US volcano rumbles back to life

Scientists in the US fear a volcano in Washington state could be on the verge of erupting.
The area around Mount St Helens has been sealed off after geologists noticed a surge in seismic activity earlier this week.

The volcano erupted almost 25 years ago killing 57 people and sending half a billion tons of ash into the air.

It left the nearest major city, Portland in Oregon - 50 miles (80km) away - covered in a thick layer of ash.

A number of small earthquakes in the region has stirred the volcano back to life.

Steam is rising from the crater and rocks are tumbling down its side.

Local communities and tourists have been told to stay away as scientists monitor the situation.

Scientists do not believe any eruption this time round will be as serious as that in 1980, but warn it is impossible to predict exactly what Mount St Helens has in store.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3702886.stm

I live less than 20 miles from the crater...

If it does go, I think I will be the first one on this board to hear it...

My grandfather and uncle live in Yakima. Fluffy, can you tell me how far Yakima is Mt. St. Helen?
I know the last time it erupted, my uncle had up to 4 foot of ash in his yard.

But knowing me, I'll be the first to post it




Christ! Thankfully the closest volcano to me is in Edinburgh.... and its quite dead...... very dead.

I think as the crow flies it is over 80 miles. Yakima is east of the mountain, which is very often the direction the winds are blowing(from the ocean), and therefore all of the ash went eastward the last time it went off...odds are that is what would happen again, but you never know...

I think I will call my grandfather tonight and check on him.