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2007 June 30

USGS Update 2007-Jun-30 09:07

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 skies afford excellent views of the volcano this morning. Our instruments show that the eruption continues, albeit very slowly, and there have been no changes in activity recently.

2007 June 29

USGS Update 2007-Jun-29 07:47

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 north-northeastward this morning and northeastward later in the day.

Recent observations: Rockfall signals dominate the seismic records on crater stations as lava dome growth continues. No significant changes in eruptive activity have been detected during the past day.

2007 June 28

USGS Update 2007-Jun-28 09:21

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: Eruptive conditions remain unchanged as dome growth continues. Seismic signals generated by rockfalls from the crater walls and glacier snouts, as well as from the lava dome, dominate the seismic records.

2007 June 27

USGS Update 2007-Jun-27 09:17

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: Yesterday field crews installed a new time-lapse camera on the northwest crater rim, continued GPS surveys, and thermally imaged the growing lava dome. Eruptive conditions remain unchanged from those of the past few months.

2007 June 26

USGS Update 2007-Jun-26 08:44

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 northward to westward at low altitudes and northeastward at higher altitudes.

Recent observations: Crews are on their way to the field to make thermal observations of the growing lava dome, to continue GPS measurements of a regional network of benchmarks, and to complete installation of a new time-lapse camera on the northwest crater rim. Eruptive conditions remain unchanged as lava continues to extrude slowly.

2007 June 24

USGS Update 2007-Jun-24 09:02

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: A damp day in the Northwest precludes views of the volcano today. Instruments on the mountain indicate that the dome-building eruption continues amid a background of low-level seismicity, punctuated by the occasional larger quake, such as the M2.5 earthquake that occurred at 10:30 yesterday morning.

USGS Update 2007-Jun-23 12:06

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: Clouds obscure the volcano today. Seismicity indicates that lava extrusion and rockfalls from the growing spine are continuing.

2007 June 22

USGS Update 2007-Jun-22 09:42

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: Clouds partially obscure the volcano today. There were no crews in the field yesterday, and none scheduled for today. Seismicity indicates that lava extrusion and rockfalls from the growing spine are continuing.

USGS Update 2007-Jun-21 11:04

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: Clouds partially obsure the crater of Mount St. Helens this morning. The dome continues to grow, extruding rock spines and producing blocky rubble. Yesterday field crews installed a time-lapse camera and repaired two seismometers. Crews also deployed instruments to monitor deformation of the dome and glacier and surveyed river channels.

2007 June 20

USGS Update 2007-Jun-20 08:16

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: Another glorious day at the mountain. Field crews yesterday installed infrastructure for a new still camera, surveyed river channels, and continued with annual maintenance of the seismic network. Crews will be out again today doing similar tasks. The eruption continues, with no significant changes in activity. The good weather will afford excellent views from the visitor's centers, from which the new dome and extended arms of the Crater Glacier will be quite obvious.

2007 June 19

USGS Update 2007-Jun-19 10:27

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: The volcano continues to quietly erupt, slowly extruding spines of solidified lava amidst a background of low-level seismicity. Field crews out yesterday installed new, higher-resolution cameras on the mountain, repositioned seismometers in the crater, installed gas-detection devices near the new dome, and did maintenance on telemetry systems. Crews are out again today doing further maintenance work on instrumentation, installing infrastructure for another still camera, and surveying river channels to document changes caused by the floods in November 2006.

2007 June 17

USGS Update 2007-Jun-17 09:12

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 southeast.

Recent observations: The slow but steady lava-dome-building eruption continues, accompanied by occasional earthquakes, rockfalls, and glacier quakes. Views of the crater are again obscured today by clouds and occasional moisture. Weather permitting, crews tomorrow plan to deploy several new cameras, a new seismometer, several temporary GPS instruments, and perform maintenance on equipment in the crater and flanks of the volcano.

2007 June 16

USGS Update 2007-Jun-16 10:20

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 east-northeast shifting to east-southeast by this evening.

Recent observations: Grey or gray; no matter the spelling, that's the color of the view at Mount St. Helens this morning. What lies behind the grey/gray curtain? Nothing unusual, if unusual includes the continued slow but steady eruption of a dacitic lava dome accompanied by rockfalls off the dome's steep-sided edges, occasional earthquakes, and glacier quakes from the rapidly-moving Crater Glacier. The weekend's forecast calls for continued cloudy and occasionally wet weather, but good viewing conditions should return by early next week.

USGS Update 2007-Jun-15 13:49

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.

Recent observations: Mount St. Helens has been shrouded in clouds all day. Seismicity remains at a low level and the slow dome growth continues.

