St Helens Erupts!

[defordphoto]

5:25 local time. Vancouver, Washington

Photos were shot 2 blocks from my house. I can't see the volcano from the computer room due to so many trees. Looked out and saw the huge cloud of ash and steam and knew immediately what it was.

This is being classified as an eruption by the Vancouver USGS. All the ash is heading east/northeast. Not a concern to us at this time.

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/MiscPhotos/Helens/Helens1.jpg

http://racefamily.racinglines.com/MiscPhotos/Helens/Helens2.jpg

[GeneMan88]

Great shots. Have you tried sharing these with any of the local TV stations?

[defordphoto]

Naaah....They have it very well covered. These shots are nothing special. Now, if I had been at Windy Ridge this evening, that would be a whole different story.

[GeneMan88]

They might have it covered but I bet they might be interested. watch your email...

[defordphoto]

Got the email. Thanks.

[cgratti]

You live near Mt. St. Helens, that is so cool.. I am Very jealous.....

[defordphoto]

You live near Mt. St. Helens, that is so cool.. I am Very jealous.....

Well, if that stuff—which is basically gazillions of shards of glass—comes my way, you would not be even want to be here. It's cool because it's a great photo-op, but things can get ugly real quick and I guarantee the Volcano will win each and every time.

[Avalonthas]

You should walk a bit closer so that u can clear those evergreen trees and get a nice open shot of the eruption (unless there are more trees close by behind those that will abstruct the view as well). Awesome shots though. I remember watching the old school volcano movies, they were neat.

[cgratti]

Well, if that stuff—which is basically gazillions of shards of glass—comes my way, you would not be even want to be here. It's cool because it's a great photo-op, but things can get ugly real quick and I guarantee the Volcano will win each and every time.

I agree, I hope it doesnt get to the point it did in 1980. but it sure is pretty to watch or photograph. I would love a full res image of it if you can spare the time and bandwidth.

[defordphoto]

Let's see what the weekend brings...I am not one that's too eager to share full-res pics when I have news media chasing after me for these two goofy shots.

[kawter2]

Jim-

hope you don't mind but I had a look in your images folder and snagged a great 3200x1200 bkg for my system..

AMAZING

[CaN0n 5OlDiEr]

nice shots RFM, I'm from Oregon, so I saw the whole thing also live on news though.....I bet your view was awesome, and it shows in the picture.........good job.

Leland

[Shoreliner11]

Great capture. When I found out I missed the whole thing because I was in Chemistry I was pretty upset. It was a very clear day as well. Sad I missed it. Its days like today that make me want to start carrying my camera around with me everywhere.

[Jessica Rabbit]

Thats so cool
I wasnt alive for when it errupted, but I always remember the date because its my birthday. THe pictures are really really neat!

[IanD]

Jim,
I'd be out the door and heading East to visit inlaws.:)

[Maz]

Quite a sight!!! Better you than me!

Thanks for sharing.

Maz
http://www.homesteadsforsale.com

[Reigh Higgins]

I agree with Maz.

[Mills]

Cool shots Jim.

[RockOne]

Awesome !. I'd be there if I could afford the plane ticket !!

[cgratti]

Let's see what the weekend brings...I am not one that's too eager to share full-res pics when I have news media chasing after me for these two goofy shots.

I wanted one to use for wallpaper on my machine. I was always intrigued by Mt. St. Helens and volcanoes in general, but it's cool. I understand. Actually a 1200 X 800 was really what I wanted. Not full res.

[defordphoto]

I wanted one to use for wallpaper on my machine. I was always intrigued by Mt. St. Helens and volcanoes in general, but it's cool. I understand. Actually a 1200 X 800 was really what I wanted. Not full res.

Tonight ;)

[defordphoto]

You should walk a bit closer so that u can clear those evergreen trees and get a nice open shot of the eruption (unless there are more trees close by behind those that will abstruct the view as well). Awesome shots though. I remember watching the old school volcano movies, they were neat.

The mountain waits for no one. When she goes, you get what you can get. I didn't jnow about it until 15 minutes or so into it when I looked out my window. We gathered equipment and headed out the door. Shot three shots. Went to look for another location and then 10 minutes later the light was gone.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I was hoping I would find Jim posting this morning!

They look almost painted ... it's such a sureal concept to anyone who's never seen it for real.. it all just looks like a Sci fi movie! :shock:

[iwatkins]

Nice shots. :D

What is the word form USGS on likely scenarios ? Is it a one off, just clearing the throat kind of event or precursor to something bigger ?

(I have a professional interest in large bodies of airbourne ash that may possibly affect air traffic)

Cheers

Ian

[Orogeny]

It appears that the event was just a throat clearing.

Here is a link to the USGS with some interesting photos.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Eruption04/Monitoring/plume_in_the_evening_8march05.html

Tim

[defordphoto]

It appears that the event was just a throat clearing.

Here is a link to the USGS with some interesting photos.

http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Eruption04/Monitoring/plume_in_the_evening_8march05.html

Tim

Great link. BTW: This was the largest explosion by St Helens in over 20 years. But, even as big as 1980 eruption was, it's pretty darn small compared to other eruptions in history. I'm sure yesterday's "throat-clearing" was equivilant to a pile of nuclear bombs.

[defordphoto]

I was hoping I would find Jim posting this morning!

They look almost painted ... it's such a sureal concept to anyone who's never seen it for real.. it all just looks like a Sci fi movie! :shock:

This is the first large eruption I have seen. I moved to the Northwest in 1992 so was not here for the Big One. It's very humbling to see this in your own backyard. And, we have two others that shake and rumble from time to time (Mt Hood, Mt Ranier) but so far nothing yet from those two.

And yes, it's very surreal.

[cmM]

wow :shock:
must be a pretty impressive sight (yet scary)

[Orogeny]

Jim,

Did you know that Mt. Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanos in the world? The threat to the Puget Sound area from mudflows originating on Mt. Rainier is something of a nightmare to emergency planners.

Mt. Hood has been relatively quiet.

Tim

[Khaja]

Tim....

There is one town called Orting that sits at the base of Rainier. Only one bridge to get out of town. They have drills, like fire drills, on getting out of town.

Local news had some great shots of St. Helens from airplanes flying into Seattle. This is one of the local stations if you are interested
www.king5.com

Khaja

[AJ Montgomery]

Glanced through the thread rapidly and did not see this link:
Live Volcano Cam from MSH:
http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/images/mshvolcanocam.jpg

Here you can view and download official images of MSH as well:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Images/MSH04/

As for those of you in the PacNW region, also check out www.nwphotographers.net
It's a locals thing . . .

[TammieO]

Neat pictures! I was in Tacoma, WA for the big explosion (didn't have a decent camera back then). Heading east as IanD suggested wouldn't have done much. Eastern Washington got covered in nasty ash.