Wow, tensions are sure high on this subject. Some people believe they are plumes, others think not.

Why not put all the facts together and stop fighting over who is correct.

Fact #1: There is concrete proof the pacific plate is moving.

Fact #2: This movement was bound to affect california and the west coast of the Americas.

Fact #3: There has been concern by "researchers and others" that the Long Valley caldera has been becoming more active.

Question #1: if there was military excersizes going on in the area of the alleged plumes, why doesn't the military show up to the party? Why doesn't the USGS contact the military to get the concrete proof that is needed rather than putting out a wishy washy press release.

Question #2: What is the potential of volcanic activity in the areas of the alleged plumes?

Let's start here:

[link to www.nationalatlas.gov]

This map shows there is a volcano called Coso which is considered a potentially active volcano:

[link to www.nationalatlas.gov]

How come I have never heard of this before I researched this?

The Coso volcanic field is also well known as a geothermal area. Fumaroles are present along faults bounding the rhyolite-capped horst and locally within the rhyolite field. A multi-disciplinary program of geothermal assessment carried out in the 1970s defined a potential resource of 650 megawatts electric with a nominal life span of 30 years. Judged by the youthfulness of the rhyolite lavas and by a zone of low seismic velocity crust roughly beneath the rhyolite, a magma body may be the source of thermal energy for the geothermal system. Commercial development beginning in the 1980's resulted in the startup of a geothermal steam-driven 3-MW electric power plant in 1987 ...

and also:

The west side of Coso volcanic field is crossed by Highway 395 at the village of Little Lake, approximately 34 kilometers north of Inyokern, California.

I believe this area is one of the sites on Dutchsinse's alleged plumes.

I am not saying yay or nay. I am saying there is not enough evidence to support either theory. Until something concrete happens no one will know for sure. Someone needs to go out to these sites (preferably with the proper protection) and test the air for levels of methane and whatever other toxins a volcanic plume of steam or whatever would produce. Is there anyone out there that can tell us if steam plumes that cannot be seen by the naked eye beyond a doubt will show up on radar.

So for you naysayers, can you agree that the areas in question are potentially an area in which one might see increased seizmic and volcanic changes? Can you agree that there are some GLPers that live in that area have reported rumblings etc. and have been concerned for some time?

And for the volcanic plume believers, can you admit that this area is riddled with US government military installations and be more open to the fact that this could POSSIBLY be military related and finding the truth for once and for all?

We are better than this GLPers, what's the deal? We should work together rather than against one another.