What might really be happening in Washington State?

Originally posted by westcoast




This is our jeep wranger. Well, what's left of it!!!

edit on 23-2-2011 by westcoast because: (no reason given)

Sorry but that looks like a Jeep Cherokee Laredo. Probably a 1997ish..I-6 engine.
I know my jeep's. And I know my Wrangler is under 2" of snow.
But now would be a good time to do some listening, the blanket of snow, lack of vehicles on the road. I randomly go outside to try and hear any rumbling.

Thank goodness I just stocked up yesterday...whew! The Thanksgiving storm left us stuck at home for almost 2 weeks...ugh. Can we say c a b i n f e v e r?

Speaking of the rumbling - I've been hearing it LOUD the last couple of nights - but the snow may have changed the acoustics

reply to post by onthelookout


I braved the snow for the hot tub a bit ago (okay, NOT fun up past my knees in the snow on the way there) and I was hearing the rumbling. But yeah, the snow has a wierd affect so I am not saying for sure on ti.

Still coming down now. What a storm. I have been here for 20 years now and have only seen it like this two other times, but I don't think it was this much so fast.

mapLots of quakes today:

MAP 1.8 2011/02/25 00:52:33 46.860 -121.975 8.7 12 km ( 7 mi) NNE of Ashford, WA
MAP 1.9 2011/02/24 22:23:56 46.290 -122.221 0.0 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.6 2011/02/24 17:31:33 48.236 -121.674 8.7 5 km ( 3 mi) WSW of Darrington, WA
MAP 1.0 2011/02/24 14:41:00 46.282 -122.205 3.0 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/24 10:18:56 48.197 -122.200 11.6 4 km ( 3 mi) E of Silvana, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/24 08:29:43 47.797 -120.123 2.2 9 km ( 6 mi) SW of Chelan, WA
MAP 1.0 2011/02/24 07:09:27 47.933 -122.383 19.8 5 km ( 3 mi) SSW of Clinton, WA


Check out the map

Justmike....look at the tremors today:

TREMOR


If there is any truth to snowmelt and quakes, I hate to see what will happen when this two feet melts.

So on this link we have 5 quakes at Mt. St Helens and 4 reaaaly close to Mt. Rainier. Not trying to scare anybody, just noticed these..

Just saw this story on Q13 fox news but couldn't find it on their website.
Mount Baker eruption overdue. I didn't feel like making a thread for this.

reply to post by Isaac (RIP DUSTIN)


Great.My home is toast if/when it goes. I already have our escape route mapped out: the highest ground. We would be buried in the lahars, not the mention good ole regular water when the baker damn breaks.

At least it doesn't sound like they are saying there are any signs right now...just that they are studying it and think they can more acurately predict an eruption based on some new theories. Interesting stuff, thanks for the link.

Oh...and you are absolutely right about the jeep. I just saw what you wrote and had to ask my husband. Okay, so I admit that when it comes to vehicles....I am SUCH a girl.

earthquake.usgs.gov...
take note. Mt Rainier, that makes 3 volcanos with quakes this week,,
also not that all quakes where on the west side That to me sugjest pacific plate moving

reply to post by westcoast


you guys on the wet side, I have snow 6 months out of the year. 3,000 foot level near Winthrop lol
Funny over here we can tell when people come form the coast. They drive with there lights on and wipers going, Hint its to cold to stick to the windshield lol.

As you can see, it has been a pretty active past few days: (keep in mind it is the weekend and as always the list will probably grow on Monday)

MAP 1.2 2011/02/26 16:56:30 47.946 -122.407 20.0 5 km ( 3 mi) SW of Clinton, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/26 16:51:16 47.779 -122.007 24.8 3 km ( 2 mi) E of Echo Lake, WA
MAP 2.0 2011/02/26 13:08:15 46.200 -122.189 2.1 1 km ( 0 mi) W of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.1 2011/02/26 09:18:07 47.610 -122.607 19.0 3 km ( 2 mi) E of Tracyton, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/26 06:05:19 46.280 -122.208 3.0 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.6 2011/02/26 05:48:45 47.622 -121.173 7.0 17 km ( 10 mi) SE of Skykomish, WA
MAP 1.6 2011/02/25 11:48:12 47.714 -119.886 0.0 16 km ( 10 mi) ENE of Waterville, WA
MAP 1.8 2011/02/25 00:52:33 46.860 -121.975 8.7 12 km ( 7 mi) NNE of Ashford, WA
MAP 1.9 2011/02/24 22:23:56 46.290 -122.221 0.0 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.6 2011/02/24 17:31:33 48.236 -121.674 8.7 5 km ( 3 mi) WSW of Darrington, WA
MAP 1.0 2011/02/24 14:41:00 46.282 -122.205 3.0 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/24 10:18:56 48.197 -122.200 11.6 4 km ( 3 mi) E of Silvana, WA
MAP 1.7 2011/02/24 08:29:43 47.797 -120.123 2.2 9 km ( 6 mi) SW of Chelan, WA
MAP 1.0 2011/02/24 07:09:27 47.933 -122.383 19.8 5 km ( 3 mi) SSW of Clinton, WA

