August 5, 2019 Tahoma Creek Debris Flow
Posted on Wed, Aug 14, 2019, 17:00 by Scott Beason. Updated on Wed, Aug 14, 2019, 17:00
The 32nd recorded debris flow in Tahoma Creek occurred on August 5, 2019, between 6:44 PM PDT (8/6/2019 01:55 UTC) - 8:10 PM PDT (8/6/2019 03:10 UTC), as observed on the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network's (PNSN) Emerald Ridge (RER) seismograph. The event began as a sudden and significant change in the primary outlet stream from the terminus of the South Tahoma Glacier. This change caused a surge of water to go over loose, steep and unconsolidated sediment-rich areas just downstream of the terminus. Debris flow deposits were observed approximately 4 miles downstream at the Tahoma Creek Trail trailhead (an area affectionally known in the park as 'barrel curve'). The event is still being investigated... a good photo set (with a few videos) is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mountrainiernps/sets/72157710161403356/. If you would like to view more information about the event, click here: http://www.morageology.com/geoEvent.php#145. If you were in the area of the South Tahoma Glacier or Tahoma Creek on the evening of August 5 and/or morning of August 6, and have any interesting observations, please send them to Scott Beason.
New Camp Schurman weather station added!
Posted on Tue, Jul 23, 2019, 14:17 by Scott Beason. Updated on Tue, Jul 23, 2019, 14:17
A new weather station has been added to morageology.com. Click the following link to see hourly data from Camp Schurman on the NE side of Mount Rainier's volcanic edifice at 9,500 feet: http://waterdata.morageology.com/station.php?g=MORAWXCS.
Longmire RSAM Down
Posted on Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 05:00 by Scott Beason. Updated on Wed, Jul 10, 2019, 05:00
The Longmire (LON) seismograph has been reporting ground vibrations from a construction project in the area near the seismograph. In order to prevent erroneous debris flow alerts, the RSAM (debris flow detection) analysis has been disabled. The system will be restored once the construction project has been completed.
CASCADES VOLCANO OBSERVATORY WEEKLY UPDATE
U.S. Geological Survey
Friday, November 24, 2023, 9:34 AM PST (Friday, November 24, 2023, 17:34 UTC)
CASCADE RANGE (VNUM #)
Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL
Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN
Activity Update: All volcanoes in the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington are at normal background activity levels. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State and Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry, and Crater Lake in Oregon.
Past Week Observations: Mount St. Helens continues to have higher seismicity than typical of recent years, with 12 located earthquakes in the last week, and 495 since July 15, when the current increase in seismicity began. The largest earthquake over the past week was a magnitude 0.7, while the largest since July 15 was magnitude 2.4. The average depth of earthquakes at Mount St. Helens last week was 4.0 miles below the crater, compared to an average depth of 3.8 miles since July 15. Although this level of seismicity is elevated compared to the last several years at Mount St. Helens, it is still considered within the background range and does not suggest an imminent eruption. No changes have been detected in ground deformation, volcanic gas, or thermal emissions at the volcano.
During the past week, small earthquakes were also detected at Mount Adams and Mount Hood. All monitoring data are consistent with background activity levels in the Cascades Range.
The U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network continue to monitor Washington and Oregon volcanoes closely and will issue additional notifications as warranted.
Website Resources
Mount St. Helens history and hazards: https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mount-st.-helens
Current Mount St. Helens seismicity: https://pnsn.org/volcanoes/mount-st-helens#seismicity
For seismic information on Oregon and Washington volcanoes: http://www.pnsn.org/volcanoes
For information on USGS volcano alert levels and notifications: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcano-notifications-deliver-situational-information
Subscribe to these messages: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns2/
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jon Major, Scientist-in-Charge, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, jjmajor@usgs.gov, 360-993-8927
Wes Thelen, Geophysicist, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, wthelen@usgs.gov, 360-993-8977
Liz Westby, Geologist, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, lwestby@usgs.gov, 360-993-8979