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 northeastward.

Recent observations: There have been glimpses through patchy clouds into the crater from Johnston Ridge Observatory this morning. Persistent seismicity and pictures from a remote camera on the northeast crater rim (Brutus) show that lava extrusion is continuing. The spine that has been growing since October-November 2005 continues to emerge through talus from recent rockfalls, and additional rockfalls are occurring as a result. None has approached the size of the event on May 29, but comparably-sized events are possible as the spine continues to grow. As noted earlier, hazards from such an event are not expected to extend beyond the crater. A small amount of rockfall dust could rise above the crater rim and drift downwind, as was the case on May 29.