SOURCE


Puterman just brought a good article to my attention regarding Mount Baker. As was mentioned a couple of posts ago, the media recently took some info out of context and ran with the story that

Mount Baker eruption over due!!!

While it may be true that she hasn't erupted for awhile, there certainly aren't ANY signs that it's going to happen anytime soon, and just as I suspected they were simply referencing that Baker would be a good candidate to monitor using this new technique. Here is the article:

Tremors, Mt. Baker and the media: The sensationalism of science

Just to give you an idea on it's recent activity, here is a quake list for all last year and this year to date:

10/01/09 09:52:48 48.59N 121.96W 0.1 1.1 BC
10/04/14 08:23:42 48.66N 121.85W 0.6 0.7 BC
10/04/14 21:24:42 48.65N 121.87W 0.4 1.0 BC
10/04/15 10:26:35 48.66N 121.89W 0.0 1.1 AC
10/06/30 08:44:38 48.75N 121.83W 0.0 1.6 DB LOWF
10/07/01 00:30:23 48.74N 121.85W 0.0 1.7 CB LOWF
10/08/04 12:05:41 48.88N 121.91W 0.0 1.1 AD
10/09/01 16:55:49 48.52N 121.68W 15.8 1.0 AD
10/09/06 14:54:54 48.88N 121.94W 4.1 0.3 DD
10/09/06 18:54:06 48.87N 121.98W 2.0 2.3 BC FELT
10/10/12 00:25:53 48.81N 121.85W 0.0 1.3 AD
10/12/16 13:37:19 48.50N 121.74W 4.9 1.3 BC
10/12/23 11:03:06 48.50N 121.71W 14.1 0.2 BD
11/01/01 07:40:22 48.80N 121.79W 0.1 1.7 BB LOWF
11/01/03 21:34:38 48.50N 121.73W 1.1-0.3 AD
11/02/26 18:44:01 48.57N 121.90W 13.5 0.8 AD

As you can see, there haven't been that many for what is considered an active volcano. Only one was over 2.0, in september of last year.otherwise, all have been micro quakes. As far as I know, there has been no venting or steam or any other sign of things 'heating up'. So in other words, I have absolutely no concerns about Baker right now. Trust me, if there were ANY signs coming from her I would be the first one to be alarmed by it.


Let's compare that to Rainier. Take a look at just the past 4 months:

10/11/03 00:48:34 46.85N 121.76W 4.8 0.5 AC
10/11/06 08:32:59 46.84N 121.74W 3.5 0.4 AC
10/11/09 06:48:36 46.86N 121.76W 5.1-0.3 AC
10/11/11 05:43:12 46.84N 121.75W 3.6-0.8 AA
10/11/15 10:11:33 46.85N 121.75W 0.0 0.1 AC
10/11/20 00:49:47 46.85N 121.76W 4.1-0.3 AC
10/11/20 18:45:31 46.91N 121.68W 7.8-0.2 AB
10/11/25 20:07:26 46.87N 121.74W 0.3-0.1 AC
10/12/14 16:48:49 46.84N 121.76W 3.4 0.3 AA
10/12/25 04:09:56 46.84N 121.75W 3.8 0.2 AC
10/12/31 09:13:00 46.92N 121.68W 9.3 0.9 AB
11/01/03 20:52:34 46.79N 121.84W 6.4-0.3 AC
11/01/04 20:58:00 46.85N 121.75W 4.6 1.1 AA
11/01/10 10:02:20 46.83N 121.74W 0.4 0.0 AB
11/01/11 05:27:01 46.85N 121.75W 4.6 0.4 AA
11/01/11 05:33:20 46.85N 121.75W 4.5-0.3 AB
11/01/18 00:43:30 46.84N 121.75W 4.3 0.1 AA
11/01/30 07:27:20 46.85N 121.75W 3.6 0.6 AB
11/02/20 16:14:17 46.85N 121.75W 3.7-0.1 AC
11/02/21 12:38:12 46.85N 121.74W 3.1 1.0 AA



The list is longer, but again they are all micro quakes and there aren't any other signs that I am aware of.

