Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift in variable directions with altitude and as the day progresses. Early in the day, ash clouds at low altitude would drift chiefly southwestward, but at progressively higher altitudes they would drift southeastward. As the afternoon progresses, clouds at low altitude would drift would drift westward, but at progressively higher altitudes they would drift slightly northwestward to mostly southeastward.

Recent observations: The volcano is clear this morning and emitting a moderate steam plume and an occasional small ash plume. Crews have headed to the field to sling a seismic and GPS instrument (spyder) onto the new lava dome, to conduct a gas-sensing flight, and to work on communications system maintenance.