Mt. St. Helens Volcano in 20th Phase of Eruption

Mt. St. Helens has begun its 20th eruptive episode in six years, scientists said Saturday, but thick clouds prevented them from seeing whether magma has reached the surface of the rumbling volcano’s lava dome.

Commercial and private pilots flying near the southwest Washington volcano Friday night reported seeing several steam or ash bursts, rising to heights of between 18,000 and 20,000 feet above sea level.