US state of Washington on volcano watch after earthquake
A series of earthquakes have rocked Mount St Helens in the US state of Washington, leaving residents as far away as Portland, Oregon, and Seattle fearing it might erupt.
The last time the earthquake erupted was in 1980 when it killed 57 people.
However, experts have reassured locals that the ongoing quakes are not believed to be connected to magma in the volcano and instead are ‘pretty normal’ shifting of the fault lines close to the mountain.
The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network said a magnitude 3.9 quake hit in the early hours of Wednesday.
It was followed minutes later by a smaller tremor and dozens of smaller aftershocks, but experts said that, despite a 3.9 quake being ‘somewhat unusual, small earthquakes happen almost continuously across the unseen faults throughout western Washington and Oregon.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive