Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mt. Redoubt blows again-updated 1:15 am

At 9:24 this morning, another eruption occured at Mt. Redoubt, already spewing ash to 65,000 feet in altitude. This is a significant event, and I think it's likely (given the height and volume) that we will get ash fall today at some point.

This is in addition to six eruptions the first day, and two smaller ones yesterday morning.

Do check the Alaska Volcano Observatory website, and the NWS for forecast winds which will have current ashfall trajectories posted.


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The mountain began another series of explosive events, beginning just before midnight, and continues at a pretty good clip. No information on the AVO website as to height of plume, but the NOAA has issued an ashfall advisory for the western Kenai Peninsula communities and the Susitna Valley. Check the AVO website for more information.

5 comments:

Michelle McIntosh/Brocker said...

Despite the sensationalism the national media attaches to our Mt. Redoubt is has never posed the lomming, destructive threat assossiated with Mt. St. Hellens.... The perception that we are in danger however should be taken seriously. If you're correct about the ash cover expected today then we're all in danger of racing home to change our air filters and wash our hair!
Beyond that its more a curiosity than a miner annoyance even.
Take care all and have a great day..... -Michelle Brocker

suvalley said...

Yes, Mt. Redoubt and Mt St. Helens are two completely different types of volcanoes....Mt St. Helen's eruption was catastrophic as we all know, with literally cubic miles of the mountaintop blown into the atmosphere, etc.

However, for Mt. Redoubt, we mostly are at risk for ash. I went through the 89/90 eruptions with ten horses in my care, and they survived just fine. I find myself mostly just reassuring people that it isn't as bad as they fear it will be :)

Now, if they came out and said we'd get three or four inches of ash? Major pain in the patootie, for months to come-but survivable.

The trouble is, people think of ashfall as either embers or wood stove type ashes-neither of which is accurate in this case. I have explained what it will look and feel like to a number of people, and this is something I would like to see the media explain a little better.

suvalley said...

Correction: I am not predicting ashfall here, just reporting what the news media, AVO, and NWS say. Most are saying: Ash is too high in the sky to fall on us here in the Mat Su Valley/Anchorage...I have a hunch it will be too disbursed and carried so far it won't matter.

It's been fun checking the hut cam and webiscorders though!

Whisper Creek Farms said...

Alan thought that it was like wood or paper ashes as well (growing up on the East Coast our threat was Hurricanes, not volcanos). When I told him I read it was like miunte pieces of glass he is taking it a lot more seriously...we are a little worried about all of the outside animals though.

suvalley said...

Just keep them as quiet as possible during actual ash fall, and be prepared to change water frequently.

But it will really boost your pastures, so that is a silver lining ;)