2007 June 14

USGS Update 2007-Jun-14 09:25

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.

Recent observations: A mostly-cloudy vista greets Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam visitors this morning, obscuring the ongoing lava-dome-building eruption. Weather permitting, USGS crews hope to fly today to deploy temporary GPS instruments and perform maintenance of hydrologic monitoring equipment.

2007 June 13

USGS Update 2007-Jun-13 10:37

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.

Recent observations: The crater area has been in and out of clouds today. Seismicity remains at a low level and slow dome growth continues.

2007 June 12

USGS Update 2007-Jun-12 09:34

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.

Recent observations: The morning dawns with a clear view of the crater from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. A weak steam-and-gas plume can be seen rising from the new dome, which continues to slowly extrude accompanied by occasional earthquakes. On most days there is a noticeable increase in seismicity during daylight hours on stations located in the crater, particularly YEL ("Yellow Rock") which is located ≈200 feet from the toe of the advancing Crater Glacier. Most of the events appearing on the YEL records are "glacier quakes" that occur within the rapidly-moving western lobe of the Crater Glacier. Scientists working at YEL this spring have reported gunshot-like sounds accompanying some of the larger glacier quakes. Glacier movement can be influenced by air temperatures, and the daily variability in seismicity recorded by YEL reflects this influence.

2007 June 11

USGS Update 2007-Jun-11 09:00

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 east to northeast.

Recent observations: The volcano is clouded in again today. Seismicity remains at a low level and slow dome growth continues.

2007 June 10

USGS Update 2007-Jun-10 09:26

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.

Recent observations: The volcano continues to be shrouded by low clouds and rain. Seismicity remains at a low level and lava dome growth continues.

USGS Update 2007-Jun-09 12:00

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 east to northeast.

Recent observations: The volcano is obscured today by low clouds and rain. Seismicity remains at a low level, and slow growth of the lava dome continues.

2007 June 08

USGS Update 2007-Jun-08 09:41

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 south to southeast.

Recent observations: Low clouds obscure views of the crater this morning. Sporadic micro earthquakes, frequent rockfalls, and slow, steady growth of the lava dome continue.

2007 June 07

USGS Update 2007-Jun-07 09:39

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 south to southeast.

Recent observations: Low clouds obscure views of the crater this morning. Sporadic micro earthquakes, frequent rockfalls, and slow, steady growth of the lava dome continue.

2007 June 06

USGS Update 2007-Jun-06 09:44

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 south to southeast.

Recent observations: Low clouds obscure views of the crater this morning. Sporadic micro earthquakes, frequent rockfalls, and slow, steady growth of the lava dome continue.

2007 June 05

USGS Update 2007-Jun-05 08:06

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 north to northeast.

Recent observations: Views of the crater from cameras at Johnston Ridge Observatory are caliginous. There have been no changes in background levels of seismicity or motion of the growing dome. Plans for field work continue for later in the week, despite a relatively wet weather forecast.

2007 June 04

USGS Update 2007-Jun-04 10:23

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: Clouds have increasingly obscured the volcano today, but the crater has been visible much of the morning. A faint steam plume may drift up from the active part of the dome. Seismicity and repeat photography indicate that lava extrusion and rockfalls from the growing spine are continuing.

USGS Update 2007-Jun-03 14:51

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: The volcano and its crater are clear but somewhat hazy today. A faint plume caused by gas emission may be visible above the active part of the dome. Seismicity and repeat photography indicate that lava extrusion and rockfalls from the growing spine are continuing. Larger rockfalls might cause dust plumes that could rise above the crater rim and be visible from Johnston Ridge Observatory and elsewhere in the vicinity.

2007 June 02

USGS Update 2007-Jun-02 10:20

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 north to northeast.

Recent observations: Views of Mount St. Helens are very good this morning under partly blue skies and high clouds. Seismicity and dome growth continue at rates typical of recent weeks. There have been no changes in background levels of seismicity or motion of the active part of the lava dome. Continued warm weather will most likely increase the rate of snowmelt at higher elevations.

2007 June 01

USGS Update 2007-Jun-01 09:43

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.

Recent observations: Clear blue skies over Mount St. Helens offer excellent views of the new dome and a diffuse plume. Seismicity and dome growth continue at rates typical of recent weeks. Continued warm weather will most likely increase the rate of snowmelt at higher elevations.

USGS Update 2007-May-31 13:22

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-northeast.

Recent observations: Mount St. Helens is clear today, and a diffuse plume drifts upward from the active part of the dome. Seismicity in the form of small earthquakes every few minutes indicates steady slow extrusion of lava.