Originally posted by Olivine

TA, I'm not in total agreement that this is "the usual, low-level background seismicity". The average over the past 40 years is 3 earthquakes per month. This might be classified as an above average month.

edit on 1/29/2012 by Olivine because: smiley

Funny, they can get thousands of earthquakes at Yellowstone, over a period of a couple weeks in a massive swarm, and they STILL call it normal.

This might be a bit more than usual, sure, and I saw those figures too. But the real low magnitudes of the quakes are sure not bothering "them". If the quakes start reaching over 3 or 4 mag, and tremor becomes present, that's a bit different.

But this is good that some people are checking on it. Let's just keep watching and see if anything changes over the next weeks.

Originally posted by TrueAmerican

Originally posted by Olivine

TA, I'm not in total agreement that this is "the usual, low-level background seismicity". The average over the past 40 years is 3 earthquakes per month. This might be classified as an above average month.

edit on 1/29/2012 by Olivine because: smiley

Funny, they can get thousands of earthquakes at Yellowstone, over a period of a couple weeks in a massive swarm, and they STILL call it normal.

This might be a bit more than usual, sure, and I saw those figures too. But the real low magnitudes of the quakes are sure not bothering "them". If the quakes start reaching over 3 or 4 mag, and tremor becomes present, that's a bit different.

But this is good that some people are checking on it. Let's just keep watching and see if anything changes over the next weeks.

They (USGS) know there is a dome rising in Yellowstone, and expect daily, small seismic events over a long term. Your case ,however has the blue lights flashing... this puppy is not supposed to rumble unless something is about to blow, so your alertness and cause for alarm is founded in true geologic science. Good Luck.

Speaking of ice quakes, I was recently informed through my sources at USGS that Yellowstone also experiences ice quakes around YS Lake.

Does anyone ever remember hearing anything about that? I can't, and I've been watching that park for years.

Just noticed this thread. It's good to see that we're not the only ones watching the Cascades volcanoes. Feel free to send us messages directly if you're curious about strange seismic signals.

John

Originally posted by JohnVidale
Feel free to send us messages directly if you're curious about strange seismic signals.

John

Well, I would, except for the last time I proposed that to another scientist, and much worse- in the case that I should happen to be monitoring a certain supervolcano and I saw some things, he couldn't even promise that he'd be woken up...let alone be able to deal with a much more urgent situation immediately from his own house. And that's just for the 3.0. If I had called and had already seen tremor at the time of the call, he couldn't even tell me what he'd even do in THAT case.

So I want to see these "mitigation" plans, John.

My phone number is easily found, until people call me so much I have to change it.

CVO is first in line for activity at the volcanoes, and I can't speak for them, but Washington and Oregon both have emergency management departments with our duty seismologist beeper on speed dial.

So if danger looks impending, give one of us a call.

No volcano will erupt with an little warning as we are likely to get from great earthquakes. Our business is to be as prepared as possible. For example, how do you harden a seismic network again an M7 right under Seattle?

The case of the Italians on trial for manslaughter not predicting the L'Aquila earthquake is interesting. One can't try something difficult and escape liability if one screws up. Or in their case, even if one did and said the right thing.

So, uh, how bleeped am I if that things pops top? Live near Bellevue. Would love a sort of fallout map, and more info on what to expect if she gets angry.

Actually, I knew nothing about volcanoes until moving to Bellevue in 2006. But I think the ash fall from Rainier would depend strongly on the direction of the wind, and hence be largely unpredictable. The danger would only be high from the lahar coming down the Duwamish, at least that's my uninformed understanding.