Mt. Fitzherbert

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift to the south-southeast.

Recent observations: The volcano is clear this morning. Photographs from the Brutus (east rim) camera shows snow in the crater from yesterday's storm and continued growth of the lava dome. There have been no significant changes in seismicity, deformation, or rockfall activity in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:38 | Permalink

Timelapse late June through August 2006

Recent observations: Today is a rare rainy summer day in the maritime Northwest, and the volcano is shrouded by clouds. There has been no earthquake or rockfall activity of note in the last day.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:27 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift northeast during morning and early afternoon, then eastward during the evening.

Recent observations: Mount St. Helens is obscured by clouds today. Slow-but-steady growth of the latest lava spine continues. A magnitude 3.2 earthquake associated with rockfall activity occurred at 3:31 am PDT today.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:18 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: Lava dome extrusion continues at Mount St. Helens as does the hazy, hot weather. No significant changes in seismicity, deformation, or rockfall activity have been detected in the past 24 hours.

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 rising above the crater rim today would drift southeastward.

Recent observations: Lava dome extrusion continues at Mount St. Helens this morning under hazy skies. Seismicity remains low and only minor rockfall activity was detected overnight.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:25 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift to the south and southwest.

Recent observations: The steaming, new lava dome in the crater of Mount St. Helens is visible this morning under clear skies. Crews had a successful day in the field yesterday installing and repairing instruments used to monitor the continuing eruption. At 3:38 PM PDT (22:38 UTC) field crews observed a sizeable rockfall from the actively growing portion of the new lava dome. A magnitude 3.2 earthquake corresponded with this event. Dust generated by the rockfall appeared to drift no higher than the crater rim. No other sizeable rockfalls have been detected over the past 24 hours and background seismicity remains at low levels.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:27 | Permalink

Fieldwork photos from 2006-Aug-18

Recent observations: Lava dome extrusion continues under clear skies this morning at Mount St. Helens. Low levels of seismicity and minor rockfall activity were observed over the past 24 hours. Crews will be in the field today installing and repairing monitoring instruments.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:51 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift SE during the morning and early afternoon, switching to the SSE for the late afternoon and evening.

Recent observations: The crater is obscured by low clouds this morning. Currently, background seismicity is low and only a few minor rockfalls occurred during the night. The next deployment of field crews in the crater will depend on weather and helicopter availability.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:07 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift to the east and southeast.

Recent observations: The volcano is completely obscured by clouds this morning as a weather system moves through the Pacific Northwest. Lava dome extrusion continues and no significant changes in seismicity or deformation have been noted in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:36 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds from small explosions rising above the crater rim today would drift NE, while larger eruptions could send ash to the NNE. Later this afternoon, lower level winds would send ash due east to ESE, while upper level winds should blow to the NE.

Recent observations: Although lower valleys in southwest Washington are filled with low-level clouds this morning, the Mount St. Helens crater is clear. Only minor rockfall activity and low-level seismicity was noted through the night as the slow extrusion of the solidified lava spine continues.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:27 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift to the north.

Recent observations: Mount St. Helens is visible below cloudy skies this morning. Slow-but-steady growth of the latest lava spine continues and seismicity remains low. Crews plan to be in the field this week to deploy remote cameras and seismic equipment used to monitor eruptive activity.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:41 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift to the northeast.

Recent observations: No significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation have been detected in the past 24 hours, and seismicity remains generally low.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:47 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim would have a northwesterly drift.

Recent observations: Skies are clear at Mount St. Helens this morning. Continued slow-but-steady growth of the latest lava spine is apparent from the faint murmur relayed from seismic instruments in the crater. Field crews deployed in the crater and around the rim yesterday completed repairs on several seismic stations and repaired or installed remote cameras used to monitor eruptive activity.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:04 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim would drift northward.

