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Explore a wide variety of videos that highlight natural hazards, the risks they pose and the science we conduct to better understand and prepare for them.

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Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, January 2005

Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.

Within the crater of Mount St. Helens, the 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines. To track growth and anticipate what the volcano might do next, scientists installed monitoring equipment, including a camera and gas sensing instruments, and made helicopter overflights to collect the temperature (FLIR) of the growing dome.

Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005
Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005
Mount St. Helens eruption highlights: September 2004 - May 2005

Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.

Compilation video of significant events from the dome-building eruption at Mount St. Helens, from October 1, 2004 to March 15, 2005, including steam and ash eruptions, growth of lava spines, helicopter deployment of monitoring equipment, collection of lava samples, and FLIR thermal imaging of rock collapse on lava dome.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Nov-Dec 2004

By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.

By late October 2004, a whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from Mount St. Helens' crater floor. The 2004–2008 lava dome grew by continuous extrusion of degassed lava spines that had mostly solidified at less than 1 km (0.62 mi) beneath the surface.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct 2004-Sept 2005

Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich.  Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.

Following unrest that began on September 23, 2004 and the steam and ash eruptions in early October, extrusion of solid magma typified the 2004-2008 eruption at Mount St. Helens. The magma is unusually gas poor and crystal rich.  Several meters of pulverized, variably sintered rock commonly coat the emergent lava spines, lending them a smooth appearance.

Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004
Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004
Mount St. Helens: Steam, Ash Emissions and Dome Growth, October 2004

After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.

After two weeks of increasing seismicity, Mount St. Helens began erupting on October 1, 2004. The first of several explosions shot a plume of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere. Four additional steam and ash explosions occurred through October 5, and three produced noticeable fallout of fine ash downwind.

Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004
Mount St. Helens: Instrumentation and Dome Growth, Oct-Nov, 2004

On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.

On October 11, 2004, spines of solid, but still hot, lava punctured the surface of the deformed glacier, initiating a new dome-building phase of activity in the crater of Mount St. Helens. By late October, a larger whaleback-shaped extrusion of solid lava (called a spine) emerged from the crater floor.

October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens
October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens
October 1, 2004 Explosion at Mount St. Helens

On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.

On October 1, 2004, an explosion in the crater of Mount St. Helens sent ash and water vapor several thousand feet into the air. It was the dramatic beginning of an eruption that continued for the next 3+ years. The explosion fractured Crater Glacier and hurled rocks for at least one-half mile across the western half of the glacier and the 1980-1986 lava dome.

Propagation of Seismic Waves, Atwood Building, Oblique View

Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.

Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. Oblique view.

Propagation of Seismic Waves in Atwood Building, Top View

Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.

Animation of the recorded displacements of Atwood Building, Anchorage, Alaska during the M=3.7 Point MacKenzie, Alaska earthquake of 15 Dec. 2003. Displacements are color coded in order to see the propagation of seismic waves in the building during the earthquake. View from top.

PubTalk 7/2003 — Molten Paradise
PubTalk 7/2003 — Molten Paradise
PubTalk 7/2003 — Molten Paradise

Video Presentation and Discussion

Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist

See-

Video Presentation and Discussion

Featuring the award-winning USGS video Molten Paradise-Kilaea Volcano by Stephen Wessells, introduced and discussed by Robert I. Tilling, Volcanologist

See-

PubTalk 12/2002 — Hawai`i's Volcanoes—Never a Dull Moment
PubTalk 12/2002 — Hawai`i's Volcanoes—Never a Dull Moment
PubTalk 6/2002 — Finding Elusive Earthquake Faults
PubTalk 6/2002 — Finding Elusive Earthquake Faults
PubTalk 6/2002 — Finding Elusive Earthquake Faults

New Mapping Techniques Reveal Potential Seismic Sources Beneath Seattle

By Richard J. Blakely, Geophysicist and Ralph A. Haugerud, Geologist

 

May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption: Stories from USGS Scientists
May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption: Stories from USGS Scientists
May 18, 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption: Stories from USGS Scientists

USGS scientists C. Dan Miller, Don Mullineaux, Mike Doukas, Norm Banks, Don Swanson, and Richard Waitt talk about their experiences at Mount St.

Exploring Storm Surge

This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.

This video provides information about the dangers of storm surge. It contains a personal experience with storm surge by E.C. Duane.

Northridge, CA Earthquake Open File Report 94-179-I

Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.

Northridge, CA Earthquake Open File Report 94-179-I

Raw silent video footage of the damage from the Northridge, CA earthquake that occurred on 1/17/94.

Mauna Loa Lava Flow, April 2, 1984
Mauna Loa Lava Flow, April 2, 1984
Mauna Loa Lava Flow, April 2, 1984

A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i. 
 

A USGS scientist walks along a lava flow from the April 2, 1984 Mauna Loa eruption. The scientist stops to observe a standing wave of lava at the end. The lava flow is moving at 64 km/hr (40 mph) towards Hilo, Hawai'i. 
 

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