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 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.