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 broadly northward to eastward early and then chiefly eastward as the day progresses.

Recent observations: Clear weather at the volcano this morning reveals a crater veiled in diffuse ash. The slight elevation in the level of seismicity that began a week or so ago continues, though recent plots of energy level suggest that it may be starting to drop. Such waxing and waning of low-level seismicity is par for the course in this eruption and does not indicate any significant change in the character of activity. Today, field crews will conduct surveys of stream channels, install a new debris-flow detection monitor along the South Fork Toutle River channel, and if conditions are suitable measure levels of gas emissions.