A New Earthquake Swarm Is Rocking Oregon’s Mt. Hood

[justntime2learn]

I was sixteen and living in Springfield, Oregon when St. Helens erupted in 1980. I woke up to see an inch or so of ash covering everything.

Here is the latest activity in what seems to be ongoing where I live ...

Oregon's Mt. Hood seen as you approach Portland International Airport. Taken May 14, 2016



"A FEW WEEKS back, we heard news of an small earthquake swarm underneath Mount St. Helens. Now, media-driven hyperbole aside, that swarm was business-as-usual for a Cascade volcano, where magma slowly rises back into the upper parts of the system. So, it should be no surprise when other volcanoes in the range show similar behavior. That’s what we might be seeing right now at St. Helens’ southern neighbor, Oregon’s Mt. Hood, where the USGS has noticed a swarm of small earthquakes (all less than M2) that started on Sunday.

It has been over 200 years since Hood’s last eruption, a period that is referred to as the “Old Maid” eruptive period when a small lava dome was formed just off the volcano’s summit. This activity produced some pyroclastic flows that swept down the southeastern sides of the volcano, along with some lahars (volcanic mudflows) that headed down some of the rivers that come off of Hood, like the Sandy River (see below). The Sandy got its name thanks to what may have been lahar deposits in its channel when Lewis and Clark came by a few years after the eruptions. A few small explosions likely occurred during the 1800s, but since about the 1860s, the volcano has been completely quiet."



"Today, the biggest threat from Hood is still lahars, which could make it all the way into the Columbia River and impact towns along the reach of those rivers’ drainages (see above). A close second would be the threat to air travel in and out of Portland. I flew into Portland just the other day and you almost feel like you could reach out and touch the volcano (see above). Any sufficiently ashy eruption could shut down the airport for extended periods (along with potentially points east of the volcano).

Right now, the earthquake swarm at Mt. Hood is centered just to the south of the main edifice (see below) and most of the earthquakes are between 3 and 5 kilometers below the surface. This is likely the zone where magma is being staged as it ascends from its source. Research by Adam Kent and others (including myself) has found that the magmatic system beneath Hood is likely dominated by a big pile of high silica crystals and magma (the crystal mush) that then interacts with new, hotter and less silica-rich magma that intrudes, producing a hybrid magma that compositionally is in between the two. These earthquakes may be a sign of new magma rising and stalling in that “crystal mush”—but very little of the time is the system in a state that it can erupt.

UPDATE (2:30 pm): Just to be abundantly clear, this swarm may very well be tectonic in origin — that is, it might be along some of the many faults that exist on the south side of Hood. Now, those faults might be moving from changes in pressure due to new intrusions or changes in the hydrothermal system. So, all signs of a still-active magmatic system but it’s not necessarily directly from magma movement. So, no need to panic.

EVER BIGGER UPDATE (4 pm): The USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory just posted their interpretation of these earthquakes: these are likely tectonic in origin rather than directly related to the magmatic system at Hood. The evidence is the location of the swarm (not directly under Hood) and the fact that previous swarms off the main volcano have turned out to be mainly tectonic in origin. Quite a few regional faults run in this area south of Hood, so it isn’t surprising. So, sleep well Portlanders, it appears that Hood is just adjusting rather than really seeing any new magma intruding. The depth of these earthquakes means it might be all happening near the top of the magma body/mush, but faults moving, not magma (unlike what recently happened at Mount St. Helens)."



"Hood has experienced multiple swarms like this over the last few decade. Just like at St. Helens, these earthquakes could be merely small movement on faults driven by pressure from new magma or even changes in water/gas flow within the volcano’s hydrothermal system. Many of these Cascade volcanoes have these bouts of earthquakes and tremor, much to the delight of the media. A few years back, Mt. Baker in northern Washington had an uptick in tremor that caught people’s attention, but that shaking has not led to any eruption (or even any change in Baker’s current quiet state).

Remember, the Cascade volcanoes are remarkably quiet right now, but that doesn’t mean that we are “overdue” for any activity. They will, eventually, come back to life and we should be prepared for those new eruptions. However, as always, expect that volcanoes like Hood and St. Helens will occasionally remind us that they are potentially active volcanoes (that’s why we monitor them closely). No need to panic, but definitely something to keep us on our toes for the next real blast."

