The beginning of a New Glacier Forming in the Crater of Mount St. Helens.
Snow Accumulation in the Crater of Mount St. Helens.
Charles H. Anderson Jr and DR. Mark Vining

Dec. 15, 2000

INTRODUCTION

The association of the International Glaciospeleology Survey has studied the glaciokarstic phenomenon in many glaciers of the world, from Washington State, Canada, Alaska etc. A new forming glacier in the Crater of Mount St. Helens has obtained the most exciting results, on both the exploration and scientific research fronts.

On Mount St. Helens, we have had a unique opportunity to study the interaction of geothermal energy with the accumulation of alpine snowpack from its inception after a major eruption. We began investigative work in the crater in 1981 (Anderson and others,2000). Yearly surveys began in 1982 with mapping, description, and photography of cave passages, snow, firn, and ice. This investigation involved reconnaissance mapping and sampling from 1981 through 2000 by members of the International Glaciospeleological Survey (IGS) with the permission of the U.S. Forest Service and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.