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U.S. Volcanoes and Current Activity Alerts

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Emergency managers and scientists exercise response plans to prepare for crises.

Our mission is to enhance public safety and minimize social and economic disruption from volcanic events. One way we reach this goal is to work with other federal and local government agencies to develop and exercise emergency response plans. These plans define the responsibilities and coordinated actions of various government agencies in dealing with a volcanic event. From time to time, representatives from coordinating organizations get together to test how we will respond to a specific volcanic scenario. This tests our response capabilities and allows agency partners to work together in a crisis-like environment.

In February, the Cascades Volcano Observatory scientists will join federal, state, and local partners in a full-day table top exercise of the Mount St. Helens Spirit Lake Response Plan, to be held at the Cowlitz County Convention Center in Longview, WA. The objective of this exercise is to test federal response protocols at Spirit Lake during ramp-up and failure of the natural blockage that contains Spirit Lake, adjacent to Mount St. Helens. Washington Emergency Management Division, Cowlitz County, and local response agencies will test activation of their Emergency Response Plans and evacuation protocols.

More information about:
Preparing for volcanic events
Regional preparedness resources
Interagency coordination plans

  • Emergency response planning exercise for a volcanic event with Washington State and local government officials.
    Emergency response planning exercise for a volcanic event with Washington State and local government officials.
    Emergency response planning exercise for a volcanic event with Washington State and local government officials.
  • View of the Spirit Lake outlet tunnel, built in 1985, that allows water to drain out of Spirit Lake safely and maintain the lake's water level 100 ft (30 m) below the estimated overtopping level.
    View of the Spirit Lake outlet tunnel, built in 1985, that allows water to drain out of Spirit Lake safely and maintain the lake's water level 100 ft (30 m) below the estimated overtopping level.
    View of the Spirit Lake outlet tunnel, built in 1985, that allows water to drain out of Spirit Lake safely and maintain the lake's water level 100 ft (30 m) below the estimated overtopping level.
  • Meeting between California Emergency Management Agency, CalVO, and the California Geological Survey to discuss volcano hazard preparation for state emergency plan.
    Meeting between California Emergency Management Agency, CalVO, and the California Geological Survey to discuss volcano hazard preparation for state emergency plan.
    Meeting between California Emergency Management Agency, CalVO, and the California Geological Survey to discuss volcano hazard preparation for state emergency plan.
  • Lake elevation monitoring gage on Spirit Lake, Mount St. Helens. Downed trees within lake are from the May 18, 1980 eruption.
    Lake elevation monitoring gage on Spirit Lake, Mount St. Helens. Downed trees within lake are from the May 18, 1980 eruption.
    Lake elevation monitoring gage on Spirit Lake, Mount St. Helens. Downed trees within lake are from the May 18, 1980 eruption.