Mt. St Helens

The day we left

February 16, 2007:
• 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.
• Wind forecasts show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift east-southeast.
• Recent observations: The crater is obscured by clouds and precipitation this morning. Similar conditions are expected for the remainder of today. Over the past 24 hours seismicity has remained low and unchanged from recent levels. Analysis of images taken over the last ten days indicates that the eruption continues.
That Saturday

February 17, 2007:
• 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.
• Wind forecasts show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would drift east-northeast early in the day and to the northeast late.
• Recent observations: The crater is clear this morning. The respite from stormy conditions is expected to be brief with precipitation forecast again for this evening. Over the past 24 hours seismicity has remained low and unchanged from recent levels.
The Sunday after
February 18, 2007:
• 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.
• Wind forecasts show that any ash clouds rising above the crater rim today would to the drift to the northeast early, shifting to southeast later in the day.
• Recent observations: The eruption continues as slow extrusion accompanied by small earthquakes... [continues]

Read full essay