Recent observations: : Remote cameras show the haze lifting from around the Mount St. Helens edifice this morning, with a promise of clear skies for the remainder of the day. Continued growth of the latest lava spine is indicated by the seismic record of a weak but steady pattern of ground shaking within the crater. Since noon yesterday, this drumbeat-like signal was accentuated by ten shallow earthquakes ranging in magnitude from M-1.3 to M-2.0. These erratic small earthquakes are frequently associated with minor rock slides and puffs of steam and ash from the growing lava dome.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:25 | Permalink

New timelapse photos for August

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim would drift southward today.

Recent observations: The clouds have lifted and the crater is clearly visible form the JRO web cam at this time. A magnitute 3.1 earthquake associated with the ongoing eruption occurred last night at 22:41 hours. Otherwise the faint drum-beat of siesmicity associated with spine extrusion continues unabated and is punctuated every hour or two with small earthquakes and rock falls.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 13:45 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: The crater is obscured by clouds this morning. No significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation have been detected in the past 24 hours, and seismicity remains generally low.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:36 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift mostly to the east-northeast.

Recent observations: Clear skies afford excellent views of the crater this morning. Mid yesterday afternoon, a steam plume (accompanying a rockfall and a magnitude 3.0 earthquake) rose about 1000 feet above the crater rim and dissipated within minutes. Multiple small rockfalls from the new dome are occurring daily, and clouds of ash, possibly with steam and gas, will continue to occasionally rise above the crater rim as the result of rockfall activity. Overall, extrusion of the growing lava dome continues to occur in the same quiescent mode exhibited over the past year, and levels of seismicity remain generally low. Field crews expect to be on the mountain later this week.

A pan from Mount St. Helens' crater rim looking north, made from 12 images "stitched" together, with accompanying annotation. USGS Photograph taken on July 27, 2006, by Willie Scott.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:27 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift mostly southeastward.

Recent observations: The view of the crater and lava dome from Johnston Ridge Observatory is clear this morning. A few small earthquakes occurred in the last 24 hours, all less than magnitude 3. Occasional rockfalls are seen in the seismograms from crater stations. Continued growth of the lava dome is accompanied by very small “drumbeat” earthquakes.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 07:59 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift mostly southward to southeastward.

Recent observations: The crater is clear this morning except for a small steam plume rising from the growing lava dome. A magnitude 3.1 occurred at 6:46 this morning. In addition, a few small rockfalls are evident in the seismic record from the past 24 hours, but the small “drumbeat” earthquakes that have occurred with great regularity during much of the eruption are barely noticeable.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 12:22 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift mostly southward to southeastward.

Recent observations: This morning a cloud bank shrouds the upper Toutle River Valley but the crater is clear and the growing lava dome visible from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. No earthquakes larger than magnitude 3 occurred yesterday and only small rockfalls are evident in the seismic record from the past 24 hours. The small �drumbeat� earthquake that have occurred with great regularity during much of the eruption are barely evident in the seismic record.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:18 | Permalink

Time-lapse movie showing Aug. 2006 growth

Recent observations: Continued cool, cloudy weather is forecast at the mountain today. A magnitude 2.9 earthquake at 6:24 this morning, and it triggered a rockfall. No significant change in ground deformation has occurred in the past 24 hours, and seismicity remains generally low. A USGS field crew is making ground-based gas measurements east of the mountain.

Mount St. Helens erupted again in the fall of 2004 as a new period of dome building began within the 1980 crater. Between October 2004 and February 2006, about 80 million cubic meters of dacite lava erupted immediately south of the 1980-86 lava dome. The erupting lava separated the glacier into two parts, first squeezing the east arm of the glacier against the east crater wall and then causing equally spectacular crevassing and broad uplift of the glacier's west arm. Vertical aerial photographs document dome growth and glacier deformation. These photographs enabled photogrammetric construction of a series of high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) showing changes from October 4, 2004 to February 9, 2006.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:45 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift mostly east-northeastward.

