Scientists Used 23 Controlled Blasts to Map Magma System Under Mount St. Helens

In 2014, researchers conducted a major study using controlled explosions and seismic technology to map the underground magma systems of Mount St. Helens. The team deployed numerous instruments to monitor seismic waves traveling through the volcano. Their investigation revealed a magma reservoir situated between four and fifteen kilometers below the surface. The data collected provided critical insights into how magma moves within the volcano. These findings are expected to improve scientists' ability to forecast future volcanic eruptions.