Sunday, February 01, 2009

Volcano Watching




Kenai awoke this morning to bright blue skies and temperature almost 20 degrees below zero. The entire range of mountains to the west, including Mt. Redoubt and Mt. Illiamna, were stunningly clear and looked amazingly close. To an untrained observer like myself, Redoubt looks just as it always has. But volcanologists are watching it closely, and continue to believe that an eruption is imminent. One of the glaciers on the north face shows signs of increased heat nearer the surface, with an expanding hole emitting steam and gases. So far, the expected increase in frequency and magnitude of earthquakes beneath the volcano has not happened, according to the experts.



Redoubt is about 50 miles west southwest of Kenai, so our view of it is of the east northeast face. In real life it seems much closer than this photo suggests. Even with binoculars, Dutch and I are not able to see any plumes of steam rising into the air. Kenai is the closest town of any size to the mountain, and experts are gathering here to watch the mountain. Last week, Dutch and other city officials were approached with the request to set up monitoring equipment at some of the city's buildings which are located on a high bluff at the edge of Cook Inlet, and have a gorgeous unobstructed view of the mountain. They were happy to comply with the request. The volcanologists are working to establish a ring of observation points around the mountain so that they can monitor its activity from all directions.

The air around town is one of watchful waiting for the shoe to drop. There is nothing to do about it except wait, and hope that, like a watched pot, if we watch hard enough it will never boil.

Photos by The Tundra PA

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3 Comments:

Blogger mesue said...

Thanks for keeping us posted re: Redoubt. Since you are NE of the volcano and it's building on the north side you may be able to take some spectacular photos. I hope you don't have too much ash, so the views are clear.

I have been an avid reader of yours for several years but every time I try to post it gets eaten. I hope this time you will know there is another person interested in your reports of the culture of native Alaska and your work there. (I would like to have even more medical information if you can keep the confidentiality issue controlled.)

Thanks - oh and I love the moose pictures,

mesue

Sunday, February 01, 2009 7:20:00 PM  
Blogger The Tundra PA said...

Thanks, mesue! I hope your comments get through from here on. It is rewarding to hear back from people who visit.

I leave next Sunday for a week of hard work in Bethel, which I am so looking forward to. I'm sure a few posts will result from the trip. Stay tuned!

Sunday, February 01, 2009 10:40:00 PM  
Blogger Jane said...

I hope nothing will go bad .
best wishes .

www.maxgen.yolasite.com

.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010 5:42:00 PM  

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