Now helens. Ummm...well, there are too many. How about I just do this year(2 months)?

11/01/03 18:53:44 46.19N 122.18W 2.5-0.6 AB
11/01/03 20:32:48 46.19N 122.18W 2.5 0.2 AA
11/01/08 08:32:09 46.19N 122.18W 3.6-0.7 AB
11/01/08 15:09:52 46.19N 122.19W 4.4-1.1 AC
11/01/08 15:10:24 46.19N 122.19W 2.1 0.2 AA
11/01/10 16:38:15 46.19N 122.18W 2.1 0.3 AB
11/01/12 09:41:30 46.20N 122.17W 3.4-0.3 AC
11/01/13 00:37:57 46.19N 122.19W 1.1-0.8 AC
11/01/13 03:46:31 46.19N 122.18W 3.6-0.2 AB
11/01/15 19:24:45 46.19N 122.17W 0.0 1.2 AA
11/01/18 06:41:50 46.19N 122.18W 3.1-0.4 AB
11/01/18 23:33:36 46.20N 122.19W 2.9 0.4 AA
11/01/21 22:58:35 46.19N 122.17W 3.5-0.9 AB
11/01/22 20:53:42 46.19N 122.18W 3.0-1.2 AB
11/01/23 06:31:31 46.19N 122.19W 2.3 0.6 BA
11/01/25 07:21:48 46.19N 122.17W 6.4-0.4 AD
11/01/25 22:07:24 46.20N 122.16W 4.5-0.5 AD
11/01/25 23:41:20 46.19N 122.19W 2.3 1.9 AA
11/01/26 15:33:10 46.19N 122.18W 2.8-0.3 AA
11/01/27 09:56:34 46.21N 122.19W 5.0-1.1 AB
11/01/27 13:27:00 46.19N 122.18W 4.1-0.1 AA
11/01/27 13:38:44 46.19N 122.18W 4.3-0.9 AA
11/01/29 02:01:29 46.19N 122.17W 6.5 0.6 AC
11/01/31 17:40:45 46.20N 122.18W 2.5 0.8 AA
11/01/31 17:48:05 46.20N 122.18W 3.5-0.5 AA
11/01/31 20:05:28 46.19N 122.18W 1.7 1.1 AA
11/02/06 20:44:28 46.19N 122.17W 4.8-0.9 AC
11/02/10 20:24:30 46.19N 122.18W 0.0 0.4 AC
11/02/16 10:47:53 46.20N 122.18W 3.2-0.8 AC
11/02/20 02:18:23 46.20N 122.18W 3.5-1.3 AA
11/02/20 02:21:58 46.19N 122.19W 3.3-0.9 AB
11/02/20 02:28:54 46.19N 122.18W 3.5-0.5 AA
11/02/20 08:00:00 46.19N 122.19W 2.4 0.6 AA
11/02/20 11:33:08 46.19N 122.19W 3.9-0.4 AA
11/02/20 15:45:02 46.20N 122.17W 3.4-0.8 AD
11/02/21 07:04:06 46.20N 122.18W 0.2-0.1 AC
11/02/21 16:46:03 46.19N 122.19W 0.0 0.1 AC
11/02/26 13:08:15 46.20N 122.19W 2.1 0.6 AA


Source for baker/rainier/helens lists

Now those are just the quakes right on the mountain. If we extend that to the "mount Saint Helens Seismic Zone", and where there has been a swarm after the recent 4.2 quake, the list grows:

MAP 2.3 2011/02/14 20:21:42 46.278 -122.216 4.7 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.1 2011/02/14 19:54:51 46.274 -122.215 2.8 9 km ( 5 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.3 2011/02/14 19:35:08 46.285 -122.216 5.4 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.1 2011/02/14 19:12:06 46.276 -122.211 3.8 9 km ( 5 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.3 2011/02/14 19:01:25 46.279 -122.212 4.9 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.3 2011/02/14 18:54:06 46.285 -122.213 6.0 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.2 2011/02/14 18:47:55 46.279 -122.208 4.6 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.8 2011/02/14 18:37:45 46.280 -122.209 4.5 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 4.3 2011/02/14 18:35:25 46.282 -122.212 5.5 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.2 2011/02/15 19:53:54 46.303 -122.182 10.5 11 km ( 7 mi) N of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.8 2011/02/16 20:02:07 46.278 -122.213 4.6 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.4 2011/02/17 20:07:19 46.283 -122.225 1.4 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.4 2011/02/17 20:07:19 46.283 -122.225 1.4 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.5 2011/02/17 10:55:04 46.279 -122.215 6.3 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.3 2011/02/18 08:08:07 46.280 -122.210 3.9 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.5 2011/02/19 21:59:31 46.278 -122.220 3.2 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.0 2011/02/20 02:28:54 46.203 -122.186 1.5 1 km ( 0 mi) NW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.9 2011/02/24 22:23:56 46.290 -122.221 0.0 10 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 1.0 2011/02/24 14:41:00 46.282 -122.205 3.0 9 km ( 6 mi) NNW of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA
MAP 2.0 2011/02/26 13:08:15 46.200 -122.189 2.1 1 km ( 0 mi) W of Mount St. Helens Volcano, WA


