CWU's Bohrson Looks at Mt St. Helens Earthquake Swarm, Magma Chamber

An ongoing swarm of earthquakes under Mount St. Helens doesn’t mean the volcano is likely to erupt soon, but scientists are studying the tiny temblors to see what they reveal about magma movement deep underground . . .

As molten rock moves into the underground chamber, it exerts pressure on the surrounding rocks, which can lead to fractures and earthquakes, said Wendy Bohrson, a geologist at Central Washington University who studies magma chemistry.

“It’s a bit like trying to force more volume into any fixed container,” Bohrson said. “The rock that sits around the magma chamber might crack a little bit.”

Read the whole story in the Seattle Times.

Photo courtesy of the United States Geological Survey

May 10, 2016