In Search Of... Season 5, # 7 DANGEROUS VOLCANOES

Which of the rumbling giants might awaken next? In 1980 the mount of St. Helena began to heat from within. Then, on May,18^th, one of the most powerful volcanic blasts ever recorded took place with over 200 square miles destroyed. 500.00 fish died from suffocation and heat.

The different types of volcanoes are closely linked. Shield volcanoes are built up from very fluid magma which escapes from a tubular vent in all directions. Strudel volcanoes include all volcanic cones formed by alternating lava flows and accumulations of fragmentary material, such as Black Beaut in Northern California.

In 1883 Indonesia’s Cracatoa erupted: it was heard nearly 3,000 miles away. It claimed the lives of more than 96,000 people.

In 1966 Mount Etna took the lives of 20,000 people. The eruption of Mt. Pele killed 30.000 people. Pompeii was destroyed by lava.

Hawaii is the top of the greatest volcanic mountain ranges in the world. Tourists come to these islands to peer into the very heart of the volcano. The people of these islands have learned to co-exist with volcanic activity.

Various Volcanoes in the US are mentioned which might erupt again. Mt. Chester is one of them. Emergency plans are worked out. Even for campers and hikers emergency plans are worked out to find them in case of a sudden eruption.

Seismographs are used, but also people like Sharol King who have the gift of recognizing early symptoms of an eruption by their body functions are helpful.

Besides scientific term the American Natives' understanding of the ways of nature may proof more accurate. Indian tribal chairman Roy Wilson: We, as we hear the rumbling of Mt. St. Helen, we hear the spirit of the mountain speaking to us of mother earth's concern for the life that she sustains... that unless we change our ways, there will be greater destruction.