Impressive, eh? Are there other signs of an eruption from helens? Well, I don't really know. It has been in dome building phase for some time now and there always various signs. So far as I know, there haven't been any recent harmonic tremors and the alert level is still at normal. As I have been saying a lot lately, I am more interested in the over-all picture of this, and how it ties into the subduction zone and deep tremors. I am a firm believer that they are all connected.

Bottom line, we live in a very active region and I think it prudent to be aware of what is normal and what is not. The signs to look out for, and what to watch for to get a heads up BEFORE things happen.

Really not liking the Rainier webis at the moment. I can't believe PNSN haven't updated the quake list since the 26th. Have a look at both the rc webis at 11.03 utc. There seems to be quite a few quakes there lately...and it's almost consistant.

reply to post by zenius


Okay, I just started looking these over...so far I can see earlier this morning this was a lot of crackin going on! I am expanding my search, but it doesn't look as if it was really local to Rainier...but near by. Same with Helens....I am thinking its coming from the seismic zone, I will report back on that.

Meanwhile, Hood just had a little quake.

Edit to add: Maybe I should start by answering your question?? DUH!!! I agree that there was a quake at about 11:03 UTC. Not big, but large enough to be recorded, certainly. You can actually see it best HERE and you can see it was three vs. one.



Okay.....so lets take a trip.


[NOTE: the below links will only work for awhile, after that you have to go HERE and enter the listed stations]

First, lets look right ON helens: (this is at 1215 pm PST time)
SEP
Nothing too exciting. You can see some small quakes and background noise.

Next, let's look to the NW, in the Mount Saint Helens Seismic Zone. The location of the recent (on-going?) swarm:
TDL
Wow. Now that's impressive. Several quakes and a whole bunch of somethin

Now we cruise on down to just SE of Helens. This is the same area I was pointing out not too long ago:
CDF

Hmmmm....what the heck is all THAT? Looks like many, many small little micro quakes. Ice quakes? I dunno.


SO let's stroll over to Rainier now:

This is right on top of the mountain
STAR

You can see smaller localized quakes..but also some that show up well, but are not that local.

This is the N side of Rainier:
RCS
Again, a couple of local ones and a WHOLE bunch of small spikes. Ice quakes again?

So here we are a few miles to the north;
FMW
Now it looks like we found the source of the last notable quake. Since it is a few miles away, that is probably why it won't be listed as being at Rainier. Just a thought.



WAYYYYYY up north at Mt Shukson (close to Baker) we see this:
SHUK



So is it more than usuall? A bit...but they got a bunch of snow up there recently, so I don't know how much that has to do with it. We will probably see some quakes back-filled soon, as is often the case.

Good to know that others on here are watching it just as closely as me!!!

I might be in another country, but I fear for you guys over there. There is so much going on as with our friends in NZ. I find it all very fascinating but frightening at the same time. But you and I have 2 things in common - these threads and we both own a '96 Cherokee!
Back on topic, there seems to be more activity going on up your way since the St Helens recent swarm. I feel something is going on........

reply to post by zenius


You and I both. I started this thread almost exactly one year ago and have since made a few others all focusing on tectonics/volcanism and other wierd things geological. I even wrote a story about my experience with the Helens eruption because it was from this that has driven my interest and brought me to ATS.

I feel like all of these things are culminating to one event....perhaps I will eventually be able to connect all these dots adequately to author one main thread that ties them all in together. I am not quite there yet, but I guess that what I am getting at is that for years now it has seemed to be building and I think whatever 'it' is...is almost here.

Not doomin and gloomin...just how I feel.

Anyways, like I suspected they ARE back-filling the quakes now so you will see the list grow.

