Mt. Fitzherbert
USGS Update 2005-Feb-10 09:10
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 west-northwestward, but at progressively higher altitudes they would drift slightly northward then mostly eastward. As the afternoon progresses, clouds at low altitude would drift mostly northward, but at progressively higher altitudes they would drift slightly northwestward to mostly southeastward.
Recent observations: We are taking advantage of good weather today to continue maintenance and repairs on instrumentation and communication stations. In addition, crews are exchanging a spyder (with GPS and seismic sensors) on the uplifted welt area immediately north of the emerging lava dome and attempting to collect some of the older spyder units that are no longer functioning.