Mount St Helens Experienced Shakes In Past Two Months, Ready To Re-erupt?

A series of 130 earthquakes have caused tremors beneath Mount St Helens in the last eight weeks, according to recent reports. As per seismologists from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the swarm of quakes is an indication that the volcano is still alive.

According to a statement released by USGC, the volcano is recharging to re-erupt even though there are no signs of an imminent eruption. Incidentally, the volcano is located 153 kilometers south of Seattle. Currently there are no signs of magma nor has the presence of unusual gases been reported. Most of the quakes are less than 0.5 in magnitude and the largest approximately measured 1.2 on the Richter scale. However, though the magnitude of the tremors is comparatively small, the fact that is concerning scientists at the moment is the frequency of the quakes. "Earthquake rates have been steadily increasing since March, reaching nearly 40 located earthquakes per week," said a USGS statement. "The earthquakes are volcano-tectonic in nature, indicative of a slip on a small fault." 

As per the USGC, though the collection of magma beneath the volcano is re-pressurizing, the process of being swarmed by tremors can continue for years without resulting in an eruption. Moreover, according to the scientific agency, a similar series of tremors were detected in the 1990s, 2013 and 2014. Mount St Helens last erupted in May 1980, when hot ash was thrown across northwestern US, killing 57 people in the process. Thousands of small tremors had occurred before the enormous eruption. The calamity also blew off nearly 1,000 feet of the mountain, apart from causing forest fires, and even floods due to the melting snow from the top of the mountains. However, at the moment, scientists are reportedly saying that the data collected is more reassuring than worrying as there is no sure shot sign that the volcano will erupt anytime soon.