Mount St. Helens still most likely to blow, UW seismologist says
After blowing its top off 15 years ago, Mount St. Helens still remains the number one threat along the line of Cascade Mountain volcanoes, says UW Seismologist Steve Malone.
Malone tracked the volcano’s rumblings before, during and after its May 18, 1980 eruption and he says it still is the most likely mountain to blow up in our lifetime. “But that is based only on its history, not on what it is doing now,” he adds. “St. Helens’ seismic activity is down to a level comparable to its activity before 1980.”
In Malone’s view, those “moderately likely” to erupt in our lifetime are: Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak.
Rainier causes particular concern, since it is close to 2.5 million people in the Puget Sound region. While there are no signs of renewed volcanic activity beneath Rainier’s icy cap, there is general agreement among scientists that it has not been studied as thoroughly as it should be, Malone says.
Rainier’s last minor eruption likely occurred in the mid-19th century. “There probably has not been a major explosive eruption of Rainier in a few thousand years,” Malone says. “Even minor activity there could trigger flows of mud and other debris that could quickly clog valleys, bridges, roads and anything else in its path.”