"The USGS issued a statement, saying that strong easterly-southeasterly winds in the vicinity of Mount St Helens had picked up 45-year-old loose volcanic ash. 'This phenomenon is not the result of recent volcanic activity and occasionally occurs during times of high winds and dry snow-free conditions in the Mount St Helens area,' the agency added. 'No eruption is in progress and Mount St Helens remains at Aviation Color Code GREEN and Alert Level NORMAL.'"
"The USGS warned that the resuspended volcanic ash is hazardous and could be damaging to aircraft and health. Mount St Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, sending a plume of ash 2.5 miles above the volcano. A total of 57 people died, and more than 200 homes were destroyed. A strong thermal trough settled over western Washington, pulling powerful easterly winds across the Cascades on Tuesday and kicking up the centuries-old volcanic deposits."
Strong easterly-southeasterly winds lifted decades-old loose volcanic ash from Mount St Helens, producing a massive ash cloud visible on USGS webcams and satellite images and observed by pilots up to about 10,000 feet. The ash originated from deposits remaining since the May 18, 1980 eruption rather than from new volcanic activity, and Mount St Helens remains at Aviation Color Code GREEN and Alert Level NORMAL. The USGS warned that the airborne ash is hazardous to aircraft and human health. Recent dry, snow-free conditions and 30–50 mph winds driven by a thermal trough and high-pressure ridge enabled the resuspension.
Read at Mail Online
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