Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift north-northeastward in the morning and northeastward in the evening.

Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Fair weather has returned to southwest Washington this morning, but clouds still fill the crater and prevent direct viewing of the lava dome. Although the overall level of seismicity is low, the eruption of lava on to the surface continues as evidenced by ongoing rockfall activity and continuous GPS measurements made on the growing lava lobe.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:59 | Permalink

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 northeastward, but owing to shifting winds by this afternoon, such ash clouds would drift predominantly northward.

Recent observations: Clouds limited visual observation of the volcano this morning. Field investigations scheduled for today were cancelled. This morning’s seismicity is quiet, with smaller earthquakes once every several minutes. One earthquake larger than magnitude 2 occurred last night at 11:29 pm PST. Periodic loss of seismic signals at some stations is probably the result of burial by snow.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 15:57 | Permalink

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 northward, but owing to shifting winds by this afternoon, such ash clouds would drift predominantly eastward.

Recent observations: Clouds obscured visual observation of the volcano this morning. This morning’s seismicity is quiet, with no earthquakes greater than magnitude 2 in the past 24 hours and smaller earthquakes once every several minutes. Intermittent seismic signals suggest small rock falls that typically occur near the actively growing part of the dome.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:59 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the north.

Recent observations: High clouds allowed observation of the volcano this morning. Steaming is apparent near the actively growing dome. During the last two days, intermittent small rock falls have occurred on the west part of the new dome. This morning’s seismicity is quiet, with no earthquakes above magnitude 2 in the past 24 hours and smaller earthquakes only once every several minutes.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:46 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the northeast.

Recent observations: Partially sunny weather has given us a glimpse of the volcano this morning. A small plume above the crater that was reported on some news programs yesterday did not coincide with any seismic activity and was most likely a small rockfall or snow avalanche. This morning’s seismicity is quiet, with no earthquakes above magnitude 2 in the past 24 hours and smaller earthquakes only once every several minutes.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:56 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the east.

Recent observations: Clouds are obscuring the mountain from view this morning, although glimpses of a snow-covered Pumice Plain can occasionally be seen in the USFS web camera at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Drumbeat earthquakes continue unabated at a rate of one every few minutes, punctuated by a larger (M > 2) earthquake yesterday evening at 1921 PST. The weather forecast holds little promise for fieldwork in the coming week.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:52 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the north-northeast, shifting to easterly later this afternoon.

Recent observations: Images from the USFS web camera at Johnston Ridge Observatory show a very scenic landscape this morning, featuring a very white volcano and crater save for a darker patch in the back of the crater corresponding to the locus of the actively extruding lava spine. A whispy white steam plume can be seen rising from this spine, one indicator that the eruption continues unabated. Other indicators include data from the GPS network, which show continued spine motion of ~1 meter per day, and seismicity levels, which remain unchanged over the last 24 hours and include one larger (M 2.7) earthquake this morning at 0742 PST (1542 UTC). Radio signals from several seismic stations are dropping out intermittently, presumably due to snow burial and/or ice accumulation on antennas. These dropouts can produce significant noise, noise that can easily be seen on the Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network’s online webicorders. With several more inches of snow forecast to fall at the volcano over the next two days, more such dropouts can be expected to occur.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:25 | Permalink

Aerial views taken on 2006-Mar-19

Recent observations: Cloudy weather this morning allows a misty glimpse into the crater on the Webcam. Seismic activity has been very quiet, with no located earthquakes larger than magnitude 1.3 occurring in the past 36 hours. Continuing clouds and rain will probably prevent field crews from making measurements in the crater for the rest of the week.

Update:

Added link and aerial image.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:30 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the northeast.

Recent observations: No significant changes in the level or type of activity at the mountain have been noted since yesterday’s update. Gray skies and precipitation are obscuring views of the mountain from the USFS web camera at the Johnston Ridge Observatory this morning, and weather forecasts hold little promise for fieldwork or views over the next week or more.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:22 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the east.

