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February 1, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-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.
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- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Stormy weather continues to obscure the volcano and the forecast for the next several days is for more of the same.
- *** This line included in daily update but excluded for rest of month on this page.
February 2, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift eastward in the morning and east-southeastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Stormy weather continues to obscure the volcano and the forecast for the next several days is for more of the same.
February 3, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift eastward in the morning and north-northeastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Pre-dawn views into the crater from the Johnston Ridge web camera revealed glow on the currently growing lava lobe and a few incandescent rockfalls. After sunrise a weak steam plume was observed rising to about crater rim level. Another Pacific storm will arrive in the area later today and will likely obscure the volcano through Saturday. Better weather is forecast for next week and fieldwork is planned to make repairs to monitoring sites.
February 4, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift northeastward in the morning and eastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Stormy conditions since yesterday have precluded direct observations of the crater area. Better weather is forecast for next week and fieldwork is planned to make repairs to monitoring sites.
February 5, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift southeastward in the morning and eastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Fair weather has returned to the Pacific Northwest. However, the JRO webcam iced over last night which prevented direct observations of the crater area until about 0950 PST today when the dome was observed emitting a weak steam plume that dissipated at rim level. Fieldwork is planned to make repairs to monitoring sites this week.
February 6, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift north-northeastward in the morning and eastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have been detected in the level of activity during the past day. Fair weather has returned to the Pacific Northwest. Views of the crater overnight showed glowing areas on the growing and recently active lava lobes. Fieldwork is planned to make repairs to monitoring sites beginning Tuesday.
February 7, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-northeastward in the morning and in the evening.
- Recent observations: The spell of good weather has given us the first opportunity in two weeks to travel to the field and maintain instruments. Seismicity has been normal; the normal repetitive tiny earthquakes continue every few minutes, and no earthquakes of magnitude greater than 2 have occurred in the past day and a half.
February 8, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-northeastward in the morning and in the evening.
- Recent observations: Good weather gave us the opportunity on Tuesday, February 7 to travel to the field to do instrument maintainance. Seismicity has been normal; the normal repetitive tiny earthquakes continue every few minutes, and no earthquakes of magnitude greater than 2 have occurred in the past day and a half.
February 9, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift in a direction ranging from southeastward to westward in the morning and in the evening.
- Recent observations: The clear weather this morning offers excellent views of Mount St. Helens. Comparison of photos taken between December 17 and February 7 shows that the base of the active lobe of the lava dome has enlarged by about 100 meters. Seismicity remains at a low level, with regular small ("drumbeat") earthquakes continuing. No quakes larger than magnitude 2 have occurred since February 6.
February 10, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift westward in the morning and in the evening.
- Recent observations: The volcano is visible today. Seismicity has been normal; the normal repetitive tiny earthquakes continue every few minutes, and no earthquakes of magnitude greater than 2 have occurred in the past day and a half.
February 11, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift in a southeastward direction in the morning and in the evening.
- Recent observations: Clear skies this morning offer another good view of the mountain. Seismicity has not changed in the past 24 hours, with small "drumbeat" earthquakes continuing, and no earthquakes larger than magnitude 2.
February 12, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift eastward in the morning and southeastward in the evening.
- Recent observations: Seismicity has been normal; the normal repetitive tiny earthquakes continue every few minutes, and no earthquakes of magnitude greater than 2 have occurred in the past day and a half.
February 13, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift in an eastward direction in the morning and a southeastward direction in the evening.
- Recent observations: Rainy weather has caused the postponement of field work to measure infrared temperature of the lava dome and maintain field equipment. Seismicity has continued at the same level as in recent days.
February 14, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-southeastward early in the day. Later in the day any ash clouds would drift southward at low altitudes and southeastward at higher altitudes.
- Recent observations: No significant changes in patterns of earthquakes or ground deformation have occurred over the past day. Analysis of a digital elevation model made from photographs taken on December 15, 2005, shows that the volume of the new lava dome at that time was about 73 million cubic meters (95 million cubic yards). Previously we had estimated that the new dome probably surpassed the volume of the 1980-1986 lava dome (77 million cubic meters or 100 million cubic yards) by the end of 2005. But it looks like that milestone might not have been met until recently. A model to be made from photographs taken on February 8, 2006, will tell us in a few weeks.
February 15, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift south-southwestward early in the day and south-southeastward later.
- Recent observations: No significant changes in patterns of earthquakes or ground deformation have occurred over the past day. A series of photographs taken from a fixed point on the old lava dome last week over a 2.5-hour period showed that the active part of the new lava dome continues to extrude; points on the surface of the dome are moving a couple of meters per day. Crews are heading to the field today to make thermal and photographic observations, to measure gas flux, and to make some repairs to antennas and power systems at several monitoring sites. More field work is planned for tomorrow.
