VolcanoCam Movies Archive

USGS Mount St. Helens Information Statement
October 12, 2004, 7:00 am, PDT

(As issued by the U.S. Geological Survey, Vancouver, Washington
University of Washington, Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network, Seattle, Washington)

Seismic activity remained at a low level overnight. Small earthquakes (maximum about magnitude 1) continue to occur at a rate of about 1 per 5 to 10 minutes. Visual observations and thermal imaging of the crater, the 1980-86 lava dome, and the intensely deforming and uplifting area on the south side of the dome were made yesterday afternoon. Thermal imaging of the western part of the uplifting area revealed temperatures of 500 to 600 degrees C on a large pinkish-gray fin of rock and in nearby fumaroles and cracks. These observations are consistent with new lava having reached the surface of the uplift. Additional visual and thermal observations will be made today to further evaluate this interpretation.

A gas-sensing flight yesterday measured fluxes of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide that are similar to or slightly smaller than those measured on 7 October. The next gas-sensing flight is scheduled for tomorrow.