Some new pics from sunday
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Images/MSH04/
the new bulge is now taller than the old lava dome, and they estimate that the surface is 200-300ºC (394-572 º F)
since the snow season started up there over the few cloudy/rainy days last week, its pretty easy to see whats hot (even a couple feet of snow doesn't last long at those temps)
Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam
It's not that unusual, that's where mountains come from.
but to have such a small area (50 acres) bulge so much so fast, gets you an idea how much energy is involved.
The may 1980 blast was calculated as
"24 megatons thermal energy (7 by blast, rest through release of heat) " in one day.
this is now expected to be from 1/100th of that up to equal to that release, but applied differently, maybe over weeks, months or years.
but to have such a small area (50 acres) bulge so much so fast, gets you an idea how much energy is involved.
The may 1980 blast was calculated as
"24 megatons thermal energy (7 by blast, rest through release of heat) " in one day.
this is now expected to be from 1/100th of that up to equal to that release, but applied differently, maybe over weeks, months or years.
We've got Magma! (I think it's lava now that its reached the surface)
"USGS geologist Tina Neal told a news conference in Vancouver Tuesday that scientists are confirming the eruption based on temperatures of about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit on a rocky area where the crater floor has been building upward. "
http://komotv.com/stories/33473.htm
"USGS geologist Tina Neal told a news conference in Vancouver Tuesday that scientists are confirming the eruption based on temperatures of about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit on a rocky area where the crater floor has been building upward. "
http://komotv.com/stories/33473.htm