Recent observations: Cool, cloudy weather is forecast at the mountain today. There have been no earthquakes larger than magnitude 3 during the past 24 hours and no significant rockfall events reported. USGS members are in the field doing ground-based gas measurements east of the mountain and mapping on the flanks today but no flights into the crater are planned.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:09 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: At this hour the mountain is still shrouded in fog. A magnitude 3.3 earthquake rattled the mountain last night at 8:02 PM, and a magnitude 2.4 aftershock of the M 3.8 earthquake of August 3 near Battle Ground was recorded on stations at Mount St. Helens at 7:32 this morning. No significant rockfalls were noted during either of these events.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:28 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: The volcano is clear this morning beneath partly cloudy skies. Earthquakes during the past 24 hours have all been small (none of magnitude 3 or larger). Previously referred to as the “drumbeat” earthquakes, the small frequent quakes at Mount St. Helens have become smaller and more irregular in recent weeks. No significant rockfall events have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 10:58 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: The volcano is clear again today with only minor dust haze slightly veiling the crater. Sporadic moderate earthquakes (smaller than M3) and minor rockfalls continue to occur, and are the types of events to be expected during the current eruptive activity. Overall, seismicity at the mountain remains relatively low, and there have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 08:55 | Permalink

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

Recent observations: Clear weather and only minor dust haze afford good views of the volcano today. Yesterday, two moderate magnitude earthquakes (the largest M3.6) generated rockfalls that produced dust plumes that rose well above the rim and were visible from the metropolitan area. These types of events are to be expected during the current eruptive activity, and will likely happen again. Overall, seismicity at the mountain is relatively low, and there have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:20 | Permalink

Recent views taken on 2006-Aug-03

Recent observations: Clear weather affords good views of the volcano today, although rockfalls and winds in the crater are creating a dusty haze that inhibits visibility. At 9:46am an earthquake and associated rockfall from the dome produced a very visible dust plume that rose above the crater rim. Other such events could happen again producing plumes visible from the metropolitan area. Imagery shows that extrusion of lava that is building the dome continues. Overall, seismicity at the mountain is low, and there have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:19 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift southeastward to east-southeastward.

Recent observations: The mountain and crater are again clear and visible this morning. As usual, minor rockfalls continue to spall from the extruding lava dome, some of which may generate small, visible dust plumes. There have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation at the mountain in the past 24 hours.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:08 | Permalink

Potential ash hazards: Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift broadly south-southwestward to south-southeastward at low elevation, and east-northeastward to east-southeastward at higher elevations.

Recent observations: The mountain and crater are clear and visibility is excellent this morning. Minor rockfalls continued to spall from the extruding lava dome overnight. There have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation at the mountain in the past 24 hours. Two prominent local earthquakes that occurred early this morning (M3.8 at 1:39am located 4 mi west-northwest of Battle Ground, and M2.7 at 3:27am located 9 mi north-northeast of Ashford) show up clearly on the Mount St. Helens seismic records, but should not be confused with eruptive activity at the mountain.

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 rising above the crater rim today would drift eastward to east-southeastward.

Recent observations: Though low clouds fill the Toutle valley, the mountain stands proudly above them and the crater is clear. Extrusion of the lava dome continues, and associated minor rockfalls add to the growing talus pile that envelopes it. There have been no significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation in the past 24 hours. Seismicity remains generally low, and the recent spate of moderate-magnitude quakes has taken a temporary hiatus.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 09:18 | Permalink

Aerial and Infrared views taken last week of July 2006.

Recent observations: Clouds obscure views of the crater this morning. No significant changes in seismicity or ground deformation have occurred in the past 24 hours, and seismicity remains generally low. Images from cameras placed around the mountain show the extrusion of the lava dome continues. Under current conditions, rockfalls from the dome are likely and may generate small dust plumes that should dissipate rapidly.

Posted by Raoul Ortega at 11:03 | Permalink