AND...it looks like the vampires are restless today


Magnitude 2.0 - duration magnitude (Md)
Time Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 9:07:08 AM (PST)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 17:07:08 (UTC)
Distance from

Forks

, WA - 12 km (7 miles) W (260 degrees)
Neah Bay, WA - 49 km (30 miles) S (173 degrees)
Taholah, WA - 68 km (42 miles) NNW (344 degrees)
Saanich, British Columbia, Canada - 105 km (65 miles) SW (234 degrees)

Coordinates 47 deg. 55.9 min. N (47.932N), 124 deg. 32.3 min. W (124.539W)
Depth 32.8 km (20.4 miles)
Location Quality Fair
Location Quality Parameters Nst= 17, Nph= 17, Dmin=2 km, Rmss=0.26 sec, Erho=0.8 km, Erzz=0 km, Gp=169.2 degrees
Event ID# uw03011707
Additional Information map
Topo map centered at earthquake (This link takes you offsite).

(emphasis mine)
LINK

reply to post by westcoast


Are you near Forks?
Who are the vampires?
RCM has the hiccups today. St H still grumbling away.
Has your dog been acting up still?

reply to post by zenius


LOL...no, I am not near Forks. It's the town that the story and movies for Twilight take place.

My dogs have been normal today, thankfully.

Lots of little quakes around the state today...but none whithin 50 miles of my house. (thats when my doggie starts to freak out)

So I'm going to post on this thread tonight about the latest deep tremors vs. my tremor thread, because I want to apply my reasoning to our region as a whole and I think most anyone who reads one probably follows the other too.


On 2/22 I posted this in response to JustMike on the earthquake prediction thread:

I have said numerous times I am always looking at the big picture. So first, the deep tremors.

Lately I have noticed a high cocentration of them in Northern California and now a small cluster at the South end of Vancouver Island...which I was expecting. You see, they suspect these tremors preculde a 'slip' event. If there is a large amount of them concentrated on just one point of the subduction zone for a period of time (they are normally spread out) then I would think it would cause a build-up of pressure at the other end. Just my thought process.

So what I have been seeing and trying to say, is that when I see this concentration, if it isn't 'anwered' by tremors at the other end, I would expect a quake. The longer the period the bigger the quake. Well, after I wrote that, there were a couple of more days of a few tremors in Vancouver a big cluster once more in Northern cali and then nothing for 5 straight days. Until today. What happened?

Magnitude 4.0
Date-Time Thursday, March 03, 2011 at 03:55:05 UTC
Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 07:55:05 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 50.417°N, 129.914°W
Depth 10 km (6.2 miles)
Region VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA REGION
Distances 180 km (112 miles) W of Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada
229 km (142 miles) SSW of Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada
337 km (209 miles) W of Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada
525 km (326 miles) WNW of VICTORIA, British Columbia, Canada

Location Uncertainty horizontal +/- 30.9 km (19.2 miles); depth +/- 0.5 km (0.3 miles)
Parameters NST= 58, Nph= 60, Dmin=508.7 km, Rmss=1.35 sec, Gp=169°,
M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=3
Source USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)


Event ID usb0001nlv


This quake is what I was expecting to see, and though a bit further North...I still suspect this has to do with the Extreme Northern edge of the subduction.

[ETA: I just found this map on USGS...shows the fault/subduction line. As I suspected it is right at the Northern end of both]




This also happened today:



SOURCE

I have never seen such a sharp line in the tremor activity. Is it defining the very edge of the subduction zone? Are we seeing a distinct line of tremors along this edge? Is this in answer to the quake at the other end?

I continue to hope this activity is holding off the unavoidable for awhile longer....but only time will tell.

I wouldn't be surprised to see more quakes up at the Northern end.

ETA: For those unfamiliar with what the deep tremors are, here is a great explanation:LINK

I noticed Baker has that wavy look on the previous seismo. We still have no answers on that, do we?
I see St H & Rainier are still grumbling. Feels like it's never going to end?

reply to post by westcoast

I'm assuming the "sharp line" you are referring to is the tremor line below Redding, Ca? I have always believed that that is where these slow tremors southern point is located. I'm adding a pic (hopefully) to show where the southern line of the Juan De Fuca/Explorer plate ends. Which is directly due west of these slow tremors, with your picture you can see the "plate depth" from the pnsn website. It's a crappy mspaint attempt using google earth for the image.


The red.. circle I guess is where the area of the plate's southern point is. If that plate is moving in a east north east direction, it would put the plate right in line under Redding, Ca where the sharp line you mentioned is.