More Rumble, Rumble

Back in May I posted a webcam link to a plastic dinosaur in a New Zealand volcano. The dinosaur is still there, and so is the webcam.



Mt. Saint Helens might (or might not) be another matter altogether. Last Friday, seismologists were pooh-poohing the possibility of anything significant happening. That tune has changed a bit. The volcano is now experiencing the most intense seismic activity in nearly 20 years. Earthquake activity has increased in strength from tremors that rated under 0 on the Richter scale, and increased in frequency. By Sunday there were more than 10 events with a magnitude of 2 to 2.8. The U.S. Forest Service has closed off all trails above 4,800 feet. "Standing on the rim, from what geologists tell us, would not be a good idea," monument scientist Peter Frenzen said.

At this point, no one seems to know what is going to happen, but no one is repeating the earlier assurances that the events will be trivial. I've included the above long-range, live webcam shot so that if something big does happen, it will be visible here.