Geology in action

[blacbird]

Anchorage, Alaska is currently getting ashed from another eruption of Mt. Redoubt. Gritty, hard to breathe, nasty on the eyes, sulfur-dioxide smell, accumulating on snow, cars, etc. Don't know how long it will last. Accordingly, I bought a couple of breathing filters and a bottle of Laphroaig. The current:

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

Further reports later.

caw

[Zoombie]

Shit, Blac!

I hope you survive!

Its not lethal, is it?

[blacbird]

Its not lethal, is it?

Not as long as my Laphroaig lasts.

caw

[Miguelito]

Not as long as my Laphroaig lasts.

caw

Derail thread into scotch thread?

[robeiae]

...and a bottle of Laphroaig.
Good choice. I'll pour myself a couple of fingers, right now.

To your health, blacbird. Stay well.

[blacbird]

Good choice. I'll pour myself a couple of fingers, right now.

To your health, blacbird. Stay well.

I'm fine, though even in the house I can smell the sulfur right now. I think I'll go for about a hand, instead of fingers.

And I'll be on your side come hurricane season, you be sure. This event is an irritation, little more. The total death toll from volcanic events in U.S. history is less than 100, nearly all from Mt. St. Helens in 1980. Hurricanes have killed thousands; tornadoes kill 100 or so people every year, on average. But most people never experience any volcanic consequences, so it's news. I'll keep everybody posted.

caw

[blacbird]

Update:

The ash seems to have stopped falling. I have a nice jar full, collected just for fun. It's lighter in color and therefore more siliceous and acidic than the Mt. Spurr ash I collected off my front porch steps back in 1992 (for the $1.50 subscription I'll give anyone my geologic lecture on why that is). But there was another eruption about two hours ago, and no indication that these events are anywhere near over. I'll be back in the morning.

I hope.

caw

[CACTUSWENDY]

:popcorn:

[billythrilly7th]

I hope Sarah is okay.

You, blacbird, eh. You're a warhorse. You'll outlive us all.

[Unique]

It's lighter in color and therefore more siliceous and acidic than the Mt. Spurr ash I collected off my front porch steps back in 1992 (for the $1.50 subscription I'll give anyone my geologic lecture on why that is).


:::::forks over the dough:::::

[icerose]

Glad to hear you're okay and that the ash has stopped. It's interesting to follow and neat to see as long as it isn't hurting anyone. I hope it stays that way.

[blacbird]

Update: Redoubt today has been emitting a fairly steady stream of ash without a big explosive event involved. Ash is staying at low levels for now, unlikely to affect Anchorage or other nearby communities. But the webcam 7 miles from the peak has good views today:

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/webcam/Redoubt_-_Hut.php

caw

[whistlelock]

yeah, I just got an email from spaceweather, and they said Redoubt has errupted 22 times since the 19th.

[blacbird]

Update: After quieting down over the past few days, the Redoubt red alert was altered to an orange watch status last night, with the statement that "the large events appear to have ceased for now." At which both me and my wife had some considerable amusement.

At 6 AM, the volcano had a major explosive eruption, preceded by absolutely no seismic warning, in contrast to the preceding eruptive episodes:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30046136

The seismic graph:

http://www.avo.alaska.edu/rsam/rsam.php?volcname=Redoubt

Winds are from the northwest today, so the ash is being blown southeastward over the town of Homer, and away from Anchorage. But this kind of stuff could happen repeatedly for weeks.

Meantime, Governor Palin has erupted at her daughter's hick ex-fiancee appearing on the Tyra Banks show to talk about their sex life.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30044248?GT1=43001

I have no seismic graph relating to this event. She also wants newly-elected Senator Mark Begich to resign, now that the case against Former Sen. Ted Stevens has been dismissed on a technicality, so that she can call a new special election (fat chance of this fantasy coming to pass). I now take credit for officially Palinizing this thread.

Alaska is such an entertaining place to live.

Stay tuned.

caw