Mt. Fitzherbert

Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise high above the crater rim today would drift southward early in the day and eastward later.

Recent observations: Three earthquakes between magnitude 2.6 and 2.8 occurred last evening and early this morning amidst the ongoing sequence of smaller (mostly less than M1.5) earthquakes. Along with Saturday's M3.1 event and similar-sized earthquakes that occurred in mid-November, they represent nothing unusual in the expected sequence of events accompanying lava-dome growth. A full slate of field work is underway today. Hopefully the approaching rain and snow will hold back until tonight. Winds are calm and there is very little steaming, so conditions are ideal for various types of activities. Thermal- imaging and gas-sensing measurements, visual and photographic observations, collection of ash samples from the volcano's outer flanks, and repairs to communications systems are all planned.