Ahhh a small earthquake... might Redoubt burp again?

Alaska is known for it’s nice earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions.

We all know that Redoubt hasn’t gone down in magnitude as it is still at “orange”. But with this last earthquake right on the Denali Fault line, it makes me wonder if we are going to get the ash again?

Has anyone in Alaska, noticed that every time we have a small earthquake as of late, with Redoubt on the verge of burping, two or three days later, it does actually blow? Also the serendipitous way that as soon as we have one of these small earthquakes, the AVO downgrades the volcano to yellow.. and within a day, it blows?

Just an oddity I have noticed.

I am going to predict that Redoubt will burp in less then a week. If I am wrong.. so be it!

**BTW, I never felt this last one, guess I was lucky.**

Stepping back

Sometimes you have to take a step back and assess the damage before you can go forward.

Right now it is interesting. The Volcano is still bellowing, especially when the USGS downgrades it. It makes me smile that even with all the new gadgets that the USGS have, they can't figure out that this is probably one of the times that the Mt. Redoubt is just going to spew for a while.

Also, Ted Stevens is being told that he is a free man due to shoddy evidence. I have said on other political blogs that this would happen, yet no one believed me it seems. The courts have released other men whom have had more evidence stacked against them then Ted Stevens had. It was inevitable that it would happen. Yet the pundits were adamant that Stevens would be put in jail. Guess they should have listened to the Alaskan telling them it wouldn't happen.

With that, it seems that Governor Palin, the Republican Party of Alaska, the Libertarian who ran against Stevens and Begich in the 2008 election and quite a few democrats who voted for Begich want a Special Election. Reason being would be extreme National Media bias. What a concept huh! Who would have thought that one up or guessed that might be the motive. Begich has said he won't step down, but there is a petition to get Begich to either step down or there will be a special election to take care of him altogether. The People of Alaska are not happy with him, and it isn't a mistake that they wish Begich out specially after voting for the Stimulus Package that Alaskans don't want. Other then the Dept of Transportation projects to create new jobs and to build new roads, the only thing Alaskans want is the education part of the Stimulus package, which won't create new jobs. Personally I don't want it. All it will do is hurt the People of Alaska more now with items and forums that will go on the way side after the money runs out as there will be no new teachers hired. But since Begich voted on this pork-o-roma bill that is nothing but a National drain on everything considered American, why would people still want him in there. 60 Days later and he has screwed himself without any one's help.

Interesting perspective on how things are going on up here. But what can you do with lies, deception and deceit? Build on it and move on from it? No, you have to break it away and start anew. Alaska is going to be in the Media spot light again.... and unfortunately sooner then later.

** Pic of Musk Ox in Reserve near Portage area **

Volcano's, fact of life.

Living here in South Central, you get use to the weird natural events of mother nature. Small flooding in areas aren't uncommon. Snow Storms to us are what you call blizzards in the lower 49. Avalanches are normal. Earthquakes are pretty common as Alaska has the most in the world. But Volcano's are kind of a special breed of natural occurance.

A few days ago, Mt. Redoubt blew and has kept blowing. Quite a few people were taken back (these are the newbies moved up here from outta State) by what they thought would be the end of the world. Others, like myself, just shrugged our shoulders and kept moving as this is just life in Alaska. Mt. Redoubt isn't usually a ash type volcano, and doesn't usually stay active for long.

Now the newbies of Alaska were worried about many items. Would my power shut off, would my well stop working (many have water wells) or my septic, would I be able to eat, what do I do if it is on my house/vehicle/sled(snowmachine)/etc, what if my animal eats the snow? What do you say to these people?

In times like this you just sit back and watch the happenings. Ash is harmful but isn't the end of the world. You wash your vehicle and do NOT use the windshield wipers until you do wash it. If you have ash on your house, you wait for spring 9as there is still a bunch of snow on the ground) and water down your roof. If you animals eat the snow, make sure to have plenty of fresh water for them... as ash is abrasive. And if you want to be sure they are okay, you give them some bread so the ash won't hurt their stomach or intestines. Everyone should have some water somewhere in their house or apartment for emergancyies as well as batteries for flashlights or candles. Also, new airfilters for the vehicles you own is always a good thing. The one thing I would worry about in the winter for something like this would be that your waterlines freeze. Then you might have a problem.

As for the Volcanos http://www.avo.alaska.edu/ has some great information if you are wondering. But all in all, just another day in Alaska.