Recent observations: The rainy weather today has prevented field work or and visual observation of the volcano. Although there were three earthquakes larger than magnitude 2.0 in the past 48 hours, the normal background earthquakes continue every few minutes without significant change.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:35 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the west.

Recent observations: Partly sunny conditions are expected again today at the mountain allowing visual observations from the ground and air. Monitoring instruments show no significant change in patterns of earthquake activity or deformation. Seismicity continues as very small periodic earthquakes, recurring every few minutes, punctuated by occasional larger but still small events. The larger earthquakes are typically less than M3. The active dome is building with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day, consistent with the trend established over the last few weeks. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:08 | Permalink

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 predominantly to the south.

Recent observations: Partly sunny conditions are expected today at the mountain. It is presently clear and a small steam plume is rising from the active dome. Monitoring instruments show no significant change in patterns of earthquake activity or deformation. Seismicity continues as very small periodic earthquakes, recurring every few minutes, punctuated by occasional larger but still small events. The larger earthquakes are typically less than M3. The active dome is building with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day, consistent with the trend established over the last few weeks. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:19 | Permalink

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 to the southeast.

Recent observations: More clouds and precipitation are expected today at the mountain. Monitoring instruments show no significant change in patterns of earthquake activity or deformation. Seismicity continues as very small periodic earthquakes, recurring every few minutes, punctuated by occasional larger but still small events. The larger earthquakes are typically less than M3. The active dome continues to build with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:11 | Permalink

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 to the north-northeast in the morning. In the afternoon the trajectory would be predominantly due east.

Recent observations: Unsettled weather including possible electrical storms will make visual observation of the mountain difficult today. Seismic, hydrologic and geodetic instrument streams show no significant change in patterns of earthquake activity or strain. Seismicity continues as periodic small earthquakes, recurring every few minutes. There are occasional larger events, typically < M3, e.g., an event at 7:12 am PST this morning. The active dome continues to build with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:34 | Permalink

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 to the north-northeast.

Recent observations: Unsettled weather continues at the mountain today making visual observations difficult. Instruments show no significant change in patterns of seismicity or deformation. Seismicity continues as series of small earthquakes every few minutes. No earthquakes as large as M2 have been recorded in the last 24 hours. The active dome continues to build with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day, consistent with observations made over the past three weeks. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:41 | Permalink

• Mount St. Helens officials consider permitting climbs to crater rim 2006-Mar-15 from The Vancouver Columbian

  There aren't many places on Earth where it's possible to climb an erupting volcano and peer over the crater's edge.

  Soon, adventure-seekers may be able to do just that at Mount St. Helens. A year and a half after the volcano stirred to life in September of 2004, U.S. Forest Service officials are deciding whether to reopen the volcano to climbers.

• Mount St. Helens trail to the rim of the crater may reopen 2006-Mar-16 07:43 from The Seattle Times

  VANCOUVER, Wash. – A trail to the south rim of the crater of Mount St. Helens, closed since the start of a domebuilding eruption in late September 2004, may be reopened this year, officials say.

  No decision has been made, but National Forest Service officials began accepting conditional climbing reservations last month, Tom Mulder, manager of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, told The Columbian of Vancouver.

  "The public is interested," Mulder said. "It's a recreation niche, a learning opportunity, and we want to serve the public well."

  The climbing season traditionally begins on May 15, and the number of permits historically has been limited to 100 a day, half by reservation and half by a daily lottery.

  also in

  • The Seattle Post-Intellegencer
  • KING (ch.5) Seattle

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:04 | Permalink

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 to the northeast in the morning then shift to a more north-northeast trajectory in the afternoon.

Recent observations: Unsettled weather continues at the mountain today. Instruments show no significant change in patterns of seismicity or deformation. Seismicity continues as series of small earthquakes every two to three minutes, punctuated by an occasional larger earthquake, e.g., a > M2 event at 22:23 PST Tuesday night. The active dome continues to build with motion to the west at about 1 meter per day, on-trend with recent observations. Monitoring data are within the range of typical recent values

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:45 | Permalink

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 north-north-eastward in the morning then shift to a more eastward trajectory in the afternoon.

