You're welcome! And thank you, bearwife. That's very kind of you. :) posted by zarq at 5:30 PM on April 20, 2010
Great post. Nature is awesome, as usual. posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:32 PM on April 20, 2010
I think Nature enjoys reminding us that our "Save the Earth" sentiments could easily be "Save (Us from) the Earth." Just in case we figure we are hot stuff or something. "Nuclear Weapons and iPhones?" hahaha! I will see you magma! The internet? I will see you earthquakes! Go on! I can keep this up all century! Hahahaha!"
Yes, nature is a bit of a jerk. But, hey, she has her reasons. posted by GenjiandProust at 5:58 PM on April 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nature includes the planet Venus. But just try living there. posted by mek at 6:00 PM on April 20, 2010
So... recent scientific* data suggests that banking crises can cause volcano activity. Need I remind you of WaMu?
* for very small values of "scientific" posted by qvantamon at 6:17 PM on April 20, 2010
Life finds a way. posted by bwg at 6:19 PM on April 20, 2010
Nature isn't so much a jerk as completely indifferent to us puny humans. posted by plastic_animals at 6:20 PM on April 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I wish those of power, greed, politics, and negative influence could stop, see, and realize the possibilities if they would just leave nature damn well alone.
God that was beautiful. I've never been to any state that has such wildlife and scenery. I must go one day. posted by stormpooper at 6:37 PM on April 20, 2010
Pretty foxglove blooms up thataway. posted by darkstar at 6:45 PM on April 20, 2010
Not from the area or knowing much about St. Helens, I was cruising the Wikipedia page earlier (as probably a lot of other people are doing lately) and came across Harry R. Truman: "If the mountain goes, I'm going with it." And he did. posted by starman at 7:12 PM on April 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Nature isn't so much a jerk as completely indifferent to us puny humans.
Geology is remarkably devoid of motivation and intent..... except it really, really hates being personified. posted by Malor at 7:21 PM on April 20, 2010 [3 favorites]
Great post.
Also see National Geographic's feature article from 1981, chronicling that year's eruption.
Actually wasn't it May, 1980? Anyway... posted by circular at 8:42 PM on April 20, 2010
I heard Mt St Helens blow up.
From British Columbia. posted by Rumple at 11:49 PM on April 20, 2010
This is great; thanks for finding all these wonderful links.
My grandmother had a salt and pepper shaker set modeled on Mt. St. Helens. The top had the pepper and the bottom held the salt - when you took off the pepper shaker it looked like the post-eruption mountain.
I was fascinated by it as a child, but I feel strange looking back on it and knowing that over 50 people died in the eruption.
Of course, my grandma is dead too, just from being old. So I guess I don't know what I'm saying here except that I miss my grandma and this makes me think of her. posted by jeoc at 3:40 PM on April 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
What was the name of the old man in the cabin who refused to move? Harvey something? posted by mono blanco at 11:17 PM on April 21, 2010
Cool! We were there three years ago on our "volcano tour" vacation. Mt. St. Helen's was our final stop. I was almost disappointed that the destruction wasn't more obvious! Everything looked green and there were lots of trees everywhere.
Testament to the work of the US Forest Service, who planted what - six million trees in two years? posted by sneebler at 6:35 AM on April 22, 2010
« Older Yesterday (April 15), Representatives Doyle (D-PA)... | The new focus on the Liberal D... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by bearwife at 5:13 PM on April 20, 2010