EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Each week a different image of our fascinating environment is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional ecologist.

25 March - 1 April 2019

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Slide in the Crater

Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA

Credit & Copyright: Dr. Bruce G. Marcot

Explanation:  On a chance visit to Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Mountains of southern Washington State, USA, in August of 2011, I just happened to catch an event I've never seen there before, in all my many visits to the place:  a landslide within the volcanic crater!

  

Minutes before the landslide event, the crater was quiet.
In this scene, the crater is viewed from the north.
The central dome, formed by magma pushing up from beneath the surface
following the initial eruption of May 18, 1980, is visible to the center left
in the background here.  

   

... And within 20 to 30 minutes after the landslide event,
the dust plume was starting to subside.

Such slide events are likely common within the steep
confines of the blast crater.
But the only one I've personally witnessed
and photographed.

 

Next week's picture:  Mother's Day on the Wire

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