Predicting Eruptions at Mount St. Helens, June 1980 through December 1982

Thirteen eruptions of Mount St. Helens between June 1980 and December 1982 were predicted tens of minutes to, more generally, a few hours in advance. The last seven of these eruptions, starting with that of mid-April 1981, were predicted between 3 days and 3 weeks in advance. Precursory seismicity,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1983-09, Vol.221 (4618), p.1369-1376
Main Authors: Swanson, D. A., Casadevall, T. J., Dzurisin, D., Malone, S. D., Newhall, C. G., Weaver, C. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Earthquakes
Explosives
Geology
Impact craters
Lava
Statistical forecasts
Thrust faults
Volcanic activity prediction
Volcanic domes
Volcanoes
Volcanological research
Volcanology
Washington
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Summary:Thirteen eruptions of Mount St. Helens between June 1980 and December 1982 were predicted tens of minutes to, more generally, a few hours in advance. The last seven of these eruptions, starting with that of mid-April 1981, were predicted between 3 days and 3 weeks in advance. Precursory seismicity, deformation of the crater floor and the lava dome, and, to a lesser extent, gas emissions provided telltale evidence of forthcoming eruptions. The newly developed capability for prediction reduced risk to life and property and influenced land-use decisions.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.221.4618.1369