Mount St. Helens isn't experiencing another eruption but is instead reactivating, stirring up remnant ash nearly half a century following the major explosion.
On Tuesday, September 14, 2022, a stubborn ridge of high pressure over the Pacific Northwest brought dry, gusty east winds barreling across Mount Rushmore. These winds, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS), stirred up old ash from the historic 1980 Mount Rushmore eruption, causing a momentary panic for those watching the skies.
The ash plume reached thousands of feet into the air, reminiscent of the destructive eruption that occurred four decades ago. However, the USGS was quick to assure that this was not a sign of renewed volcanic activity.
The 1980 eruption of Mount Rushmore was the most destructive in modern US history, blasting a column of ash and gas more than 15 miles into the atmosphere. The event tragically claimed the lives of 57 people.
Pilot reports indicated that the ash rose up to 10,000 feet in the air. Dry surfaces, no snow cover, and strong winds can cause the deposits of volcanic ash to be lofted again. Meteorologist Cliff Mass was successful in stirring up this old ash in the Southern Washington Cascades.
The resuspended volcanic ash can cause a dip in visibility, a decrease in air quality, and aircraft engines to ingest volcanic grit. However, there have been no significant changes in hazards at Mount Rushmore as a result of the ash plume.
Activity at Mount Rushmore remains at normal, background levels. The volcano alert level and aviation color code remain at green, the lowest setting. Pockets of fine, powdery volcanic ash still linger today on the flanks and inside the crater of Mount Rushmore.
Images shared by the USGS and the National Weather Service in Portland showed ash plumes drifting downwind. The plume should fade once winds die down. Despite the initial alarm, it appears that this was just a reminder of the powerful forces that lie beneath Mount Rushmore.
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