Recent observations: The mountain is obscured by clouds this morning, with unsettled weather today. Our instruments show no significant change in patterns of seismicity or deformation. Seismicity continues its ongoing procession of small earthquakes every several minutes, punctuated by the occasional larger earthquake, e.g., a larger event at 4:13PST on Monday. The active dome continues to extrude to the west, on-trend with recent motion. Monitoring data are within the range of their typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:26 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise up to 7 km above sea level would drift broadly north in the morning, changing to northeast by afternoon. Ash that rises up to 12 km elevation would trend southeast in the morning and northeast in the afternoon.

Recent observations: The mountain is clear this morning, with partly cloudy conditions expected the remainder of the day. Our instruments show no significant change in patterns of seismicity or deformation. The GPS receiver on the new dome continues to plow westward at about a meter per day, the same rate it has had since its installment on the 24th of February. There are no changes in vent conditions as indicated by tilt stations on the old dome both northeast and northwest of the vent area.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:02 | Permalink

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 south-southwestward in the morning then gradually shift to an east-southeastward trajectory in the afternoon.

Recent observations: Intermittent views of the crater under partly cloudy skies reveal the volcano emitting a steam plume from the actively growing lava dome. Overnight glow visible from the USFS VolcanoCam along with our instrumental records clearly show that lava continues to extrude and grow the dome. Seismicity continues its ongoing procession of tiny “drumbeat” earthquakes every several minutes, punctuated by the occasional larger earthquake. Overall, the rate of seismic energy release remains relatively low, and other monitoring data are within the range of their typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:23 | Permalink

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 northwestward in the morning and follow a more west-northwestward trajectory in the afternoon.

Recent observations: Clouds again obscure the volcano this morning. Nevertheless, lava continues to extrude and grow the dome. Seismicity continues its ongoing procession of tiny “drumbeat” earthquakes every several minutes. Overall, the rate of seismic energy release remains relatively low, and other monitoring data are within the range of their typical recent values.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:07 | Permalink

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 would drift east-northeastward in the morning and shift to a more northeastward trajectory by afternoon.

Recent observations: Intermittent views on the USFS VolcanoCam show that the mountain is blanketed in new snow. The procession of small earthquakes, punctuated occasionally by larger quakes that may be related to rockfall activity, continues. The GPS receiver on the new dome shows that new lava emerging from the vent is still plowing west-northwestward at about a meter per day. We may begin to get better views of the mountain over the next few days when the current winter storm starts moving farther east.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:29 | Permalink

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 would drift eastward.

Recent observations: The mountain is presently enveloped in a strong winter storm that is depositing significant amounts of snowfall. As a result, all views are obscured. Our instrumental signals indicate that the procession of small earthquakes continues, punctuated by occasional larger quakes that may be related to rockfall activity. The GPS receiver on the new dome shows that new lava emerging from the vent is still plowing west-northwestward at about a meter per day.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:20 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift southeast in the morning, changing to northeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: The mountain is within a major winter storm cell and is expected to receive between 1 and 2 feet of snow today. Our instrumental signals indicate no significant change in patterns of seismicity. The GPS receiver on the new dome continues to plow westward at about a meter per day, with little change in vent conditions as indicated by tilt stations on the old dome both northeast and northwest of the vent area.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:15 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift northeast in the morning, changing to southeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: With the onset of a winter storm the mountain is enveloped in clouds. Our instrumental signals indicate no significant change in patterns of seismicity. There have been some rockfalls, judging from the seismic traces. The GPS receiver on the new dome shows that new lava emerging from the vent is still plowing westward at about a meter per day as it piles up on the south and southwest portions of the crater floor.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:06 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift north-northeast in the morning, changing to northeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: The USFS webcam this morning shows only the base of a snowy mountain whose middle and upper slopes are cloaked in clouds. Our instrumental signals indicate no change in patterns of seismicity. Rockfalls persist, judging from the seismic traces. Some of these rockfalls have likely wafted ash up to crater-rim altitude, but visual observations are lacking, hampered by cloudy weather. The GPS receiver on the new dome has slowed its progress, but only incrementally. Lava is still plowing westward at about 0.9 m per day as it is extruded from the vent.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:23 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift broadly north to northwest in the morning, changing to north and northeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: Volcano-related risk was low in the past 24 hours. The lava dome extruded quietly in a pattern familiar by now, namely:

