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Graphic depicting 350 earthquakes that were located at Mount St. Helens between February 1 to June 17, 2024
Graphic depicting 350 earthquakes that were located at Mount St. Helens between February 1 to June 17, 2024
Graphic depicting 350 earthquakes that were located at Mount St. Helens between February 1 to June 17, 2024
Graphic depicting 350 earthquakes that were located at Mount St. Helens between February 1 to June 17, 2024

From February 1 to June 17, 2024, approximately 350 earthquakes were located at Mount St. Helens by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. Over 95% of the earthquakes were less than a magnitude 1.0 and too small to be felt at the surface. The number of earthquakes located per week appears to have reached a peak in early June, at 38 events per week. USGS graphic.

From February 1 to June 17, 2024, approximately 350 earthquakes were located at Mount St. Helens by the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. Over 95% of the earthquakes were less than a magnitude 1.0 and too small to be felt at the surface. The number of earthquakes located per week appears to have reached a peak in early June, at 38 events per week. USGS graphic.

Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004).
Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004).
Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004).
Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004).

Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004). Upper left: Map of Mount St. Helens with a grayscale representing a digital elevation model. Earthquakes interpreted as recharge between 1987 and 2004 are plotted as a heatmap of earthquake density.

Comparison of February-June 2024 seismicity to previous seismic swarms (1987-2004). Upper left: Map of Mount St. Helens with a grayscale representing a digital elevation model. Earthquakes interpreted as recharge between 1987 and 2004 are plotted as a heatmap of earthquake density.

Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period.
Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period.
Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period.
Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period.

Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period. This activity is consistent with normal, background levels. Top: Earthquake events located per week. The orange color at the far right denotes earthquakes from February to June 2024. Bottom: Earthquake depths below sea level (bsl) in kilometers.

Earthquakes located at Mount St. Helens from 2008-2024, a non-eruptive period. This activity is consistent with normal, background levels. Top: Earthquake events located per week. The orange color at the far right denotes earthquakes from February to June 2024. Bottom: Earthquake depths below sea level (bsl) in kilometers.

Mount St Helens with a dusting of snow looking south in June 2024
Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens June 2024
Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens June 2024
Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens June 2024

Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens (center), with Mount Hood (in the distance, far left), Spirit Lake (on left with floating log mat), and St. Helens Lake with a little ice cover (lower left). USGS image taken by K. Spicer on June 6, 2024. 

Aerial photo of Mount St. Helens (center), with Mount Hood (in the distance, far left), Spirit Lake (on left with floating log mat), and St. Helens Lake with a little ice cover (lower left). USGS image taken by K. Spicer on June 6, 2024. 

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation video shows the changes to the landscape from before the May 18, 1980 eruption to today (2024).

Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation video shows the changes to the landscape from before the May 18, 1980 eruption to today (2024).

Mount St. Helens by A. Mosbrucker
Mount St. Helens by A. Mosbrucker
Mount St. Helens by A. Mosbrucker
Mount St. Helens by A. Mosbrucker

Mount St. Helens by A. Mosbrucker. Looking SE towards the volcano up the valley. 

Videos

Mount St. Helens vs. Yellowstone Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)
Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)
Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)

Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?

Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Text says Mount St. Helens, Land of Transformation Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

Mt St. Helens before 1980, Land of Transformation

A stylistic interpretation of pre eruption snowcapped Mount St Helens as seen from a blue Spirit Lake with green rolling hills.  

Text changes to May 18, 1980, Eruption. There is a grey explosion of rocks and smoke coming out the top of Mt St Helens. The hills and water are grey and brown.

thumbnail for ways world changed MSH Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World
Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World
Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World

The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens was historic and fundamentally changed how we see volcanoes. For those who lost family and friends, homes, and their livelihoods, it was an unimaginable tragedy. For others around the world, the eruption was an exciting curiosity, an experience they could share with their kids and grandkids.

The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens was historic and fundamentally changed how we see volcanoes. For those who lost family and friends, homes, and their livelihoods, it was an unimaginable tragedy. For others around the world, the eruption was an exciting curiosity, an experience they could share with their kids and grandkids.

thumbnail for ways world changed MSH Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World (AD)
Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World (AD)
Ways the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption Changed Our World (AD)

The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens was historic and fundamentally changed how we see volcanoes. For those who lost family and friends, homes, and their livelihoods, it was an unimaginable tragedy. For others around the world, the eruption was an exciting curiosity, an experience they could share with their kids and grandkids.

The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens was historic and fundamentally changed how we see volcanoes. For those who lost family and friends, homes, and their livelihoods, it was an unimaginable tragedy. For others around the world, the eruption was an exciting curiosity, an experience they could share with their kids and grandkids.

thumbnail for 5 things MSH 5 Incredible Facts About Mount St. Helens
5 Incredible Facts About Mount St. Helens
5 Incredible Facts About Mount St. Helens

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. There's no better time to learn five incredible facts about Mount St. Helens. This list is a truncated version of the popular 30 Cool Facts about Mount St. Helens (usgs.gov) poster.

May is Volcano Awareness Month in Washington State. There's no better time to learn five incredible facts about Mount St. Helens. This list is a truncated version of the popular 30 Cool Facts about Mount St. Helens (usgs.gov) poster.

Audio

CoreFacts
CoreFacts Album Artwork
CoreFacts Album Artwork
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?
CoreFacts
CoreFacts Album Artwork
CoreFacts Album Artwork
How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?

Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …

How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?

Welcome to CoreFacts, where we're always short on time and big on science. I'm Brian Campbell. Today's question is …

How far did the ash from Mount St. Helens travel?