Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2005
Contact: Tom Knappenberger (360) 891-5005 or Roger Peterson (360) 891-5007

USGS Scientist to Describe Lessons Learned from Mount St. Helens' 1980 and 2004-2005 Dome Building Eruptions in Public Lecture Monday

VANCOUVER, WA -- On Monday evening, April 25, geologist Dan Dzurisin will present a free public seminar to be held at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Student Services Building on the campus of Washington State University -- Vancouver. There will not be an afternoon press conference preceding this seminar.

Something Extraordinary is Happening in the Crater at Mount St. Helens: Lessons from the 1980-1986 and 2004-2005 Dome-Building Eruptions
Dan Dzurisin, U. S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, WA

True to its past as the most frequently active and most explosive volcano in the Cascade Range, Mount St. Helens erupted catastrophically in May 1980 following a 123-year hiatus. The explosive eruptions of 1980 were followed by a six-year period with more than a dozen relatively non-explosive dome-building episodes that constructed the now famous lava dome in the crater. In the fall of 1986, the volcano resumed its slumber, interrupted only occasionally by small explosions, rockfalls, and swarms of small earthquakes. As if to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its 1980 activity, Mount St. Helens reawakened in September 2004 and entered another extended period of dome building. This time the growth has been continuous and rapid, resulting in a remarkable new dome on the south crater floor. As a result, scientists are gaining exciting new insights into how Mount St. Helens works and what the future holds for the Pacific Northwest's youngest and most dynamic volcano.

Media representatives are welcome to tape the evening seminar. Media parking and, if needed, placement of satellite trucks should be coordinated with the Department of Public Safety at WSU–Vancouver. For further information contact Kris in Public Safety (360) 546-9001 for instructions and parking permits. All other vehicles will need to park in the blue lot. This is a pay lot - $1.75 per day.

Campus map: http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ca/location.htm#map

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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Friday, 22 April 2005 at 17:52:57 EDT