Parts of the famous Mount St Helens volcano in the US state of Washington have been closed amid fears that the mountain could once again erupt.
According to the local online news service, seattlepi.com, there has been a series of strong earthquakes in the region of the mountain, which erupted in 1980, killing 57 people.
Even if there is not a major eruption, there is still a fear that there could be landslides – and, therefore, many trails that lead up the mountain have been closed.
Cynthia Gardner, of the Cacscades Volcano Observatory, is quoted as saying: “The main concern is that this increase in activity, and the magnitude of the earthquakes we are seeing, we have not seen in a long time. It is a new chapter in the volcano’s behaviour, and that is why we are taking a careful look at it and closing off these areas.”
Scientists are reportedly due to place positioning equipment on the flanks of the mountain today, to establish whether there have been any significant movements or changes in Mount St Helens’ shape.
Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
