Well, there are several scientists who should be breathing a sigh of relief right now. Why? Because I won’t be able to go and pester them incessantly with questions at the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House this Saturday. 

I’ll be out of town for the weekend. Otherwise I would SO be there. I want learn more about lahars, and fumeroles, and Jökulhlaups. (Yes, those are all real words.) I also want to ask them about how exactly the volcano warning system works, since the first step of how to be prepared for a volcanic eruption is to “learn more about your community warning systems and emergency plans.” Back in the Midwest we had city-wide tornado drills all the time. Everyone knew what a tornado siren sounded like. But is there such a thing as a volcano siren here? I’ve never heard one. (If you have the answer, please enlighten me in the comments.)