq. The volcano alert of Mount St. Helens was raised to Level 3, which "indicates we feel an eruption is imminent, or is in progress," said U.S. Geological Survey geologist Tom Pierson from the observatory. The scientists were evaced as well - the word is that this was in the event of ash fall but this mountain has a powerful history so a bit of distance is in order. Five miles is too close for comfort. The weather is nice today too take a look at the VolcanoCam Posted by DaveH at October 2, 2004 5:06 PM