Individual Event Report
| Event #4 - Summary, and parameter estimates with source IDs |
| Volcanic Activity Known only from Plummer's article in the Tacoma Ledger - February 28, 1893. He says: "Mount St. Helens is an active volcano, and was in a state of eruption in the year 1831. With the exception of a slight red, lurid appearance the day was dark and so completely was the light of the sun shut out by the smoke and falling ashes that candles were necessary. The weather was perfectly calm and without wind, and during several days after the eruption the fires out of doors burned with a bluish flame as though the atmosphere was filled with sulphur. Credible persons in Oregon have informed me that they have on several occasions since seen the fire and smoke of this volcano." |
| TIME |
LOCATION |
MAGNITUDE |
MAX. INTENSITY |
FELT AREA |
| YR |
MO |
DAY |
HR |
MIN |
AM/PM |
Time
Type |
LAT(N) |
LON(W) |
DEP
(km) |
MAG |
Mag
Type |
Felt
Plc. |
Felt
St. |
Inten-
sity |
Int.
Type |
Felt
Area |
Felt
Area
Int. |
Felt
Area
Units |
| 1831 |
8 |
|
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|
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Mount St. Helens |
WA |
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| N-WPP - 2463 |
- |
- |
- |
N-WPP - 2463 |
- |
Underlying Source Material
| Source ID |
Publication |
Pub Date |
Pub Details |
| 2463 |
Coombs, H.A., W.G. Milne, O.W. Nuttli, and D.B. Slemmons, "Report of the Review Panel on the December 14, 1872 earthquake", |
1976 |
Appendix D: Selected Supporting Information -- Professor Plummer's Paper on "Recent Volcanic Activity" Read before the Academy of Science - Tacoma Ledger - February 28, 1893 |
Transcription: (This is part of an 8 page article - see the WPPSS table for entire text RSL 7/1995)
The earliest reliable records of eruptions related to Mounts Hood and St. Helens, both of which were visible from the early settlements on the Columbia river. An old historian, Rev. Samuel Parker, tells that "the Indians say that they have often seen fires in the chasms of Mount Hood. Tilki, the first chief of the La Dalles Indians, who is a man of more than ordinary talents, said that he had often seen fires in the fissures of the rocks in the mountains." A few years ago Captain Symonds, in his report on the Columbia river, notes that "persons who have visited Mount Hood say that near its summit there are places where hot sulphurous gases still escape, and there are many who claim to have seen smoke in large quantities issuing from the mountain.
In the story of his explorations Mr. Parker relates that "there was in
August, 1831, an uncommonly dark day, which was thought to have been caused
by an eruption of a volcano. The whole day was nearly as dark as night,
except a slight red, lurid appearance, which was perceptible until near
night. Lighted candles were necessary during the day. The atmosphere was
filled with ashes, which were very light, like the white ashes of wood, all
having the appearance of being produced by great fires, and yet none were
known to have been in that whole region around. The day was perfectly calm,
without any wind. For a few days after the fires out of doors were noticed
to burn with a bluish flame as though mixed with sulphur. There were no
earthquakes. By observations which were made after the atmosphere became
clear, it was thought the pure, white, perpetual snow upon Mount St. Helens
was discolored, presenting a brown appearance, and therefore it was concluded
that there had been upon it a slight eruption."
In a foot-note this author says: "I have been creditably informed that
lava was ejected at that time from Ilount St, Helens." The Klickitat name of
Mount St. Helens is Tak-one-lat-clah, and means "fire mountain."
The historian, Thornton, in his "Oregon and California" writing of
Mount Hood says: "The Indians affirm they have often seen fires in the
chasms of this mountain. Independent of this, there are many facts that
leave no doubt that this is a volcano. Mount St. Helens is an active
volcano, and was in a state of eruption in the year 1831. With the exception
of a slight red, lurid appearance the day was dark and so completely was
the light of the sun shut out by the smoke and falling ashes that candles
were necessary. The weather was perfectly calm and without wind, and during
several days after the eruption the fires out of doors burned with a bluish
flame as though the atmosphere was filled with sulphur. Credible persons in
Oregon have informed me that they have on several occasions since seen the
fire and smoke of this volcano. The Rev. Josiah L. Parrish, who is connected
with a Methodist mission in Oregon, informed me that on one occasion he wit-
nessed one of the most remarkable eruptions of this mountain. I regret, however,
not having noted his relation in my journal. The date of the eruption and the
facts connected with it have been obliterated from my memory. I only remember
that the earthquake was felt, no noise was heard and that he saw vast columns i-
of lurid smoke and fire shoot up, which, after attaining a certain elevation, -
spread out in a parallel to the plain of the horizon and presented the appearance
of a vast table supported by immense pillars of convolving flame and smoke." |
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