Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/13/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Thursday, September 13, 2007 09:08 PDT (Thursday, September 13, 2007 16:08 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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 west.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: The sky is clear at the volcano, although fog persists in the valley. From the USFS camera at Johnston Ridge, dust plumes can be seen in the crater and drifting above the crater rim due to wind remobilizing old ash and other fine-grained material. This is a common occurrence when we have stretches of hot dry weather has we have had this past week. Low-level earthquake activity and rates of deformation continue to accompany the extrusion of the lava dome.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/12/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 09:03 PDT (Wednesday, September 12, 2007 16:03 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: Although this morning brought low overcast to the Vancouver area, camera views show skies at Mt. St. Helens to be clear and sunny. A thin plume is rising from the growing lava dome and drifting with the prevailing winds to the East over the crater rim. No significant changes in the volcano’s behavior have been noted overnight. Volcano activity continues with on-going seismicity, deformation, and rockfalls from the crater walls and growing dome.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/11/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007 08:47 PDT (Tuesday, September 11, 2007 15:47 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: It’s a warm, sunny, late-summer day in the Pacific Northwest. Camera views show the mountain to be clear with a light dust and ash plume drifting over the east rim. Monitored parameters are essentially unchanged in the last 24 hours. Slow steady extrusion of the lava dome in the crater continues unabated.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/10/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Monday, September 10, 2007 10:05 PDT (Monday, September 10, 2007 17:05 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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 west-southwest.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: Warm and clear conditions provide views into the Mount St. Helens crater this morning. Volcano activity continues with on-going seismicity, deformation, and rockfalls from the crater walls and growing dome. There have been no significant changes in conditions over the last 24 hours.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/7/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Friday, September 7, 2007 10:11 PDT (Friday, September 7, 2007 17:11 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: The crater is partly obscured by low clouds this morning. Volcano activity continues with on-going seismicity, deformation, and rockfalls from the crater walls and growing dome. There have been no significant changes in conditions over the last 24 hours.

Mount St. Helens Update for 9/6/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Thursday, September 6, 2007 08:59 PDT (Thursday, September 6, 2007 15:59 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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-southeastward.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: The crater is obscured by low clouds this morning. Volcano activity continues with on-going seismicity, deformation, and rockfalls from the crater walls and growing dome. There have been no significant changes in conditions over the last 24 hours.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 9/4/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Tuesday, September 4, 2007 08:52 PDT (Tuesday, September 4, 2007 15:52 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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 early in the day and south-southeast later in the day.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: The crater is partly obscured by low clouds this morning. Volcano activity continues with on-going seismicity, deformation, and rockfalls from the crater walls and growing dome. There have been no significant changes in conditions over the last 24 hours.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 8/31/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Friday, August 31, 2007 09:25 PDT (Friday, August 31, 2007 16:25 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: Under partly sunny skies, a steam plume can be seen rising from the new dome and drifting northeastward above the crater rim this morning. There are no significant changes in the on-going eruptive condition. Very low-level seismicity punctuated by sporadic rock falls are indicative of continued lava dome growth.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 8/30/07

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Thursday, August 30, 2007 08:45 PDT (Thursday, August 30, 2007 15:45 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: The mountain is warm and clear again today, inexorably pushing solid rock up and onto the south crater floor. Seismicity and deformation remain unchanged, and there have been no significant changes in events over the last 24 hours.

Mount St. Helens Daily Update for 8/29/07 and Note

Current Mount St. Helens status from CVO:

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:00 PDT (Wednesday, August 29, 2007 17:00 UTC)

MOUNT ST. HELENS UPDATE
Current Volcanic- Alert Level WATCH; Aviation Color Code ORANGE: Growth of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens continues, accompanied by low rates of seismicity, low emissions of steam and volcanic gases, and minor production of ash. During such eruptions, changes in the level of activity can occur over days to months. The eruption could intensify suddenly or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind. Small lahars could suddenly descend the Toutle River if triggered by heavy rain or by interaction of hot rocks with snow and ice. These lahars pose a negligible hazard below the Sediment Retention Structure (SRS) but could pose a hazard along the river channel upstream.

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.

Potential ash hazards to aviation: Under current eruptive conditions, small, short-lived explosions may produce ash clouds that exceed 30,000 feet in altitude. Ash from such events can travel 100 miles or more downwind.

Recent observations: It is both clear and warm at the mountain this morning and should remain so for a number of days. The eruption is on-going with minor seismicity and slow distributed deformation. Crews are servicing gps and camera sites today on the mountain. There have been no changes in conditions over the last 24 hours.

There is now effort underway to have Mount St. Helens and area around the volcano named a national park. The National Parks Conservation Association is spear heading this effort. They are asking that all in favor of this to contact Rep. Brian Baird. You may do so here. You may also find the contact information for your local members of Congress here.