Credits : Saint Helens / iStock

Will one of the most dangerous American volcanoes erupt again? The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is noting an increase in low-intensity earthquakes in the area around Mount Saint Helens. In just a few months, a staggering 400 low-intensity earthquakes have been detected.

A Monster that Raises Concerns Again

Located in the northwest of the United States, Mount Saint Helens is one of the most worrisome volcanoes in the country. In May 1980, it erupted, causing the death of dozens of people and the destruction of 250 houses, 47 bridges, 24 kilometers of railways, 300 kilometers of roads, and 500 km² of forest. In continuous eruption since 2004, the monster has not caused any further catastrophes.

Nevertheless, this volcano is once again a cause for concern, as stated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in an October 31, 2023 tweet (see below). Since mid-July, the organization has detected no less than 400 earthquakes in the area, an unprecedented number since 2008. While researchers call for calm, they still emphasize the need for caution.

No Imminent Eruption for Mount Saint Helens

The USGS specifies that most of the earthquakes detected are of very low intensity and cannot be felt on the surface. Additionally, the organization has not observed any ground deformation or appearance of gases, dismissing the possibility of an imminent eruption. However, experts highlight that this is the most significant short-term increase in earthquake rates since the end of the last eruption, although longer-duration sequences have been observed in the past, notably between 1988 and 1992, 1995 and 1996, or between 1997 and 1999.

It’s important to recall that Mount Saint Helens traumatized the population in 1980. This catastrophe remains vivid in many minds. At that time, the energy released by the eruption was equivalent to that of more than ten atomic bombs. As for the ash cloud, it had reached an altitude of twenty kilometers.

While Mount Saint Helens occasionally worries authorities, another, even more dangerous giant raises concerns for the medium term: the Yellowstone Caldera. This dormant “super-volcano” in Wyoming, standing at 2,805 meters and measuring 85 km in length by 45 km in width, could awaken earlier than expected, according to researchers in 2017, potentially plunging the world into a volcanic winter lasting several months.

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