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An approaching eruption cloudwhat to expect |
Copyrighted photo courtesy of Douglas
Miller
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This surreal-looking photo shows an enormous cloud of volcanic ash approaching the small town of Ephrata, Washington, on the morning of May 18, 1980. The ominous eruption cloud was blown by 90-km per hour (60 mph) winds from Mount St. Helens, 230 km (145 mi) to the west. The volcano had begun to erupt explosively less than 3 hours earlier. An advancing eruption cloud often looks like an enormous dark thunderstorm cloud or menacing weather clouds. This cloud of ash caught many communities downwind unprepared for the rain of gritty ash that followed even though it was clearly visible. Only when the ash began falling did most people realize that the dark puffy cloud was not a weather cloud. |
Notification of advancing eruption cloud often possible
When scientists monitor a volcano using several methods, especially during times of increased activity, they typically work with many organizations, businesses, emergency-management professionals, and the media in order to disseminate current information about the likelihood of eruptive activity and the status of an ongoing eruption, including the development of an eruption column.
If scientists know that a volcano is erupting but they or others cannot see it (for example, at night or during poor weather conditions), it is not always possible to determine right away whether an eruption column with the potential for generating ash fall downwind has actually formed. Often, pilots of private and commercial aircraft are the first to verify the existence of an eruption column and a corresponding eruption cloud. Sometimes, verification of an eruption cloud capable of generating ash fall comes from small communities or individuals located within a few tens of kilometers of the volcano.
Meteorological organizations typically issue weather and wind forecasts that can serve to help determine which areas could be affected by an ash fall from a specific volcano. News organizations may use this information to report on the areas likely to get ash if an explosive eruption at a specific volcano were to occur in the next 12 to 24 hours. For notification of eruption clouds:
- learn how volcano and meteorological information is disseminated in your area or region; and
- when a volcano in your area is active and ash-producing eruptions are possible, make preparations for yourself, family, and business for an ash fall (see suggestions for home, business, and community).
Ash falleyewitness accounts describe what to expect |
Dick Zais, City Manager; Yakima, Washington (110 km [70 mi] east of Mount St. Helens)
"By noon, the City was engulfed in darkness and communications by home telephone were impossible. It was like an eclipse of the sun that lingered, a blinding blizzard and an electrical storm all in one. Light-sensitive street lights came on automatically, traffic stopped, and a strange quiet fell on our community; and everywhere a talcum-like sandy gray powder kept accumulating. Cars, trucks, buses, and trains, all stopped, and planes were re-routed away from the ash cloud."
"From noon until 6:00 a.m. the following morning, the City was in total darkness. Three types of ash fell alternatively on the City: dark gray sand, medium gray sand, and a light gray cement-like dust. All three grades were gritty and light, difficult to sweep or shovel, especially when dry. To make matters worse, shifting winds blew the ash everywhere, severely impairing visibility and driving in our area. It was exceedingly harmful and abrasive to mechanical and electrical equipment, especially motors of vehicles, aircraft and electronic systems. Unlike snow, however, this "precipitation" was not going to melt!"
"The ash fall was especially cripplingYakima received 5-8 cm (2-3 in) of this material in the first 24 hours following the explosion. We estimated that several million tons of ash was deposited on the entire region."
Rabaul Caldera, Papua New Guinea (Lauer, 1995)
Following a 27-hour period of intense earthquake activity, Tavurvur and Vulcan volcanoes on opposite sides of the Rabaul caldera erupted on September 19, 1994, early in the morning. Nearby Rabaul Town (right, click for large-sized image) was covered with ash as thick as 1.5 m, and an estimated 90,000 people were displaced from the area.
"The ash was mushrooming out in thick clouds-but there was no noise. The earth had stopped moving. It was 6.15 am. We watched in awe. The clouds began to drift towards us... What a tremendous experience! But now the sky was darkening and black specks of ash were falling on us like light rain. There was also an overpowering small of sulphur."
7.30 am, after driving to a new location, about 8 km (5 mi) from Rabaul town. "Soon the clouds would reach Kulau too. Suddenly there were fears of being overcome by poisonous gas. The smell of sulphur was sickening and the air was a strange, yellowish colour. The the power went off. In a moment of panic, people, including our party which had now increased to eleven, decided to head for the safety of Kerevat, using the North Coast Road. Progress was extremely slow as the road was choked with half the population of Rabaul, all with the same idea. Eventually the vehicle traffic halted altogether. Due to unusual thermal patterns Kerevat was deluged by mud rain and the road quickly became impassable." The party returned to Kulua.
"The next day brought much of the same-but it seemed to drag on and on. The atmosphere was very heavy. There was no power. Every time we left the house we collected ash and pumice on our skin and in our hair. And the noise-the thunder and lightning was constant, with some almighty cracks. It was obvious that objects were being struck."
Five days later, describing a visit home to retrieve belongings: "There were parts of trees all over the road, flattened vegetation everywhere and everything covered in ash and mud. Our houseyard looked like a moonscapehouse, water tanks, plantsall a drab grey. The trees along the bank had snapped and lost most of their foliage... inside the house was a depressing mess. The floors were covered in ash. There was even ash on the ceiling above the louvres and caked along the top of the curtains."
Nine days after the eruption: "The ash was dreadful all day yesterday. It was clearly visible in the air and I could feel and see it on my skin every time I stepped outside. I can't get used to wearing the mask and goggles. I found the smell of the masks nauseating so I've taken to wearing a folded handkerchief over my nose and mouth like a "baddie" in a Western movie."
General conditions after an ash fallwhat to expect |
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Lauer, S.E., 1995, Pumice and ash, an account of the 1994 Rabaul volcanic eruptions: CPD Resources, Australia, 80 p.
Zais, R., 1999, City of Yakima: Presentation on the eruption of Mount St. Helens to Regional Council Civil Defense in New Plymouth, New Zealand.