Redoubt Boom...! Maybe?

(PHOTO ABOVE BY R. CLUCAS April 21, 1990)
The past week has been full of local news reports about the possibility of an upcoming eruption of the Redoubt Volcano about 100 miles west of Anchorage. This post is for my friends and family outside Alaska wondering what's going on and what could happen. (I'd like to issue a disclaimer that Alaskans are free to make fun of me for my preparedness if you feel that I am over-reacting, but, if things get complicated and my typical over-planning pays off, I get to make fun of you.). Ok, so the sum of the situation is that there is this volcano, it's big, and it may erupt and cause some ash-fall on Anchorage. This can be bad for cars and other machinery, and may lead to a temporary loss of electrical power and or telephone communication. Brook and I are totally prepared with enough food and water for a few weeks, about 35 gallons (not all shown in pic) of fuel for our generator that will power the house intermittently for a couple weeks, and plenty of dust masks, goggles, and air filters (for the cars). So seriously, no one worry about us, even if you can't get a hold of us for awhile. If it does erupt the most this will be is an inconvenience and an excuse for everyone to stay home and not go to work. The eye candy is as follows... the sweet eruption pic at top is from the last big eruption in 1989-1990 (Photo by R. Clucas). The next shot is through my little spotting telescope the day after the increased activity began this week. The next is a sunset shot from this past summer, followed by another sunset shot from a few years ago in the winter. Next up is the filters masks and washer fluid shot, then our gas cans (because you didn't know what gas cans look like) our food supply (note the 6 cases of cheerios. essential!) some recent activity of the volcano (it was very active just awhile ago!!), and finally an estimate of ashfall trajectories. Keep an eye on the Anchorage Daily News (For fear-mongering and drama) or the Alaska Volcano Observatory for updates!