This may be national news by morning, but in case it isn't, wanted to let everyone know. Mt. Rainier is "venting", which is melting the glaciers, and could cause a major mud, ice, water flow. The community of Orting, one of the few places left in Western Washington which is really a community of "homesteaders"--as opposed to here and there-- is under an evacuation order. One good thing, they have closed the freeway for "in" traffic, and can use all lanes for "out". Something I've never understood when they show hurricane, etc. evacuations on television, they always have one empty freeway, and one jammed and going at a snail's pace. Oops, they just updated it and said Orting only has the "standby" sirens going, not the evacuate ones going. The news now sounds like they really don't know what is going on. Something to watch on the news in the morning. I suppose this could all be a tempest in a teapot, but the news is sure trying to make something out of it. Just wanted to let you all know that a prayer for these people would not be out of line. Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.net), August 15, 2001

Answers

Thanks for the news Kathie; I have an aunt living in Sunnyside, Washington, which I believe is east of Ranier. When the St. Helens in Oregon erupted, Sunnyside was blanketed with 6" of volcanic ash. Good organic soil enhancer long term, bad short term effects, it was a good idea of what "nuclear winter" might be like. Everyone pay attention; we are overdue volcanic eruptions around the U. S.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), August 15, 2001.

Correction: St. Helens is in Washington.

Rainier is West of the crest of the Cascades so mud/lava flows will only affect Western Washington. There's a significant population downstream from Rainier, including the State Capital. The capital dome came very close to crumbling from the earthquake in February. Perhaps Rainier is going to finish the job. (One can only hope.)

-- Skip in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), August 15, 2001.

News reports this morning say it is nothing more than a high volume of water than normal coming out from under a glacier. It is not a sign of an impending eruption.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 15, 2001.

Still, it's always interesting to live around "dormant" volcanoes...

Even after an earthquake or two, we still tend to forget that we are not "in charge" around here...

-- sheepish (WA) (the_original_sheepish@hotmail.com), August 15, 2001.

Oops, sorry for the mental breakdown on my part. Geography is NOT my best subject, thanks for the correction Skip. If you are going to put out information, get it right J.R.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), August 15, 2001.

It turned out to be a glacial outburst, sending a large amount of water and debris downstream. No injuries, no damage. They are saying now that there was no seismic activity. My sons and I are wondering, if there was no seismic goings-on, where did KIRO TV get those seismographs they were showing last night that has LOTS of activity? They said they were from the University of Washington. So much for trusting the local news. I'm just glad I wasn't in Orting watching the news when they said we had 15 minutes to clear out! Kathie

-- Kathie in Western Washington (twinrosefarm@centurytel.net), August 15, 2001.

If my geography is right isn't Fort Lewis near there ?? So if the Army starts to evacuate...I would worry. Sure hope it doesn't happen !!

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), August 17, 2001.

As far as where the Tv station got the footage of a seismograph registering wildly, it's probably stock footage. What they keep on hand to show to pad out stories, or illustrate points. Movies have been using stock footage for years garnered from other sources.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), August 18, 2001.