Washington State University Libraries, Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Pullman, WA 99164-5610 USA
(509) 335-6691
http://www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/masc/
mascref@wsu.edu
Cage
669
Sorem, Ronald K.
Ronald K. Sorem Mt.
St. Helens Projects Papers
1980-1990
2 containers.
1.5 linear feet of shelf space.
Collection contains research studies,
publications, and texts of public presentations of the effects of volcanic ash
from the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens.
Collection materials are in
English
Ronald Keith Sorem was born in 1924. He received his B.A. in Geology
in 1946 and his M.S. in 1948 from the University of Minnesota. In 1952 he began
working for the U.S. Geological Service as a geologist and finished his Ph.D.
in Wisconsin in 1958. He was hired in 1959 by Washington State University in
the Geology Department and in 1980 became the Division of Sciences half-time
Associate Dean. Sorem taught graduate courses in Ore Microscopy and X-ray
analysis in addition to his own research, which focused primarily on the study
of the mineralogy of marine manganese nodules. However after the May 18, 1980
eruption of Mt. St. Helens, Sorem became a regional "ash specialist."
Interested in scientific and medical information about the ash, the WSU Council
of Deans requested on May 20, 1980 the formation of the WSU Volcanic Ash Study
Committee, on which Sorem served as the panel geologist. The conclusions
reached by this committee were presented in an hour-long local public
television program aired on May 23.
Sorem proposed a continuation of this committee for a more systematic
study of volcanic ash. The committee created was named BASHCOM-WSU (Bustad Ash
Study and Health Committee, Washington State University). Soon after studies
began, a controversy arose over varying laboratory calculations of the level of
crystalline silica, which if inhaled frequently could cause the respiratory
disease, silicosis, existent in the Mt. St. Helens ash. Sorem and Washington
State University became well-known in the scientific community for their
"free-silica" stance on the issue, claiming very minimal and unharmful levels
of silica in the ash, which directly challenged the much higher silica findings
by the NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). This
dispute was presented in Analytic Chemistry in September and October 1980 and
again in March 1986 in the American Journal of Public Health, following an
attempt to solve the scientific discrepancies. Sorem was one of the leading
spokespersons and researchers on the silica issue and also published his own
conclusions on the physical structure of the Mt St. Helens ash, known as ash
clusters, as well as the effects on the Pullman, WA area. He presented this
information to several conferences held at WSU, the Committee Technical
Conference in Nov. 1980 sponsored by FEMA and NSF in Washington D.C., and to
the International Geological Congress in Paris. In 1982 his article "Volcanic
Ash Cluster: Tephra Rafts and Scavengers" was published in the Journal of
Volcanology and Geothermal Research.
The files of Ronald K. Sorem are arranged according to their original
order when received by Washington State University. Generally, there are eight
distinguishable sequences of papers: Ash-Minerals, Ash Clusters, May 1990
Review of 1980 Ashfall in Pullman Area, 1986 American Journal of Public Health
(AJPH) Dollberg Publication, Ash Information, CASSIDY Aftermath Conference, Ash
Effects and files relating to the effects of Mt. St. Helens on the Pullman, WA
area.
This collection is open for research use.
[Item Description]. Cage
669, Ronald K. Sorem Mt.
St. Helens Projects Papers . Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries, Pullman, WA.
The papers of Ronald K. Sorem were given to Washington State
University Library by Mr. Sorem in 1994, accession #MS94-42.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or
places should search the catalog using these headings.
Sorem, Ronald Keith, 1924- --Archives
Dollberg, Donald D., 1944-
Washington State University--Faculty --
Archives
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
Saint Helens, Mount (Wash.)--Eruption, 1980 --
Environmental aspects--Archives
Volcanoes --
Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Saint Helens, Mount --
Archives
Volcanic ash,
tuff, etc.--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Pullman --
Archives
Volcanic hazard
analysis--Washington (State)--Saint Helens, Mount--Research --
Archives
Andosols --
Washington (State)--Saint Helens, Mount--Research--Archives
Silicosis --
Research--Washington (State)--Archives
Science
Environmental Conditions
Washington (State)
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in
the collection.
1 / 1
Ash Minerals, Center for Disease
Control Publication,
Occupational Exposure to Crystalline
Silica
1 / 2
Lions Talk [Notes and information
used for a speech given to the Coeur d'Alene Lions Club, titled
Northwest Volcanic Activity- Past, Present and
Future.]
Feb. 16,
1981
1 / 3
Ash Clusters, Scanning Electron
Microscopy Photos (Spokane Samples)
May 1980
1 / 4
Clusters, Journal of Volcanology,
Ash Manuscript, Figures, Prints and Negatives
1 / 5
Ash Clusters, Journal of
Volcanology, Ash Manuscript Revised
1 / 6
Ash-Minerals, Related
Correspondence [Letter calls the attention of the science community to newly
found ash analysis.], Letter from 6-9-1980.
