Cascade Range Current Update

Mount St. Helens Update, October 3, 2004, 8:00 A.M.

Current status is Volcano Alert (Alert Level 3); aviation color code RED

Overnight (about 3 am) there was a tremor burst that lasted about 25 minutes. No eruptive plume was detected as a result of this tremor. Following the tremor, seismic activity dropped, but now is at a level similar to that before the tremor burst. Earthquakes are occurring at a rate of 1-2 per minute with maximum earthquake magnitudes of about M3. All earthquake locations remain shallow.

During yesterday’s gas flight, scientists saw an increase in the number of fumaroles on the lava dome and detected some carbon dioxide. The total amount awaits further data reduction. Scientists also reported intermittently the smell of hydrogen sulfide (rotten-egg smell) over the crater. Data from the GPS instruments on the flanks of the volcano show no significant changes. Results from the FLIR (thermal imagery) data to date show no significant thermal anomalies in the crater or on the dome.



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