Link:http://www.wired.com/2016/05/new-ear...cking-mt-hood/

Local News:http://www.kgw.com/news/local/swarm-...hood/196573876

"AA
A so-called 'swarm' of earthquakes has showed up on Mt. Hood over the past twenty four hours on the south side of the mountain. According to scientists, it's the active volcano reminding all of us it's still around and there's no cause for concern.
Maps from the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and the U. S. Geological Survey show quakes are happening frequently southeast of Timberline between there and Mt. Hood Meadows. They are small and shallow. The largest quake recorded since they started on Sunday is 1.9. The smallest quake in the swarm is a .3.
Portland State University Geology Professor Emeritus Scott Burns tells KATU News its unlikely humans will ever feel them unless they start getting to the 3.0 range.
"A whole bunch of earthquakes. Very small. One to two magnitude. A lot of them one right after another, we call a swarm," he said.
Burns has an idea about what's happening.
"If you get swarms under a working volcano, the working hypothesis is that magma is moving up into the, underneath there," he explained.
Burns said the swarms happen on Mt. Hood every few years. Its 900,000 years old.
"It last erupted in 1782. The time before that it was 1,500 years ago. It's an older volcano And when you get to be older you're sporadic," he explained.
This swarm also has scientists excited because of recent, similar seismic activity at Mount St. Helens. They already know magma is forming there.
Burns said the number and frequency of the quakes on both mountains help scientists predict any sort of volcanic eruptions in a way they can't predict earthquakes.
"It just reminds us that we live in a geologically active area. Volcanoes do occur periodically. It may be related to an eventual eruption. If it is, we will know well in advance," he said."

Link:http://katu.com/news/local/swarm-of-...nt-hood-quakes

[Ba-ba-Ra]

Thanks justntime.

I, too remember when Mt. St Helens erupted. I live East of Sacramento, California (approx 560 miles from St. Helens) and the ash from it fell as far as our area.

Hope the "Old Maid" behaves herself.

[Bob]

From the same article (http://www.kgw.com/news/local/swarm-...hood/196573876)

they said this:

The recent earthquakes on Mount St. Helens to the north were related to magma movement and were not connected with the Hood quakes, he said.

"These (near Mt. Hood) appear to be related to small amounts of movement on unknown fault systems, not related to magma moving within the volcano,"

Madin also pointed out this was not the first time a swarm like this has happened on Mount Hood.

He believes these small faults likely make up one big one, capable of producing a magnitude 7 earthquake. He says the last time that happened was likely 10,000 years ago.

“They're just telling you there's a fault down there that's under tension.

It’s being loaded up and sooner or later it’s going to go,” said Madin.

Here is a recent seismic graphic near Mt. Hood - it's interesting to watch (I'm doing such with two volcanoes in Ecuador for instance, different thread)

From: https://www.pnsn.org/seismogram/current/timb (the link will bring up recent activity)

(one can use TIMB and HOOD as the two choices closest to Mt. Hood for viewing)

PNSN.ORG can explain what the graphics mean, generally the larger the amplitude the stronger the event - they have "interpretations" listed at:

• https://www.pnsn.org/earthquakes/historic?evid=60125413 and
• https://www.pnsn.org/outreach/about-...learning-links and
• http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/ is really interesting to view)

It's certainly fascinating watching the earth activity. @KiwiElf has also been tracking earthquake activity and has seen activity increase depending on different conditions (he can relate what he's observed better than I in his own words).

I've suggested (as have others who have been tracking solar activity), keep watching for solar particle streams or any Solar CME's (coronal mass ejections) hitting the earth, and upsetting the geomagnetic field, which may result (such is the conjecture), in earth fault zones releasing/slipping.

==Update==

Below is from the "HOOD" seismographic closer to the ancient volcano - the spike like events are the microquakes, amplitude indicates the strength (calibration data for their graphics is on the PNSN.ORG website)

(Note - the graphics are refreshed periodically, so if you don't immediately see an image, wait a few and then refresh the forum's webpage, or view them directly off the PNSN.org website).

It's good to see more people paying attention to the earth's activity !