June 9,
1980
1 / 7
Ash - Large Ash Samples Donated.
Note from 5/17/1982.
May 17,
1982.
1 / 8
Ash - Clippings,
1981-
1 / 9
Symposium, Cheney [Includes notes,
brochures, articles, address lists, and the article
After Mount St. Helens: Seven Gray Days in May, by
Don Dillman.]
1981
1 / 10
Ash Work Comments - Glenn Terrell,
Post [letter]
May 18, 1980
1 / 11
Eruption, Science [Article titled
Mount St. Helens: An Unpredictable Foe],
June 27,
1980
1 / 12
Health Reports, Jack Conway
[Memorandum from Conway, and article by the Dept. of Health Services.],
June 24,
1980
1 / 13
Ash-Minerals, Ash Comments
[Memorandum and newspaper articles]
1 / 14
Ash-Minerals, Ash Work Comments -
Leo Bustad, Post [letter and newspaper articles]
18 May
1980
1 / 15
Ash-Minerals, Miscellaneous News
Clips, Post
18 May
1980
1 / 16
Ash-Minerals, Ash
Reports
1980
1 / 17
Ash-Minerals, Division of Geology
Ash Map, Report of Investigation #24 (Moen and McLucas)
1 / 18
Ash-Minerals, Analytical Chemistry.
Entire publication from Sept. 1980.
Sept.
1980
1 / 19
Ash-Minerals, Ash Conference
[Title:
Some Geological Aspect of the Ash Fallout in Pullman and
Vicinity by R.K. Sorem], Abstract
July 8,
1980
1 / 20
Ash-Minerals, Ash Reprints (of
others) [Offprint from Science titled,
Composition of the Mount St. Helens Ashfall in the
Moscow-Pullman Area on 18 May 1980 by P.R. Hooper et al. 5 Sept.
1980. Also copied article from Science
20 Feb.
1981.
1 / 21
Ash-Minerals, Analytical Chemistry
[Copy of article entitled
Scientists Still Split over Silica in Ash.]
October
1980
1 / 22
Ash-Minerals, Analytical Chemistry
[Copy of article entitled
Controversy Erupts over Mt. St. Helens Ash.]
Sept. 1980
1 / 23
Ash-Minerals, Geballe & Other
Letters, etc.
1 / 24
Ash Minerals, Ash Clusters [B/W
magnified photos]
1 / 25
Ash Minerals, Benson, Williams
(National Academy of Sciences) correspondence
1980
1 / 26
St. Helens Information for
Taxpayers
1 / 27
Ash Clusters, Daily News 1990 Mt.
St. Helens Issue Contribution from Ronald K. Sorem,
May 14,
1990.
1 / 28
Ash Clusters, Ash Samples to Others
[correspondence and notes]
1990
1 / 29
Ash Clusters, Ash Cluster Reprint
sent on Request [Written requests]
1 / 30
Ash Clusters, Journal of
Volcanology Ash Manuscript, Correspondence and File Copy
1 / 31
Ash Clusters, Ash Cluster
Manuscript Reviews [Review by the editors of Science.]
1 / 32
Ash Clusters, Copy of Corrections
for
Volcanic Ash Clusters: Tephra Rafts and
Scavengers
1 / 33
Ash Clusters, International
Geological Congress-1980-Ronald K. Sorem Abstract (Ash) [International
Geological Congress, Paris abstract entitled "Distant Effects of Mount St.
Helens Volcanic Ash]
1 / 34
Review of 1980 Ashfall in Pullman
Area, General 1980 Eruption file, 1990 Section.
May 1990
1 / 35
Review of 1980 Ashfall in Pullman
Area, Review Notes for Ash Letter to Daily News, May 1990 [summaries, etc.].
May 1990
1 / 36
Review of 1980 Ashfall in Pullman
Area, Ash in Pullman Photos.
May 1990
1 / 37
Review of 1980 Ashfall in Pullman
Area, Ash in Pullman Xerox Photos and Tables, etc.
May 1990
1 / 38
WSU- 1986 Reaction to Ronald K.
Sorem on Dollberg et al. and Aftermath
1 / 39
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication and Aftermath, 1986 Dollberg Aftermath
[correspondence, notes, articles]
1 / 40
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication and Aftermath, Dollberg et al.[Xerox copies],
1986
1 / 41
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication and Aftermath, Stimson-WSU [Information and tips
sent to Bill Stimson in March of 1986 from R. Sorem regarding a news story to
be written about Mt.St.Helens Ash in Pullman].
March,
1986
1 / 42
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication and Aftermath, Yankauer, Merchant, Dollberg
Correspondence
1986
1 / 43
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Notes on Dollberg et al. Leading to letters of
3-31-1986.
March 31,
1986.
