On 30th Anniversary of Mount St. Helens, Smithsonian Geologist Puts Icelandic Volcano into Perspective

The ongoing eruption at Eyjafjallajökull, the notable Icelandic volcano, has been a persistent problem for transatlantic and European flight. For scientists, however, volcanic eruptions are quite useful, as they are the only way to obtain samples from deep within the Earth. Such eruptions help us learn more about our planet, its formation and ongoing evolution.

Many questions about this volcano include: "How long will this eruption last?" and "How does it compare to other volcanoes around the world and throughout history?" Today, on this 30th anniversary of the devastating Mount St. Helens eruption, Smithsonian Geologist Liz Cottrell helps put the recent Eyjafjallajökull eruption into perspective.

More information available at http://volcano.si.edu