[justntime2learn]

Posted by Bob (here)
From the same article (http://www.kgw.com/news/local/swarm-...hood/196573876)

they said this:

The recent earthquakes on Mount St. Helens to the north were related to magma movement and were not connected with the Hood quakes, he said.

"These (near Mt. Hood) appear to be related to small amounts of movement on unknown fault systems, not related to magma moving within the volcano,"

Madin also pointed out this was not the first time a swarm like this has happened on Mount Hood.

He believes these small faults likely make up one big one, capable of producing a magnitude 7 earthquake. He says the last time that happened was likely 10,000 years ago.

“They're just telling you there's a fault down there that's under tension.

It’s being loaded up and sooner or later it’s going to go,” said Madin.

Here is a recent seismic graphic near Mt. Hood - it's interesting to watch (I'm doing such with two volcanoes in Ecuador for instance, different thread)

From: https://www.pnsn.org/seismogram/current/timb (the link will bring up recent activity)

(one can use TIMB and HOOD as the two choices closes to Mt. Hood for viewing)

PNSN.ORG can explain what the graphics mean, generally the larger the amplitude the stronger the event - they have "interpretations" listed at:

• https://www.pnsn.org/earthquakes/historic?evid=60125413 and
• https://www.pnsn.org/outreach/about-...learning-links and
• http://ds.iris.edu/seismon/ is really interesting to view)

It's certainly fascinating watching the earth activity. @KiwiElf has also been tracking earthquake activity and has seen activity increase depending on different conditions (he can relate what he's observed better than I in his own words).

I've suggested (as have others who have been tracking solar activity), keep watching for solar particle streams or any Solar CME's (coronal mass ejections) hitting the earth, and upsetting the geomagnetic field, which may result (such is the conjecture), in earth fault zones releasing/slipping.

Thanks Bob I'm going to continue learning through the info you provided

I have been keeping an eye on "Sun Stuff What's up" by MorningSong and just added "Solar particle streams" to notifications.

@Ba-ba-Ra: Remember when they were bottling and selling the ash lol... I could scoop it from my car but people would still buy it at the market. (Consume) but, that's another thread ...

[Bob]

For those curious about understanding the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network's definitions when bringing up different detector scenarios for the seismic displays (see LINK HERE)

PNSN Stations
Seismometer Types

The PNSN operates a heterogeneous mix of seismometer types for monitoring a variety of types of earthquake activity. The operations of seismographs are funded by different agencies and serve a variety of purposes.

Short Period - Identified in seismograms with the suffix "EHZ" - sensitive velocity seismometers with a response peaked around 1 Hz. Typically only a single vertical component. Primarily used for determination of locations and magnitudes of small regional earthquakes.

Strong Motion - Identified in seismograms by suffixes: "ENZ" or "HNZ" (Vertical), "ENE" or "HNE" (East-West horizontal), and "ENN" or "HNZ" (North-South horizontal) - accelerometers with three components. Designed to record on-scale waveforms from moderate and large regional earthquakes that give rise to strong shaking.

Broadband - Identified in seismograms by suffixes: "BHZ" or "HHZ" (Vertical), "BHE" or "HHE" (East-West horizontal), or "BHN" or "HHN" (North-South horizontal - velocity seismometers with a wide frequency response. Primary purpose is to record waveforms from regional and distant earthquakes for research purposes.

I picked the EHZ and BHZ seismic graphics from near Mt. Hood for the graphics.

[KiwiElf]

Hi justntime2learn,

As reported on other threads, NZ's 2 x active volcanoes have both had their alert levels raised from 0 to 2, with increasing EQ swarms present, just like Mt St Helens & Hood. It doesn't stop there either. The current phenomenon is increasing globally. Right now, if you check out USGS or your favourite EQ monitoring site, it's getting quite active out there again.

You may have missed it, but Avalon member ditrianum is doing some fascinating research into the correlations between planetary alignments & earthquakes - you can check out his site here:

http://ditrianum.org/en/articles/ali...a2016/0016.htm

Despite mainstream science assuring us that these things are not related, I disagree (& so does ditrianum & Dutchsince!)

