Do you like volcanoes?
I mentioned earlier this year that I had started working with some kindergarten students. One of the things we have been doing recently is learning about opinions — what you like (or don’t) — and figuring out ways to discover other people’s opinions and accept those opinions without yucking on anyone else’s Yum.
As part of this learning process, students did an activity where they asked each other questions.
Most of the questions were along the lines of, Do you like cupcakes? or Do you like playing outside? (Yes and Yes were my answers when asked!)
One rather scientifically-minded young one, however, asked: Do you like volcanoes?
And y’know…
That’s a hard question! (I told him so, too.)
I decided that my answer – for the purposes of the opinion exercise – was YES.
“Volcanoes are dangerous,” I said when giving him my answer, “but they are very interesting. So I will say yes.”
Mt St Helens
For those of you who might be reading from outside the U.S. (or who are Gen Z’ers): Mt St Helens is a volcanic peak located between Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. It is an active volcano — part of the Ring of Fire — and it exploded on May 18, 1980.
My husband was in Seattle when it exploded. He watched it explode.
Me, I was just a kid at the time. I lived in a different state and saw news coverage of the explosion but didn’t really understand it fully until later.
Together, in 2007, we visited the Mt St Helens state park (now closed) on the final leg of a coastal exploration road trip, where we learned about how the ecosystem in the eruption-damaged area was (still) rebuilding itself and we saw with our own eyes that the volcanic cone was increasing.
We live far enough away from the volcano that we are unlikely to suffer damage (with the exception of ash blackening the sky) when it explodes again.
And yes, I said *when* — it’s not a matter of ‘if’. Though I will likely be dead and gone before it happens.
But the fact that I now live in a place that experienced a volcano…
It’s hard to say I ‘like’ the idea.
But…
Well, it’s definitely interesting.
.
What do you think about volcanoes?
Do you remember where you were when Mt St Helens erupted?
For the A-to-Z Challenge this year, I am asking readers get-to-know-you type questions. Today’s question is about volcanoes. I hope you will share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Our friends in Seattle sent us details of the 1980 explosion, including some ash sealed in a small plastic bag. My experience of a volcano was a visit to White Island in New Zealand in 2006. We had to wear protective clothing and masks in case of eruptions. The guide led us past steaming pools and showed us how one of the buildings was half covered in ash. In 2019 the volcano erupted with tour groups on the island and 22 people died. Many other had permanent injuries. It is now closed to tourists.
Linda Curry recently posted…uniVersity: Living in the ’70s
Oh wow! I’m so glad you were not injured on your tour.
I have to say I don’t have a specific memory of the Mt St Helens eruption, I didn’t see much tv or news reporting then because of working all the time. The main thing I remember is the story of the old man who refused to evacuate and whose house & body was swallowed whole by the lava. Gotta wonder what the man felt seeing that lava coming at him…yikes.
However, regarding volcanos, I remember as a kid being on vacation at Mt Lassen, in far north California, and seeing the sulphurous ‘Boiling Mud Pots,’ colorful and smelly- outer evidence of underground activity of the volcano of Mt Lassen
Oh yes, sulfur is stinky. 🙂
I sincerely hope that in the instance of the old man who refused to evacuate, death was instantaneous. It’s horrifying to think about.
I was curious and googled it, he refused to leave because he believed the specific danger to himself wasn’t real. They say he had to have succumbed very quickly from the heat alone – but damn ! Also his 16 kitties.
Upfgh. So sad.
I love the curiosity of kid who asked…do u like volcano?? 🙂 So scary to have actually experienced it. Am not sure if we hav any volcanoes in India..i need to check. More scary is the thought that it can erupt anytime again
Dropping by from a to z “The Pensive”
Wasn’t that a great question for him to think of? 🙂
A great and difficult question indeed. I’m not recalling any specific memories of the Mt. St. Helen eruption – but Hawaii’s Kilauea eruption is vividly impressed in my mind. With regard to Mt. St. Helen, my SIL’s wedding ring is made from Helenite, the man-made gemstone made from heating volcanic ash to melting temps. Being a potter and fused glass artist she felt it was perfect, and I have to say the green is very beautiful. But the predominant thought I have about volcanoes is a reminder of how fragile and temporary human life is, and we’re only guests on this planet and maybe we should actually remember that.
We *should* remember that!
St Helens ash jewelry is a popular tourist-y thing in WA and OR; the emerald green “stones” are quite vibrant.
Volcanoes are interesting, but so dangerous if you’re anywhere near it. We were in Japan when Mt. St. Helens erupted. Many months later we were flying home and passed over it, and it was still smoking. The pilot made an announcement to look out the plane’s window.
It’s my understanding that heat/vapor was evident for a long time afterward.
I remember hearing about it on the news and I believe my brother-in-law was there during or right after. Just viewing, nothing happened to him. I was in Mississippi and it was just a news item. I have never been around a volcano. They are interesting though. And bravo to the child who asked that very out of the ordinary question.
Yes — I was very proud of him!
Volcanoes are incredibly interesting, and the lava slowly streaming, however destructive, is fascinating!
~ Marie xox
I agree!
It is interesting to watch the eruption from a safe distance. Otherwise, interest is replaced by fear.
I agree. And knowing that the devastation is so terrible makes it horrific, no matter how awesome the sight.
Children’s brains don’t work,like that though. 🙂
So I’m not a child either. Alas.
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