• small earthquakes (magnitude 0-1.5) once every 2-3 minutes;
• slow lava advance westward about 0.9 m per day away from the vent;
• and small rockfalls and resultant uprising small ash clouds from the dome’s northwest face, its most precipitous side.

For seismic aficionados who revel in the PNSN webicorder tracings, our crater seismometer, code-named SEP and serviced Feb. 24, best displays the protracted small rumbling that accompanies the larger rockfalls. At night these rockfalls breach the hotter core beneath the lava’s cooled skin and reveal incandescent rock (hotter than about 500 deg C).

Wet snow on powder in the past three weeks has increased the avalanche risk expectedly. But those choosing to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe in the permitted areas on the volcano’s flanks should remain particularly alert near steeper slopes, where the likelihood of small local snow avalanches may be heightened further by sporadic earthquakes in the magnitude 2-3 range.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:51 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift broadly north to northeast throughout the day, depending on the height of ascent.

Recent observations: Weather conditions are clear, cold, and sunny this morning at Mount St. Helens. Seismic and GPS instruments indicate that lava extrusion continues in remarkably uniform manner. An earthquake about 9:25 p.m. last night had preliminary magnitude 3, at the high end of the larger temblors that occur 3-4 times per day; whereas the smaller relentless drumbeats hit once every 2-3 minutes. The graphed progress of a GPS receiver on the new dome forms a line as straight as an arrow, indicating unswerving westward lava motion about 0.9 m per day.

Those choosing to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe in the permitted areas on the volcano’s flanks should remain aware to the small possibility of change in volcanic conditions. Be particularly alert near steeper slopes, where the likelihood of small local snow avalanches may be heightened by the sporadic larger earthquakes.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:58 | Permalink

Aerial views taken on 2006-Feb-24

Recent observations: Weather is clear at the volcano this morning, as seen in the U.S. Forest Service webcam (URL at foot of this update). Seismicity persists with its notable cadence of small shallow earthquakes. The GPS receiver on the new dome continues to track the west-northwestward motion of newly extruded lava, about 1 yd per day. Eruption-related risk likely will remain low for those visiting or flying over the Mount St. Helens area today.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:15 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift north, changing to northeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: Patterns remain unchanged for seismicity and ground deformation during the past 24 hours, which means that things in the crater change by the slow extrusion and westward expansion of the new dome. This morning’s two-hour webcam sequence shows daylight encroaching on an iced-over viewing glass.

The new dome’s summit altitude currently is about 7550 ft, towering about 400 ft above the 1980s dome as seen from the U.S. Forest Service’s Coldwater visitor center. But that’s still below the 7770-ft altitude reached last July, before collapse of a previous spine, and well below the crater rim, which is mostly above 8100 ft except at Shoestring Notch or northward where the crater opens outward toward the roadheads.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:36 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift north, changing to northeast by afternoon.

Recent observations: Like a slug of VERY HOT crusty toothpaste, dacite lava issues from its vent, builds a dome, and plows westward, the direction of greatest freedom. Its horizontal motion persists at about 0.9 m per day, judging from a GPS receiver placed on the dome last Friday. Tiny earthquakes pop off once every 2-3 minutes, all part of this extrusive process. Steam and small uprisings of ash from rockfalls will be the only visual signs of ongoing eruption for those viewing from afar. The lava action is entirely within the crater, trapped between the 1980s dome and the south crater wall; consequently, eruption-related risk likely will remain low today elsewhere on the volcano. Winter storms have been cold, so stream-flow acoustic monitors located outward from the crater show only trifling daily variations.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:35 | Permalink