You can check it for yourself by using this website:

http://solarsystemscope.com/

The theory put simply is this; the Moon & Sun could be acting as "amplifiers" of planetary alignments (ie when 3 or more planetary bodies, which can include the Earth, Sun or Moon, form a line). This has little to do with gravity as we understand it, with the exception of the Moon. Think in terms of all the planets, the Sun & our Moon acting like tuning forks. It appears to have a lot to do with where the Earth & Moon are pointing in combination with one or more other planets.

I've been observing this for a few weeks now and every time we get an alignment, Earthquake activity increases, both in frequency, magnitude and volcanic activity. (It's a bit more involved than that but Ditraniums' website explains it fully)

You can also go back in time using Solar System Scope & compare the planetary alignments to large Earthquakes in the past; you will find one or more alignments every time. It looks a bit like this:

(This was the time of the large Vanuatu Earthquake a few weeks ago - as you can see - there were several alignments - click on the pic to enlarge):

[justntime2learn]

Thank you so much for the additional info KiwiElf

I saw this vid posted by Wind:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XJRJxQyecA0

It will be interesting to see what happens between the 20th and 25th ...

[justntime2learn]

Posted by justntime2learn (here)
Thank you so much for the additional info KiwiElf

I saw this vid posted by Wind:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=XJRJxQyecA0

It will be interesting to see what happens between the 20th and 25th ...

Moderate earthquake - Off The Coast Of Oregon on May 20, 2016

4.8 off the Oregon coast and the prediction was 5.0 with 4 days to go. Unusually large quake for our area.

http://earthquake-report.com/2016/05...n-may-20-2016/

[Gerald Paris]

thanks for sharing. Adventure in our area! O the potential


Be well.

G

[justntime2learn]

(BREAKING) 5.1 Magnitude earthquake in Yellowstone. Volcanic eruption “imminent”



YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.

Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano.

Link: http://www.riseearth.com/2016/05/bre...ke-in.html?m=1

YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.
Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano



Link: http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative...t-3355742.html

[thunder24]

Posted by justntime2learn (here)
(BREAKING) 5.1 Magnitude earthquake in Yellowstone. Volcanic eruption “imminent”



YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.

Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano.

Link: http://www.riseearth.com/2016/05/bre...ke-in.html?m=1

YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.
Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano



Link: http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative...t-3355742.html

i don't see it on the maps and nothing on the news, or other websites...

[justntime2learn]

Posted by thunder24 (here)

Posted by justntime2learn (here)
(BREAKING) 5.1 Magnitude earthquake in Yellowstone. Volcanic eruption “imminent”



YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.

Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano.

Link: http://www.riseearth.com/2016/05/bre...ke-in.html?m=1

YELLOWSTONE, WY: A 5.1 Magnitude earthquake has hit Yellowstone national park, only a mile from the caldera of it’s massive active super-volcano. The earthquake hit at precisely 6:36 PM (CST) on Thursday May 19th and lasted around 2 minutes.
Park rangers are reporting high velocity plumes of smoke coming from the general area of the caldera of the super-volcano



Link: http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative...t-3355742.html

i don't see it on the maps and nothing on the news, or other websites...

I found this but don't know how reliable the website is:https://ysamok.wordpress.com/

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=aHtDqwW44_I

"Utah Monitors Down … Again! UPDATED
MAY 19, 2016
1
Mary Greeley reports –
Yellowstone Volcano University of Utah Shut Down, Large Earthquake, Censored

(sorry, no embed)
VIDEO LINK – http://youtu.be/aHtDqwW44_I

Yellowstone employees evacuated after propane gas leak

“(KIFI/KIDK) –Yellowstone National Park officials said employee housing behind Old Faithful Lodge was evacuated for about eight hours Wednesday after propane gas was released from a storage tank.

According to the Park Service, a Garden City propane serviceman was attempting to activate a new tank at around 10 a.m. Wednesday when gas was released. They said the worker suffered burns, but did not know the extent of his injuries. No one else was hurt. . . .”

hmmmm . . . .

Lots of traffic on this blog in the last few hours … it may be this story that we find to be UNTRUE:
YouTube – BREAKING NEWS -Earthquake Hits Yellowstone National Park-
LINK – http://youtu.be/XaQSF7NrBEs

We find NO LARGE QUAKES at or near "