Sturdy winds throughout elements of Washington state have kicked up volcanic ash deposited in the course of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, creating hazy circumstances and decreasing air high quality.
The phenomenon, generally known as ash resuspension, happens when dry, unfastened ash is lifted again into the air by gusty winds, in keeping with the U.S. Geological Survey.
The neighborhood of Mount St. Helens has been experiencing persistently dry climate and is at present dealing with extreme drought circumstances.
Mount Saint Helens erupts, Might 18, 1980, in Washington State.
John T. Barr/Getty Pictures
Industrial pilots within the space have reported the resuspended ash, which the USGS warns must be thought of hazardous as a consequence of its potential to break plane and influence human well being.
This phenomenon often happens throughout instances of robust winds and dry, snow-free circumstances within the Mount St. Helens space.
Mount St. Helens is seen in a webcam, Sept. 16, 2025.
USGS
Each the USGS and the Nationwide Climate Service have reiterated that this isn’t the results of current volcanic exercise.
“Mt. Saint Helens is NOT erupting,” the NWS posted to X on Tuesday afternoon. “Volcanic Ash from the Nineteen Eighties is being lofted again into the air from the robust east winds.”
The volcano alert degree at Mount St. Helens is at present at “Regular” or “Code Inexperienced,” in keeping with the USGS.
