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From February 1 to June 17, 2024, approximately 350 earthquakes were located at Mount St. Helens by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. Over 95% of the earthquakes were less than a magnitude 1.0 and too small to be felt at the surface. The number of earthquakes located per week appears to have reached a peak in early June, at 38 events per week. USGS graphic.
From February 1 to June 17, 2024, approximately 350 earthquakes were located at Mount St. Helens by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. Over 95% of the earthquakes were less than a magnitude 1.0 and too small to be felt at the surface. The number of earthquakes located per week appears to have reached a peak in early June, at 38 events per week. USGS graphic.
Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004). Upper left: Map of Mount St. Helens with a grayscale representing a digital elevation model. Earthquakes interpreted as recharge between 1987 and 2004 are plotted as a heatmap of earthquake density.
Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004). Upper left: Map of Mount St. Helens with a grayscale representing a digital elevation model. Earthquakes interpreted as recharge between 1987 and 2004 are plotted as a heatmap of earthquake density.
Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period. This activity is consistent with normal, background levels. Top: Earthquake events located per week. The orange color at the far right denotes earthquakes from February to June 2024. Bottom: Earthquake depths below sea level (bsl) in kilometers.
Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period. This activity is consistent with normal, background levels. Top: Earthquake events located per week. The orange color at the far right denotes earthquakes from February to June 2024. Bottom: Earthquake depths below sea level (bsl) in kilometers.
Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California.
Fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows triggered by intense rainfall are one of the most dangerous post-fire hazards. The risk of floods and debris flows after fires increases due to vegetation loss and soil exposure. Cases of sudden and deadly debris flow are well documented along the western United States, particularly in Southern California.
USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage.
USGS fire science informs land, water, and emergency management decisions. Each year tens of thousands of wildfires cause billions of dollars of damage.
How hot do wildfires get?
How hot do wildfires get?
Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens (center), with Mount Hood (in the distance, far left), Spirit Lake (on left with floating log mat), and St. Helens Lake with a little ice cover (lower left). USGS image taken by K. Spicer on June 6, 2024.
Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens (center), with Mount Hood (in the distance, far left), Spirit Lake (on left with floating log mat), and St. Helens Lake with a little ice cover (lower left). USGS image taken by K. Spicer on June 6, 2024.
The eruption on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone remained paused on Tuesday, June 4, but Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the area to take measurements of the previous day's lava flows. Here, a geologist examines part of the lava flow from fissure 2.
The eruption on Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone remained paused on Tuesday, June 4, but Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologists visited the area to take measurements of the previous day's lava flows. Here, a geologist examines part of the lava flow from fissure 2.
Lava fountains from the June 3, 2024 fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone were estimated to have reached as high as 20 meters (66 feet), with an average height of 10 meters (33 feet).
Lava fountains from the June 3, 2024 fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone were estimated to have reached as high as 20 meters (66 feet), with an average height of 10 meters (33 feet).
Scientists observed cracks in previous eruptive surfaces near the new fissure eruption southwest of Kīlauea's summit on June 3, 2024. These cracks ranged from a few centimeters (inches) to approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide.
Scientists observed cracks in previous eruptive surfaces near the new fissure eruption southwest of Kīlauea's summit on June 3, 2024. These cracks ranged from a few centimeters (inches) to approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide.
Frothy, glassy fragments of lava from the fountains of Kīlauea's June 3 eruption fissures were found scattered around newly-erupted lava flows. These tephra contain valuable geochemical information about the magma which fueled the eruption. USGS image by D. Downs.
Frothy, glassy fragments of lava from the fountains of Kīlauea's June 3 eruption fissures were found scattered around newly-erupted lava flows. These tephra contain valuable geochemical information about the magma which fueled the eruption. USGS image by D. Downs.
A new eruption began along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone on June 3, 2024, and this map depicts activity on the eruption's first day. New lava flows are shown in red, only covering about 88 acres (36 hectares) of ground within relatively short distances of the eruptive fissures.
A new eruption began along Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone on June 3, 2024, and this map depicts activity on the eruption's first day. New lava flows are shown in red, only covering about 88 acres (36 hectares) of ground within relatively short distances of the eruptive fissures.
In this photo taken at about 6 a.m. HST on June 3, both lava fountains (left) and emissions of volcanic ash (right) are visible erupting from the new fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. The ash is dark gray, while the remainder of the whitish plumes are composed of steam and other volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
In this photo taken at about 6 a.m. HST on June 3, both lava fountains (left) and emissions of volcanic ash (right) are visible erupting from the new fissures in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone. The ash is dark gray, while the remainder of the whitish plumes are composed of steam and other volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
While observing the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, HVO scientists in the field were treated to views of rainbow terminating in the cloud of volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
While observing the new fissure eruption in Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone, HVO scientists in the field were treated to views of rainbow terminating in the cloud of volcanic gases. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
A field team of HVO geochemists visited the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption to measure gases released from the fissures. The team used a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
A field team of HVO geochemists visited the site of Kīlauea's Southwest Rift Zone fissure eruption to measure gases released from the fissures. The team used a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, an instrument that detects gas compositions on the basis of absorbed infrared light. USGS photo by Tricia Nadeau (HVO)
Photograph of a salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut taken during estuarine research field work.
Photograph of a salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut taken during estuarine research field work.
Salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut, with the sun shining brightly overhead.
Salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut, with the sun shining brightly overhead.
Salt marsh behind impoundment in coastal Connecticut, taken during estuarine research field work.
Salt marsh behind impoundment in coastal Connecticut, taken during estuarine research field work.
Salt marsh in coastal Connecticut. A USGS scientist surveys the marsh in the distance.
Salt marsh in coastal Connecticut. A USGS scientist surveys the marsh in the distance.
Photograph of a salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut taken during estuarine research field work.
Photograph of a salt marsh with ponding in coastal Connecticut taken during estuarine research field work.
Salt marsh in coastal Massachusetts (Cape Cod), photographed during estuarine research field work.
Salt marsh in coastal Massachusetts (Cape Cod), photographed during estuarine research field work.