February 16, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift chiefly southeastward. Later in the day any low altitude ash clouds would drift northwestward while higher altitude clouds would still drift southeastward.
- Recent observations: No significant changes in patterns of earthquakes or ground deformation have occurred over the past day. Just before 5:30 this morning one of the larger (roughly magnitude 2.5) earthquakes that occur about once per day was accompanied by a large bright spot on the VolcanoCam indicating rockfalls were triggered by the quake. Preliminary analysis of yesterday’s gas flight suggests that volcanic-gas flux remains unchanged from recent measurements. Crews are heading to the old lava dome today to install a new seismometer that will replace one on a portable spider that has been operating since late 2004.
February 17, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift westward to southwestward.
- Recent observations: Strong winds are rapidly dispersing gases rising from the growing lava dome so there is no visible plume this morning. No significant changes in patterns of earthquakes or ground deformation have occurred over the past day. Crater clouds hampered yesterday’s attempt to install a new seismometer on the old lava dome, but scientists were able to repair some telemetry and camera systems. The cameras at Sugar Bowl and Guacamole are again sending images back from which we can track patterns of movement. The northeastern, active part of the new lava dome is developing a steeply inclined jagged spine. At its top, temperatures as high as 580 degrees Celsius (1075 degrees F) were measured using a thermal sensor.
February 18, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coupled with eruption models, show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift westward to west-southwestward early in the day and southwestward later.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have occurred in patterns of earthquake and deformation activity during the past day.
February 19, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift southwestward early in the day and southward later.
- Recent observations: No significant changes have occurred during the past day. The actively growing part of the lava dome has several steep, highly fractured cliffs and crags on its summit and north flank. These areas are apparently so unstable that the larger (roughly magnitude 2.5) earthquakes that occur about once per day shake down masses of hot rock. The resulting rock falls and slides generate dilute ash clouds that are occasionally glimpsed rising above the crater rim. One occurred about 12:15 p.m. yesterday and another about 7:30 a.m. this morning.
February 20, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift south-southwestward to south-southeastward.
- Recent observations: No significant changes in patterns of eruptive behavior have occurred during the past day. The weather forecast for the coming week suggests that field operations are unlikely as clouds and snow return to the mountains.
February 21, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift south-southwestward to southeastward.
- Recent observations: The eruption continues with no significant changes in the past day. Field crews took advantage of a break in the weather on February 15-16 to make visual observations and temperature measurements in the crater, repair damaged equipment, measure the output of volcanic gases, and collect rock samples from the active portion of the growing dome. Preliminary analysis shows no significant changes in temperature, in the low flux of volcanic gases, or in the character of lava being erupted. The weather forecast for the rest of this week suggests that field operations are unlikely.
February 22, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift to the southeast throughout the day.
- Recent observations: The eruption continues with no significant changes. Preliminary analysis shows no significant changes in temperature, in the low flux of volcanic gases, or in the character of lava being erupted. New rock samples were collected for analysis this past week. The weather forecast suggests that field operations are unlikely for the rest of this week.
February 23, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift due east to east-southeast throughout the day.
- Recent observations: The eruption continues with no observable changes over the past few days. Seismicity is low and steady. No field operations are planned for today due to the weather.
February 24, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-southeastward to southeastward.
- Recent observations: There were no changes in patterns of activity at the volcano during the past day. Field crews plan to take advantage of good weather today to make visual observations and improve a seismometer station in the crater.
February 25, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift east-northeastward to northeastward.
- Recent observations: The eruption continues with no changes in previously reported patterns of activity. Field crews took advantage of Friday’s good weather to make visual observations in the crater, improve a seismometer station on the 1980-1986 dome, and deploy a new GPS spider on the active portion of the 2004-2006 dome.
February 26, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim today would drift northeastward.
- Recent observations: Mostly clear weather on Friday and Saturday afforded good views into the crater by field observers on Friday and by 2 of 4 cameras at the volcano that are currently free of snow and ice. Growth of the lava dome continues with no changes in previously reported patterns of seismicity or ground deformation.
February 27, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift northeastward today throughout the day.
- Recent observations: Heavy clouds again are obscuring views into the crater. Instrumental readings indicate that growth of the lava dome continues at its slow, steady pace.
February 28, 2006:
- Current status is Volcano Advisory (Alert Level 2); 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.
- Wind forecasts show that ash clouds that rise above the crater rim would drift north, changing to east-northeast by afternoon.
- Recent observations: Our seismometers, GPS receivers, and tiltmeters indicate that dacite lava continues to extrude from within the crater. A GPS receiver placed on the new dome last Friday shows westward motion of about 0.9 m per day and a few centimeters daily of uplift. Seismicity remains low but relentless, with small shallow earthquakes every 2-3 minutes. Visual observations are sparse or lacking, owing to a storm system that may be with us for a few days.
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