Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Mount St Helens

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

MOUNT ST HELENS (M-4x(S16+R16)) 4C set Vancouver USA Dance Class Washington State Centennial

Strathspey
1- 4 All Ladies set, advance and retire (1 step each) while all Men advance and retire (1 step each) and set
5- 8 4s+3s dance ½ RH across, 4s+2s dance ½ LH across
9-12 4s+1s and 2s+3s dance RH across (once round)
13-16 4s+2s dance ½ LH across, 4s+3s dance ½ RH across. 1234

Reel
1- 8 All dance ½ RSh reel of 4 on sides; 4s+3s+2s dance ½ reel of 3 on sides (4s+3s pass RSh to start)
9-16 1s followed by 4s+3s+2s (who dance down sides to start) lead up and cast to 4th place. 2341

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


Dance Information

Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, within the Cascade Range. Approximately 96 miles south of Seattle and 53 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, it is a prominent feature in the Pacific Northwest. Mount St. Helens is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to tectonic activity.

The volcano gained worldwide attention for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980. This eruption was a VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) 5 event, featuring a lateral blast that devastated about 230 square miles to the north of the volcano. The eruption reduced the summit's height from 9,677 feet to 8,363 feet and created a massive crater. It resulted in 57 fatalities, extensive destruction of homes, bridges, railways, and highways, and an ash cloud that spread across 11 states.

Post-eruption, Mount St. Helens saw the formation of a new lava dome within its crater, which has continued to grow through minor eruptions and lava extrusions. The volcano's ongoing activity is closely monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and other scientific organizations, with the Johnston Ridge Observatory providing valuable data and educational opportunities.

Ecologically, the region around Mount St. Helens has been a significant site for studying natural recovery and ecological adaptation. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, established in 1982, preserves the impacted landscape and supports scientific research and recreation. The gradual recovery of flora and fauna in the blast zone offers critical insights into ecological resilience and succession.

Mount St. Helens is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors engage in hiking, climbing, and learning about the volcano's history and ongoing natural processes. The combination of its dramatic geological history, ecological recovery, and recreational opportunities makes Mount St. Helens a unique and significant natural site.


St Helens Plume From Harrys Ridge (5 Miles (8 Km) North Of The Mountain)


Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Mount St Helens article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Lyn Topinka, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

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