1 / 44
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Leo Bustad [correspondence and newspaper articles
on Bustad]
1 / 45
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Review of Ash Controversy
March
1986
1 / 46
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Biological Effects of Volcanic Ash Monograph -
American Journal of Public Health Miscellaneous Information
1 / 47
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Miscellaneous National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health Letters and Replies
1 / 48
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health Round Robin Letters and Replies
1 / 49
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, SiO2 Status Report
Aug. 27,
1980
1 / 50
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, Bustad Ash Study and Health Committee - Memo
Copies, etc.
1 / 51
1986 American Journal of Public
Health Dollberg Publication, C.J. Nyman - Volcanic Ash
1 / 52
Material Sent to Daily News,
Photos, Maps, etc.
5/30/90
1 / 53
Ash Info., Ash Letters, Spokesman
Review
1 / 54
Ash Info., Ash Analysis -
Minerological Problem
1 / 55
Ash Info., Ash TV Program
[Memorandum and program tentative outline.]
May 23,
1980
1 / 56
Ash Info.,
Fallout TV Program [Program tentative
outline.]
1 / 57
Ash Info., Chris Bogan
1 / 58
Ash Info., Lemont
Report
Dec.
1980
1 / 59
Ash Info., Battelle News
Items
1 / 60
Ash Info., Battelle Manuscript
[Title:
Mount St. Helens Ash Characterization May 18, 1980,
Eruption: Chemical, Physical, Mineralogical, and Biological
Properties.]
Aug.
1980
1 / 61
Ash Info., Ash Correspondence -
Miscellaneous
1 / 62
Ash Info., International Geological
Congress Abstract - Ash Talk
1980
1 / 63
Ash Info., American Society of
Plant Physiologists Ash Symposium -
Aug.
1980
1 / 64
Ash Info., American Society of
Plant Physiologists Meeting,
Aug. 6,
1980
1 / 65
Volcanic Ash Notes, Meetings,
Telephone Calls, etc. [Small binder of Sorem's notes as well as phone and
address lists of "ash contacts."]
1 / 66
Evergreen Interviews -
Sept. 8,
1980
1 / 67
Ash Display Material
1981
1 / 68
Ash TV Interview -
May 7,
1981
1 / 69
Ash Cluster, Manuscripts, Letters,
etc.
1 / 70
Early Notes on May 18, 1980 Ash
Fall
1 / 71
Pullman Ash Debate, X-ray and
Sample Data
1 / 72
Slides, X-Ray Films, Eruption
Aftermath -
May 18,
1980
1 / 73
Chronical of Higher Education Ash
Report -
June 2,
1980
1 / 74
Pullman Ash Data
1 / 75
Wayne Moen, Olympia [Transcript of
a telephone call made on May 28, 1980 regarding ash minerology.]
May 28,
1980
1 / 76
Ash Minerology "White Paper" -
June 16,
1980
1 / 77
Quinn and Folsom - Ash
Maps
1 / 78
CASSIDY Aftermath Conference, Ash
Aftermath Conference Proceedings, WSU,
July 8-9,
1980
1 / 79
CASSIDY Aftermath Conference, Final
Report - Geological Discussion Group
1 / 80
CASSIDY Aftermath Conference,
Conference Folder Contents
1 / 81
CASSIDY Aftermath Conference,
Ronald K. Sorem "Aftermath" Talk
1 / 82
1982 Cluster Project with Sigurdson
and Carey
2 / 1
Ash Effects, USGS Volcano
Reports
2 / 2
Ash Effects, Ray Wilcox Article
[Title
Some Effects of Recent Volcanic Ash Falls With Especial
Reference to Alaska.]
2 / 3
Ash Effects, Lovelace -
Eidson
2 / 4
Ash Effects, Silica Minerals,
Plagioclase, Ash Background Information
2 / 5
Ash Effects, U.W. Airborne Studies
- St. Helens [Title:
A Preliminary Report of Airborne Studies by the University
of Washington of the Effluents from the Mt. St. Helens Volcanic
Eruptions, June 12, 1980.]
2 / 6
Ash Effects, Fruchter et al. Report
[Title:
Mount St. Helens Ash Characterization May 18, 1980 Eruption:
Chemical, Physical, Mineralogical and Biological Properties.].
1980
2 / 7
Ash Effects, R. J. Cook et al.
Manuscript [From Science,
Impact on Agriculture of the Mount St. Helens
Eruption, Jan. 2, 1980.]
Jan. 2,
1980
2 / 8
Ash Effects, Silicates and Silica
Separation - Size Separation by Settling
2 / 9
Ash Effects, Silicon -
Geochemistry, Health [Article written by Howard C. Hopps et al. entitled
"Silicon" published in Vol. II of Geochemistry and the
Environment.]
2 / 10
Ash Effects, Facilities and Ash
Problems
2 / 11
Ash Effects, Steve Young -
Astroturf and Ash
2 / 12
Ash Effects, Ash and
Agriculture
Aug.
1980